Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

Ruminations

In today’s column, Roger Colton turns the dial and looks back at some classic radio.

Published

22 years ago

May 1, 2003

Roger Colton

One of my all time favorite lines:

“You know, you have the perfect face for radio!”

Somewhere along the way, I’m guessing we all have listened to or looked at someone on radio or television, and said, “Hey! I could do that!”

Considering the number of people who try and make a living by being a part of the Fourth estate, you would probably be right in thinking that too many of us try to bring such a dream to life. Let’s face it. For everyone who thinks they should be knocking ’em dead in a major market such as LA or NYC, more folks are just getting by in places like Peoria or Stockton. More demos have probably ended up in landfills, thanks to heartless programming directors, than have ever provided employment for their benefactors. But, that’s the breaks, right?

Turn back the clock to the Bicentennial summer. June of 1976 to be precise. My junior year in high school is coming to a close and I’m looking for something to keep me busy for the months before the senior year starts. A guidance counselor suggests an occupational intern program. I don’t recall seeing a railroad listed among the various choices, but there was a summer intern program at a radio station in San Francisco.

So what made it interesting enough to choose something in San Francisco rather than something local? Well, I had a passing interest in radio at the time. I had helped out with our high school version of radio, the morning announcements during that last year. And it didn’t hurt that this particular station was one I actually listened to from time to time. And it had a history, too. Back in the 30’s and 40’s, it had been one of the local stations that offered live broadcasts of all kinds of music and other programs for it’s listeners. Here’s a link to those days.

Back then I was somewhat stunted in my musical choices. I had only discovered the Beatles and the Beach Boys, and occasionally listened to Top 40 on another San Francisco AM station. FM was largely unexplored territory, but that would change. While I had my driver’s license, the Ford station wagon I was driving had only an AM radio. Good for news, sports, top 40 and easy listening. Country was out there, but small. Jazz and big band were something of interest to me, and this particular station used to play songs from those from time to time. So, why not?

I was off to meet with the folks at the station to see what it was all about. The commute from Walnut Creek to San Francisco was no big deal, as I had been riding the train off and on since it opened a year or so earlier. The City represented more of a pleasure than a challenge. I wish I had taken more advantage of it than I did.

The radio station was KSFO, 560 on the AM dial. It had a long history in the City and was once the top station in this market. That summer it was still popular, but it’s decline and fall was inevitable.

The station was located in the basement (well, close enough, if not actually) of the Fairmont Hotel, at the corner of California and Powell, where the cable car lines crossed, on Nob Hill. So after a train ride from the East Bay, it was a quick ride (at all of nine miles per hour) up California Street on a cable car from outside the Hyatt Regency (Ever seen Mel Brooks “High Anxiety”? That’s the Hyatt.) to the Fairmont. A short walk and I introduced myself to the receptionist who called Bruce Hunter, (the head engineer for the station) who would be my mentor during those months.

We met and he showed me around the station and explained the various departments to me. A nicer bunch of folks you could not find, and I would get to know many of them during those next three months.

The on-air personalities of that time were:

Jim Lange of “Dating Game” fame (working the morning drive-time)

Gene Nelson (from nine to noon)

Buddy Hatton (from noon to three)

Rick Cimino (doing the evening drive until seven)

John Gilliland (doing old-time radio until midnight)

Russ “The Moose” Syracuse also known as the Prince of Darkness (he worked the graveyard shift)

The station also had a great news staff, and was the flagship of the Giants radio network. Back then, KSFO was part of Golden West Broadcasting, and was owned by former singing cowboy legend, Gene Autry. Gene also owned the Anaheim Angels baseball team as well. In Los Angeles, the sister station to KSFO was KMPC and it’s own legend in Gary Owens.

My time at the station was Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 p.m. so I got a chance to work with most of the staff on and off the air. Among the engineering crew were some other talented folks, who had worked in other areas of the country before coming to KSFO. Gary Mora had come from South Lake Tahoe where he had gotten noticed by doing interviews with the talent who came to work the South Shore casinos.

This was pretty typical at that time. San Francisco was and is a major market for the media. To get a job at a radio station there meant that you had been popular somewhere else and shown a programming director that you had what it took and would be right for that station in this market. While the crew on then was fairly well established they all had come up through the ranks across the country to get where they were.

While I had a good time learning how a radio station worked, and what jobs did what, it was pretty obvious to me that these folks were not going to open the door for me there. Nothing wrong with that. They had all done what had to be done to get where they were, and they were good at it. (A few years later, I heard from a group of television folks the same thing in a more direct way. As they put it, while they were glad we had the interest in television, they were not going to step aside to give us a chance. It’s nothing personal, but they would protect what they had. You would too if you were in their positions.)

