Walt Disney World in Florida is filled to the brim with secrets, include a large batch of hidden Mickeys. These come in the form of the three circles making up the silhouette of Mickey’s head that can be found in many forms throughout the Disney resorts, including the four parks, the many resorts, and more. But which are best and most well-hidden? Well, on the road to the 50 greatest hidden Mickeys at Disney World, we’ll be starting with 15 best at each of the four theme parks, starting with Magic Kingdom. This list will only include “hidden” Mickeys, and only ones you can still find at the park as of writing. So as much as I wanted to include the word Mickey written in alien language on Stitch’s Great Escape!, it won’t be included since the ride is now extinct. We’ll also only be including hidden Mickeys in the park itself, not in the nearby resorts. So with that out of the way, let’s begin.
Part One: Magic Kingdom Park
15: Tree Trunk – Swiss Family Treehouse – Adventureland
The Swiss Family Treehouse is a Disney classic, based on the original Swiss Family Robinson film. The ride has many secrets, and one of the coolest ones is a hidden Mickey. A silhouette of Mickey can be found on the tree’s trunk. It is a bit hard to spot since the Mickey head and the tree trunk itself are similar colors, plus it’s a bit hidden by the dark stuff on the tree, covering up this interesting secret. But if you can spot it, it’s a neat hidden Mickey and definitely one of the best hidden secrets that can be found in Adventureland.
#14: The Globe – Disney Vacation Club Kiosk – Fantasyland
This one isn’t very difficult to notice, but it’s still a neat find. If you’ve ever seen one of these kiosks around Disney World, you’ll know the logo for the membership is a Mickey head made out of three circles that look like Earth. Well, a certain kiosk in Fantasyland makes the idea a bit more interesting. Basically, this kiosk can be found as a storefront behind Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. However, the sign is a bit different than most of the DVC kiosks. There’s a scroll that says Disney Vacation Club under a group of globes. These globes actually form a hidden Mickey, replacing the 3 drawings of Earth normally seen at these kiosks. It’s a neat detail, but just not very hidden.
#13: The Present – Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress – Tomorrowland
Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress located in Tomorrowland is a Disney classic, but also has some great hidden Mickeys. In the Christmas scene, look under the tree to find a certain present by the grandfather’s leg. The side of the present has a nice big Mickey silhouette to find. It’s not incredibly difficult to find, but it’s still neat – especially the stuffed Mickey next to the present peeking out. You can also find a clever hidden Mickey on Carousel of Progress in the same scene as the toppers on salt and pepper shakers on the countertop in the kitchen.
#12: The Nose – Splash Mountain – Frontierland
The most unique hidden Mickeys at Disney World are usually the most detailed and oddly placed. Not all hidden Mickeys have 3 circles connected in the icon of Mickey Mouse, such as this clever secret on Splash Mountain. As you approach the final drop, look at the left side of the hole in the wall. Is that Mickey’s nose sticking out? Yes, it is. Mickey can be found on the left of the hole right before the big drop to finish the attraction. I love when hidden Mickeys try something new. It’s not what you’re looking for, which makes the secret even harder to find. If you want to find a classic Mickey head in the ride, look by the colorful flowers and the picnic basket to see a Mickey head made out of bobbers in the ride as well.
#11: The Dots – Mickey’s PhilharMagic – Fantasyland
Not every hidden Mickey is during the ride itself. Some might be in queue as you’re walking by. With normally long waits for rides, look for secret in the queues as you wait, or you might miss a neat detail like this sneaky Mickey silhouette in the queue for Mickey’s PhilharMagic. As you pass the wall of instruments, take a look at some of the dots you can spot around the instruments. Some form hidden Mickeys, such as the one in the picture. An easier Mickey to spot is the tuba on the wall next to the stage in the main room.
#10: The Highway Shape – Mickey’s Star Traders – Tomorrowland
Mickey’s Star Traders is a pretty cool Tomorrowland store, but a secret not every guest notices is the many hidden Mickeys on the wall art. Such as the end of the train, on top of the windows on a tall building, and even shaped 3 domes. But I think the coolest one is the highway, shaped like a giant Mickey head with a golden statue in the middle. It’s just cool to see a highway shaped like the head of the famous Disney mascot. It makes me think that the future doesn’t have to be tall, crazy buildings or futuristic technology. It can be as simple as a unique-shaped highway with the futuristic city in the background. I just like seeing this hidden Mickey, along with all the others.
#9: Mickey on Earth – Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin – Tomorrowland
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin has some of the most clever hidden Mickeys in Tomorrowland, but my favorite the one on the planet. To find this hidden Mickey, you’ll need to look at the giant map on the wall in the queue that says “Planets of the Galactic Alliance” in the corner. On the map, look for the Pollost Prime planet in Sector 1. On the planet is a continent shaped like Mickey Mouse, at least his head. But not just the 3 circles, but literally Mickey’s head, nose and all. The ears aren’t even directly on top. This planet can also be found with the same Mickey head on another map with 4 planets in a square of each sector. Other well-hidden hidden Mickeys on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin are the 3 circles behind the battery-delivery robot, as well as the buttons on the control panel in the queue.
