The Disney Driven Life

Community Blog for Neurotic Disney People

Most of us are familiar with hidden Mickeys and whether or not you avidly search for them I’m sure you have spotted one or two every time you visit Disney property.

Started by Imagineers, a hidden Mickey is an image of Mickey Mouse found in many different forms that have been discreetly placed throughout Disney locations most notably their theme parks. The most frequently used hidden Mickey is three circles representing a head and two ears. Other variations of Mickey can be more difficult to spot and one must have a keen eye to find them. No one has a keener eye than renowned Dr. Steven M. Barrett celebrated author of “Hidden Mickeys A Field Guide To Walt Disney World’s Best Kept Secrets” now in its 4th edition.

Professionally Dr. Steven M. Barrett is quite an accomplished individual with 30 plus years experience in the medical field specializing in emergency room medicine. Dr. Barrett attended Baylor College of Medicine and completed his residencies at Georgetown University Hospital and Georgetown University School of Medicine.

As an author Dr. Barrett takes us on an adventuress hunt for hidden Mickeys. There are clues, hints, and tips to help us search out and find the locations of the hidden Mickeys. It’s an enjoyable book that makes finding hidden Mickeys a fun game for the entire family and friends.

On my last vacation to Walt Disney World I had the pleasure of meeting the Hidden Mickey Guy known to many as Steve Barrett. What started as an occasional tweet here and there turned into a thrill of a lifetime and a day I’ll never forget.

I was in Epcot with my family waiting for the next showing of Turtle Talk With Crush at the Seas with Nemo and Friends in Epcot. I kept my cell phone in my pocket but I would periodically check it for any calls or messages. I pulled the phone out of my pocket and I see I have a message from someone I don’t recognize. So, I looked at the message and it was from Steve letting me know he was going to be in Epcot and would I like to meet him at a certain time and place there? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist or an emergency room physician to figure out how I responded.

My family has always enjoyed searching for hidden Mickeys so when I told my wife and kids we were going to meet with the Hidden Mickey Guy they were very happy to say the least. When we met up with Steve we exchanged pleasantries, spoke about hidden Mickeys, and how his book got on the shelves in Disney parks but, what struck me the most was how genuine a person Steve is. He personifies what being a Disney fan is all about and someone that everyone should aspire to be like.

A list of books written by Dr. Steven M. Barrett:

The Hassle Free Walt Disney World Vacation
A Field Guide To Walt Disney World’s Best Kept Secrets
Disneyland’s Hidden Mickeys A Field Guide To Disneyland Resorts Best Kept Secrets
Hidden Mickeys Go To Sea A Field Guide To Disney Cruise Line’s Best Kept Secrets
Hidden Mickeys of the Disney Cruise Ships and Castaway Cay

In addition to the books Steve Barrett also has an iPhone application called ‘Hidden Mickeys Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Epcot, Animal Kingdom.’

To find out more about Steve Barrett and hidden Mickeys go to http://www.hiddenmickeysguide.com/. Also, Steve Barrett’s blogs appear twice a month at AllEars.net http://allears.net/.

Contributed by: Stuart S. (NDD #47).  Stuart is our resident Disney geek and creator of Disney Geek Dad.

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You will recall in Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort: Review Part 1, I gave a brief description of the Resort’s Custom House Lobby, “Nemo” theme, and room’s amenities. We had stayed at this resort in the past and had loved it for its themed rooms, exciting pool area and food selections. On this third stay at the Caribbean Beach, we checked in at the Lobby and were assigned to the Barbados area.

We used bell services for our luggage, then quickly found our room to be in order as we remembered it from year’s past. My son was delighted again to see that Nemo was still there in the room in various spots. It had been a year since our last stay at this Resort, and being older and wiser, he was able to spot the Hidden Mickey in the bedspread pattern. We unpacked all of our stuff and got comfortable for our five night stay.

I had noticed in previous trips that other Disney “nuts” had taken supplies to decorate their window for added entertainment value for themselves and the passing guests. This being the week of my son’s 4th birthday, I thought it would be exciting to also decorate the window. I had packed a strand of lights and some pictures, i.e. one photo was of my son on his favorite “Pirates of the Caribbean” ride. I sent my husband and son away so I could decorate. I quickly found a spot to plug in the lights, and then noticed that the windows were completely saturated with streaks of water. I didn’t think much of this condensation at the time, but instead used a towel to quickly dry the windows and began getting my decorations hung on the windows. When my son returned, he was so excited to see the lights and decorations there for his upcoming birthday!

