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Monday Mouse Watch: The Operations side of the Disney theme park equation

Given all the talk that there’s been lately about possible changes at the Disneyland Resort, Jim Hill decides to give the Ops staff of those two theme parks a chance to speak their mind. Offer up their opinions about the proposed changes to Tom Sawyer Island, the addition of the “Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage” ride to Disneyland’s ride line-up as well as the planned revamping of DCA’s Sunshine Plaza

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For the past few weeks, the Web has been awash with stories about how Disneyland‘s Tom Sawyer Island is reportedly going to be rethemed. How this part of that Anaheim theme park (Which Walt Disney personally helped design, by the way. Numerous Disney biographies talk about how Walt supposedly took the plans for Tom Sawyer Island home with him one weekend. So that Disney himself could then chart out the attraction’s coastline) is going to be reworked so that it can then be marketed to fans of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” film series.






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Mind you, there are those who will tell you that this “Pirates” -themed redo of Tom Sawyer Island isn’t necessarily a done deal. That it’s just one of many concepts that the Imagineers are currently considering for the Disneyland Resort.


And they’d be right, actually. According to several Disney insiders that I’ve spoken with over the past week, plans for the entire Anaheim resort are very much in flux at the moment.


Take — for example — the DCA overhaul plan. That 10-year, $650 million scheme to reconfigure California Adventure into a more people-pleasing theme park. Week before last, the latest version of that plan was scrapped. As the Imagineers once again try to strike just the right balance between new attractions & shows that will actually get paying customers to come through the turnstiles and changes that can realistically be made to that theme park that are fiscally & operationally sound.


Truth be told, that’s one of the main stumbling blocks to changing Disneyland’s Tom Sawyer Island into a “Pirates of the Caribbean” -themed play area. That — strictly from an operational point of view — this proposed $28 million redo doesn’t make much sense.


As one veteran from Disneyland Operations explained it to me last week:



“You have to understand that Tom Sawyer Island is only reachable by raft. And these rafts can only carry 55 people at a time over to the island. So then — when you factor in the time that it takes to safely load and unload each raft — even when Disneyland has both rafts running and they’re then being operated by veteran cast members who can work at peak efficiency, you can still only get 1,000 – 1,100 guests over to the island per hour.



Photo by Jeff Lange


Now keep in mind that Tom Sawyer Island has to close every day at dusk. Realistically that means that only 9,000 – 10,000 guests will ever get the chance to experience the island each day that this attraction is actually open.


Which seems like a fairly large number. But you have to remember that — on a busy summer day — you can have 60,000 – 70,000 people crammed into the park. Taking into consideration Tom Sawyer Island’s operational hours plus the limited capacity of those rafts, that means that only 15% of Disneyland’s paying customers ever get have the chance to experience the island on a day like that.



Photo by Jeff Lange


Which isn’t really a problem now. Given that you’re talking about a 50-year-old attraction that has limited appeal to today’s guests. But if we were to actually retheme Tom Sawyer Island around the popular “Pirates of the Caribbean” film franchise … Unless we can significantly expand the island’s operating hours and/or radically increase the capacity of TSI’s main transportation system, we’re talking about a PR nightmare.


I mean, how would you like to be working at Guest Relations when a new “Pirates” -themed version of Tom Sawyer Island opens and be the one who has to explain to all those angry parents that — due to the limited capacity of this new attraction — only one out of every six guests will actually be able to get out to Pirate Island on a busy day at the park?”


Dealing with guests complaints about attractions that have extremely limited capacity is very much on TDA executives’ minds right about now. Given all of the PR problems that they’re anticipating having next summer with the opening of Disneyland’s new “Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage” ride.



Photo by Jeff Lange


Now keep in mind that — while Tomorrowland’s old subs may have been switched over from diesel to electric power — the actual interior of these eight 52-foot-long vehicles will only be changing slightly. Which means that the Imagineers have supposedly managed to shoehorn in two additional seats into each sub. Which will then change each submarine’s capacity from 38 to 40 guests per voyage.


