Tag: 90th anniversary

Happy Birthday Mickey Mouse! Iconic Character Turns 90 Today

Everyone’s favorite pal Mickey Mouse has been entertaining families for generations. Millions flock to California, Florida and around the world to be with him and his friends every year, and today we’re celebrating his 90th birthday.

On this day in 1928, Mickey Mouse starred in Steamboat Willie, the first commercially successful animated cartoon to use synchronized sound.

It was Disney’s third Mickey short, but the first with sound. It debuted as a sneak preview at Universal’s Colony Theatre – located at Broadway & 53rd Street in New York City. It is shown before the feature film Gang War.

Steamboat Willie is co-directed by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks and features the first appearance of Minnie Mouse. It is animated by Ub Iwerks, Wilfred Jackson and Dick Lundy. The short also features the work of in between artist Les Clark (who will go on to be one of “Walt’s Nine Old Men”). Walt himself supplies the voices for all the characters – although there isn’t any real spoken dialogue just whistling, grunts, laughter and other vocal sounds.

During the premiere Walt sat nervously at the rear of the theater to gage the audience’s reaction. To his delight, the Colony echoed with laughs and giggles throughout the short! Steamboat Willie was shown every night for two weeks.

Disney’s imagination created Mickey Mouse, but he drew inspiration from real-life characters. The mouse’s movements were modeled after comedic film stars in the 1920s, including Charlie Chaplin. Mickey’s creator wasn’t only responsible for dreaming the mouse up, he was also responsible for voicing the character. From July 1929, when Mickey said his first words, “Hot Dog!” until about 1947, Disney, himself, was the voice behind the mouse.

Despite the fact that this is not the first Mickey cartoon made or released, this date is still considered Mickey Mouse’s true debut … and birthday!

November 18, 2018
Mickey’s Birthday Complete Foodie Guide for Disney Parks
Mickey Mouse is turning 90 years young and what better way to celebrate than with Mickey-themed eats and treats across the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts! This November, for one weekend only, Disney Parks has a TON of specialty items on both coasts to celebrate 90 wonderful years of Mickey Mouse.

Oh boy, oh boy! Check out all of these yummy offerings! They will only be available Nov. 16-18, 2018, at Walt Disney World Resort and Nov. 17-18, 2018, at Disneyland Resort unless otherwise noted. Take a look at the Foodie Guide below to find out about all the yummy goodness they are dishing out to celebrate Mickey Mouse!

WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT

Magic Kingdom Park
- Birthday Bash Push Pop – filled with birthday cake pastry cream and layered with cake crumbles, buttercream, and glitter sprinkles; available at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, Pinocchio Village Haus, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café, Columbia Harbour House
- Confetti Mickey Pretzel – Mickey pretzel topped with marshmallow cream and confetti sprinkles; available at The Lunching Pad, Storybook Circus, Liberty Square Market, and pretzel carts in Main Street, U.S.A. and Frontierland
- Mickey Cheeseburger – Angus burger with macaroni and cheese, American cheese, cheese sauce, and spicy cheese dust on a Mickey Mouse Bun; available at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
- Minnie Kitchen Sink Sundae – two scoops of your choice of ice cream topped with hot fudge, whipped cream, cherries, and your choice of peanut butter or caramel served in a Minnie Kitchen Sink souvenir bowl; available at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
- Cheesy Hot Diggity Dog – all-beef hot dog topped with cheddar, queso, and seasoned cheese puffs; available at Casey’s Corner
- Steamboat Willie Cookies and Cream Cheesecake – available at Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen, The Crystal Palace, and Tony’s Town Square Restaurant
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
- Mickey’s Birthday Cupcake – chocolate cupcake topped with buttercream frosting, a fondant birthday balloon, and an edible image of Mickey; available at Creature Comforts, Pizzafari, and Restaurantosaurus
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Mickey’s Birthday Cake – vanilla cake with sprinkles, buttercream, and a chocolate Mickey medallion; available at Trolley Car Café, ABC Commissary, Rosie’s All-American Café, and Backlot Express
Epcot
- Hidden Mickey Cupcake – vanilla cupcake with brownie filling topped with buttercream icing and fondant birthday hat; available at Kringla Bakeri og Kafe Nov. 17-18
- Mickey Cookies and Cream Cheesecake – available at Sunshine Seasons
- Mickey’s Celebration Cupcake – vanilla cupcake filled with white chocolate mousse; available at Fountain View Nov. 17-18
- Mickey and Minnie Birthday Specialty Cupcakes – chocolate cupcake topped with buttercream, sprinkles, and chocolate ears; available at Coral Reef Restaurant Nov. 18 only
- Mickey-shaped Cucumber Salad – available for lunch and dinner at Garden Grill Restaurant Nov. 18 only
- Mickey Mousse – chocolate mousse with cookies and cream crumbles; available at Garden Grill Restaurant Nov. 18 only
Disney’s All-Star Resorts
- Birthday Fudge Cupcake – chocolate cupcake with fudge filling topped with fudge buttercream and chocolate balloons; available at Intermission Food Court, End Zone Food Court, and World Premier Food Court
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Cookies and Cream Sorcerer Cupcake – chocolate cupcake with cookies and cream filling topped with vanilla buttercream; available at Landscape of Flavors
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Fudgefetti Sundae Cupcake – vanilla cupcake with whipped chocolate ganache filling topped with vanilla buttercream, chocolate fudge, and sprinkles; available at Everything POP Shopping and Dining
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort
- Cookies and Cream Birthday Cupcake – vanilla cupcake filled with cookies and cream buttercream topped with cookies and cream and vanilla buttercream, white crispy pearls, and milk chocolate Mickey ears; available at Riverside Mill Food Court and Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Mickey’s Mini Gâteau – chocolate chip sponge cake with milk chocolate mousse; available at The Mara
Disney’s BoardWalk
- Steamboat Willie Heritage Mickey – white chocolate mousse tart with a dark chocolate mousse Mickey dome and chocolate buttons, ears, and tail; available at BoardWalk Bakery
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Mickey’s Birthday Cake Cupcake – red velvet cake with chocolate buttercream filling topped with cream cheese buttercream icing, white chocolate Mickey balloons, and a mini birthday cake; available at Contempo Café
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Mickey’s Birthday Cupcake – vanilla cupcake with cookies and cream filling topped with dark chocolate Mickey ears and a fondant party hat and bowtie; available at Gasparilla Island Grill
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Mickey’s Birthday Cupcake – milk chocolate cupcake with cherry and sweet cream filling topped with vanilla buttercream and white chocolate glove; available at Capt. Cook’s and Kona Café Coffee Bar
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Mickey Brownie Mousse – fudge brownie topped with chocolate mousse and milk chocolate Mickey ears; available at Roaring Fork
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
- Mickey’s Birthday Cake – chocolate cupcake with cherry filling topped with caramel chocolate mousse; available at Beach Club Marketplace and The Market at Ale & Compass
Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- Birthday Celebration Cake – confetti cake with strawberry buttercream and chocolate ganache; available at The Artist’s Palette and Good’s Food To Go
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Cookies and Cream Birthday Cupcake – vanilla cupcake with cookies and cream filling topped with cookies and cream and vanilla buttercream, white crispy pearls, and milk chocolate Mickey Ears; available at Centertown Market
ESPN Wide World of Sports
- Mickey and Minnie Birthday Specialty Cupcakes – chocolate cupcake topped with buttercream, sprinkles, and chocolate ears; available at ESPN Grill
Disney Springs
- Started With a Mouse – Boston cream pie with white chiffon cake, blue glaçage, dark chocolate ears, and blue fondant; available at Amorette’s Patisserie
- Mickey’s Birthday Smoothie – tropical strawberry smoothie topped with whipped cream; available Amorette’s Patisserie
- Mickey Ganache Lollipop – strawberry ganache lollipop with Mickey Mouse décor; available at The Ganachery
- Mickey Milk Chocolate Ganache Square – milk chocolate ganache squares; available at The Ganachery
- Magical Birthday Sundae – vanilla ice cream with chocolate drizzle, whipped cream, sprinkles, and chocolate-dipped waffle crisps; available at Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop
Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park
- Mickey Sugar Cookies – available at Leaning Palms
DISNEYLAND RESORT
- Mickey Mouse Sipper – served with choice of fountain drink or specialty beverage; available at select quick-service locations across Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park on Nov. 18 only
- Mickey and Minnie Mouse Birthday Cake Ice Cream Sundae – two scoops of birthday cake ice cream topped with a brownie, hot fudge, whipped cream, cherry, and sprinkles served in a Mickey or Minnie Mouse Kitchen Sink; available at Disneyland park (Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor) and Disney California Adventure park (Clarabelle’s Hand Scooped Ice Cream)
- Mickey Mouse Birthday Cake Crisped Rice Treat – three-layered crispy treat fruity cereal and Mickey-shaped sprinkles; available at Disneyland park (Refreshment Corner, Main Street U.S.A. Fruit Cart and Coffee Cart, Troubadour Tavern, all Toontown quick-service locations), Disney California Adventure park (Pacific Wharf Gourmet Cart, Pacific Wharf Café, Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta), Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa (Holiday Cart), and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel (Surfside Lounge, Sand Bar)
- Steamboat Willie Chocolate-Dipped Marshmallow and Caramel Apple – available at Disneyland park (Candy Palace and Hunny Spot), Disney California Adventure park (Trolley Treats), and the Downtown Disney District (Marceline’s Confectionery)
- Mickey’s Birthday Churro – warm churro rolled in birthday cake sugar and served with confetti icing; available at select Churro Carts across Disneyland park
- Mickey’s Celebration Churro – warm chocolate churro topped with cookie butter and Mickey confetti and served with a side of red marshmallow cream and Mickey buttons; available at select Churro Carts across Disneyland park
- Mac ‘N Cheese Foot-Long Hot Dog – foot-long hot dog on an Italian roll topped with creamy mac and cheese and bacon bits; available at Pluto’s Dog House
- Mickey and Minnie Mouse Birthday Frozen Yogurt Sundaes – topped with confetti sprinkles; available at Clarabelle’s at Disneyland park
- Mickey Mouse Pizza – choice of pepperoni or cheese Mickey-shaped pizza; available at Daisy’s Diner at Disneyland park
- Cookies and Cream Beignets – available at Mint Julep Bar at Disneyland park
November 13, 2018
Mickey Mouse ABC TV Special Airs This Weekend Celebrating 90 Years