We spend the next morning at the park, and then returned to the hotel for my son’s nap (ok, my nap… blame it on the kid!). When we returned to the room, several of our photos had fallen to the ground. I found that they had fallen because of the condensation. Later that night after returning from the parks, we found that our WALLS were also wet. My husband and I discussed the matter and thought it must be because the room is air conditioned and the doors and windows were not tightly sealed.

The next day was another park visit and again we returned to our room for naptime. This time my son was acting a bit more worn out than usual. Upon arriving at the room, my son began getting sick. Over and over my child got sick. He slept for hours while my husband and I tried to decide what to do. Since we had no rental car on this particular trip, we felt stuck. We decided to spend the rest of that day watching him there in the room to see if the symptoms subsided.

During our stay in the room, my husband and I would trade out shifts and took walks to Old Port Royale Centertown. We both found the walk to Old Port refreshing for the great views of the Barefoot Lake and pools. Old Port offers shopping at the gift shop, Calypso Trading Post & Calypso Straw Market, food at the food court or the table service restaurant, Shutters, and fun at the arcade. In addition, there are other amenities at Old Port such as an ATM, Poolside bar and rentals of water sprites, paddle boats and pontoon boats.

We did find that the Market had some supplies for illnesses, however, by that evening, when our little guy was extremely weak, had a fever and was not eating. At 8 PM we decided to call the front desk to ask for advice on getting medical attention. They said we had two options; either call a cab company to take us to the emergency room or call 911. When asked if they had a vehicle to transport us to the emergency room, we were told no. They did offer that most guests use 911 and said that if using 911, we would need to take a cab back to the Resort. The cast member said that they would reimburse us for any charges for this cab ride.

After deliberation, we called 911 and explained that we were not really having an emergency but had no car for transport. The operator explained that they were in the business of assisting people in our situation and could help. Within 10 minutes, my son was being loaded on a stretcher and we were getting in the back of an ambulance.

Next week I will continue my review of my family’s stay at the Resort.

Contributed by: Natalie H. Natalie is the Disney Driven Life’s resident resort expert.

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I was watching a film by a former Disney star, who has been fodder for tabloids lately, before going to bed last night.  She admitted to being obsessed with a classmate and said, “I spent 80% of my time talking about <a person> and the other 20% of the time hoping someone else brings her up.”

I realized that for the last few months, I have been not only hoping people will bring up Disney, but I prompt them, with what we call in special education, “non-verbal cues.”  Wearing Crocs into a preschool classroom is reasonable, but mine are black, and have Mickey heads for holes. I carry a wristlet, which I purchased on my last trip with much restraint in a sea of Dooney and Bourke bags, because it was more practical for everyday use, and I wanted to use it EVERYDAY.

For Mother’s Day, I got a necklace that had one large pearl on a silver chain.  The pearl is wearing silver mouse ears.  It didn’t occur to me that it could be inappropriate for any occasion, until I had to take it off to perform in a community theater play.  Perhaps Mrs. Paroo from Music Man had not yet met Steamboat Willie, but it felt odd not to have the mouse around my neck.

The major difference between my obsession and that of our Mean Girl protagonist is that when people bring up Disney to me, they are usually smiling as well.  They remember a special trip, a performance, or a family memory, and use my accessories as a reason to talk about it.  Parents in the pediatrician’s waiting room have an ice-breaker for their toddlers and they look at me with a little less skepticism (especially when they see my own kids in their Pixar gear).  “Who is your favorite princess?” is a great way to start an educational assessment with a first grader, or an eighth grader, for that matter.  It works, so I am not “off topic,” but I am getting to the topic in a more magical way.

Last month I was buying lanyards for a friend whose child was going to Orlando with The Make A Wish Foundation. I was tearful, as I looked at the tiaras and worried about this child’s hair after she was treated for her disease.  I quickly decided to take my purchases, including the largest tiara I could find, to the register.

The manager saw my bag and said, “96 days.”  I picked up on his cue and said, “Where are your ADRs”? “Le Cellier, CRT, Boma, and California Grill.  You DVC?” “Not yet.  Maybe next year.” Turns out, we’ll be celebrating anniversaries at the same time, in the same place.  It is amazing that a place 1000 miles away can bring us closer to those in our own community.

If there is an ankle bracelet for being addicted to Disney, I’ll wear mine with pride, and be-dazzle it with Hidden Mickeys.

