Theme Parks & Themed Entertainment

The Private Railroad Car Experience

Roger Colton reveals to all us Disney dweebs that there are other things in the world besides theme parks and feature length cartoons. And what better way is there to start exploring that great, big world than by taking a train trip? So come climb aboard …

Published

22 years ago

October 7, 2002

Roger Colton

Travel by train has always held a fascination for many people. There was a golden age before the Second World War when deluxe service aboard the train attracted not only the rich and famous, but the average traveler as well. In many places, the train was the only way to get there from anywhere.

The parlor-lounge car at the rear of a streamlined passenger train. From the collection of Roger Colton

For long distance travel, trains were the way to go in those days before the interstate highways or jet airliners. Once on board the train, you could expect the same kind of service found in world class hotels, and be certain to receive it.

Some travelers took this to the next level by having their own private railroad cars built for their exclusive use. The Pullman Company would gladly create just the right atmosphere for you to enjoy the passing panorama from. Captains of industry and families of old money all could be found at the playgrounds of the nation (such as White Sulphur Springs or Pacific Grove) aboard their private railroad cars. And if having a car at your beck and call wasn’t required, the Pullman Company maintained a fleet of cars just for charter, with a staff ready to meet your every need.

The war put a strain on the American railroads like never before. Every piece of equipment that could roll was put into service. Some of the private cars were converted to other uses including hospital cars to carry home the wounded and those who gave their lives in defense of their country.

After the war, railroads offered a renaissance of passenger travel. New cars and locomotives were colorful, streamlined, sleek and attractive lures to entice passengers back to the rails. Even Disney got into the act when it partnered with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe to promote Disneyland with package tours. Dining car menus aboard the Union Pacific’s Streamliner “City of Los Angeles” offered views of the Park and noted easy bus connections from downtown LA to the Park.

But the competition from the automobile and the jet airplane was too strong, and passenger trains were doomed to fall into oblivion. In 1971, the railroads got out of the passenger business, with the creation of Amtrak by the Federal government. The National Railroad Passenger Corporation has always been a political hot potatoe, and funding from one year to another has never been a sure thing. Today’s ongoing battle between Amtrak’s management and the Administration is just the latest in a long line of conflicts.

Service was a hallmark aboard passenger trains the world over at one time.

This vintage advertisement is from the United Kingdom’s London and North Eastern Railway (home to the famed Flying Scotsman train and steam locomotive of the same name!) From the collection of Roger Colton

Railroads have long held a fascination for many people. As a symbol of westward expansion, they offered young boys the lure of the West and the thrill of tales told of brave locomotive engineers.

A great example of how that lure works: Thanks to the luck of ancestry, I come from a family where railroading was a career. My great-grandfather went to work for the Southern Pacific as a locomotive fireman in December of 1900 in Wadsworth, Nevada. His train service took him east across the state following the route of the transcontinental railroad. As he told it, things were much as they had been in 1869. The railroad ran on ties that sat in the alkali dirt where they had been placed over thirty years before and the locomotives pulling the trains were not that much different either. Wood had given way to coal as a fuel, and soon would be replaced by oil (plentiful and cheap from California along the lines of the Southern Pacific).

My first ride in a diesel locomotive with him and my father at the age of 3 in the Sparks, Nevada yard of the Espee. The thrill of being handed up to the cab and peering out the windows as we rolled along is something I will always remember. Had I been born fifty years earlier, there can be no doubt that I would have followed him in a railroad career. Alas, that was not the case, and instead briefly considered it when graduating from high school. I discovered the California Railway Museum at Rio Vista Junction (not to be confused with the California State Railroad Museum, in Sacramento) enjoying the hobby instead of the job.

I volunteered for all kinds of tasks. Sold tickets, worked in the bookstore, planned special events, handled marketing duties, repaired track, interpreted the museum for guests as a docent, ran electric streetcars, even diesel and steam locomotives in maintenance and passenger service. But what seems to have served me best was working aboard the train. First as conductor and later as part of the team that provided lounge car service aboard two Pullman cars from the 1920’s.

