Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment
Ruminations – “I Ain’t Afraid Of No Ghosts!”
“You wanna see something really scary?” Ok, then how about today’s column from Roger instead? It another Ruminations.
Ten points if you can recall who said that opening line, and another if you recall the role and what movie it’s from. I’ll reveal the answer further down the page.
Well, this last Wednesday night was plenty frightening, especially in St. Louis! The omens portended something evil, and if you’re a Cardinal’s fan, that’s just what happened. Under the light of a blood red moon (as seen in this image from the SF Gate web pages thanks to a great lunar eclipse), the fabled “Curse of The Bambino” went down in flames. Okay, so it the flames were extinguished by a flood of champagne. And good stuff, too! From what I saw of the labels on various bottles being waved around the visiting clubhouse after the game, it looked suspiciously like Piper Sonoma Brut. I’ve served a few bottles of the same on train trips over the years without complaints. Never washed anyone down with it, however…
All that having been said, the Red Sox did play like a team possessed, and well deserve the victorious adulation of their fans nationwide. Nice to see that the Oakland A’s did their part by having Johnny Damon, Keith Foulke, Mark Bellhorn and manager Terry Francona all available so that Boston could sign them up and have them in the right place at the right time! Too bad the magic couldn’t have lifted the curse that hangs over the Oakland Coliseum. Even the Raiders could use some of that right now.
So? Going to any Halloween parties this weekend? Hope you had time to plan an interesting costume and or décor. Me? I’ll be home with the cat (watching a DVD or two of an appropriate nature) waiting for the usual handful of monsters to come ring the doorbell. Hopefully, an iTunes mix will keep them entertained, complete with appropriate tracks from “The Nightmare Before Christmas” and Disneyland’s ” Haunted Mansion” to name a few.
If you’ve been around here a while, you might recall last year that I shared a tale of another place with it’s own connections to the spirit world. This time, we’re heading back in time to the same era and with some similar notions. So, “Look alive…” and read on for this glimpse into the past of the Golden West.
But if I was to venture out into the night in search of spirits out for the night, there probably is not a better choice than one across the Bay, in the middle of what was once fertile farmland. Yes, once the Prune capital of the world. Today it’s not far from the center of the Silicon Valley, with an artery of the Interstate highway system on one side, domed movie theaters on another, a mobile home park on another and a major shopping and residential development just across the street for which the place is named.
A ghostly view from above, the subject of today’s tale, looking northwest.
Now it’s no secret that fame and fortune was a seductive thing to many people who came west in the second half of the 19th Century. And if you made the trip, likely you came prepared for many eventualities. Self-defense was one possibility that those folks had in mind and for many of them, the weapon of choice was simple. A Winchester Repeating Rifle. Thanks to modern production practices of the day, it was an efficient tool. Not only could it be called upon for defense, but also served well to put food on the table for many folks.
Now rifle and other properties brought prosperity to many of the Winchester family members. One of those was William Wirt Winchester. On September 30, 1862, he married Sarah Pardee. Their first – and only – child, Annie Pardee Winchester, was born on July 15, 1866, and tragically died of a rare ailment only nine days later. Sarah was greatly affected by this emotional loss and was not considered to have recovered for more than a decade afterwards.
Sarah Winchester, out for the day…
The loss of their only child was rekindled in March of 1881 when William passed away from tuberculosis. Grief stricken, she sought the assistance of a spiritualist medium to reconnect her with the departed family. At that time, spiritualism was the latest infatuation of the upper echelons of Eastern society. With financial support to provide these mediums a connection to their clients, it was an expensive and eccentric hobby to say the least.
Sarah was extremely well off financially for her time. She had inherited twenty million dollars from William. It is also believed that her income from the family businesses provided her with somewhere in the neighborhood of $1000 a day -and that was all in 1880’s dollars! During a visit to one of these mediums, as the tales are told, she was brought into contact with her husband from the “other” side. She is informed that the entire family has been cursed by the souls of everyone killed by a Winchester produced gun. Further, the spirit of William tells her that, the only way in which she can escape this curse is to sell her house in New Haven, Connecticut and head west towards the setting sun. He will guide her to the location for a new home, where she must build for the rest of her days. If construction ever stops, she will die as another victim of the ” Winchester” curse!
It truly must have been a great and convincing performance by the medium, because that is exactly what Sarah does. She travels across the country, coming to the Santa Clara Valley. Here on a spot, no doubt chosen by the spirit of William, she begins construction in 1884 on a twenty-four hour-a-day basis. With her fortune, she has difficulties in finding workers to build her home. Without a master plan, construction continues for over 38 years.
