BLINK and You'll Miss This RARE Hidden Mickey in Disney World!

Not all Hidden Mickeys are created equal.

A not-so-hidden Mickey?

Hidden Mickeys are one of our favorite small elements of Disney theme parks. These design touches (which, if you’re unaware, are exactly what they sound like, small representations of the three-circle silhouette of Mickey’s head hidden in various architectural and design elements) are scattered all over Disney’s properties, including Walt Disney World. Some are easy to spot, while others are harder to see or only visible from certain vantage points. However, there’s one Hidden Mickey that’s so rare, that it only appears once a year…

Mickey Mouse’s “birthday” is celebrated on November 18th each year in recognition of the release date of Steamboat Willie back in 1928. If you happen to be in the Magic Kingdom on that date — and that date alone — you can find an extraordinary Hidden Mickey if you know where to look.

In the rocky, cavernous queue for Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid, there’s a section where sunlight beams through an opening in the rock work. On the 18th of each year, the light casts in a specific way that the rocks cast a shadow in the shape of Mickey Mouse (and even Minnie Mouse, depending on the other) for most of the morning.

The effect is achieved thanks to meticulous astrometric calculations Imagineers did during the design of the attraction and its queue. Unfortunately, the Hidden Mickey’s visibility is somewhat dependent on weather and cloud cover, so cross your fingers that the 18th is a clear visibility day if you choose to visit one of these years.

The queue for Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid features a meticulously crafted Hidden Mickey that’s ONLY visible once a year! Stay tuned to AllEars for more secrets of Disney World.