There were good teachers all along, but especially so when it came to the lounge car service. Using the standards set by the Pullman Company, we recreated the levels of service once enjoyed by passengers. Offering beverages and snacks to the first class passengers was how it started. Eventually, we worked our way up to full dinner service with a wedding party for 75 guests. (Since then, we’ve applied our talents at other museums for occasional events.)

Sadly, things changed at the Rio Vista Junction, and we no longer had a place to ply our skills. Since 1985, I had been able to occasionally “take my act on the road” by chartering a private railroad car for excursions with friends. Just about the same time as the last train ran at the museum, the opportunity arose for a trip on behalf of a group of folks from Pixar.

The Dome Lounge “Plaza Santa Fe”, a veteran of service on the famed “Super Chief” between Los Angeles and Chicago. Photo by Dasha Clancey

It’s “Dinner in the Diner” at the Joshua Tree & Southern Railroad Museum!

Waiter Jeff Ferris and Steward Roger Colton make preparations aboard the former Denver & Rio Grande dining car, “Castle Peak”, before seating begins in November of 2000. Photo by Chris Allan

The project they were working on was supposedly about to wrap and they wanted a way to celebrate. What began as a trip by Amtrak from LA to New Orleans became a private car trip from Emeryville to Reno/Sparks instead. That was back in 1995, and we have done a trip a year for them and others each year since. We have one more trip planned for February 2003.

That first Pixar trip was aboard a former Canadian National touring car named “Burrard”. Built by Pullman for CN in 1954, it was one of two cars used for special groups and VIP’s. Some of the more notable trains they were used for included Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip during their visit to open the St. Lawrence Seaway, and Princess Margaret during a state visit. Buster Keaton used the sister car “Bedford” for a trip across Canada during the production of a short (“The Railrodder”) for the National Film Board of Canada.

It’s the Pixar crowd on that first trip, with the private car, “Burrard” in the falling snow at Sparks, Nevada. From left to right: Mike Quinn, Charles Keagle, Dan Jeup, Ken Mitchroney, Natasha (not a Pixar employee), Steve Boyett, and Jon Mead. Photo from the collection of Roger Colton

One thing led to another and we started working trips aboard the “Burrard” from time to time. Eventually, I decided that a business was needed to handle the financial end of things and hence, Private Car Service began.

So… How do we start? It all begins with the client. We’ve done trips for as few as five people and as many as one hundred and twenty five. Based on what the client has in mind, we go looking for a car to charter. Surprisingly, there are many different types of cars available for charter and at reasonable prices. (A national organization, the American Association of Private Railroad Car Owners or AAPRCO, has worked with Amtrak to establish a tariff for private railroad car moves behind Amtrak trains. They also established mechanical standards that must be met in order to operate a car.)

Working with the car owner, we schedule the charter for the client. Amtrak will carry private cars on most of its trains, but will only allow switching of the cars into and out of trains at designated locations. So, once we know where we’re going, we plan accordingly.

As we live in the San Francisco Bay Area, we tend to run trips based out of Amtrak’s Oakland facility. From here, we can go east to Chicago, north to Seattle and south to Los Angeles. We can also travel on trains in the Capitol Corridor between San Jose and Sacramento or down the San Joaquin Valley to Bakersfield.

On another trip, Jeff Pidgeon enjoys a comfortable seat on the observation platform crossing the Sierra Nevada aboard the “Burrard”. Photo from the collection of Roger Colton

The most popular destination we that we travel to is Reno, Nevada. From Emeryville, we go on the back of the “California Zephyr” (which is headed for Chicago). The car we have chartered is added to the train in the Oakland Coach Yard. It’s about a seven-hour trip to Reno where the passengers disembark for their hotels in downtown Reno. The car continues on to Sparks (just east of Reno) where Amtrak changes train crews (engineers and conductors, who by federal law may not work more than 12 hours on duty). The Union Pacific (now) operates a freight yard here and we have one of their yard crews remove the car from the Amtrak train and spot it for storage overnight. The next morning, the car is turned (if needed) and placed on the train bound for Emeryville.