Contributed by: Shannon S. (NDM#174).  Shannon is our resident special needs specialist and parenting expert as well as creator of Meltdown Free Disney.

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The theme for the 2005 EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival was fun – there were 50 “hidden Mickeys” scattered throughout the park, and it was our mission as guests to find each and every one of them.  Well, I didn’t find ALL of them – I think I ended up with 46, which is not bad considering all the nooks and crannies there are in EPCOT to hide things!  Some were pretty obvious, while others took patience and a keen eye to be able to detect.  I found this one in the bottom of a “backyard pond” that had been set up near Mission: Space.  I nearly passed it right by because the water was reflecting the sun so brightly, but there’s a big tree over there that cast some momentary shade and suddenly – there it was.

For more “hidden Mickeys”, both intentional and accidental, CLICK HERE.

Contributed by: Erin is one of our roaming DDL photographers and creator of My Mobile Adventures.

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Contributed by: Debbi G (NDA#7). Debbi is one of our roaming DDL photographers and creator of Bits of Disney Bliss.

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Contributed by: Debbi G (NDA#7). Debbi is one of our roaming DDL photographers and creator of Bits of Disney Bliss.

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Contributed by: Debbi G (NDA#7). Debbi is one of our roaming DDL photographers and creator of Bits of Disney Bliss.

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Contributed by: Debbi G (NDA#7). Debbi is one of our roaming DDL photographers and creator of Bits of Disney Bliss.

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Contributed by: Debbi G (NDA#7). Debbi is one of our roaming DDL photographers and creator of Bits of Disney Bliss.

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Anyone who has been reading my blog contributions (all 1 of you) know this summer I will be going to Walt Disney World for what promises to be a wonderful family vacation. What you don’t know is that I’m really going disguised as a geek dad. I’m not really the mild mannered neurotic Disney dad that writes about his passion for the parks week in and week out. I’m really a secret agent being sent to Walt Disney World on a top secret mission.

The powers that be have chosen me for this mission because of my strength, conviction, and willingness to do almost anything at Disney to get the job done. I know this won’t be an ordinary mission and I know it won’t be easy. What I do know is that I will have to endure a physical test of strength that no ordinary person could possibly handle. I know I will have to go walking in the hot blazing sun and deal with unbearable heat and humidity. I know that just when my feet can’t stand it no more and they start to ache, I’m going to have to walk some more.

In order to succeed on this mission I’m going to have to ride the attractions as they take me from one adventure to another. I will have to conquer Spaceship Earth, go Soarin’, and climb to the top of Space Mountain. I will have to go on a voyage with the Pirates of the Caribbean and then I’ll be sent on a Disney Dream Jungle Cruise during the day and night.

This mission calls for me to go on an expedition where I may have to stave off the Yeti and tangle with lions and tigers, oh my. I will have to get through the shark infested Living Seas and hope a turtle named Crush doesn’t notice my shell. I may even have to help Stitch escape.

The toughest part of the mission has to be the food that I will be required to consume in large quantities. There’s Dole Whips, Mickey Bars, and Tonga Toast. I may even have to race some guy named Lou to the popcorn. I’ll be expected to lasso a burger at Pecos Bill’s. I even have my net ready to capture a Flying Fish. I’ve also been warned about the danger I could encounter with a little rat at Chefs de France. As I try to complete this quest I may have to slay not one dragon, not two dragons, not even three dragons, but Nine Dragons.

As I make my way through the parks there will be clues in the form of hidden Mickey’s which will be the keys to my success in completing the mission at hand. To help I’m looking for a person whose expertise in recognizing and finding hidden Mickey’s is second to none. So I ask, is there a Doctor in the house of mouse?

Because of the involvedness of this top secret mission I have been given permission to find anyone willing to volunteer their services to the cause but, I must warn you of the dangers. Those who have previously attempted this mission have never made it out of the parks.

If you’re willing to make the ultimate sacrifice and quite possibly never escape the confines of Walt Disney World destined to spend the rest of your days on Disney property then, you may have just what it takes. If you can stand the heat, if you’re rough, tough, and have a burning desire with a Disney heart of fire then stand up and be counted.

If you haven’t done so already, the time has come for you to join the Disney Driven Life and register as a Neurotic Disney Person.

Should you choose to accept this mission then welcome to the growing family of Neurotic Disney People who someday shall rule the World!

Contributed by: Stuart S. (NDD #47).  Stuart is our resident Disney geek and creator of Disney Geek Dad.

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