In 1906, the mansion reached a height of 7 stories with the tower.
On September 4, 1922, Sarah Pardee Winchester passes away of natural causes. Little of her fortune remains, having been spent on a rambling Victorian mansion. It is a fascinating structure with many interesting features.
For example, it is not uncommon to turn a corner and find a door that opens onto a brick wall. Or a stairway that goes up, only to end in the ceiling or sub-floor.
“Where do these stairs go? They go up!”
The number “13” plays a role as well. Many stairways have 13 treads. There are windows with 13 panes of glass, and even a greenhouse with 13 cupolas.
There was never an overall plan for the house. Instead, Sarah is said to have simply directed new construction each day. Many times construction from the previous day was torn out and was replaced with something all together different. Some rooms were closed off, never again to be entered. The finished product is best described as chaotic. Blind chimneys never to see a fire, windows connected to doors, steep drops to the ground below. One stairway makes an amusing switch back inside it’s own space as seen below.
Note the off-center windows in the stairway!
One particularly odd stairway had 42 steps and roses all of nine feet in height. Each step was only two inches higher than the one below.
A popular theory holds that the seemingly random design of the mansion was to confuse, taunt or otherwise exert control over any spirit that would seek to haunt Sarah Winchester.
When the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake occurred, Sarah was still in full construction on the house. It had reached seven stories, complete with a grand tower, offering magnificent views of the Santa Clara Valley. According to one report, at that time, she had taken to sleeping in a different room in the house every night – again as a spiritual defense. The earthquake severely damaged the upper three floors and caused the fall of many towers and cupolas throughout the mansion. According to this particular report, Sarah was trapped in her chosen bedroom for the previous night. It took the servants so long to find her that she supposedly decided to sleep in the same bedroom every night afterwards.
One of the bedrooms furnished to give guests a taste of the house as it may have appeared during the lifetime of Sarah Winchester.
After her death, the mansion was eventually sold to a group of investors who had plans to open it as a tourist attraction. It took almost six weeks to empty the house of it’s furnishings because no plan existed and no one really knew how many rooms the house had or just where everything was located.
I lived in the Santa Clara Valley in the late Sixties. While I recall driving by the mansion on several occasions, a tour of the house was something I didn’t make until the late Seventies. And that took place on a perfect day for a tour, October 31. Michele and I, along with another couple enjoyed an afternoon exploring the mansion. While I can’t say it was haunted, it definitely could have been. Much of the house was without furniture, and it was a place that had the “not-lived-in” feeling to it.
Now, many people (including employees) believe that the house is indeed haunted, and by one spirit in particular – that of Sarah Pardee Winchester. These folks report occurrences of cold spots, ghostly footsteps, and an overall sense of being watched.
It’s not hard to see how Disneyland’s “Haunted Mansion” could have looked just like this fabled home if those early Imagineers had gone for more of a Victorian influence in their designs.
Now if you would like to see for yourself, the Winchester Mystery House is open for tours on a regular basis. Friday the 13 th and Halloween offer special flashlight tours for the more adventurous. Check the Winchester Mystery House web pages for all of the details. Whether you are a fan of haunted houses or just Victorian architecture, this is well worth a visit.
All of the photos showing the Winchester Mystery House were provided by the courtesy of the Winchester Mystery House and are available for your enjoyment on their web pages as well.
Now, about that movie quote above? “Wanna see something really scary?”
That comes from the Ambulance Driver, as played by Dan Akroyd in the closing moments of “Twilight Zone: The Movie” from 1983. Not from “Ghostbusters”…
Well, once again, there is an event coming up next weekend here in Livermore. However, this one isn’t at Cindy Russell’s store. (She’s hard at work on a trio of great stories for the next few weeks!) Would you believe that Livermore is going to host the California Independent Film Festival? Complete with some of my personal favorites! And I didn’t even find out about this until late Thursday afternoon as I’m putting this column to bed… So with a minor delay, I’m sharing a bit of this with you here!
At the present time, Livermore has only one movie theater. Called the “Vine”, it’s not what you would think of as a vintage movie palace. It’s definitely not the Paramount, or even one of its lesser relations. Still, it has been renovated a bit in the last year. So having it as the center stage for this film festival being held in this town makes some sense. I can admit to having seen a film here once upon a time. I just can’t recall what it was. In the years since, the theater was split in to two screens, and not very successfully. Usually, if I’m going to watch a first run film, it’s off to the local multiplex down the freeway. Better selection of titles than the “Vine”. A recent lone exception to that was “Seabiscuit” which I did see here during the renovations.
