Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

Ruminations: The past really is prologue when it comes to the Presidio

This week, Roger takes a look at one of San Francisco’s more historic locales. Where the future is now looking a whole lot bright, thanks to George Lucas and the Letterman Digital Arts Center.

Published

19 years ago

September 28, 2005

Roger Colton

It is the home of San Francisco’s first inhabited areas. Native Americans are known to have lived there thousands of years ago. As early as the United States, dating back to 1776 when the Spanish soldiers and Franciscan missionaries arrived. It has a view unrivaled of one of the most recognized structures on the face of the planet. It has seen men and women play their parts in many of our nation’s conflicts, with many now at rest.

Any visitor to San Francisco inevitably sees the Golden Gate Bridge. Many will drive across it and pass right through this historic area without ever stopping. Today it is the keystone of one of the lesser-known gems of the National Park system. And now, it has an important role in the next chapter of the tale of an entertainment industry powerhouse.

It is the Presidio of San Francisco.

A spectacular sunset from the Presidio on December 6, 2003.
Photo from the NPS Presidio of San Francisco web site, and in the public domain.

This is a location that is as different as night and day. From the uninhabited shoreline of the Golden Gate to the hustle and bustle of any city in the world, the Presidio has seen everything in between. Situated on the far northwest corner of the San Francisco peninsula, it has places that have managed to remain unchanged over the passing of years.

Rather than give you a full lesson in California history, let me share a few highlights of the Presidio:

Researchers have found artifacts that offer proof of Native American communities in this area dating as far back as 470 A.D. — primarily by a group known as the Ohlone or Costanoan. From the NPS web pages:

“Groups moved annually between temporary and permanent village sites in a seasonal round of hunting, fishing, and gathering. Periodic burning of the landscape was conducted to promote the growth of native grasses for seed gathering and to create forage for deer and elk. The world view and spirituality of the Ohlone/Costanoan people was expressed in a complexly woven tapestry of stories, myth, song, dance, and ritual.”

The Spanish came to Neuva Espana in 1769 as an effort to thwart possible colonization by the Russians or the English. Again from the NPS web pages:

“Seven years later, Juan Bautista de Anza led a Franciscan priest, 193 colonists and soldiers, and 1,000 head of livestock from Sonora, Mexico to the San Francisco Bay. They arrived on June 27, 1776 to establish a presidio [garrison] at the bay’s entrance and a religious mission a few miles inland.”

Presidio de San Francisco and Mission San Francisco de Assisi became the northernmost bastion of a network of presidios, missions, and pueblos that extended from Mexico and formed the foundation of Spanish colonization strategy. Presidios were fortified military villages that secured and policed frontier areas. Pueblos were communities designed to spread Spanish culture. Missions were religious and agricultural centers where native people were gathered and indoctrinated into Catholicism and the colonial state.”

The Spanish presence eventually became a Mexican one after the revolutions of the early 19th century. During the war with the United States in 1846, the Presidio was occupied by American troops. The territory that became California was surrendered under the treaty that ended that war in 1848.

The US military presence had its beginnings with the discovery of gold in California. It became a military reservation at the order of President Millard Fillmore in November of 1850. That presence continued for almost 140 years, until the Army closed the base in 1989. (For more details on various actions the garrison was involved with, check this link.)

For much of its history, a vital mission of the Presidio was the defense of the coastal areas and access to San Francisco Bay via the Golden Gate. Starting with Spanish guns and fortifications in 1776 (six of those guns remain today on display) up to the Nike missile complexes decommissioned in 1974, it was a mission “well” completed, without a shot fired in anger.

The Presidio has two rather special moments in its history. The first was definitely unplanned (even if some advanced disaster planning had been done by both the City and the Army) – the 1906 Earthquake and Fire. Soldiers from the garrison were involved in many capacities from rescue to demolition (using dynamite to destroy structure creating a fire break) to policing the City to the distribution of relief supplies for month afterward.

The Presidio was also part of happier planned event, the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition. Some of the area was used for facilities for the fair — including a wooden race track for automobiles. Today, the restored Palace of Fine Arts complex sits just east of the Presidio.

The Palace of Fine Arts – from the 1915 PPIE.
Photo from the NPS Presidio of San Francisco web site, and in the public domain.

One of the missions the Presidio was involved with more during its history than any other was that of a medical nature. Letterman Hospital and its associated facilities helped treat returning service men and women from most of the US military campaigns during it’s history (from 1898 to 1989). It was named for Major Jonathan Lettermen, medical director of the Army of the Potomac from 1862 to 1864, later San Francisco coroner and Surgeon General for the State of California. Many of his techniques for field medicine and organization were responsible for the survival of many wounded Civil War soldiers.

Looking over many of the memories submitted to the NPS web pages, the time spent at Letterman is one that people of all ages have to share. From those who were born there to those who were healed there, it seems to have been a part of very special place.

The Presidio is also home to The San Francisco National Cemetery.

This is the final resting place for many men and women who gave their lives in the service of their country as well as Indian, Spanish and Mexican soldiers.

The Presidio was and is a very unique place. As a military installation, it was part of one of the most vibrant cities in the country, if not the world. When its closure was recommended, there was a great deal of trepidation about what its future might hold. Some saw it as the greatest real estate redevelopment opportunity of the 20th Century. Others envisioned it as the largest urban park, complete with a wide history and culture all its own. It was to be a long and challenging road to decide on a future.

