Growing up around Disney, Hidden Mickeys have pretty much always been a part of my visits to the parks, but not everyone knows about them! I’m sharing what I know about them with you so you can be in on the “secret” too! Want a FREE printable checklist that you can download to help you find the EPCOT Hidden Mickeys? Drop your e-mail in the box below and I’ll send it to your inbox! Make sure you check out my other Disney posts while you’re here to help plan the best vacation!
First, let me fill you in on the basics:
What are Hidden Mickeys?
Usually, but not always, they’re the classic shape of Mickey’s head (the three circles for his face and ears). They’re built into rides, painted on murals, and hidden in all sorts of places (even in some Disney movies!) for the keen observer to find. Disney’s Imagineers started including Hidden Mickeys in their creations sometime around the 1970s and, while Disney hasn’t officially recognized them as existing, it seems like it’s a fun little secret that they’re aware of and at the very least alright with.
How do you find them?
There’s no way I’ve found them all, and that’s the beauty of it. It’s just as fun for people who only get to go to Disney once in a lifetime to look for them as it is for people who go every week. You have to be very conscious of your surroundings to spot them because they’re not going to be super obvious and some of them change from time to time.
Without further ado, here are the Hidden Mickeys I’ve found at EPCOT! We’ll start at the front of the park and work our way around the world. I’ve got two photos of most of the Hidden Mickeys, one for you to play along and try to find them and one to point them out in case it’s a little too tough. Enjoy!
Spaceship Earth
This is probably the toughest Hidden Mickey I’ve found yet. You have to use a camera flash to capture it!
I actually rode in a ride car once with some people who were talking about Hidden Mickeys and they snapped a picture of this monk. When I tried it myself, I figured out what they were looking for!
This one is easy to catch without any additional lighting.
It’s right next to the painter as you enter the Renaissance scenes of the ride.
Future World
Probably the most obvious, but still a fun one to see!
Norway Pavilion
If you’ve got a child who loves Frozen, you’ll definitely want to check out Norway! I recommend getting to the park before rope drop and making a beeline for the ride so you don’t have to wait too long. Plus, the outdoor portions of the line won’t be too hot yet!
This Hidden Mickey is located on a post just after you walk through Wandering Oaken’s Trading Post (which is so cute! I love the special appearance Olaf makes!). If you’re having trouble seeing it, the Mickey is made of the entire rope.
Japan Pavilion
Do you see it?
This is in the koi pond right behind the pagoda.
Morocco Pavilion
This is one of the easiest to find, and it’s pretty much always there, but sometimes the plates that are used to make it have changed.
This is on the main walkway around World Showcase.
United Kingdom Pavilion
This Hidden Mickey, made of sports balls on the Sportsman’s Shoppe sign, can be seen from the main walkway around World Showcase as well!
Canada Pavilion
This is one of the toughest to spot, especially if you don’t catch it at the right time of day because the shadows can make it very difficult.
Living With The Land
In the aquaculture section, there’s usually a hose that is coiled up in the shape of a Hidden Mickey.
Sometimes there’s also a Hidden Mickey made of wire mesh that’s hanging out in the tubes where the shrimp and eels live!
In the greenhouse, it’s hard to miss this Hidden Mickey made of a trellis for a Chocolate Vine!
The Mickey made of lettuce is a little more subtle. Notice the section of the garden that’s closest to the boat where the light green lettuces surround the dark lettuce that makes the shape of a Hidden Mickey.
The test tube Mickey has been a longtime favorite and can be seen toward the end of the ride in the lab window.
The last one is in the hydroponic garden and you have to look pretty carefully to catch it!
And here’s a bonus potential Hidden Mickey from the mural outside of Spaceship Earth:
I’ll give you a hint as to why it’s a potential Hidden Mickey and not a definite Hidden Mickey… It’s NOT the full classic Mickey! Look for something more like a Mickey cap.
How about now? See the black “3” on the mural? The artists definitely wanted it to stand out for some reason. Do you think they’re trying to make us wonder about its Hidden Mickey status?
If you want to download the checklist to use while you visit EPCOT, drop your e-mail in the box below and I’ll send it straight to your inbox!
All of these Hidden Mickeys, and there are surely plenty more! What’s your favorite?
OMG! I love the hidden Mickeys! It is one of our fav activities when we are at Disney.
Aren’t they so much fun to look for?! Writing this post was a blast!