The RARE Hidden Detail You Can Only See Once a Year at Disney World

Happy birthday, Mickey and Minnie Mouse!

©Disney

Did you know that November 18th marks Mickey and Minnie’s birthdays? While the date for Mickey’s birthday changed several times, November 18th is the date determined, and that has become accepted as his and Minnie’s birthdays. Other dates that were considered were October 1st, the day Walt first began drawing Mickey, as well as the dates when he debuted in his first and second films, Plane Crazy and The Gallopin’ Gaucho, both of which were never distributed. Thus, Walt Disney Archives founder Dave Smith determined the public premiere of Steamboat Willie to be the couple’s official birthday. Now, every year on this day, a special surprise occurs in Disney World to mark the momentous occasion.

If you love finding hidden details around Disney World, this extremely rare detail might pique your interest! There is a hidden Mickey that you can only see ONCE A YEAR in Magic Kingdom. Yes, really, it only appears once every year, so you have to be in the right place at the right time to see it. Wander over to Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid, and you might spot the hidden surprise!

Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid

The hidden Mickey appears in the queue for the ride. Once you get past the fully outdoor portion of the queue, you need to get underneath the rocky ceiling and search for a shape in the rocks above that looks like Mickey’s head. There will probably be lots of people there, so if you can’t find it, someone can probably point you in the right direction.

If you get there early, you may see it starting to form. But you’ll have to watch carefully!

Keep an eye out for Mickey and Minnie!

The image comes and goes pretty quickly, but around 12PM ET, it is usually in full force. You can watch as the lighting begins to line up with the amazing imagineering design of the queue to create the figures.

It’s almost happening!

It’s a stroke of genius how Disney Imagineering designed the walls to form the Mickey and Minnie shapes only once a year on their birthdays. The formation of the rock wall and elements have to be perfect for the shapes to appear on this one day.

This design is amazing!

Finally, around noon, the figures appear if the lighting is just right!

Hidden Mickey and Minnie!

Do you see them?!

Mickey AND Minnie

You might also be there to sing happy birthday to Mickey! How fun!

Happy Birthday, Mickey! 🎉🎂🎈🎊🎁
We’re waiting to spot Disney’s MOST HIDDEN hidden Mickey, which appears every November 18th at noon to celebrate Mickey’s birthday! 🐭🥳 pic.twitter.com/5bIAeDc4yx

— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) November 18, 2024

This is a very special and extremely hidden detail that Disney fans love to see each year! If you happen to be in Magic Kingdom on November 18th some year, make sure you visit the ride queue to check it out yourself. It’s these special moments and details that make us love Disney and Walt Disney Imagineering.

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Have you seen this special hidden Mickey and Minnie? Let us know in the comments!