Hidden Mickeys

Mouse’s Best Friend?

It is said that a dog is a man’s best friend, but is it a mouse’s? Well heads up, Pluto, we think you may have some competition!

Meet Lily, a nearly 3-month old Labrador-Cathahoula mix. While searching for a new dog, Lily caught the attention of Francisco and Mejay Aguerre, and their daughter Nicole. The breeder said she had “unusual markings,” but these markings were hardly unusual to the Aguerres who are all three cast members at the Walt Disney World® Resort. They quickly recognized the marking as a perfect Hidden Mickey!

Lily, named after Walt Disney’s wife, Lillian, recently had an opportunity to meet Mickey Mouse! Enjoy the video – we bet you’ll fall in love!

What is a Hidden Mickey? A Hidden Mickey is a representation of Mickey Mouse that has been inserted subtly at the Walt Disney World® Resort, Disneyland® Resort, and on the Disney Cruise Line®. The Hidden Mickeys are placed by the Imagineers and artists to blend into the designs of attractions, hotels, restaurants, and other areas.

Hidden Mickey on Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros

Three drum heads make up the Hidden Mickey on the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros attraction in the Mexico Pavilion.

Hidden Mickeys started in the late 1980’s in Epcot® as an inside joke among the Imagineers. Some historians believe in that Hidden Mickeys were born as the Imagineers were designing Epcot® in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. At that time, Disney management felt that the characters belonged in the Magic Kingdom® Park only. The Imagineers disagreed and began slipping Mickeys into Epcot®! Because of the popularity, Imagineers are encouraged to place them all over the Disney parks and cruise ships.

The most common Hidden Mickey is a formation of three circles that may be perceived as the silhouette of the head and ears of Mickey Mouse. The term Hidden Mickey has now come to refer to a range of possibilities. It can be anything from a more complete representation of Mickey Mouse as one mixed in with a crowd or in the background, or a representation of another Disney character. Mickeys may be painted, made up of objects, or be references such as someone wearing Mickey Mouse Club ears in a painting. Hidden Mickeys can take on many sizes and forms.

A true Hidden Mickey is one that is not meant to be seen immediately, and is usually placed purposefully by a Disney Imagineer or artist in a context that would not normally contain Mickey Mouse. When the shape of Mickey Mouse is used as an obvious part of the design, such as Mickey ears on the top of lampposts, it is considered decorative and sometimes referred to as a decor Mickey.

Although approximately 600 Hidden Mickeys have been recorded, The Walt Disney Company has never compiled a complete list of all the “known” or “deliberate” Mickeys (whether created by an Imagineer or a Disney Cast Member), so there is no way to confirm or disprove every single Mickey sighting.

Can you find the Hidden Mickey in the mural at The Garden Grill Restaurant in Epcot? Click the smaller image below for the answer.
Hint: It isn’t the three circles that make up this Mickey. Look for his eyes and nose. Click for larger image.

Click image to see the answer.

Where have you found Hidden Mickeys at the Walt Disney World® Resort,
Disneyland® Resort, or on the Disney Cruise Line®?