The level of service aboard is again determined by what the client wants. We offer everything from simple snack and beverage service to full sit-down meals using vintage railroad dining car china, silver and linens. A single car, like the “Burrard” seats 16 comfortably. It has a single dining room table that can seat 8 to 10 at a time. A leisurely lunch can be enjoyed in two groups. For larger groups, additional cars can be used to provide more dining seats.

Another trip aboard the “Burrard” with the usual suspects, from left to right: Ken Mitchroney, Bud Luckey, Jeff Pidgeon, Steve Boyett. Photo from the collection of Roger Colton

Our staff is at the ready to meet the service needs of our passengers. Dressed in proper railroad uniforms, they offer passengers the kind of service made legendary by the crews of such famous trains as the “Daylight”, “Zephyr” or the “Chief”. Some of them were part of the crew from the railroad museum, and others have joined us to see what it was all about. We all enjoy the chance to provide an experience our passengers won’t soon forget.

A view of the Truckee River from the Observation Platform. Photo from the collection of Roger Colton

A story is told of a society dowager who was to travel to New York City. Considering her options, she decided upon the train. However, she was not to travel with the common passenger. Instead, she was provided with a private railroad car and staff to meet her every need.

When the train arrived in New York City, she was met by reporters from the society columns of the city’s newspapers. One inquired about her trip, asking how she found travel by private railroad car. She replied that “It was something to which one could easily become accustomed to.”

That’s our goal.

About the Author or “So… who is this guy, anyway?”
Roger Colton is a member of a pioneer family. Both sides of his family tree contain ancestors who came to the West for a variety of reasons. One notable left England in search of a new life having apprenticed in the trades of both a stone mason and a brewer. Others left the career as miners in Nova Scotia, only to end up in the Silver State doing the same thing. Another took his family to eastern Oregon to try his hand at farming. Ironically, another found prosperity in dairy farming along California’s Central Coast.
His grandfathers have their share of tales to tell as well. One great-grandfather left the life of a vaquero and went railroading (hence this tale). His maternal grandfather went to two Rose Bowl games as the quarterback for the Stanford football team under the legendary coach Pop Warner.
Courtesy of the US Army, Roger was born just before Christmas of 1958 in the Luftwaffe Hospital in Wiesbaden, West Germany. His father was a GI attached to the first Mobile Missile deployment to the European Theater. His mother worked in the Air Force weather office. (2001 saw a return visit and tour of the Rhine along with other parts of Germany and Austria.)
His first train ride was in West Germany. In the US, his first train experience was the ride in the cab of the diesel locomotive with his father and great-grandfather. Living on the San Francisco peninsula, he watched trains of the Southern Pacific, including the last years of the famed “Coast Daylight”.
His first Disney experience came in the summer of 1965 with a family visit to the “Happiest Place on Earth”. Notable firsts included Club 33 in 1997, Walt Disney World and the Adventurer’s Club in 1999 (Kongaloosh!), and Disney’s California Misadventure in 2001. He is currently a Disneyland Annual Passholder, but don’t hold that against him.
As a child of the mass media age (once related to Marshall MacLuhan by an uncle’s marriage), Roger has produced videos for community access television on railroading and air racing. He has been published photographs and articles in national magazines. Between 1989 and 2000, he was a Community Leader for America Online, responsible for the Television Viewers community. Among the fandoms he supported were The X-Files, Quantum Leap and Space: Above & Beyond.
Married to wife, Michele, since 1986, there are no children, just the furry child “Cruiser”, (a demanding, orange lump of a cat) to dominate his home life. Both Roger and Michele are currently employed by the California State Automobile Association. Roger has been with Automotive Services since 1979, and Michele with Travel since 1998.
Private Car Service can be reached by e-mail: pullman@privatecarservice.net or by phone at (925) 321-0023. Their web pages at located at www.privatecarservice.net
A final public excursion from Emeryville to Reno will be operated February 1 & 2, 2003. Details are available on the website.

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.