Hidden Mickeys at Disneyland: What They Are and How to Find Them

Finding Hidden Mickey's at the Disneyland Resort is a fun scavenger hunt for many guests. There are hundreds of Hidden Mickeys in Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, Downtown Disney District and the three onsite hotel properties.

Our guide gives an overview for locating the more prominent Hidden Mickeys throughout the resort but by no means includes every single one there is. I've also added a few suggestions for fun scavenger hunts of where to look if you're waiting in a queue. Good luck hunting!

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What is a Hidden Mickey?

A Hidden Mickey is the depiction of Mickey Mouse's classic shape of three circles which form his head and two ears. The Hidden Mickey can consist of almost any material including paint, plants, décor, tools, etc. The Hidden Mickeys are subtly inserted into anything Disney related including theme park attractions, architecture, landscape, and movies.

For years guests have had fun locating Hidden Mickeys throughout Disneyland and there are many different books and websites dedicated solely to finding these treasures.

History of the Hidden Mickeys

The history of the Hidden Mickey stems from the designing of Walt Disney World's Epcot in the 1970s/80s. The new park was deemed more adult-themed with alcohol and no characters. Since the classic Disney characters were absent, Disney Imagineers (Disney engineers and builders) found ingenious ways to sneak in a Mickey image. Imagineers since then have added Hidden Mickeys in each theme park architectural design of any new attraction or building.

Design Element Mickeys vs. Classic Mickeys

There is some debate as to whether or not the design element Mickeys are true Hidden Mickeys. These are the Mickey images that pop out at you with no need to search such as the floral Mickey that welcomes guests to Disneyland once they pass through the turnstiles. For this article we'll just focus on the hidden Mickeys since we can find the design element Mickeys quite easily.

Finding the Hidden Mickeys

With so many hidden images throughout the resort, it's tough to keep a running list especially an updated one.  Images disappear or other Mickey faces are quickly found but the following Mickeys have been spotted continuously over a lengthy period of time. Suffice it to say, they'll still be there when you read this article.

Mickey and Friends Parking Lot

• Cement head– On the Daisy level embedded in the concrete is a Mickey Mouse head. When the concrete was placed down in the parking lot, a tool was used to create textured circles. One of these circles is a Mickey head.  Look for this in section 2A.

Downtown Disney 

• Marceline's Confectionary– This Hidden Mickey has been present since the opening of Marceline's in 2001!  Look at the sign reading Marceline's Confectionary. The font is curlique and the capital M and C form the iconic Mickey head.
• Kiosks– Mickey heads are incorporated into the metal work on the kiosks framing and sign holders.

Esplanade

• Ticket booths– The actual window pieces of the ticket booths have a frosted Mickey Mouse head on them.
• There is a Mickey head compass rose in between the two parks.
• Rivets– The rivets on the tree guards in the Esplanade are Mickey heads!
• Personalized bricks– On the wedding/anniversary themed bricks, a Mickey head is hidden in the bells.

Disneyland

MAIN STREET USA

• City Hall– Look in the lobby for a bookcase filled with Disney themed books.  The book entitled Mickey Mouse has a hidden Mickey.
• Main Street Magic Shop– Sometimes cast members help create the hidden Mickeys. Look for a rope placed in the shape of the Mickey head in the front window display. You'll also find two hidden Mickeys on playing cards – look for one playing card in the window and the other on the ceiling.
• Gibson Girl Ice Cream – In the glass signed on the window that spells out “Ice Cream Floats” look for a painted Mickey hidden in the “Floats” letter “A”
• Main Street Cinema– Look on the stairs that lead up to the small center stage. The lights on the bottom are Mickey head shaped.
• Penny Arcade– Inside the arcade is the Pinocchio Puppet Machine. There is a Mickey hidden on the scroll work near the steering handle. Don't forget your quarter so you can make Pinocchio dance.

ADVENTURELAND

• Jungle Cruise– The Jungle Cruise wooden sign has textured bumps on it.  Under the “J”, there are three bumps which form the Mickey.
• Jungle Cruise– Look for the boa constrictor hanging in the tree. One of his “spots” is shaped like the Mickey head.
• Jungle Cruise–  Sometimes on the dock, the ropes may be formed into a Mickey head. Another show of cast members helping with the hunt.
• Indiana Jones Adventure– On a wall in the projector room, there is a large, subtle shadow of Mickey's head. It's located on the right side facing Indy's office.
• Tarzan's Treehouse– On your way out of the treehouse, you'll see the musical instruments. Look for the drums as they're shaped in the classic Mickey head. You can also find pans arranged to look like Mickey.