Soooo … With all eight subs operating on a day when Disneyland is open from 9 a.m. to 12 midnight, that still means that only 17,000 – 18,000 guests will then get to experience the “Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage” ride … Meaning that only one out of every three guests that are in the park on a busy day will actually be able to board the subs during in that 15 hour period.


Now it’s important to understand here that Disneyland’s new “Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage” will be the primary focus of the Anaheim resort’s promotional push for the Summer of 2007. That there will be commercials on television, full page ads in newspapers & magazine, billboards along the 5 … All in an effort to get people to come out to the park next year.


But what won’t be mentioned in any of this “Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage” advertising is that only one third of the guests who buys admission to Disneyland will still actually be able to experience this ride on busy days.



Copyright 2006 Disney Enterprises, Inc.


At least from a PR point of view, this extremely-limited-capacity-of-the-park’s-new-“Finding-Nemo-Submarine-Voyage”-ride-during-its-first-summer-in-operation situation is really causing TDA executives concern. Which is why a number of options to potentially diffuse this situation are reportedly already being considered. These include:






  • Holding several weeks’ worth of special after-hours parties, where limited numbers of Disneyland annual passholders would then be allowed to ride this new Tomorrowland attraction — as well as the new nighttime version of Space Mountain, Rock it Mountain — as often as they like.

Which — on paper — all sound like wonderful ideas. Unless, of course, you happen to work in Operations at Disneyland. Then the very idea that management is toying with the idea of significantly extending the operational hours of this brand-new attraction is enough to give you fits.


How come? Our Ops insider explains:



“They haven’t even finished building the ride yet. But we’ve already got managers talking about reinstating ‘Magical Mornings’ at the park and holding after-hours parties in order to accommodate the crowds. Do you realize how stupid it is to make plans like that when we don’t even know yet what it’s going to take to keep this attraction up & running on a daily basis?



Copyright 2006 Disney Enterprises, Inc.


This new version of ‘Subs’ features technology that’s never been used in a Disney theme park before. Which means it’s probably going to take a lot of extra effort after-hours in order to keep this stuff operational next summer. When we’ll basically have every ride in the park in continuous operation from 9 a.m. to 12 midnight each day for three months solid.


And yet we’ve now got these managers talking about extending “Nemo’ ‘s operational hours so that this new ride can then meet guest demand. Which is going to seriously cut into our maintenance time.


This is a bad idea. Which I’m hoping they’ll abandon as we get closer to ‘Finding Nemo’ ‘s official opening date. Which — in case you haven’t noticed — has already slid from May to June to now mid-July.”


I know, I know. This Ops vet sounds very grumpy. But you’d be grumpy too if DLR management & the Imagineers kept talking about adding rides, shows and attractions to the theme park that you were expected to maintain without WDI or these Disneyland execs seeming to give much thought as to how these new additions will then be maintained.



Photo courtesy of Google Images


Which bring us to that 1920s-era transportation hub idea that the Imagineers have been kicking around as a possible redo of DCA’s “Sunshine Plaza” area. Though the guys in Ops agree that California Adventure’s entrance area really needs some help in order to make this theme park more appealing to the public, they still absolutely hate this idea.


Why For? Our Disneyland Operations old-timer continues:



“They want guests to experience what it was like to be an old-fashioned movie star by traveling in this open-top limousine that’s driven by a uniformed driver. He’d then take guests to and fro from the Hollywood Pictures Backlot area. There’d also be this trolley that would take guests from DCA’s new transportation hub out to Paradise Pier and back. Plus a rumbly old bus that would service both Condor Flats and Grizzly Peak.


It sounds like this would make the ‘Sunshine Plaza’ area a livelier place to visit. But the reality is — given what it would actually cost to turn the front part of the park into a 1920s transportation hub — Disney won’t get a very good return on that investment. You see, very few DCA guests will ever get the chance to enjoy & experience these new attractions.



