The Hidden Mickeys of EPCOT's World Showcase

Those of you that have no idea what a Hidden Mickey (HM) is need look no further then my first article which explains exactly what they are and how they came about.

Traveling the world is not something that a lot of us have the ability to do or more so, have the resources necessary to accomplish that feat. Sure, we can take small trips here and there around to different states and possibly even get a trip or two out of the country in our lifetime. But otherwise we are just going to have to make due with watching travel shows on television or reading books about our favorite places abroad. That is unless you head down to Orlando, Florida and spend a few days at EPCOT where you can span the globe in just a few hours. You'll even get the chance to run into your favorite characters and find the one, the only Mickey Mouse hiding out as well.

EPCOT has only two main sections to the park unlike Magic Kingdom that has seven lands, but it's not like there isn't a lot of ground to cover. The park is separated into the front section known as Future World and the back section which consists of worldly countries known as World Showcase. Coming from the front entrance of the park, you'll go straight through Future World (Central, East, and West) where you can stop and experience the world of tomorrow. If that's not your mood at the time and you're looking to relax and explore the world of today? Then walk with me past Spaceship Earth, past the Fountain of Nations, and straight for the World Showcase Lagoon. As you see the beautiful water ahead of you, turn to your left and begin walking the circle of nations and start searching for HMs in EPCOT's World Showcase.

Mexico

~ One of the cooler HMs that weren't spotted by me but actually shown to me by a friend (who is also a cast member) is easy to spot if you just take the time to look for it. This HM can be seen on the boat ride or even just from inside the pavilion and more easily from the San Angel Restaurant. Check out the big volcano and watch the puffs of smoke coming from it. Every so often, there will be three puffs that are of different size and form a Mickey head.

~ Near the end of the Gran Fiesta Tour is a barge off to the left side of your boat. Three little bongo drums in the lower right hand corner of the barge are placed perfectly to form a traditional tri-circle HM.

~ As you watch Donald Duck in the lagoon screens in the floor off to your left, look at all the bubbles once he is taken away. Many of them are round as normal, but there are a few misshaped bubbles which appear to look a lot like Mickey's head.

Norway

~ While waiting in queue for the Maelstrom boat ride, look around at the big mural on the wall. A construction worker off to the right side is wearing a Mickey Mouse watch.

~ Also in the mural is a Viking ship off to the left that has a bunch of passengers on it. One of the Vikings isn't wearing the traditional horned hats they wore but has replaced it with a pair of Mickey Mouse ears.

China

~ Head into the pavilion and go to the "Dragon, Ruler of the Wind and Waves" exhibit for this HM. On one of the murals on the wall is a bunch of clouds on a blue background. Look towards the top right corner of the clouds for a few that form together for a tri-circle Mickey head.

Outpost

~ The Outpost is a little refreshment area in between China and Germany which no HMs have been located yet. At least not by me.

Germany

~ The really awesome miniature village located near this pavilion has a shrub bush in the center near the path that is trimmed perfectly to form Mickey's head.

~ Also in the village is a tiny Donald Duck on the second floor balcony of the farthest house to your left.

~ This next one is kind of hard to find and see considering it is rather high up. Looking at the giant clock in the pavilion, check out the building to your right where there are three suits of armor on the second story balcony. The king in the suit of armor has on a crown that has three dots in the center of it forming a small tri-circle Mickey head.

The American Adventure

~ In the pavilion lobby is a painting of a wagon heading west being pulled by oxen. Check out the foremost oxen and look above his front leg to see a HM.

~ Also in the pavilion lobby on the first and second floor in the rotunda are large ironworks of eagles. The framework design has larger circles with stars in them interlaced with smaller circles. It just so happens that the corners all come together to form a perfect Mickey head.

~ During the opening movie portion of the American Adventure stage show; pay close attention when the pilgrims land in the New World. A kneeling pilgrim woman has a tri-circle HM on the rock near her skirt.

~ Another HM during the movie portion; there is a scene of an American city with stocks in the center square. Holding the stocks closed tight is one of the very commonplace Mickey head-shaped padlocks. These are very prominent in Liberty Square over in Magic Kingdom.

Japan

~ This pavilion has many exhibits and there is a "Tin Toy" exhibit near the back showcasing many cool little toys and figures. One is an origami ladybug that has her dots cut out and one of the holes is Mickey's head.

~ On the right side of the entire Japan pavilion, there are some bushes and flowers. One of the bushes has a nice sized hole cut out in it with a flat rock sitting inside of it. Usually there are three smaller rocks positioned on the big rock to form a nice HM. You honestly may not catch this HM because sometimes it just isn't there and either it's been disheveled by cast members or possibly guests. I've seen it sometimes and others I haven't.

Morocco

~ Look around when walking through the Moroccan pavilion because there is often a very obvious and huge tri-circle HM, but it's moved around from time to time. It usually hangs on a closed doorway or wall and consists of two smaller brass plates and one large brass plate situated to form Mickey's head.

~ Across from the Marakesh restaurant is a large drawn mural that depicts the city of Morocco. There is a tower on the right side where a Mickey head-shaped window adorns the top bulb.

I've been told there is another one or two Mickeys somewhere in this mural, but I've never seen them. If you have then please let me know by e-mailing me at dacox415@yahoo.com.

France

~ The garden in this pavilion has multiple bushes all shaped like a small maze of sorts. One of them near the canal side is a tiny HM.

~ While watching one of my favorite movies in all of Walt Disney World, "Impressions de France," be on the lookout for the outdoor reception to the wedding. The second floor window on the house in the background has a HM head.

International Gateway

~ This little shop area is also an entrance/exit for EPCOT and I've never come across any HMs here as of yet.

United Kingdom

~ Take a gander at the Sports Shoppe sign while walking through the pavilion to see a unique HM. The sign has an upside-down tennis racket for Mickey's head while a football (American) and soccer ball (futbol) make up his ears.

Canada

~ After you pass the steps leading into the pavilion, there are a couple totem poles which you can't miss. The left totem pole has small tri-circle Mickey head silhouettes on both sides near the top.

~ Head into the Northwest Mercantile Shop and look to the back left of the first room you walk into. A bluish fish is hanging on the wall and has a few spots on it, one of which is a tri-circle HM.

As a child and even into my teenage years, World Showcase was not the place I really wanted to hang out when on vacations with my family. Let's face it, what kid wants to hang out in these different countries that don't really have many rides when you're in Disney World? Not many. But as you get a tad older and begin to appreciate the better things in life then you find yourself enjoying every single thing about World Showcase. This area of EPCOT is a wonderful way to spend a relaxing day on Disney property without exhausting yourself and needing a day of rest in just a few short hours. Luckily EPCOT is a great place for families because there is something for everyone. That includes plenty of Hidden Mickeys for young and old Disney fans to find too.

Please feel free to let me know if there are any I've missed or that you think are truly there. Oh, and for those that are brand new to the world of Hidden Mickeys? Don't let searching for them ruin your trip to the happiest place on Earth please. Always make sure that you are taking in everything and enjoying all you can while there with friends and family. Hidden Mickeys are fun to look for and find, but there really is so much to do that you don't want to be on a wild goose chase for your entire trip.