AHidden Mickey is a representation ofMickey Mouse that has been inserted subtly into the design of a ride, attraction, or other location in aDisney theme park,Disney property, animated film, feature-length movie, TV series, or other Disney product.[1] 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, often referred to by Disney aficionados as a "Classic Mickey".[2] Mickeys may be painted, made up of objects (such as rocks, or three plates on a table), or be references such as someone wearing Mickey Mouse Club ears in a painting. Hidden Mickeys can take on many sizes and forms.[3]
Hidden Mickeys are slipped into many Disney animated films asEaster eggs. They are also hidden in architecture and attractions in Disney parks and resorts, and instudio buildings and many other Disney-related features.
The first published sighting of a Hidden Mickey was made by Arlen Miller, who wrote an article on Hidden Mickeys for WDW'sEyes and Ears (a Cast Member weekly publication) in 1989. The article listed Hidden Mickeys found in the Disney theme parks. Months later the author was contacted byDisney News for more information, and the resulting article made the news of Hidden Mickeys spread worldwide.[4]
The history of Hidden Mickeys can be traced back to when the Imagineers were designingEpcot in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Disney had decided that EPCOT Center would be a more adult themed park, including selling alcohol. As alcohol and Disney characters were deemed to be an improper combination, it was decided that none of the Disney characters, including Mickey Mouse andMinnie Mouse, would ever be seen at EPCOT Center. To some of the Imagineers working on EPCOT Center, this was taken as a challenge. They started including hidden Mickey Mouse profiles into various design elements of that park.[5] As the park began to grow, guest comments led Disney to include the characters in EPCOT Center, but tradition was well-established by that point. Hidden Mickeys (as well as other Disney characters like Minnie Mouse) have become a staple of all theme park designs since. Because of the popularity of Hidden Mickeys, Imagineers are encouraged to place them in new constructions.
Throughout the years, Hidden Mickeys spread in popularity as a pop-culture phenomenon.[6][7] They have also appeared in animated movies.[8][9]
As part of theHappiest Homecoming on Earth atDisneyland, the park had been decorated with 50 hidden Mickey 50 Ears, the official symbol of the 50th anniversary of Disneyland. The symbol is the traditional Mickey face and ears, but with a number 50 in the center. Before the 50th anniversary of Disneyland ended on September 30, 2006, the Hidden 50 Mickeys were gradually removed.
Common locations for deliberate Hidden Mickeys include the Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, where they are most commonly found in attractions, stores, and decor around the environment. Although approximately 1,000 Hidden Mickeys have been recorded,[10]The Walt Disney Company has never compiled a complete list of all the "known" or "deliberate" Mickeys (whether created by anImagineer or a Disney Cast Member), so there is no way to confirm or disprove any reported Mickey sightings.
The bookDiscovering the Magic Kingdom: An Unofficial Disneyland Vacation Guide - Second Edition has the largest printed listing of Hidden Mickeys for the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.[11] The book lists 419 Hidden Mickeys that can be found at Disneyland Park, Downtown Disney, the three Disneyland hotels, and Disney's California Adventure.
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