Photo by Jeff Lange


I mean, take a look at the extremely limited capacity of all of the vehicles that you find on Main Street U.S.A. Disneyland’s horseless carriages carries less than 100 guests per hour. The fire engine? Just over 100 guests an hour.


The horse-drawn streetcar and the omnibus can each handle 400 – 600 guests per hour. But that’s only when they’re running. Let’s remember that you have to suspend operation of all vehicles on Main Street when you’ve got a parade moving through the park.


So Disney’s looking to spend upwards of $30 million to retheme the front part of DCA. Adding all of these low capacity attractions that would then have to suspend operation whenever you were running ‘Block Party Bash’ or the ‘Electrical Parade.’


It seems like an awful lot of money to spend to something that very few California Adventure visitors will actually get the chance to experience and enjoy. Which is why it would make a lot more sense — at least from an Ops point of view — to take all of that money and spend it on a single brand-new high capacity ride for that theme park. Something a whole lot of people could enjoy during their day at the park.”


Mind you, DCA’s newest addition — Midway Mania — will have a fairly high capacity. With a vehicle loaded with 16 guests entering that attraction every 30 – 45 seconds, that new Paradise Pier interactive dark ride will have a THC (I.E. Theoretical Hourly Capacity) of 1,400 – 1,600 visitors per hour.


Which isn’t exactly up there with what “Pirates of the Caribbean” (Which can handle 3,000 guests per hour) and “The Haunted Mansion” (Which can handle 2,500 guests per hour) can carry. But it’s certainly better than Disneyand’s new “Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage” ride will be able to do.


Anyway … That’s the Ops side of the Disney theme park equation. At least when it comes to the seldom-seen, behind-the-scenes effort that’s involved with operating & then maintaining new attractions once they’ve been placed in the parks.


But what do you folks think? Do you think it’s wise of WDI & Disneyland management not to consult with the Operations staff when they design new rides, shows and attractions for the Anaheim resort?


Your thoughts?

Jim Hill is an entertainment writer who has specialized in covering The Walt Disney Company for nearly 40 years now. Over that time, he has interviewed hundreds of animators, actors, and Imagineers -- many of whom have shared behind-the-scenes stories with Mr. Hill about how the Mouse House really works. In addition to the 4000+ articles Jim has written for the Web, he also co-hosts a trio of popular podcasts: “Disney Dish with Len Testa,” “Fine Tooning with Drew Taylor” and “Marvel US Disney with Aaron Adams.” Mr. Hill makes his home in Southern New Hampshire with his lovely wife Nancy and two obnoxious cats, Ginger & Betty.

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Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

Disney and Macy’s 90-Year Thanksgiving Day Parade Partnership: From Mickey’s First Balloon to Minnie’s Big Debut

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Now, folks, if you’re like me, Thanksgiving just wouldn’t be the same without a coffee, a cozy seat, and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on the TV. And if you’re really like me, you’re watching for one thing: Disney balloons floating down 34th Street. Ever wondered how Mickey, Donald, and soon Minnie Mouse found their way into this beloved New York tradition? Well, grab your popcorn because we’re diving into nearly 90 years of Disney’s partnership with Macy’s.

The Very First Parade and the Early Days of Balloons

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade goes way back to 1924, but if you can believe it, balloons weren’t part of the festivities until 1927. That first lineup included Felix the Cat, a dragon, and a toy soldier, all towering above the crowds. Back then, Macy’s had a pretty wild idea to end the parade: they would let the balloons drift off into the sky, free as birds. But this wasn’t just Macy’s feeling generous. Each balloon had a message attached, offering a $100 reward (about $1,800 in today’s dollars) for anyone who returned it to the flagship store on 34th Street.

