hidden mickey

By: Christie Howley, Magic Maker®

If you are taking a trip to Walt Disney World® Resort, you probably expect to see Mickey Mouse and his friends just about everywhere you look. But did you know that Mickey Mouse may be hiding in places you wouldn’t think to look? There’s a phenomenon called “Hidden Mickeys”, and they’re bound to make your trip even more exciting!

What is a Hidden Mickey you ask? Disney Imagineers and most creative artists have put their heads together to sneak partial or full images of Mickey Mouse (and sometimes even other characters) into areas of the Walt Disney World® Resort property that you may not expect to find him, and some may not be so easy to see! The history of Hidden Mickeys (explained by a cast member during a back stage tour) began when Epcot® was in creation in 1981. The Imagineers did not want to display Mickey Mouse in the Epcot®. They believed that he should remain a fixture at the Magic Kingdom® Park, while Epcot® was intended to transport guests into a futuristic world- sans Mickey Mouse. Some cast members felt differently, however, and during the opening of the park, snuck Mickey Mouse’s trademark three-circled head and ears into the background of certain attractions and rides. Guests and other cast members noticed, and began to look for them and the movement took off!

Now, Mickey Mouse’s iconic head and ears are not the only Hidden Mickey to be on the lookout for, though they do remain the “Classic” Hidden Mickey. Hidden Mickeys come in all shapes, sizes, characters and forms, some being as difficult to see as the full body Hidden Mickey laying on his side in the clouds, in one of the final scenes in Splash Mountain® Attraction. Or if you happen to stop by the Disney’s Polynesian Resort, head upstairs to Kona Island, coffee shop by day, sushi bar by night. The counter is made up of colored tiles…see if you can find the one shaped like Mickey!

An example of a non-Mickey Mouse Hidden Mickey can be found on The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. While in Owl’s house, search for a picture frame of Mr. Toad, who used to have his very own ride in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh’s location many years ago.

There are some Hidden Mickeys that can only be found while waiting on line for the rides, so if you happen to have a FastPass+ you may miss one or two. But don’t worry, there are more Hidden Mickeys buried throughout all 4 parks (and the water parks!), the resorts, and even some restaurants! If you need help finding some, most cast members have a pretty good idea of where you can spot them. But don’t forget that they’re hidden­-intentionally placed Mickeys (such as a cookie shaped like Mickey Mouse in the bakery) do not count. Use your imagination, get the kids to join in, and celebrate that now there’s one more reason to go to Walt Disney World® Resort- to go hunting Hidden Mickeys!

With some fabulous specials available at Walt Disney World® Resort, our Magic Makers® are ready to send you hunting!