Over the next few months, I got to help select songs for airplay by going through the record library on occasion. I spent my fair share of hours rewriting news wire stories to see if I could make them sound more interesting. One or two may even have made it on the air, if my memory serves correctly. I even helped produce the news by recording stories from field reporters on tape carts and then playing them back on the air.

There were four events that summer of particular note. The first was perhaps the most exciting. Seems that the station was doing a remote broadcast on a coming weekend, and they needed to rent some equipment from a supplier in the area south of Market Street. Back then, it was an industrial area, not the trendy office lofts it is today.

So over the lunch hour, they needed someone to go down and get this load of equipment. They asked me if I could drive, and indeed I could. However, driving in the City can be intimidating if you’ve never done it before. Not for me that day! I just drove like everyone else, and was back in less than an hour with the goods. Boy, did I feel good that afternoon! Talk about meeting the challenge!

The second event came over the Fourth of July holiday. One of the news reporters had flown out to board an aircraft carrier as it came through the Golden Gate and docked along the San Francisco waterfront. I was asked to meet him dockside and then take him back to the Alameda Naval Air Station where his car was. Again the station was pretty bold trusting a teenager to drive one of their cars (you can bet that wouldn’t happen today!) through the City and over the Bay Bridge. A highlight of that was to catch the San Francisco Belt Railway moving railway equipment for a display along the waterfront for the weekend. One of the state’s oldest steam locomotives was being moved by barge from Richmond and then towed by the State Belt for display. It was quite a surprise to find it travelling the rails under the Embarcadero freeway that afternoon.

The third event was a Police Athletic League softball fundraising game between a team from KSFO and a local restaurant. Both sides had their own favorites, sports stars, and politicians. My participation was to wear a large pink elephant costume and to try to shake up the players both on and off the field. (Yes, another fursuit experience!) I wasn’t alone as the son of one of the station’s on-air talents was doing his part in another costume. We did our job admirably, if not humorously, as the game was played in the auditorium at the Cow Palace (home of the Grand National Rodeos). My fondest memory is looking for something cold to drink after almost an hour in that costume, only to find nothing but cold beer. Only one, but boy did it go down good!

The last event was a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a San Francisco Giants game from the broadcast booth at Candlestick Park. I’d been a Giants fan years before, but had switched allegiances to the Oakland A’s now that I lived on the other side of the Bay. Still, that would not detract from the fine time. It was a real treat, again driving a station car down from the Sutter Stockton Garage to the game complete with special Press parking pass. That afternoon, I enjoyed the play-by-play of Lon Simmons (a true gentleman in the world of sports announcing!) and Al Michaels (who left the station after that season to go onto a great career with ABC sports (including calling the memorable US and Russia hockey upset at the Lake Placid Winter Olympics). Rich Smalley was their engineer. Another man whose name escapes me was the color announcer for the game. I can’t recall the score or who won, but it was memorable none the less.

That summer came to an end, and I went back to school. The station gave me more than enough records that they had no interest in using. I shared them that fall with others as giveaways for the morning announcements.

While I enjoyed my internship, I guess I had my eyes opened when it came to radio. We never really talked what kind of money folks in the different roles were making. But it had become obvious that I wouldn’t be starting a career there soon.

I kept in touch with the folks at the station off and on for a year or two. Eventually, KSFO was sold to another company, and the format changed to oldies from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. Today, it’s owned by Capital Cities and is an all talk radio station (a bit too far to the left for me) — part of the Disney media empire.

Here’s another link back to more of the history of KSFO as I knew and loved it.

Roger actually did give further thought to a career in broadcasting during the junior college years with a bunch of classes in the communications arena. Later on, he managed to do some community access video productions, do some magazine items (photo’s and an op ed piece), before settling here with these weekly pages. Truth be told, “WKRP” is a lot closer to reality than anyone in radio wanted to admit — then or now!

Coming along this summer: More on Nevada off the beaten path, just who is “Rat Fink” and why you should be interested in him, a surprisingly affordable one-day private car trip, tales from the convention world, and what ever else he can dredge up to amuse you.

But, it would be darn nice of you, if you could show your support and click on the link for his Amazon Honor System Paybox and throw a few million Turkish lira (1 dollar equals 1,595,100 lira) his way to keep him plugging along at the keyboard. To quote Homer Simpson, “Oooooh, how convenient.”

Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

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

Published

1 week ago

November 15, 2024

Jim Hill

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.

Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

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

Published

2 months ago

September 22, 2024

Jim Hill

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!

Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

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

Published

3 months ago

September 7, 2024

Jim Hill

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

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.