When visiting Walt Disney World, I love to take a step back and try not to get caught up in a fast paced race from attraction to attraction. With slowing down and really taking in the different environments in each park, an outstanding number of details and props come to light. One of my favorite ways to appreciate new details and really enjoy the parks is to search for Hidden Mickeys. Hidden Mickeys can be found virtually everywhere throughout Walt Disney World and can be featured on everything from artwork to décor. Sometimes they manifest in full body form, sometimes they are a silhouette, and sometimes they can be found as classic Hidden Mickeys which are three circles forming the outline of Mickey’s head. Some Hidden Mickeys are not Mickey at all but other recognizable characters such as Minnie, Donald, or even Tinkerbell.
I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite Hidden Mickeys in the Magic Kingdom Park and present an opportunity for you to slow down on your next visit to the park and enjoy some amazing details while searching for the mouse! So, let’s check out some of the best Hidden Mickeys throughout the Magic Kingdom, broken down by each land!
Main Street, U.S.A.
- While strolling through the Main Street Confectionery and browsing all of the delicious treats, take a moment to stop and look at the central pole of each display throughout the store. On each metal pole are holes used to suspend shelves and various other parts of the display, however if you look closely you’ll notice that those holes are actually shaped like classic Hidden Mickeys!
- Up in the Walt Disney World Railroad stations, there are some great turn of the century props and artwork to enjoy while waiting for your train to arrive. Located near the counter at the station, there are several tickets waiting for other passengers. On one of those tickets is a letter that looks less like one of the alphabet and more like a classic Hidden Mickey!
Fantasyland
- While traveling across the globe on “it’s a small world”, there are some interesting looking leaves in the Africa room. While approaching the band flocked by an elephant and giraffes, look for some oversized purple leaves which are shaped like classic Hidden Mickeys.
- Before taking to the skies on Peter Pan’s Flight, guests used to pass through a queue themed with crest adorned shields that eventually turns into a mural of a forest and surrounding trees. Before passing through the turn style just before the loading area, you could look to your left for a cutout tree with a classic Hidden Mickey in its bark.
Adventureland
- Every visit to Adventureland is incomplete without a visit to the Swiss Family Treehouse and a tour of the family’s unique island home. While climbing to the top, be sure to keep your eyes on the bark of the tree for a large silhouette of Mickey’s profile. It can be seen from several different vantages, so keep looking!
- On Pirates of the Caribbean there are pirates galore including Captain Jack Sparrow and even some Hidden Mickeys! Throughout the attraction, be on the lookout for padlocks which are slightly warped and look like a Hidden Mickey complete with ears! Look for the lock near the pirates trying to escape their jail cell and nearby Captain Jack Sparrow in the final scene before unloading.
Frontierland
- Splash Mountain is home to several Hidden Mickeys, but my favorite can be found in the finale scene. After plunging into the Briar Patch, guests emerge in a scene of celebration complete with a large boat and tons of singing critters. To the right of the boat in the clouds is a full body silhouette Hidden Mickey featuring the mouse laying on his back with his arms behind his head seemingly enjoying the clouds. This Hidden Mickey can also be seen from the Walt Disney World Railroad just before arriving in the Frontierland station.
- Just before reentering the station on Big Thunder Mountain, look to your right hand side on the ground to find three gears that form a classic Hidden Mickey! The train moves fast, so you’ll have to really be quick!
Liberty Square
- The Haunted Mansion is not only home to 999 happy haunts, but several great Hidden Mickeys as well. While passing through the ballroom scene, look down to the table below where a ghostly birthday celebration is happening. On the far side of the table are some dinner plates which have been arranged to form a classic Hidden Mickey.
- Also located in the Haunted Mansion is one of my favorite Hidden Mickeys in all of Walt Disney World. Near the end of the graveyard scene, look back to the right of your Doom Buggy to peer into a crypt where there is a ghostly figure of a Grim Reaper. It can be hard to spot because of the angle and constant movement, but the Reaper is holding up one arm which features a classic Hidden Mickey in shadow form. See if you can spot it!
Tomorrowland
- Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress has several Hidden Mickeys, but my favorite can be found in the final scene of the attraction. Located in the background of the scene is an abstract painting facing the left hand side of the theater. While it may look like random shapes, upon closer inspection the painting is actually a very abstract version of Sorcerer Mickey from Fantasia.
- While touring Tomorrowland on the highway of the sky, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, takes guests through the various attractions and different futuristic themes of the land. At one point on the right hand side of the vehicle the attraction passes a woman having her hair done while waiting for her train. Pay close attention to her belt buckle which features a classic Hidden Mickey.
While these are some of my favorite Hidden Mickeys throughout the Magic Kingdom, there are dozens of others to search for! I would love to hear from you about your favorite Hidden Mickeys and which ones you have found over the years, so be sure to leave a comment below!
Happy hunting!
(Photo from the author’s personal collection.)
Ever found any of the Hidden Mickeys above? Have a favorite one in the Magic Kingdom? Be sure to let me know by leaving a comment below, I would love to hear from you!
Caitlin Corsello was born and raised in New York. She graduated from Adelphi University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2012. Her love for Disney started as an infant and has continued to grow with family vacations to Disney parks almost every year since. She holds a particular interest in WDW’s parks and attractions, never passing up an opportunity to visit. She looks forward to continuing to explore and learn about all things Disney and to share that passion with readers.
