This year, Mickey Mouse officially turns 94 years old on Mickey Mouse Day (November 18). Mickey Mouse was created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks in 1928. Mickey is estimated as standing 2’ 3” and weighing 23 lbs and is easily recognized by his round ears, red shorts, large yellow shoes, and white gloves. Walt Disney said of Mickey Mouse: “He was probably the best-known figure in the world by the time he turned 13.”
The History of Mickey Mouse
Mickey Mouse first appeared in the short film “Steamboat Willie” on November 18, 1928. He later appeared in more than 130 films, including “The Gallopin’ Gaucho” (1928), “Plane Crazy” (1928), and “Fantasia” (1940). Mickey was the first animated character to be given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1978. “Steamboat Willie” and “Fantasia” are still highly recognized classics to this day.
Throughout his more than 90 years in existence, Mickey Mouse has been synonymous with The Walt Disney Company. He is the face of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and has been featured in countless merchandise items and advertising campaigns.
Mickey Mouse is a cultural icon, and his image can be found on a variety of merchandise, such as toys, clothing, and even mouse pads. He is also the subject of numerous books, comics, and TV shows. Mickey Mouse has been an important part of The Walt Disney Company since his creation in 1928, and he will continue to be a beloved character for many years to come.
If you’re looking for a way to celebrate the world’s favorite mouse, click through for a list of fantastic destinations that are perfect for learning all things Mickey Mouse.
Celebrating Our Favorite Mouse Around the World
Disneyland Resort
In addition to being the original Disneyland park that opened in 1955, Disneyland Resort continues to be a vacation mainstay for fans and families worldwide. The resort is home to over 18,000 plants and trees representing over 400 species and varieties. The famous Mark Twain Riverboat features a secret suite known as the “Strongheart Manor,” named after a famous silent film star from the 1920s. Guests can dine inside the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at the Blue Bayou restaurant, which has been featured on shows such as “The Simpsons” and “Young Sheldon.” And finally, just like in Walt Disney World, guests can find a hidden Mickey Mouse in nearly every corner of the parks – including one made out of banana peels on Tom Sawyer Island!
Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World in Florida is the most visited vacation resort in the world, attracting over 52 million visitors annually. It covers a whopping 40 square miles, making it larger than the city of San Francisco. The property (which was opened in 1971) includes four theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom, two water parks, dozens of hotels, and many other attractions.
Did you know that Walt Disney World employs over 74,000 Cast Members (employees), more than any other single-site employer in the United States? Additionally, there are over 300 species of wildlife living on the property. And if you were to spend just one minute at each attraction within the resort, it would take you over 102 days to experience them all!
Disneyland Resort Paris
In addition to being the most visited theme park in Europe, Disneyland Resort Paris (opened in 1992) also boasted the largest Disney castle in the world until the opening of the Shanghai park. Another fun fact is that the resort employs over 20,000 people, making it one of the largest employers in the Paris region. The park also features rides and attractions based on popular films such as Ratatouille, The Little Mermaid, and Pirates of the Caribbean. In 2017, the park unveiled a brand new Marvel-themed area called “The Avengers Campus,” complete with a Spiderman virtua>>>>l reality ride and an Ant-Man-themed restaurant within the Walt Disney Studios Park portion of Disneyland Paris (opened in 2002).
Tokyo Disney Resort
Though the parks have numerous classic aspects of other traditional Disney parks, Tokyo Disney Resort is truly unique in many ways. Comprised of Tokyo Disneyland (opened in 1983) and Tokyo DisneySea (opened in 2001), the park was the first of the parks to have a version of the popular “it’s a small world” ride entirely in Japanese, and it holds an annual Christmas-themed candlelight ceremony where all the employees dress in Victorian-era costumes. In addition, Tokyo DisneySea was the most expensive theme park ever built at the time of its opening in 2001, with an estimated cost of over $4 billion. The resort also has some unique food offerings, such as fried seaweed doughnuts and curry hot dog buns.
Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland is that it is the smallest Disney theme park in the world, with only seven themed lands. The park opened in 2005 and recently introduced its new founder’s statue for visitors. Another unusual aspect of the park is its unique “Mystical Forest” area, which features characters and themes from Chinese folklore. Additionally, Hong Kong Disneyland was the first of the parks to feature a “Toy Story”-themed land. In addition to traditional attractions and shows, the park also offers interactive experiences such as an “Iron Man Experience” ride where guests can join forces with Iron Man to fight against villains. Overall, Hong Kong Disneyland offers a unique experience for visitors.
Shanghai Disney Resort
Shanghai Disney Resort is the newest Disney park to open; the park first welcomed visitors in 2016. Shanghai Disney Resort was the first of the parks to feature a Pirates of the Caribbean ride with a female pirate lead named Captain Sao Feng. The park also features the largest castle out of all Disney parks, called Enchanted Storybook Castle, which houses multiple different attractions inside. Additionally, the resort includes two themed hotels, a lake, and a Broadway-style theatre.
Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
In addition to its beautiful beachfront location, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, offers a variety of activities and amenities for guests to enjoy. From the “Rainbow Reef” snorkeling experience and “Waikolohe Stream” water play area to the Aunty’s Beach House kids club and various dining options, there is something for everyone at Aulani. Guests can also enjoy relaxing spa treatments, participate in poolside activities, or attend special events and entertainment offerings. With Disney magic woven throughout the resort, Aulani truly offers a unique vacation experience.
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line is a cruise line operation owned and operated by the Walt Disney Company—it was initially incorporated in 1996 as Magical Cruise Company Limited. The cruise line currently operates five ships: Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish, which was introduced this summer. The Disney Treasure is set to be the sixth ship in the fleet; the ship’s name was announced at the 2022 D23 EXPO in September.
The Walt Disney Family Museum
The Walt Disney Family Museum, located in San Francisco, California, showcases the life and achievements of Walt Disney. The museum features interactive galleries, rare artifacts, and personal accounts from family members. Visitors can learn about Walt’s childhood, his start in animation, the creation of Mickey Mouse and Disneyland, and even his involvement in World War II propaganda films. It is a must-see for any Disney fan or history buff.
Disney Animation: Immersive Experience
The Disney Animation: Immersive Experience will transport guests into the magical worlds of beloved Disney animated films through cutting-edge technology and immersive sets. Guests can expect to see familiar characters and songs brought to life in a whole new way, as well as potentially new experiences based on upcoming Disney animated projects. The experience is sure to be a hit with Disney fans of all ages. The “Disney Animation: Immersive Experience” is scheduled to debut in Toronto in December 2022 before coming to additional cities, including Nashville, Boston and Las Vegas, in the first quarter of 2023.
“The Mouse” at the Palm Springs Air Museum
If you’re in the Palm Springs area, make a visit to “The Mouse” at the Palm Springs Air Museum. “The Mouse” is the informal nickname for Walt Disney’s Grumman Gulfstream, his private plane. Until 2014, “The Mouse” lived at the backlot of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The plane was recently brought to D23 EXPO this year for a small display to tease the new exhibit at the Palm Springs Air Museum. The plane was made to seat 15 passengers and included tributes to the famous mouse throughout the aircraft, including the tail number which read N234MM.
Disney100: The Exhibition
Opening October 13, 2023, at London Excel, Disney100: The Exhibition celebrates 100 years of Disney magic, featuring a collection of rare and iconic items from the company’s historical archives. Guests will have the opportunity to see original animation cels, costumes worn by beloved characters, props used in classic films, and more. The exhibit also explores the evolution of Disney as a company, highlighting its groundbreaking innovations in technology and storytelling. From Mickey Mouse to Marvel superheroes, visitors of all ages are sure to be delighted by this immersive look at Disney’s impact on popular culture.