Mickey Mouse is turning 90 this year and the iconic character is getting his own prime-time TV special that will air this weekend on ABC.

You can celebrate 90 years of the one-and-only Mickey Mouse in a two-hour, prime-time special airing this Sunday, November 4 starting at 8:00 p.m. EST. From the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, the elegant affair will feature star-studded musical performances, moving tributes and never-before-seen short films.

You can watch the dazzling special on the ABC app from your smartphone and tablet (iOS and Android), computer on ABC.com and connected devices (Roku, AppleTV and Amazon Fire TV). Take a look at the trailer below.

Superstars from music, film and television will join the festivities to celebrate the birthday of the internationally beloved character, including Kristen Bell, Sofia Carson, Tony Hale, Sarah Hyland, Sklyar Astin, Kelsea Ballerini, Miles Brown, Anna Camp, Josh Gad, Wendy McLendon-Covey and Sage Steele. There will also be special musical performances by Josh Groban, NCT 127, Leslie Odom Jr., Meghan Trainor, Zac Brown Band, Luis Fonsi and Tori Kelly.

Since his big-screen debut in Steamboat Willie on Nov. 18, 1928, Mickey has been the global ambassador for The Walt Disney Company. From the beloved Mickey Mouse Club to today’s Mickey Mouse cartoon shorts, Mickey’s optimistic outlook and endearing personality continue to delight fans around the world every day.

Disney Parks will continue the celebration with special in-park activations at all six Disney resorts around the world, bringing the party well into the New Year for all things Mickey Mouse.