So, while this theater is the center stage, the other venues around the Livermore valley are appropriately themed to coincide with the “Vine”. It seems that many of the local wineries are opening their doors to act as locations for the showing of a number of independent films. Sounds good to me! Enjoy some of the local product while taking in one of the 65 indie films being shown during the festival. Check the web pages for all of the listings of what is being shown, where and when.
Now for this year’s event, there are a couple of highlights worth noting. First is the kickoff for the Festival. Thursday, November 4 there will be a showing of “Comic Book: The Movie” – complete with a pre-screening Q&A session with director, Mark Hamill and his co-stars, Donna D’Errico and Debi Derryberry. Tickets are available for the showing for only $25.
Talk about a small world… Another good friend, Mike Quinn, has made occasional appearances, thanks to his Star Wars work, at various fan events around the country. That included the Star Wars Weekends at WDW this year as well as a New Jersey event where he spent time chatting with Mark Hamill about “Comic Book: The Movie”.
So, as I haven’t seen the film yet, this sounds like a great opportunity to correct this over-sight on my part! And it’s just down the street, so how can I not? That and the fact that my past includes collecting comics… And throw in the Jim Hill review of the film, so I guess I should mark my already busy calendar for that night.
But the fun of this Film Festival doesn’t end that night. The following two nights, Tony Curtis is being honored by these folks with the 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award. On Friday, the 5 th, there will be a showing of the Billy Wilder classic, “Some Like It Hot”, again with Tony doing a Q & A session before the film. Too bad they couldn’t have shown “40 Pounds of Trouble”. Tony Curtis and vintage Disneyland? That would almost be too much…
Then on Saturday night, the award will be presented at another event with hosts Marty Ingels and Shirley Jones, and guests Robert Goulet, Colleen Miller, Gloria DeHaven and Michael Callan.
But if you’re in the Bay Area and are looking for something to enjoy, I don’t think you can go wrong with either the Festival or those special events!
Check the web pages for details and to reserve your tickets today. From the looks of things, they are limited and it should be a popular (read sold-out) time out here in the Livermore Valley.
Now as much as I wish I could attend the last two, that busy calendar won’t allow. Actually, I’m helping out with a private railroad car excursion then. But there are a couple of other events I am headed south to assist with. The first is out in Joshua Tree in the Southern California High Desert. They’re having a “Dinner In The Diner” event aboard a 1927 railroad dining car at the Joshua Tree & Southern Railroad Museum. A fine time for an evening and space is still available. That’s Saturday, November 13.
Roger in the role of Docent aboard the ” Castle Peak” dining car.
Also in the area is the “Day Out With Thomas” at the Orange Empire Railway Museum, in Perris. Yes, the little blue tank engine will be pulling trains and Sir Topham Hat is also going to be greeting guests. On Sunday, the 14 th, I’ll be on hand as a Docent aboard a former Union Pacific Pullman car. And not to forget, this is the place where Ward Kimball’s Grizzly Flats Railroad equipment is on display! Worth a visit just for that any time.
Both Museum events help support the ongoing railway preservation projects. Both the JTSRR and OERM are non-profit historical and educational organizations, and can use all the support you can offer.
So if you’re in the mood, these diversions might have something for everyone… And who knows what next week will bring to this space? I sure don’t have a clue!
Thanks again to everyone for your support of the American Red Cross. It’s great to know that your help makes their efforts go that much further when folks in trouble need assistance.
And if you’re in a generous and or appreciative mood, drop me a buck or two using the Paypal Donation Box or the Amazon Honor System links from my bio page here! I’m putting it to good use, honest!
Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment
Disney and Macy’s 90-Year Thanksgiving Day Parade Partnership: From Mickey’s First Balloon to Minnie’s Big Debut
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.
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
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
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.
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.
-
History10 months ago
The Evolution and History of Mickey’s ToonTown
-
History10 months ago
Unpacking the History of the Pixar Place Hotel
-
History11 months ago
From Birthday Wishes to Toontown Dreams: How Toontown Came to Be
-
Film & Movies8 months ago
How Disney’s “Bambi” led to the creation of Smokey Bear
-
News & Press Releases10 months ago
New Updates and Exclusive Content from Jim Hill Media: Disney, Universal, and More
-
Merchandise8 months ago
Introducing “I Want That Too” – The Ultimate Disney Merchandise Podcast
-
Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment3 months ago
Disney’s Forgotten Halloween Event: The Original Little Monsters on Main Street
-
Film & Movies3 months ago
How “An American Tail” Led to Disney’s “Hocus Pocus”