And here’s where it gets interesting. This tradition carried on for a few years, right up until 1932, when Felix the Cat almost took down a plane flying over New York City! Imagine that—you’re flying into LaGuardia, and suddenly, there’s a 60-foot balloon drifting toward your wing. Needless to say, that was the end of Macy’s “fly away” stunt, and from then on, the balloons have stayed firmly grounded after the parade ends.

1934: Mickey Mouse Floats In, and Disney Joins the Parade

It was 1934 when Mickey Mouse finally made his grand debut in the Macy’s parade. Rumor has it Walt Disney himself collaborated with Macy’s on the design, and by today’s standards, that first Mickey balloon was a bit of a rough cut. This early Mickey had a hotdog-shaped body, and those oversized ears gave him a slightly lopsided look. But no one seemed to mind. Mickey was there, larger than life, floating down the streets of New York, and the crowd loved him.

Mickey wasn’t alone that year. He was joined by Pluto, Horace Horsecollar, and even the Big Bad Wolf and Practical Pig from The Three Little Pigs, making it a full Disney lineup for the first time. Back then, Disney wasn’t yet the entertainment powerhouse we know today, so for Walt, getting these characters in the parade meant making a deal. Macy’s required its star logo to be featured on each Disney balloon—a small concession that set the stage for Disney’s long-standing presence in the parade.

Donald Duck in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade – Donaldism

Duck Joins and Towers Over Mickey

A year later, in 1935, Macy’s introduced Donald Duck to the lineup, and here’s where things got interesting. Mickey may have been the first Disney character to float through the parade, but Donald made a huge splash—literally. His balloon was an enormous 60 feet tall and 65 feet long, towering over Mickey’s 40-foot frame. Donald quickly became a fan favorite, appearing in the lineup for several years before being retired.

Fast-forward a few decades, and Donald was back for a special appearance in 1984 to celebrate his 50th birthday. Macy’s dug the balloon out of storage, re-inflated it, and sent Donald down 34th Street once again, bringing a bit of nostalgia to the holiday crowd.

A Somber Parade in 2001

Now, one of my most memorable trips to the parade was in 2001, just weeks after the 9/11 attacks. Nancy and I, along with our friends, headed down to New York, and the mood was something I’ll never forget. We watched the start of the parade from Central Park West, but before that, we went to the Museum of Natural History the night before to see the balloons being inflated. They were covered in massive cargo nets, with sandbags holding them down. It’s surreal to see these enormous balloons anchored down before they’re set free.

That year, security was intense, with police lining the streets, and then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani rode on the Big Apple float to roaring applause. People cheered his name, waving and shouting as he passed. It felt like the entire city had turned out to show their resilience. Even amidst all the heightened security and tension, seeing those balloons—brought a bit of joy back to the city.

Balloon Prep: From New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium to California’s D23 Expo

Each year before the parade, Macy’s holds a rehearsal event known as Balloon Fest at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. This is where handlers get their first crack at guiding the balloons, practicing with their parade masters, and learning the ropes—literally. It’s an entire production unto itself, with dozens of people rehearsing to make sure these enormous inflatables glide smoothly down the streets of New York on parade day.

In 2015, Macy’s took the balloon show on the road, bringing their Buzz Lightyear balloon out to California for the D23 Expo. I was lucky enough to be there, and watching Buzz get inflated piece by piece in the Anaheim Convention Center parking lot was something to behold. Each section was filled with helium in stages, and when they got around to Buzz’s lower half, well, there were more than a few gas-related jokes from the crowd.

These balloons seem to have a personality all their own, and seeing one like Buzz come to life up close—even outside of New York—had all the excitement and anticipation of the real deal.

Mickey’s Comeback as a Bandleader and Sailor Mickey

After a long hiatus, Mickey Mouse made his return to the Macy’s parade in 2000, this time sporting a new bandleader outfit. Nine years later, in 2009, Sailor Mickey joined the lineup, promoting Disney Cruise Line with a nautical twist. Over the past two decades, Disney has continued to enchant parade-goers with characters like Buzz Lightyear in 2008 and Olaf from Frozen in 2017. These balloons keep Disney’s iconic characters front and center, drawing in both longtime fans and new viewers.

