The Walt Disney Company is still celebrating its 100th Anniversary, which is a VERY big deal.
Magic Kingdom recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary. Disneyland celebrated its 68th birthday this year. But there’s another very IMPORTANT date in Disney history that we can’t forget. That is November 18th, TODAY, which marks the 95th birthday of Mickey and Minnie!
First, we would like to wish a very happy birthday to Mickey and Minnie, who both turn 95 years old today! Seriously, we need to find out what their skincare routine is because they look AMAZING!
Happy birthday, Mickey and Minnie! 🎉🥳🎂🎁 pic.twitter.com/cusW9dUwOL
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) November 18, 2023
Both characters made their debut on November 18th, 1928, in the classic animated short “Steamboat Willie.”
So how does Disney celebrate this very important day? Well, for starters, Disneyland is offering some special snacks! First, you can grab the Mickey’s Birthday Cake Sundae with vanilla ice cream, strawberry topping, pound cake, buttercream icing, yellow whipped cream, Mickey sprinkles, and chocolate cookie “ears” at Clarabelle’s in California Adventure from now through November 30th.
You can also grab the Birthday Cupcake with vanilla frosting and sprinkles at Cafe Daisy in Disneyland’s ToonTown through November 19th.
Over in Disney World, though, the celebration is a little more special. That’s because a magical thing happens in Magic Kingdom ONLY on November 18th. If you visit Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid at noon, you’ll see a special secret Mickey that you can only see once a year.
Every year at noon on November 18th, the rock formations around the ride’s queue line up perfectly with the position of the sun to project a secret Mickey and Minnie shadow on the wall. So we hopped in line to witness this for ourselves! Once we got closer to the spot where the Mickey shadow appears, we noticed that Cast Members were diverting those of us there JUST for the secret Mickey shadow into a separate line.
Then, we all sang Happy Birthday to Mickey. Did we get a little teary-eyed? YES!!! This is the sweetest thing ever.
Guests are singing “Happy Birthday” to Mickey while waiting for the once-per-year hidden Mickey to appear in the queue of Under The Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid! pic.twitter.com/MWg4vikpUQ
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) November 18, 2023
Then it was time for Mickey to SHINE (or become a shadow, that is). This is such a special event that we always try to catch it when we can. We did have some clouds blocking the sun, which was a little worrisome, but we still got to see Mickey and Minnie on the wall as the clouds parted!
Look! It’s a very special hidden Mickey! It only appears once per year on Mickey’s birthday and we got to see it today! ☀️🎉 pic.twitter.com/tpFRdjwK8G
— Disney Food Blog (@DisneyFoodBlog) November 18, 2023
Ta-da! There they are.

Mickey AND Minnie
So, Happy Birthday to the two mice that started it all. We wish you nothing but happiness, and here’s to 95 more years!
You’ve Walked Past These Hidden Mickeys in Disney World DOZENS of Times Without Seeing Them
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you're a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
Have you ever seen the once-a-year Mickey shadow in Magic Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!







Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.

TRENDING NOW
A new store is coming to Disney Springs SOON.
These things might change your Disney World plans if you're heading there in December so...
These pro tips can help you start your Disney World day on a good note!
Today we’re breaking down why the 2 PM reservation rule is still tripping people up...
Disney just filed a new permit for changes at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad!
This new 'Beauty and the Beast' collection is one of our favorite Dooney & Bourke...
We just rode the new Test Track, so let's talk about it.
Grab these Disney Advent calendars while they're on sale!
Extended Evening Hours are getting a bit of a change in January 2026 -- we...
We're taking a closer look at some of the updated developments for two of Disney...
All the exclusive snacks at Jollywood Nights!
Heads up! There's a new virtual queue coming to Disney World this week.
Dapper Day dates for 2026 have been announced -- it is time to mark your...
Something BIG just changed in France!
You are not going to believe the crowds we saw at EPCOT recently!
We're here with the TOP restaurants from Disney Springs! Find out where you'll find the...
Here are 11 FREE options to do instead so you can still enjoy the Christmas...
Time to do some holiday shopping at Target!
Let's take a look at Disney World restaurant menu updates this week!
Here's the big dates you need to know in Disney World before planning your 2026...