Hidden Mickeys Magic Kingdom

If you’ve visited Walt Disney World, chances are you’ve stumbled across a Hidden Mickey during your stay. A Hidden Mickey is a strategically placed Mickey-shaped image that Imagineers hide all across Disney World property, including in rides, attractions, resorts, and restaurants. Perhaps one of the most well-known Hidden Mickeys is in the formation of the plates in the ballroom scene in the Haunted Mansion. Many times, these Hidden Mickeys aren’t so hidden, but then again, sometimes they’re so hidden in plain sight that you could walk past it 100 times and never even realize it. 

History of Hidden Mickeys 

The history of Hidden Mickeys can be traced back to the 1970s and 1980s when Walt Disney’s vision for an Experimental Community of Tomorrow was being brought to life. During EPCOT’s construction, it’s strongly believed that Imagineers wanted to slip in references to Mickey Mouse throughout the park since he was being restricted to just Magic Kingdom. EPCOT was not going to be thought of as a “kiddie” park, I guess you could say, but leave it to a bunch of giant, imaginative kids to think otherwise!

Over time, guests began to notice these Hidden Mickeys, and the game as we know it today was born. 

How Many Hidden Mickeys Are There? 

There are approximately 1,000 Hidden Mickeys scattered around Disney property. However, this is only an estimation, as Disney has never gone on record to confirm the actual number. 

It’s impossible to say how many Hidden Mickeys are in Magic Kingdom (for sure), but we’ve compiled a list of our favorite Hidden Mickeys at Magic Kingdom for you and your family to find on your next visit: 

Hidden Mickeys on Main Street, U.S.A.

You’ll find a couple of Hidden Mickeys on Main Street, U.S.A. Some of the most common can be found in a painting hanging up on the wall behind the cash registers in the Emporium. If you’re dining at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, you can spot the next Hidden Mickey in a basket of bread sitting near the painting of Lady and Tramp. 

Read more: 10 Hidden Secrets on Main Street, USA in Magic Kingdom

Hidden Mickeys in Tomorrowland

Let’s take a right off Main Street U.S.A. and search for our first Hidden Mickey. The most famous (and difficult one to spot) can be found on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. In the room with the batteries, look to the left of the giant claw and you’ll see a profile of Mickey Mouse looking off to the left. 

Other Hidden Mickeys in Tomorrowland can be found in: 

• A star in the first part of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• The planet “Pollost Prime” in the queue line of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• The woman’s belt as she’s getting her hair done on the People Mover
• On a bag in the “zigzag line” area of Space Mountain during the scene where it says “Stow Away All Space Cargo”
• On a moon poster outside of Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
• The FastPass queue line for Tomorrowland Speedway (though this may change due to the introduction of the Lightning Lane option)
• Mickey-shaped nutcracker in the Christmas scene of Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

Hidden Mickeys in Fantasyland

Walking straight past Tomorrowland Speedway, you enter a world of Fantasy. That’s right, we’re now in Fantasyland! The most iconic Hidden Mickey can be found in the most iconic ride: It’s A Small World. Next time you’re in the jungle room (which is my fav, in case you were wondering), look out for a vine hanging from the ceiling near the giant, happy elephant. Look for the giant purple flowers to the left of the elephant to spot this famous Hidden Mickey!

Other Hidden Mickeys in Fantasyland can be found in: 

• The mural near the exit of the bathrooms in Pinocchio Village Haus (this is to the left of the Blue Fairy)
• The rocks on the left-hand side of a small pool of water near the exit for Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
• In Peter Pan’s Flight near Nana’s doghouse and the moon as you’re flying over London
• In the rocks at Gaston’s Fountain
• In Seven Dwarfs Mine Train above Grumpy’s head

Bonus: you can also find a Hidden Oswald the Lucky Rabbit – Walt’s original creation – in Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. As you go up the hill inside the mine, look out for Doc and you should be able to spot Oswald carved into the ceiling. 

Hidden Mickeys in Liberty Square

As mentioned above, one of the most popular Hidden Mickeys can be found as a place setting on the dining table in the ballroom scene in the Haunted Mansion. 

However, there are a few in Liberty Square you may have missed. Here are a few of our favorites: 

• On the ground in between the entrance to the Haunted Mansion and Columbia Harbor House
• The hats in the attic scene across from Constance Hatchaway form a Hidden Mickey
• In the artwork on the shelves in Liberty Tree Tavern (look for the blueberries!)
• George Washington’s sword in one of the paintings in the lobby of Hall of Presidents

Liberty Square is one of those areas that guests never seem to spend too much time in, outside of visiting the Haunted Mansion, but it’s a really relaxing spot of the park. The Hall of Presidents is great to sneak away to on a hot day, plus they have a Christmas shop where you can find amazing ornaments and you can even buy a turkey leg at one of the dining areas. Because so many are passing through to get to Fantasyland and Frontierland, this section of the park is never usually that crowded, either. 

Hidden Mickeys in Frontierland

Not only is Frontierland home to the most thrilling rides at Magic Kingdom, but it’s home to probably one of the largest Hidden Mickeys in the parks. Next time you’re on Splash Mountain ascending the final hill, look straight ahead to see a silhouette of Mickey Mouse protruding from the rocks. The easiest way to spot him is to search for his nose. This will be the last thing you see before you drop, so be sure to keep your eyes open to find this fun and unique Hidden Mickey!

Some of our favorite Hidden Mickeys in Frontierland are: 

• Gears in the shape of Mickey Mouse on the right-hand side of the train at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• On some gear hanging outside the Blacksmith’s shop on Tom Sawyer Island
• On the barrel of “Muskrat Moonshine” on Splash Mountain

Read more: Best Magic Kingdom Rides to do Before Lunch

Hidden Mickeys in Adventureland

Hi-ho, it’s off to Adventureland we go. Oh, wait, the wrong song. Yo-ho, mateys and welcome to Adventureland where our first stop will be Pirates of the Caribbean. This classic attraction is home to one of the most iconic Hidden Mickeys. Near the end of the ride, when you pass the jail scene, keep an eye on the lock to spot a very small (but very famous) Hidden Mickey. 

Other Hidden Mickeys in Adventureland can be found:

• In the tree trunk of the Swiss Family Treehouse
• In the wall design on the wall as you enter Adventureland
• In the ground near the Magic Carpets of Aladdin

Books to Find Hidden Mickeys

There are several books available on Amazon that offer guides to hunting for Hidden Mickeys, such as this one by Steven M. Barrett and this one by Kevin Neary and Susan Neary. Both books are well-respected in the Disney community, and offer up some unique and fun ways to incorporate Hidden Mickeys into a scavenger around the parks, a drinking game, and additional family fun. 

I’d say the book by Steven M. Barrett is more geared toward adults, as it doesn’t have any pictures and gives off more of a scavenger hunt-vibe that includes Hidden Mickeys, whereas the book by the Neary’s is much more child-friendly. 

Final Thoughts

Taking the time to find Hidden Mickeys is a fun activity you can do while you’re walking around the park or waiting in line. I always get so excited seeing them! 

Do you have a favorite Hidden Mickey at Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to follow WDW Vacation Tips on Instagram for all the latest Disney news, tips and tricks for building a magical vacation.