Where to Find Hidden Mickeys.
Who doesn’t love a scavenger hunt? I love searching for artifacts that are hidden, it is such a relaxing yet fun and invigorating activity. There are so many activities for fans to partake in while on vacation, and searching for Hidden Mickeys is definitely one Disney guests should remember to do. For those who do not know, a Hidden Mickey can be defined as a “representation of Mickey Mouse that has been inserted subtly into the design of a ride, attraction, or other location in a Disney theme park, Disney properties, animated film, feature-length movie, TV series, or other Disney products.” So yes, in a way this is Disney’s version of their own scavenger hunt. Finding Hidden Mickeys is one of my favorite yet underappreciated parts of my Disney vacations. Not only do you feel special learning about Disney secrets, but also, a lot of the times guests find locations they never knew existed. A win, if you ask me.
Know Your Hidden Mickey History
Today, Epcot is recognized for their appetizing and palatable food as well as the impressive festivals, such as The Food and Wine Festival, which is hosted annually. In the late 1970s, Disney decided that Epcot would sell alcoholic beverages at the park, which paved the way into making Epcot the adult park, rather than catering towards children as the others did. Thank goodness for that! I am fond of all their cocktails and mixed drinks that are offered. Alcohol and Disney characters were seen to be an unfitting integration, therefore, it was determined by the company that Disney characters, including the famous and popular Mickey Mouse would never be seen at Epcot. Everyone knows that Mickey is the face of the Disney brand, therefore, it is not impossible to imagine what a difficult task this was for imagineers when designing Epcot. The imagineers eventually choose to include Hidden Mickey Mouse figures into various sections of the park.
Arlen Miller who wrote an article in 1989 made the first acknowledgment of Hidden Mickeys. In this article, Arlen listed Hidden Mickeys that could be found throughout the Disney theme parks. It made the news and quickly spread worldwide. Over an allotted time, Hidden Mickeys have become a huge part of pop culture and highly adored by fans, as well as ingrained in the Disney theme park designs. Even though, Disney has never officially admitted to the existence of Hidden Mickeys, due to their popularity,
Imagineers are now encouraged to place them in new designs today.
Where To Find Them?
The search for Hidden Mickeys is a fun quest to embark on. Disney has a multitude of places to find them but knowing where to look can be the key component in the success of your search. Now, the most important question remains, where can you find them? Simple answer, everywhere. With so many Hidden Mickeys worldwide, it is no wonder that there have been numerous books written on where to find them.
Yes, Disney has placed Hidden Mickeys throughout their parks (in the designs of rides, wait lines, sidewalks, pictures, buildings, signs, etc.), but it doesn’t stop there. Hidden Mickeys can also be found in carpet, wallpaper, bedspreads, furniture, picture frames, and more at Disney resorts as well. Unless one is looking for the Mickeys, it is easy to overlook them. Hidden Mickeys are not just found in vacation spots at Disney, but they can also be found in numerous classic Disney films, or even television productions. You may ask yourself, if there are many, how can I find them on my Disney trip? That is the million-dollar question, but luckily in today’s digital age there is an app that guests can download to their phone, which helps them find Hidden Mickey’s at Disney parks and resorts. Next time you are visiting Disney or watching a film, when you see the form of mickey ears, instead of overlooking it, remind yourself maybe you have found a Hidden Mickey.
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