I hope everyone is doing well after Helene rolled through. Looking at the pictures and reels is devastating; recovery will be a long road. This is another instance where we must care and look out for each other.

Now, on the bright side…

I make no secret of my love of all things horror. I am also a huge Disney fan. Disney animation is my favorite thing after horror. Hi, my name is Brent Abell, and I enjoy long walks in Disney theme parks, the Haunted Mansion, and the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. While there is a lot of love from the Walt Disney Corporation given to the Haunted Mansion, the same can not be said of poor Ichabod Crane and Headless Horseman.

Seventy-five years ago, Disney Animation released The Adventures of Ichabod and Mister Toad. The film came out in a lull between the first wave of Disney features like Snow White, Pinocchio, and Fantasia and the second classic wave Cinderella kicked off. The films occupying the lull consisted of anthology films like Saludos Amigos and Make Mine Music. This era is where we find poor Ichabod Crane and his unfortunate encounter with the Headless Horseman. It is also one of Disney’s most under-utilized IPs.

Disney hasn’t totally forgotten about Ichabod and the Horseman. In Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is The Sleepy Hollow Inn, where weary travelers can grab a quick snack before heading to the Haunted Mansion. During Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, the Boo to You Parade kicks off with the Headless Horseman riding through the park and up Main Street. They’ve added Ichabod reading and eating in the upper window of the Christmas shop across from Sleepy Hollow Inn. Standing on the street and watching him go about his business until he blows the candle out is a fun Easter Egg if you’re looking.

I’ve always been disappointed that Disney never took advantage of the IP for a ride. Even my local theme park, Holiday World, has a roller coaster called The Legend, named after the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Disney is also huge into selling us merchandise and doesn’t take full advantage of it. There have been a couple of shirts, a Horseman statue, and some pins, but nothing significant or ongoing. One of my favorite items is the limited edition FigPin from this year’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Party. I was stoked to find it and add it to my collection.

Overall, Disney’s version of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow seems like a missed opportunity to do something special to honor a fictional piece of Americana in the parks and cultural consciousness. Washington Irving wrote other works, but this is the one that matters to me. Maybe one day, Disney will surprise us and give the Horseman his due in the new Villians Land (if it gets built). But in the meantime, I guess we’ll have to be happy with what we get.

Well, I must return to prepping for AuthorCon St. Louis this weekend. The books are packed, and I’ve decided what to do for Friday night’s reading. I also have a short story and two novels I’m working on, so I’m busy.

Welcome to October, my friends!

Later,

Brent