November 1, 2018
FIRST LOOK: Mickey & Minnie’s New 90th Anniversary Celebration Outfits
As we recently reported, Disney parks around the world are celebrating 90 years of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse with special surprises and events. Wednesday, Disney shared a sneak peek at the fancy fashions Mickey and Minnie will be wearing in the parks for the celebration.

The outfits will be worn at Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, Shanghai Disney Resort and Disney Cruise Line. Mickey Mouse’s crisp white suit will feature a shower of colorful confetti, while fashion icon Minnie Mouse will don a puff-sleeve dress adorned with pompons and a buoyant bubble skirt for the celebration at some of our parks.

According to Senior Costume Designer Joe Kucharski, their outfits will reflect the party spirit of the celebration.

“The looks that Mickey and Minnie will be wearing to celebrate their 90th anniversary represent all of the colorful exuberance of a party and birthday party decorations, complete with confetti, balloons, pompons, streamers and more!” he said. “These playful bursts of color and texture are set against crisp white, meant to evoke the nostalgic feeling of frosting, crisp linens and tissue paper.”

The new outfits will be seen at Walt Disney World Resort in “Move It! Shake It! MousekeDance It! Street Party,” opening January 18 during Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration at Magic Kingdom Park – a limited-time celebration that will include new entertainment, merchandise and specialty food and beverage.

They will also be featured at:
- Hong Kong Disneyland beginning November 18
- Shanghai Disneyland on November 18 only
- Disneyland Resort beginning January 2019
- Disney Cruise Line summer 2019
October 25, 2018
Guide to Mickey Mouse 90th Anniversary Worldwide Celebrations
It was all started by a mouse. Now 90 years later, we are in party-prep mode for the birthday of the one and only Mickey Mouse and there are going to be celebrations all over the world.

With a milestone as big as 90 years, one party simply will not do! That’s why Mickey’s birthday celebration will span across the globe with a series of events at all Disney Parks sites around the world, including the previously announced World’s Biggest Mouse Party – a limited-time, global celebration of Mickey and Minnie.

Walt Disney World Resort in Florida will celebrate Mickey’s birthday from November 16-18 with special merchandise and food & beverage items as well as the chance for guests to celebrate. Sing “Happy Birthday” along with the Dapper Dans on Main Street, U.S.A., and join in a special birthday dance party at Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland. Then in 2019, Walt Disney World will continue celebrating when World’s Biggest Mouse Party comes to the resort.
- Disneyland Resort in California will host a celebration cavalcade for Mickey Mouse on November 18, featuring some of his special friends and the Disneyland Band, starting at “it’s a small world” and pausing for a special moment at Sleeping Beauty Castle before continuing down Main Street, U.S.A., to Town Square. The party continues when World’s Biggest Mouse Party begins at Disneyland Resort in 2019.
- Disney Cruise Line will join the celebration when World’s Biggest Mouse Party takes to the seas in 2019.
- Shanghai Disney Resort will be the first to kick off World’s Biggest Mouse Party with a brand-new Mickey-themed float at the opening ceremony of the Shanghai Tourism Festival on September 15 to commemorate the Shanghai launch of World’s Biggest Mouse Party. At Shanghai Disneyland, a giant birthday card will be installed next to “Storytellers” statue, featuring birthday wishes from Mickey’s pals. From November 16-18, guests will enjoy themed food and merchandise offerings as well as the opportunity to sing “Happy Birthday” to Mickey just before the nighttime spectacular show each evening, all culminating with a special nighttime birthday spectacular at Enchanted Storybook Castle on November 18.
- Hong Kong Disneyland will begin its World’s Biggest Mouse Party activations on Mickey’s birthday, November 18, with commemorative park tickets, special food & beverage and merchandise, a hotel room overlay and “We Love Mickey” projection show through February 2019. And Hong Kong Disneyland guests will receive special birthday stickers, available only on November 18.
- Tokyo Disney Resort will join the celebration this fall with special decorations and merchandise.
- Disneyland Paris will celebrate the World’s Biggest Mouse Party this fall and into winter with new holiday season entertainment and special surprises.
“As Walt said, ‘I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse’,” said Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products. “From ‘The True Original Exhibition’ to a year-long celebration in our parks around the world, we are honoring the deep connection that families and fans have made with Mickey and Minnie Mouse for nearly a century.”