The final decision placed its future in the hands of The Presidio Trust. “The Presidio Trust’s mission is to preserve and enhance the natural, cultural, scenic, and recreational resources of the Presidio for public use in perpetuity, and to achieve long-term financial sustainability.” That goal of financial stability? Reached 8 years ahead of schedule and still going strong. Read this piece from the San Francisco Chronicle by Dan Levy from June of this year for more details.

Among the many re-uses of the property, there are two worthy of noting today. The first is a $15 million dollar proposal by Diane Disney Miller and the Walt Disney Family Foundation to create a museum in a 40,000 square foot red-brick barracks building at 104 Montgomery Street on the former Main Post, the Presidio’s signature area.

Interestingly enough, the Walt Disney Family Foundation has been a tenant in the Presidio since 2001. The proposal for the Museum was announced on November 17, 2004. That day, the public was invited to a preview of the museum and an open house for the rehabilitation project. Diane Disney Miller was among the speakers and the guests were given the opportunity to ask more about the plans for both.

The overall project has been described as a “museum and research center, providing a permanent source of information on Disney, his accomplishments, and the period of American history that he greatly influenced. The museum would include a permanent exhibit on the life of Walt Disney, a traveling exhibit space, a learning center and an archive, as well as foundation and museum offices.”

Presidio Trust project manager Cynthia East Skovlin offered the following comments about the project. “The Walt Disney Family Foundation has an extensive collection of drawings, photographs, letters, documents, and artifacts that tell the story of Walt Disney’s amazing life. The collection of objects and the impressive archive of digital images, films and interviews tells the story of Walt Disney’s life as it closely weaves through and mirrors many of the important stories of 20th century America.”

Since then, work has been ongoing in the environmental and historic compliance reviews for the site. Once that process has been completed, construction will begin. A date for the museum opening will likely be announced at that time.

The second project of note is the creation of the Lucas campus on the former site of Letterman Hospital. That structure was doomed by the costs of earthquake and other needed retrofitting. Where once there was a pile of concrete and steel, today is a gleaming series of structure amongst a manicured landscape that seems entirely at home in the Presidio. Now known as the Letterman Digital Arts Center, it promises to gather the various companies of the Lucas empire together in one exciting location.

The Letterman Digital Arts Center as it opened in June of 2005.
Photo from the NPS Presidio of San Francisco web site, and in the public domain.

And that is exactly what it is. 23 acres including 17 acres of public park space. The complex consists of four low-rise office buildings, 865,000 square feet, on the remaining 6 acres. From the view seen above, you get the idea how the new structures will mix well with the historic structures elsewhere in the Presidio. Take note of these construction and design facts from the Lucasfilm website describing the project:

The Letterman Digital Arts Center is designed to be 33 percent more energy efficient and 30 percent more water efficient than conventional buildings
The campus is slated to receive a Gold Certified Rating from the U.S. Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
Much of the demolished Letterman Hospital — and its 13-acre asphalt parking lot — was recycled or reused in the construction of the Letterman Digital Arts Center, including steel, piping and crushed concrete
The building incorporates operable windows to capitalize on the Presidio’s mild bayside climate, reducing energy use and providing natural ventilation
Central, naturally lit staircases help promote a more active workplace and reduce the use of elevators and artificial lighting
Underfloor air delivery throughout the buildings reduces energy use and provides greater comfort to employees
All existing trees on the site were saved and incorporated into the landscape design, including one 80-year old oak tree that was relocated from one location on the site to another
More than 90,000 yards of concrete was manufactured on site, reducing truck traffic entering and exiting the park during construction.

How about these facilities for all of the happy workers?

Dining commons, operated by Guckenheimer, a leader in work place dining; fitness center operated by BaySport, a pre-eminent Bay Area fitness center operator; childcare center that will accommodate over 100 children with environmental learning areas, water feature, growing garden and play structures, operated by Bright Horizons; 300-seat theater, two 65-seat screening rooms and 1,500 underground parking spaces.

Tie it all together with landscaping that matches the rest of the area including approximately 500 trees, shrubs, vines and perennials; a creek and lagoon; walkways and sitting areas. The irrigation system uses primarily reclaimed water to keep it all nice and green.

Sounds like a mighty nice place to work. And work they do! According to the web pages, the crew at Industrial Light and Magic are currently at work on effects sequences for Disney/Walden Media’s “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” and Warner Bros. “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” They’re also doing FX work on the two “Pirates of the Caribbean” sequels that the Mouse has in the works. .

I hope to be able to share more about both the Disney Museum as well as the LDAC with you soon. The potential awaiting both projects promises to keep us entertained for some time to come.

Just as the Ohlone or Costanoan peoples expressed themselves “in a complexly woven tapestry of stories, myth, song, dance, and ritual” thousands of years ago, who knows what the talents that work here now will bring forth for the rest of us to enjoy and learn from in the coming years.

With such a wonderful heritage to call upon for inspiration, perhaps the past really is the prologue for this special part of San Francisco.

Earlier this year, you all generously helped out by supporting the efforts toward relief of the victims of the Tsunami. If you can see your way to doing so again, the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita now face many of the same daily challenges for basic necessities. The need is every bit as real and as serious. Consider a donation to the American Red Cross if you can. Every bit helps, even more now…

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

7 days 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.