But ever wonder what happens to the balloons after they reach the end of 34th Street? They don’t just disappear. Each balloon is carefully deflated, rolled up like a massive piece of laundry, and packed into storage bins. From there, they’re carted back through the Lincoln Tunnel to Macy’s Parade Studio in New Jersey, where they await their next flight.

Macy’s Disney Celebration at Hollywood Studios

In 1992, Macy’s took the spirit of the parade down to Disney-MGM Studios in Orlando. After that year’s parade, several balloons—including Santa Goofy, Kermit the Frog, and Betty Boop—were transported to Hollywood Studios, re-inflated, and anchored along New York Street as part of a holiday display. Visitors could walk through this “Macy’s New York Christmas” setup and see the balloons up close, right in the middle of the park. While this display only ran for one season, it paved the way for the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, which became a holiday staple at the park for years to come.

Minnie Mouse’s Long-Awaited Debut in 2024

This year, Minnie Mouse will finally join the parade, making her long-overdue debut. Macy’s is rolling out the red carpet for Minnie’s arrival with special pop-up shops across the country, where fans can find exclusive Minnie ears, blown-glass ornaments, T-shirts, and more to celebrate her first appearance in the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

For those lucky enough to catch the parade this year, you’ll see Minnie take her first float down 34th Street, decked out in her iconic red bow and polka-dot dress. Macy’s and Disney are also unveiling a new Disney Cruise Line float honoring all eight ships, including the latest, the Disney Treasure.

As always, I’ll be watching from my favorite chair, coffee in hand, as Minnie makes her grand entrance. The 98th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade airs live on NBC, and it’s a tradition you won’t want to miss—whether you’re on 34th Street or tuning in from home.

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Disney’s Forgotten Halloween Event: The Original Little Monsters on Main Street

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When most Disney fans think of Halloween in the parks, they immediately picture Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Walt Disney World or the Oogie Boogie Bash at Disneyland Resort. But before those events took over as the must-attend spooky celebrations, there was a little-known event at Disneyland called Little Monsters on Main Street. And its origins? Well, they go all the way back to the 1980s, during a time when America was gripped by fear—the Satanic Panic.

You see, back in the mid-1980s, parents were terrified that Halloween had become dangerous. Urban legends about drug-laced candy or razor blades hidden in apples were widespread, and many parents felt they couldn’t let their kids out of sight for even a moment. Halloween, which was once a carefree evening of trick-or-treating in the neighborhood, had suddenly become a night filled with anxiety.

This is where Disneyland’s Little Monsters on Main Street came in.

The Origins of Little Monsters on Main Street

Back in 1989, the Disneyland Community Action Team—later known as the VoluntEARS—decided to create a safe, nostalgic Halloween experience for Cast Members and their families. Many schools in the Anaheim area were struggling to provide basic school supplies to students, and the VoluntEARS saw an opportunity to combine a safe Halloween with a charitable cause. Thus, Little Monsters on Main Street was born.

This event was not open to the general public. Only Disneyland Cast Members could purchase tickets, which were initially priced at just $5 each. Cast Members could bring their kids—but only as many as were listed as dependents with HR. And even then, the park put a cap on attendance: the first event was limited to just 1,000 children.

A Unique Halloween Experience

Little Monsters on Main Street wasn’t just another Halloween party. It was designed to give kids a safe, fun environment to enjoy trick-or-treating, much like the good old days. On Halloween night in 1989, kids in costume wandered through Disneyland with their pillowcases, visiting 20 different trick-or-treat stations. They also had the chance to ride a few of their favorite Fantasyland attractions, all after the park had closed to the general public.

