Disney in a Minute: What is a Hidden Mickey?

A “Hidden Mickey” is a stylized image of Mickey Mouse that’s subtly tucked into Disney spaces. The classic version is made of three circles: a big one for the head and two smaller ones for the ears, but there are some examples with a Mickey profile instead. Hundreds and hundreds of Hidden Mickeys have been reported by guests; you’ll find them throughout the Disney parks, resorts, and cruise ships.

All Hidden Mickeys have been created by Disney’s imagineers, as you might expect. It’s a form of entertainment for themselves and the amusement of in-the-know guests. But they haven’t always been a part of the parks! Disneyland opened in 1955, but Hidden Mickeys didn’t come on the scene until the early 1980s.

It seems the practice of hiding Mickey started when Imagineers were designing EPCOT. Disney viewed it as more of an adult park, which meant it would offer guests alcoholic beverages, not just soft drinks. But booze and Mickey (and his fellow characters) were viewed as a bad combo, so they decided Mickey and pals just wouldn’t appear in EPCOT.

By nature, Imagineers love a challenge. If you say it can’t be done, they’ll find a way to do it! So as they worked on the park, they snuck Mickey into their designs here and there – Hidden Mickeys! As EPCOT’s popularity grew, more and more guests wanted to see their favorite characters there, but the Hidden Mickey practice wasn’t going to go away. Today, the Imagineers continue to seize on opportunities to cleverly include Hidden Mickeys – and other characters – in their designs.

Look for these sneaky visual nods to Mickey camouflaged or concealed anywhere from rides to queues to restaurant or hotel room decor. Some Hidden Mickeys are clear, some are the subject of fan arguments – “The head-to-ear ratio isn’t perfect; did they mean to do that, or was it just an accident?” If you’ve got kids who are old enough, or you love a scavenger hunt, it’s fun to look around for them.

My favorite example of a Hidden Mickey is one I’ve never seen in person, although I hope to one day. In the queue for Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid, on November 18th – Mickey’s birthday – the sun shines through a carefully arranged rock formation. At noon, an illuminated Mickey is visible where the sun’s rays create the three-circle shape! If you’ve visited on a sunny November 18th, let us know in the comments!

Disney in a Minute is a series of short posts designed to help you better understand a Disney term or planning topic. Do you have a Disney term that you think needs a little more explanation? Let us know in the comments!