FRONTIERLAND

• Mark Twain Riverboat– Look up at the two black smokestacks. There is a metal ornamental piece between them which include two sideways Mickey heads.
• Golden Horseshoe Review– This is a tricky one. One the actual stage inside, there is a small vent on the bottom which you can see facing the stage. One of the ventholes is a tiny Mickey Mouse head.
• Shooting Exposition– Look for a prickly pear cactus target which vaguely resembles a classic Mickey head.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad– Three large gears resemble a Mickey head. Look for them near the base of the train track.

NEW ORLEANS SQUARE

• Pirates of the Caribbean– During the actual ride, you'll see a drunk pirate trying to shoot at barrels of gunpowder. The barrels are hung as a triangle representing the Mickey head shape.
• Pirates of the Caribbean– At the end of the ride when the boats are ready to dock, there is a scene of a skeleton with a treasure chest. In the sand are three shells that make up the classic Hidden Mickey.
• Haunted Mansion– Here is another example of cast members helping out with the hunt. In the grand ballroom scene, the plate table settings will resemble a Mickey Mouse head.

CRITTER COUNTRY

• Splash Mountain– When facing the mountain, look to the right of the big drop. Three rocks form the iconic Mickey shape.
• Splash Mountain– When floating in the log through the scene with the critters fishing, look on the bank of the shore. There is a picnic basket with three fishing bobs next to it set as a Hidden Mickey.
• Splash Mountain– Check out the height requirement sign. There is a Hidden Mickey on the post.

FANTASYLAND

• Storybook Land Canal Boats– On the outside of the Snow White boat, the decor shows birdies holding bunches of grapes.  One of the grape clusters is a Mickey Mouse head. On the Flora boat, look for a Mickey head hidden among the flower designs by the Flora name.
• Peter Pan's Flight– While flying over London, look at the tower above Big Ben's face. You'll see some lighted windows in which one has a small Mickey silhouette.
• Alice in Wonderland– In the scene where the Queen of Heart's cards are painting the roses red, one of the roses is a Hidden Mickey.
• Matterhorn– Look at up at the Matterhorn. One of the bobsled tunnels is shaped like the Hidden Mickey head.
• Matterhorn– Here's another rope Mickey. Check to see if the rope near the Wells Expedition is formed into the Mickey head.  Sometimes yes.  Sometimes no.
• “it's a small world”– The gears on the clock tower at this iconic attraction are placed in the traditional Mickey tri-circle shape.

TOONTOWN

• Mickey's House– The piano sheet music roll has Mickey heads as the notes. (Extra points if you can find the hidden Donald among the Mickeys).
• Clarabelle's Frozen Yogurt– When the shop is closed, the black window shade with white spots, sports a white spot resembling a Mickey head.
• Toontown sign– The group of trees surrounding the “Toontown” sign have balls of leaves on them. The balls are sorted in a Mickey head pattern.
• Public phone– The rotary dial phones in Toontown all sport a Mickey head in the center of the dial.

TOMORROWLAND

• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters– Look on the wall while in the queue. Find the earth and you'll see a side profile face of Mickey.
• Star Tours– Once seated for the attraction, C3PO introduces himself as your captain. If you look closely, you'll see a small white Mickey Mouse head on his right forearm near his wrist.

Disney California Adventure

BUENA VISTA STREET

• Oswald's Filling Station– There is a vintage bell alarm on one of the walls. The alarm with bells resembles a Mickey head shape.
• Elias and Co.- If you work your way to the grand room, look up at the mannequins dressed in the 1920's attire. They are posed on a railed balcony. The railing design incorporates the Mickey Mouse head.
• Julius Katz & Sons– One of the window displays in this shop houses a black-and-white television. The test pattern broadcast is Mickey Mouse ears.
• Carthay Circle Restaurant– This location hides one of the toughest Hidden Mickeys to find. Search through the white terrazzo floor and you'll find Mickey there but he is very tiny. Good luck!
• Five & Dime roadster– Enjoy some entertainment when Five & Dime stop for a jazz session on Buena Vista Street. Sharp eyes will spot the tread on the group's jalopy- it's Mickey Mouse!