Mickey’s 90th is definitely a “mouse”-do this fall! With so many birthday parties to choose from, one question remains: which will you be a part of?
October 23, 2018
Mickey Mouse 90th Anniversary Limited-Time Celebrations Announced for Disney Parks Around the World
Mickey Mouse is turning 90 years young this year and Disney Parks are preparing for a birthday party like no other! With a milestone this big, one party simply will not do! That’s why Mickey’s birthday celebration will span across the globe with a series of events at all Disney Parks sites around the world.

These parties are in addition to the previously announced World’s Biggest Mouse Party – a limited-time, global celebration of Mickey and Minnie – as well as ‘Mickey: The True Original Exhibition’ in New York City.

Here is a list of the celebrations you can expect from Disney Parks around the world:
- Walt Disney World Resort in Florida will celebrate Mickey’s birthday from November 16-18 with special merchandise and food & beverage items as well as the chance for guests to celebrate at Magic Kingdom Park during the “Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It!” Street Party, sing “Happy Birthday” along with the Dapper Dans on Main Street, U.S.A., and join in a special birthday dance party at Rockettower Plaza Stage in Tomorrowland. Then in 2019, Walt Disney World will continue celebrating when World’s Biggest Mouse Party comes to the resort.
- Disneyland Resort in California will host a celebration cavalcade for Mickey Mouse on November 18, featuring some of his special friends and the Disneyland Band, starting at “it’s a small world” and pausing for a special moment at Sleeping Beauty Castle before continuing down Main Street, U.S.A., to Town Square. The party continues when World’s Biggest Mouse Party begins at Disneyland Resort in 2019.
- Disney Cruise Line will join the celebration when World’s Biggest Mouse Party takes to the seas in 2019.
- Shanghai Disney Resort will be the first to kick off World’s Biggest Mouse Party with a brand-new Mickey-themed float at the opening ceremony of the Shanghai Tourism Festival on September 15 to commemorate the Shanghai launch of World’s Biggest Mouse Party. At Shanghai Disneyland, a giant birthday card will be installed next to “Storytellers” statue, featuring birthday wishes from Mickey’s pals. From November 16-18, guests will enjoy themed food and merchandise offerings as well as the opportunity to sing “Happy Birthday” to Mickey just before the nighttime spectacular show each evening, all culminating with a special nighttime birthday spectacular at Enchanted Storybook Castle on November 18.
- Hong Kong Disneyland will begin its World’s Biggest Mouse Party activations on Mickey’s birthday, November 18, with commemorative park tickets, special food & beverage and merchandise, a hotel room overlay and “We Love Mickey” projection show through February 2019. And Hong Kong Disneyland guests will receive special birthday stickers, available only on November 18.
- Tokyo Disney Resort will join the celebration this fall with special decorations and merchandise.
- Disneyland Paris will celebrate the World’s Biggest Mouse Party this fall and into winter with new holiday season entertainment and special surprises.
“Mickey: The True Original Exhibition,” an interactive art exhibit, will open in New York from November 8, 2018 – February 10, 2019. This immersive, pop-up art exhibition is inspired by Mickey’s status as a ‘true original’ and his global impact on popular culture and art. From his beginning in black and white in Steamboat Willie to the technicolor world of more than 100 cartoon shorts, exhibition guests will step into an unforgettable journey of Mickey moments reimagined.

“As Walt said, ‘I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse’,” said Bob Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products. “From ‘The True Original Exhibition’ to a year-long celebration in our parks around the world, we are honoring the deep connection that families and fans have made with Mickey and Minnie Mouse for nearly a century.”

Mickey’s 90th is definitely a “mouse”-do this fall! With so many birthday parties to choose from, one question remains: which will you be a part of?
August 20, 2018