Even you’ve taken in the sights and sounds of Space Mountain, visited Expedition Everest, and hopped aboard the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, exploration and discoveries still await. The Hidden Mickey is one of the highlights of Disney parks and resorts, unbeknownst to many but continues to be a popular activity for Disney fans around the world. Walt Disney Imagineers kicked this off during the design of the park; many rides and attractions were printed with a large circle with two small circles on top to depict-you guessed it-a silhouette of the famous mouse himself.
The park is littered with the Hidden Mickey, and has created a considerable following in the form of a scavenger hunt. In every park, you can stumble across a handful of Hidden Mickey’s that are concealed in woodwork, on tree barks, imprinted on individual rides, or etched into concrete paving. The first Hidden Mickey was found by Arlen Miller in 1989, and was published in the Cast Member weekly publication. Since then, Disney fans have worked on a complete log book and official tracking system of their findings. Imagineer-designed Mickey’s are compiled in an official list published by Disney, but some visitors insist that there are even more. The Finding Mickey blog is a valuable resource for Mickey enthusiasts on the west coast.
A few tips and suggestions to start your hunt on your next trip to Disney World:
1. All hidden Mickey’s are proportioned in a particular way. The ears will both be exactly the same size, and the face will be a simple circle.
2. If you think you’ve found an oversized or color-enhanced Mickey silhouette, chances are it’s not an original.
3. Look for the classic tri-circle head with ears; you don’t need an exceptional imagination to find the originals!
4. Don’t forget closed shops, stands, and boutiques. You’ll find that there are many hidden Mickey’s on storefronts and signs
5. Fantasy Island and all of the Disney hotels and resorts are some of the easiest places to find Hidden Mickey’s
6. The 50th Anniversary Hidden Mickey’s contain the ’50’ golden symbol in the center, and can be found throughout the resort and parks fairly easily
7. Look carefully at wallpaper patterns, floor tiles, and carpet designs for hidden Mickey’s throughout the Disneyland Hotel
If you need a head start on learning and exploring, here are some of the easiest hidden Mickey’s at the Orlando destination:
-The mural above the entrance to the Body Wars in Epcot
-The Haunted Mansion
-At the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular!
-Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
-The center of the Disney-MGM Studios theme park
-The Great Movie Ride at Hollywood Blvd
-The Tree of Life (near the buffalo) at Discovery Island in the Animal Kingdom
-The Old Key West sidewalks at WDW resort hotels
When you need a guide by your side, you can always ask a Cast Member for clues or even pictures for examples. Every Cast Member also has a classic hidden Mickey in the top center of the badge. You might also find the Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide to Walt Disney World’s Best Kept Secrets (by Steven Barrett) helpful-it’s sold at most kiosks and gift shops in the park.
Good luck on your Hidden Mickey hunt!
