Hunting Hidden Mickeys at Disney Parks
Do You See the Mickey Mouse Hidden in the Epcot Mural?
The tiny sideways Mickey almost looks like an earhat inside the “3”. These are affectionately known as Hidden Mickeys. Finding these concealed icons is a fun adventure game when visiting Disney Parks. It is like a “Where’s Waldo” book comes to life. The hunt for Hidden Mickeys is an interactive way of exploring the parks and making family memories. The Hidden Mickey above is incorporated into a mural located at the Spaceship Earth entrance. (Spaceship Earth is the name of the ride experience in the iconic ball at the Epcot Park entrance.)
Hidden Mickeys are everywhere in Disney Parks and often hard to spot.
What is a Hidden Mickey?
On trips to Disney Resorts, we make a point of seeking out camouflaged characters throughout each park. But what exactly is a Hidden Mickey? The exact definition is up for interpretation. Some say it is any Mickey Mouse image incorporated into ordinary object like wallpaper or carpet. While others think a Hidden Mickey must be cleverly disguised and appear only once in a display, exhibit or experience. Sightings can be rare and a challenge to find. For example, check out the logo on the truck from the Back Lot Tour at Hollywood Studios.
The Mysterious History of the Hidden Mickey at Disney Parks
Disney Imagineers started hiding Mickey in the parks long ago. But when, why and how it began is a bit mysterious. The thing is, Disney does not have an official list of Hidden Mickeys and didn’t acknowledge their existence for decades. Some say this fun hide-and-seek game began in the planning of Epcot in the seventies. Epcot, the Experimental Prototype City of Tomorrow, is designed as an adult theme park and Imagineers wanted to add Disney flair subtly. In 1989, Arlen Miller wrote the first article on Hidden Mickeys for the cast member weekly news publication, Eyes and Ears which became the first published list, but the characteristic three circle icon was strategically long before. It was visible in the design of the Disneyland’s Rocket to the Moon in 1955. The theater and it’s two round screens form a Mickey icon when viewed from above. However, without Disney to officially confirm when Mickey images were first added, the actual first Hidden Mickey is up for interpretation.
Hidden Mickeys come in many shapes and sizes
Hidden Mickeys can be Temporary or Permanent
Disney Parks are always evolving and likewise Hidden Mickeys come and go. Some are more permanent when incorporated into a park’s architecture. While others disappear quickly when painted into a temporary barricade put up to hide an attraction during construction or refurbishment.
Some of the easiest Mickey’s to spot are in the parks. At Magic Kingdom, there’s a three round plate place setting on the dining room table in the Haunted Mansion. In Epcot there’s a shadow cast from the interlocking ring wall art that forms a fleeting view of Mickey’s silhouette. Another can be seen at the bottom of the fish tank of the Coral Reef. Additionally, in Animal Kingdom, we spotted the eye of an ostrich in a mural was a Mickey icon if inspected closely. There are literally hundreds of examples so keep your eyes open.
Making Disney memories is about observing the magic, finding the unique and documenting the experience. Look for Hidden Mickeys everywhere! They can be up high in a ceiling or light fixture or low to the ground in a floor tile. Mickeys are hiding throughout all Disney properties, resorts parks and even on their cruise ships. The experience of finding a Hidden Mickey spontaneously is quite exhilarating and a unique game that makes Disney trips magical for everyone in our family. So much so that we often find ourselves spotting images that resemble the iconic mouse in the real world. Now isn’t that magical?
- Did a Disneyland Souvenir Spark Disney Pin Trading of Today? - September 9, 2024
- Disney Tips for Toddlers ~ 5 Things to Skip - September 6, 2024
- Disney Dog Pluto ~ Mickey’s Beloved Pup - September 2, 2024