HOLLYWOOD LAND

• Disney's Animation Building– Look up, up, up! The tallest Hidden Mickey sits atop the antenna poking out of the Animation Building sign.
• Animation Academy– When you're drawing your Disney character while inside the Academy, take a look at the surrounding shelves with plenty of Disney references. A drum on one of the shelves resembles a Hidden Mickey.
• Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue– In the queue, you'll spot Hidden Mickeys on vehicle posters.  Just look at the headlights on the cars.
• Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue– Throughout the attraction, look for Mickey heads on Sulley where his purple spots form the iconic image.
• Hyperion Theater– The exit doors framework design indicates a Hidden Mickey. Look for it above the doorways.

CARS LAND

• Radiator Springs Curios– The yellow gas pump out front has a rusted paint spot which is a Hidden Mickey.
• Ramone's House of Body Art– Look at the hood displays in the windows. Each different design houses a Hidden Mickey.
• Mater's Junkyard Jamboree– While in the queue, look up in the rafters and you'll spot hubcaps forming the iconic Mickey head.
• Radiator Springs' Racers– A barrel cactus outside the queue, across from Flo's V8 Cafe, is shaped like a Mickey Mouse head.
• Power Lines– When walking through Radiator Springs, look up at the power lines. The lines are looped with small Hidden Mickeys.

GOLDEN STATE

• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail– There is a rock formation near Kenai's Spirit Cave which is a Mickey head.
• Soarin' Around the World– In the desert scene, look at the hot air balloons. Three are grouped together as a Hidden Mickey.
• Grizzly River Run– Look at a piece of machinery along the queue. It vaguely resembles a Hidden Mickey.
• Blue Sky Cellar– The sign welcoming guests is designed with a paint brush and pixie dust. Some of the dust is Mickey Mouse heads.

PIXAR PIER

• The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure– Near the end of the attraction, there are kissing frogs.  Look at the blue spots on their backs. They are sideways Mickey heads.
• Goofy's Sky School– This Hidden Mickey is my favorite. Look on the bulletin boards hanging along the queue. Partially hidden under the tacked up papers is a stained image of Mickey's head.
• Toy Story Midway Mania– The signs in the loading zone have images shaped in the Mickey head.

Disney Resort Hotels

DISNEYLAND HOTEL

•  Carpeting– There are Hidden Mickeys throughout the carpeting in the Disneyland Hotel.
•  Bell services– Look for the Mickey head on the bell services carts.

DISNEYLAND GRAND CALIFORNIAN HOTEL AND SPA

• Carpeting– Look for holly berries shaped like Hidden Mickeys in the rugs in this hotel.
• Logo– A Hidden Mickey is within the evergreen tree on the hotel's logo.
• Lobby– There is a Hidden Mickey within the stonework of the lobby's fireplace.
• Lobby– There is a grandfather clock in the lobby with a Mickey Mouse head on the face.

DISNEY'S PARADISE PIER HOTEL

• Carpeting- Like the other hotels on property, Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel also houses Hidden Mickey's in the carpeting.
• Fitness Center- The door to the fitness center has a Mickey head shaped window.

Finding Hidden Mickeys- A Constant Quest

Many photos and lists I researched were outdated or attractions and locations had been upgraded. Hopefully, you can use this list as a basis and expand from there. With Disneyland Resort continually updating and retheming, there are new Hidden Mickeys to find on a daily basis. As you may have noticed, I did not list any Hidden Mickeys in Disneyland's new Tropical Hideaway, Disney's California Pixar Pier, or Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. Since the locations are still relatively new, there are plenty of Mickeys to be found. I challenge you to find as many as you can.

It's always fun to create lists with the Hidden Mickeys. If you're with a group, no matter the ages, try a scavenger hunt where everyone must find a Hidden Mickey in each land or each attraction within a land. But you may want to ask for photos because sometimes interpretation can be questionable. Or print up a list for little guests to find as many Hidden Mickeys in Mickey's Toontown house. Trust me, there are plenty.

If you're waiting in an attraction line, use the time to try to spot Hidden Mickeys around you. You may be more creative than you think.

Plan Your Vacation to Disneyland!

Finding Hidden Mickeys is yet another Disney detail that makes Disneyland Resort one of the best vacation destinations. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter for more tips to guarantee a great Disney experience.

• Taking the Disneyland Tours
• Ultimate Guide to Disneyland Rides and Attractions
• Disney California Adventure Guide to Rides and Attractions
• Solo Time at Disneyland Resort
• Utilizing Your Time Wisely at Disneyland