Florida Guide > Disney General
What is a “Hidden Mickey”?
For those of you that have never heard of a “Hidden Mickey” here is a short explanation of what it means:
A Hidden Mickey is an image of Mickey Mouse which is hidden somewhere, whether it be a silhouette (the most common one being a large circle for Mickey’s head with two smaller ones for his ears), profiles of his head, an actual cartoon image of his face or even a three dimensional figure eg. a Mickey Mouse doll. A “Hidden Mickey” can be found anywhere on Walt Disney World property, in the theme parks, the resort hotels and their golf courses etc.
In the design or building stage, or when finishing touches are being added to an attraction, the Imagineers hide these Mickeys. Some are quite easy to spot, others more difficult, even when they are pointed out to you.
Hidden Mickeys originally started as an inside joke amongst the Imagineers, but then word spread amongst the Disney Cast Members, and eventually the guests. Immediately a quest began to find the Hidden Mickeys. This pastime has become increasingly popular with families who visit Walt Disney World with the sole intention of finding as many of them as they can!!
Some Mickeys are intentionally hidden by the Imagineers, others are hidden by the cast members who work on the attraction i.e. the plates in the Haunted Mansion in the Magic Kingdom. Some are even accidental, maybe a shadow formed when the sun is in the right place, or a design of Mickey which is part of an attraction, for example, the hat in the teenage boy’s bedroom in Spaceship Earth in Epcot, or the tee-off mats in Fantasia Gardens golf course.
These days Hidden Mickeys are expected in any new attraction and fans will avidly await the opening, just as excited about finding the Hidden Mickey as they are about the new ride. It is anyone’s guess where the next one will appear.
As you enter an attraction, ask one of the cast members where the Hidden Mickey can be found. It could be in evidence whilst you are waiting in line, or in the attraction itself. You just never know. Not all of the Cast Members will give away the secret and encourage you to find them for yourself, maybe giving you a few clues. However, if you go into Guest Services at Epcot I do happen to know that they have a list of Hidden Mickeys, and if you ask extra nicely, they may hand one to you.
Happy hunting!!
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