The event was run entirely by the VoluntEARS—about 200 of them—who built and set up all the trick-or-treat stations themselves. They arrived at Disneyland before the park closed and, as soon as the last guest exited, they began setting up stations across Main Street, Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. The event ran from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., and by the time the last pillowcase-wielding kid left, the VoluntEARS cleaned everything up, making sure the park was ready for the next day’s operations.

It wasn’t just candy and rides, though. The event featured unique entertainment, like a Masquerade Parade down Main Street, U.S.A., where kids could show off their costumes. And get this—Disneyland even rigged up a Cast Member dressed as a witch to fly from the top of the Matterhorn to Frontierland on the same wire that Tinker Bell uses during the fireworks. Talk about a magical Halloween experience!

The Haunted Mansion “Tip-Toe” Tour

Perhaps one of the most memorable parts of Little Monsters on Main Street was the special “tip-toe tour” of the Haunted Mansion. Now, Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion can be a pretty scary attraction for younger kids, so during this event, Disney left the doors to the Stretching Room and Portrait Gallery wide open. This allowed kids to walk through and peek at the Haunted Mansion’s spooky interiors without actually having to board the Doom Buggies. For those brave enough to ride, they could, of course, take the full trip through the Haunted Mansion—or they could take the “chicken exit” and leave, no harm done.

Growing Success and a Bigger Event

Thanks to the event’s early success, Little Monsters on Main Street grew in size. By 1991, the attendance cap had been raised to 2,000 kids, and Disneyland added more activities like magic shows and hayrides. They also extended the event’s hours, allowing kids to enjoy the festivities until 10:30 p.m.

In 2002, the event moved over to Disney California Adventure, where it could accommodate even more kids—up to 5,000 in its later years. The name was also shortened to just Little Monsters, since it was no longer held on Main Street. This safe, family-friendly Halloween event continued for several more years, with the last mention of Little Monsters appearing in the Disneyland employee newsletter in 2008. Though some Cast Members recall the event continuing until 2012, it eventually made way for Disney’s more public-facing Halloween events.

From Little Monsters to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary and Oogie Boogie Bash

Starting in the early 2000s, Disney began realizing the potential of Halloween-themed after-hours events for the general public. These early versions of Mickey’s Halloween Party and Mickey’s Halloween Treat eventually evolved into today’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Oogie Boogie Bash. Unfortunately, this also marked the end of the intimate, Cast Member-exclusive Little Monsters event, but it paved the way for the large-scale Halloween celebrations we know and love today.

While it’s bittersweet to see Little Monsters on Main Street fade into Disney history, its legacy lives on through these modern Halloween parties. And even though Cast Members now receive discounted tickets to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary and Oogie Boogie Bash, the special charm of an event created specifically for Disney’s employees and their families remains something worth remembering.

The Merch: A Piece of Little Monsters History

For Disney collectors, the exclusive merchandise created for Little Monsters on Main Street is still out there. You can find pins, name tags, and themed pillowcases on sites like eBay. One of the coolest collectibles is a 1997 cloisonné pin set featuring Huey, Dewey, and Louie dressed as characters from Hercules. Other sets paid tribute to the Main Street Electrical Parade and Pocahontas, while the pillowcases were uniquely designed for each year of the event.

While Little Monsters on Main Street may be gone, it’s a fascinating piece of Disneyland history that played a huge role in shaping the Halloween celebrations we enjoy at Disney parks today.

Want to hear more behind-the-scenes stories like this? Be sure to check out I Want That Too, where Lauren and I dive deep into the history behind Disney’s most beloved attractions, events, and of course, merchandise!

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Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

The Story of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party: From One Night to a Halloween Family Tradition

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The spooky season is already in full swing at Disney parks on both coasts. On August 9th, the first of 38 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (MNSSHP) nights for 2024 kicked off at Florida’s Magic Kingdom. Meanwhile, over at Disney California Adventure, the Oogie Boogie Bash began on August 23rd and is completely sold out across its 27 dates this year.