#8: The Nutcracker – Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress – Tomorrowland
Another sneaky hidden Mickey on Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress is actually in the form of a nutcracker. Unsurprisingly, this Carousel of Progress Mickey is in the Christmas scene. Why does this scene have so many hidden Mickeys? I can name 4 off the top of my head. Anyway, look very closely to the left above the fireplace to find a few nutcrackers. One is actually Mickey himself. You can find the Mickey nutcracker on the far left of the 4 nutcrackers. The nutcrackers are far left on the mantle, next to the hanging wreath. I know I’ve already said this and I’ll say it again later, but I love when hidden Mickeys are more creative than just the three circles. It’s what I appreciate the most when it comes to these secrets: expecting the unexpected. That being said, expect many hidden Mickeys in this scene of Carousel of Progress.
#7: The Clock Tower – Peter Pan’s Flight – Fantasyland
Another neat hidden Mickey not in the form of three connected circles can be found on Peter Pan’s Flight in Fantasyland. As you fly over London, you’ll pass by the famous Big Ben clock tower. But a sneaky hidden Mickey is inside. Look closely at the windows at the very top of the tower to find Mickey’s silhouette inside – but not just the three circles, it’s Mickey himself! This one is a bit hard to spot, but still really cool. If you’re looking for an easier hidden Mickey to spot on Peter Pan’s Flight, there’s also one on the marquee sign for the attraction as the cloud Peter Pan is standing on.
#6: Plane Front – The Barnstormer – Fantasyland
A fun, silly family coaster at Walt Disney World is The Barnstormer, located in Storybook Circus in Fantasyland. This attraction has a few cleverly-hidden Mickeys, and it’s really cool if you find one. On the coaster, you pass through a giant Barnstormer sign before turning into the unload station. If you look closely at this sign as you pass by, you’ll find a neat secret. On this sign are two planes on the right. Look closely at the smaller one farther behind, directly above the “Staggering Series of Stupendous Stunts” sign. On the front of this plane is a classic hidden Mickey. This is such a well-hidden secret, but you’ll definitely miss it if you don’t know where to look on the sign.
#5: The Mine – Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – Fantasyland
“Heigh ho, heigh ho!” A newer ride at Magic Kingdom can be found in New Fantasyland. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a family coaster with amazing audio animatronics that brings the Seven Dwarfs to life. There’s some neat hidden Mickeys here, including one in the scene with the Seven Dwarfs animatronics. In the mine, look for a hidden Mickey behind the dwarf made out of gems. It’s a little hard to see at first, but once you see it you can’t look away. This is a classic hidden Mickey that can be found on this great Magic Kingdom coaster.
#4: The Crashed Plane – Jungle Cruise – Adventureland
Most hidden Mickeys are just secrets on the ride, but don’t have any significance outside that. But not many reference a now extinct attraction at a whole other theme park. Anyway, the crashed plane on the Jungle Cruise attraction is a rather new addition. The plane has a very sneaky hidden Mickey on the bottom. But what about the reference to another attraction? Well, would you believe me if I said that this plane used to have a home in Hollywood Studios? Well, this plane used to be the plane in the Casablanca scene on the classic Hollywood Studios attraction “The Great Move Ride”. This ride might now be home to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, but this is still a pretty neat secret you probably never knew about Jungle Cruise, especially with this classic hidden Mickey.
#3: The Plates – Haunted Mansion – Liberty Square
Probably the most cheaply-made hidden Mickey is one of Magic Kingdom’s most popular and well-known. The classic Disney attraction The Haunted Mansion has some well-hidden you might have missed, including its own hidden Mickeys. One of these can be seen in the dining hall scene. While you might be watching the ghosts spinning and dancing, did you ever take the time to look at the plates and bowls on the table? Well, three plates actually form a classic hidden Mickey. Made out of plate for the head and two side plates for the ears, you can find a hidden Mickey on the table at both Magic Kingdom in Florida and even Disneyland in California.
#2: Around the Magic Bathtub – Cinderella Castle’s Suite – The Hub
This is an interesting hidden Mickey since 99% percent of people will not find it – because they aren’t allowed to. A neat detail about Cinderella Castle that Disney fans know about is the suite. There is actually a suite that guests can stay in overnight. However, you can’t stay there anymore. Originally, only lucky people winning contests, etc. got the once-in-a-lifetime chance to stay in what’s known as fantasy. But you can get a tour of the suite. And a detail to look out for on the tour is a very sneaky hidden Mickey. In the fancy bathroom, you’ll find 3 highly-detailed mosaics around the bathtub. The one on the right with the trees has a small hidden Mickey in the bottom left corner. If you look really, really close, you’ll see it. So if you ever get a tour of this beautiful suite, make sure to look out for this hidden Mickey, along with a couple of others.
#1: Steamboat Willie – Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid – Fantasyland
One of the most unique Hidden Mickeys at Magic Kingdom is also one of the hardest to spot. In the queue for the Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid in Fantasyland, you’ll find a group of rock formations next to a small canal. While there are many rock formations in the queue of this attraction, this specific one is the most significant, as Disney Imagineers carved Steamboat Willie from the 1928 cartoon. You know, that whistling mouse on a boat that is now used in the Disney Animation Studios intro? Well, you can spot him in the queue of Under the Sea. However, you have to stand at the right angle or it won’t look right. It is hard to spot without color as the image of Mickey doesn’t stand out, but that’s what makes it great. The most secretive, unique, and interesting hidden Mickey. Because of its unique placement, design, and creativity, I give this hidden Mickey the number one spot.
So, Magic Kingdom has a bunch of hidden Mickeys. There are so many to find. Some great ones at the park weren’t included on this list, but that doesn’t mean they are bad. Let me know what your favorite hidden Mickeys are at Magic Kingdom in the comments!