4 Days to Disney: Where's Mickey?

I feel like today's topic, Hidden Mickeys, is something I barely knew about concretely when I did my last Countdown to Disney back in the Fall of 2005. I feel like I recall writing about it, but from a completely theoretical viewpoint, as I'd never been on a Hidden Mickey search, and while I loved the idea of it I'd heard about them between trips and had never experienced them first hand.

Let me briefly explain what a Hidden Mickey is... Basically the imagineers at Disney have made a habit of hiding the image of Mickey Mouse into the backgrounds of rides and walkways and theme parks. It's usually the circular mickey icon (there's one hidden on my blog). The beauty is that these are essentially a signature of the artist. They are not official. They are not cataloged. They are not kept up... They're just there. Some disappear over the years or wear away. I think they're beautiful.

I recall talking about the giant, satellite image view of MGM...how it once was so clearly the face of Mickey and just thinking that was awesome. I still think it's awesome, and honestly with all of the changes and adjustments in the park itself, it has gone from being the greatest Hidden Mickey to being the greatest example of how they're fleeting in some cases. Here's what it looked like 10 years ago, clear as a bell:

Don't get me wrong.. some will be there forever, like this one at the Polynesian:I love this one.

Some of them could go away any day with just the swipe of one careless child, like this one from Mama Melrose's Italian Ristorante in Hollywood Studios:
Some are part of the decor, like this one in Morocco:

And some are more whimsically hidden away, like the viking on the ship with Mickey ears:

Basically, I love them because they're a reward to the people who are paying attention. They're like sharing a secret with the creators (and all of the other people who've bought the books.

Each of those pictures were taken during that 2005 trip. I've got dozens more. I plan on making a concerted effort to take photos of as many as possible on this trip. If I get some cool ones, I'll post about them afterward.

And now... The Disney Trivia Question of the Day

Question: What other character's face is viewable by satellite image of Hollywood Studios?

If you think you know, please send an e-mail to blog@beefymuchacho.com

Everyone with the correct answer will receive a point. An incorrect answer gets 1/2 a point. The person with the most points will get a Limted Edition Pin purchased during my stay.

Standings are being updated daily at http://www.beefymuchacho.com/ on the "Contests" page.

I'll repost the questions with the answers at the end of the contest.