Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

Ruminations: “A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Making of a Tradition”

One of television’s most revered animated productions celebrates its 40th anniversary next month. Roger Colton shares a review of a new edition of book that fondly recalls what it took to make the transition from the printed page to television screens in homes around the world

Published

19 years ago

November 9, 2005

Roger Colton

As far back as I can recall, I was always a fan of Charles Schulz Peanuts comic strips. Living here in Northern California, Sunday just was not complete until I had the chance to read the large panels on the front of the San Francisco Chronicle’s comic pages that carried those adventures in full color. And when, on Thursday, December 9 1965, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” first aired at 7:30 p.m., it certainly seemed that I was pretty much the same age as those memorable characters. As an oldest child and having a group of friends just like Charlie Brown, it was not too hard seeing myself in a similar situation with very similar results. (In fact, my baseball team was all too much like his; especially as we managed to win only one game all summer long.)

Christmas was and continues to be a special time for our family. And the messages conveyed in those 30-minutes continue to ring as true today as then did almost 40 years ago. Without too much trouble, I will hazard a guess that the same holds for many of you and yours as well.

So, when a trip to my local bookstore provided me the chance to pick up a copy of the book “A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Making of a Tradition” I knew that this was one book that I will enjoy for some time to come. And who better than to tell us about the efforts behind the production than the two gentlemen who convinced Charles Schulz to bring it to the small screen in the first place? Lee Mendelson and Bill Melendez.

Lee relates that this classic half-hour of television has roots that stretch back to his first independent film production company in 1963. One of the first projects they produced was a documentary for NBC-TV about San Francisco Giants all-star Willie Mays.

A few weeks later, I was reading a Peanuts comic strip in which Charlie Brown was losing another baseball game. The idea of following my first special about the world’s ‘greatest’ baseball player with a program about the world’s ‘worst’ just popped into my mind.

That idea led him to pitch the concept of another documentary to Charles Schulz. It was to be a look at the life of Schulz and a look at the world he had created, and which millions of readers enjoyed every day in newspapers around the world. With a half-hour format, it was to include a few minutes of animation.

It was Charles Schulz who suggested that Mendelson contact an animator who would be able to handle the task. That person was Bill Melendez. His credentials as an animator were (and still are) impressive. He started in the field at Disney in 1938, working on such features as Pinocchio and Bambi and short subjects with both Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. Through the Forties, he worked at Warner Brothers doing shorts with Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig. From there he went on to directing everything from industrial films, television programs and commercials.

Before being approached by Lee Mendelson, he had one very important credit to his name. In 1959, Bill worked directly with Charles Schulz to create animation featuring the Peanuts characters for a television commercial for Ford to introduce their new line of automobiles for that year. (Since then, he has been the sole animator permitted to work using the characters including the MetLife commercials, Hallmark promotions, every television special and cartoon as well as every theatrical production.)

As interesting as that half-hour documentary was to everyone involved, it just wouldn’t appeal enough to network television programmers for a sale to be made. (It finally did make it to television some seven years later and won an Emmy. So much for programmers…)

For a year and a half, it looked like the documentary would just gather dust on the shelf in a storeroom. Finally, a phone call from a New York advertising agency offered the opportunity to produce a thirty-minute animated Christmas special featuring the Peanuts characters. And the sponsor wanted to see an outline of this show in only five days. When asked if that was possible, Lee Mendelson said, “Of course.”

From the book, Lee tells what came next:

I hung up the phone and stared at it for a few minutes. Then I called Sparky. “I think I may have just sold a Charlie Brown Christmas show,” I said. “And what show might that be?” Sparky asked. “The one you need to make an outline for tomorrow,” I replied. Without missing a beat, he calmly said, “Okay. Come on up.”

The next day I took notes as Sparky outlined his ideas. “If it’s to be a Christmas special, I want to certainly deal with the true meaning of Christmas, “he said. “And I’d like to do a lot of scenes in the snow and with skating.” (He grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota, after all!) “And maybe we can do something with a Christmas play and mix some of that jazz music with traditional music.” His ideas flowed nonstop, and by the end of the day I sent a complete outline to Coca-Cola in Atlanta (an outline that, basically, would never change as the show evolved).