Looking back, it’s incredible to think about how these Halloween-themed events have grown. But for Disney, the idea of charging guests for Halloween fun wasn’t always a given. In fact, when the very first Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party debuted on October 31, 1995, it was a modest one-night-only affair. Compare that to the near month-long festivities we see today, and it’s clear that Disney’s approach to Halloween has evolved considerably.

A Not-So-Scary Beginning

I was fortunate enough to attend that very first MNSSHP back in 1995, along with my then 18-month-old daughter Alice and her mom, Michelle. Tickets were a mere $16.95 (I know, can you imagine?), and we pushed Alice around in her sturdy Emmaljunga stroller—Swedish-built and about the size of a small car. Cast Members, charmed by her cuteness, absolutely loaded us up with candy. By the end of the night, we had about 30 pounds of fun-sized candy bars, making that push up to the monorail a bit more challenging.

Mickey’s Halloween Treat 1996 – Photo: Disney
Mickey’s Halloween Treat 1996 – Photo: Disney

This Halloween event was Disney’s response to the growing popularity of Universal Studios Florida’s own Halloween hard ticket event, which started in 1991 as “Fright Nights” before being rebranded as “Halloween Horror Nights” the following year. Universal’s gamble on a horror-themed experience helped salvage what had been a shaky opening for their park, and by 1993, Halloween Horror Nights was a seven-night event, with ticket prices climbing as high as $35. Universal had stumbled upon a goldmine, and Disney took notice.

A Different Approach

Now, here’s where Disney’s unique strategy comes into play. While Universal embraced the gory, scare-filled world of horror, Disney knew that wasn’t their brand. Instead of competing directly with blood and jump-scares, Disney leaned into what they did best: creating magical, family-friendly experiences.

Thus, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party was born. The focus was on fun and whimsy, not fear. Families could bring their small children without worrying about them being terrified by a chainsaw-wielding maniac around the next corner. This event wasn’t just a Halloween party—it was an extension of the Disney magic that guests had come to expect from the parks.

Disney had some experience with seasonal after-hours events, most notably Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, which had started in 1983. But the Halloween party was different, as the Magic Kingdom wasn’t yet decked out in Halloween decor the way it is today. Disney had to create a spooky (but not too spooky) atmosphere using temporary props, fog machines, and, of course, lots of candy.

A key addition to that first event? The debut of the Headless Horseman, who made his eerie appearance in Liberty Square, riding a massive black Percheron. It wasn’t as elaborate as the Boo-to-You Parade we see today, but it marked the beginning of a beloved Disney Halloween tradition.

A Modest Start but a Big Future

That first MNSSHP in 1995 was seen as a trial run. As Disney World spokesman Greg Albrecht told the Orlando Sentinel, “If it’s successful, we’ll do it again.” And while attendance was sparse that night, there was clearly potential. By 1997, the event expanded to two nights, and by 1999, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party had grown into a multi-night celebration with a full-fledged parade. Today, in 2024, it’s a staple of the fall season at Walt Disney World, offering 38 nights of trick-or-treating, character meet-and-greets, and special entertainment.

Universal’s Influence

It’s interesting to reflect on how Disney’s Halloween event might never have existed without the competition from Universal. Just as “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” forced Disney to step up their game with “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge,” Universal’s success with Halloween Horror Nights likely spurred Disney into action with MNSSHP. The friendly rivalry between the two parks has continually pushed both to offer more to their guests, and we’re all better off because of it.

So the next time you find yourself trick-or-treating through the Magic Kingdom, watching the Headless Horseman gallop by, or marveling at the seasonal fireworks, take a moment to appreciate how this delightful tradition came to be—all thanks to a little competition and Disney’s commitment to creating not-so-scary magic.


For more Disney history and behind-the-scenes stories, check out the latest episodes of the I Want That Too podcast on the Jim Hill Media network.

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