The rest is history. Bill Melendez and his crew managed to have the show done a week ahead of the broadcast date. Vince Guaraldi added just the right touch with his special brand of jazz creating songs for the holiday that have become standards in their own right. Even though some network executives had second thoughts about the show, it was an overwhelming success with 45 percent of the television sets in the country tuned in to watch.

The book does a wonderful job of taking us behind the scenes during the production. With comments from many of the then children who provided both the voices for the characters to even insights from some of the members of the choir who sang the memorable songs, there is plenty to discover here. Both Lee Mendelson and Bill Melendez offer their own insights into the show in a pair of great in-depth interviews. Lee Mendelson shares a wonderful look back at Charles Schulz and how his life touched (and still touches) those of so many other people. Bill also describes working with Sparky and how they both wanted to keep the simplicity of the strips. A good example was that this show made use of two-dimensional animation. The Peanuts characters don’t move as they do in three-dimensional animation such as the traditionally animated Disney short subject or feature. That maintained the look and feel of the strips.

But the documentation does not end there, by any means. The book includes a look at that 1959 Ford commercial that started it all. From the show’s production, we see some storyboards, the complete, original scene production sheets, a selection of original background sketches, and even bar sheets (used to place dialogue, action, and music frame-by-frame). The book is full of wonderful art from images from frames to special promotional artwork. But the real treat is the illustrated script and even a flip book of the opening scenes of ice skating.

A sample of the storyboards from the book

If there is anything truly missing from the descriptions of the work on the production, it has to be more information about the animation staff that actually produced the project. While it is nice to see a few photographs, it would have been even better to have learned more about who they were and why Bill had them as part of the team. At least the full production credits appear as they did at the end of the show.

Unidentified “Graphic Blandishment” team members and Bill Melendez review the work in progress

The musical side of the show gets attention as well. A look at the career of Vince Guaraldi and the music he brought to the Peanuts cartoons is a rare treat. Also included are original artwork for the covers of the albums the Vince Guaraldi Trio released afterwards, and even sheet music for “Linus and Lucy” and “Christmas Time Is Here” — complete with the lyrics Lee Mendelson wrote on the back of an envelope in all of fifteen minutes!

While the book first appeared in a hardback edition in 2000, the paperback edition is a real bargain. With a retail price of $14.95, this is a must have for anyone with an appreciation of animation. You might even want to throw in a copy of the DVD or other merchandise related to the show through the link here to Amazon. And if you want to truly step up, copies of the hardback edition are also still available. Or if you want it all, throw in copies of the original soundtrack on CD’s by the Vince Guaraldi Trio for both “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and “A Boy Named Charlie Brown.” Of course, the soundtracks are also available here and here, respectively, on the iTunes Store.

As this is a special anniversary for the show, there are a number of activities and products planned to commemorate that first airing in 1965. ABC will air the show twice in December, and it will be released in a special 40th anniversary package by Paramount Home Video on both VHS and DVD. Even NASCAR got into the spirit as Bill Elliot drove a specially painted car to commemorate the anniversary. And a variety of other special 40th anniversary merchandise will also be available. Check this link for further details.

Bill Elliot’s NASCAR Dodge featuring the 40th

And of course, the Charles M. Schulz Museum will participate in the festivities as well! From their web site:

“From November 16 through January 9, 2006, the Schulz Museum will commemorate the anniversary of A Charlie Brown Christmas with an exhibition of books, figurines, and archival artifacts from the last forty years including the toy piano used to record Schroeder’s plinking piano notes from his reluctant rendition of Jingle Bells.”

Something I may have to do and share will all of you, too. Especially as the Museum has this event coming:

“Saturday, December 17, 12 – 5pm. Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the animated special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” with memories, music, and a viewing of the movie. Producer Lee Mendelson will join original cast members to talk about the making of the movie.”

Now that sounds like a trip well worth making!

I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I have. The message of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is a simple one and it hasn’t changed in all of those 40 years. While the world is a more complicated place since that time, perhaps this look back at such a simple and enduring piece of entertainment helps to remind us how important such things can be to all of us.

With the holidays approaching, it is definitely going to be a difficult time for many people across the country. If you can find a way, do what you can to share with those in need. A donation to a charity in your community will go a long way right now. Everything from the United Way to the Salvation Army to Toys for Tots and more will appreciate your help.

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

4 weeks 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

3 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.