Happy Birthday, Mickey!
The true original, Mickey Mouse is being celebrated by billions because this magical mouse has just turned ninety this year! An inspiration to us all, this character that leapt out of our Uncle Walt Disney’s imagination became a driving force for children and adult alike to make their dreams become reality. I had the opportunity to take a quick getaway to New York with friends this month and was able to visit the Mickey True Original Exhibition. This immersive experience was created to express Mickey’s impact on creativity in all forms and showcases multiple renowned artists.
- This event is in the form of a “pop-up” art exhibit and is only open from November 8th, 2018 – February 10th, 2019.
- Ticket price: $38 — Add a Mickey True Original Exhibition ear hat for $15 extra that you will receive when you arrive.
- Located: 60 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10014
- Tickets are purchased in time intervals (i.e. 12pm-1pm) and is recommended to be purchased ahead of time.
From walking in through the front doors all the way to the merchandise shop at the end, this place was brimming with enchantment. When your party arrives to the exhibit your ticket is checked and if you had reserved one of the special ear hats, they are given to the guests before going into the rest of the exhibit. Your bag is checked by security as a safety precaution and you then wait in the cozy lobby where you can begin your photo journey with beautiful murals and even a wall that has Mickey ears painted, so if you forgot your ears you don’t have to worry! The cast members are so helpful and always willing to snap a photo of you and your loved ones whenever you need that extra helping hand. It was great to feel so comfortable handing over my camera so they could grab a quick photo for Daniel and I (we never can get photos together).
When it is time to head in, you are whisked away to an introductory presentation that shows a quick video about Mickey Mouse through the years. The music choice on this video was stellar and really sends a wave of excitement through the guests before heading into the actual exhibit. When the doors initially open, there is Mickey Mouse in all of his neon sign glory! The entire wall is covered in neon with Mickey all different shapes, sizes and facial expressions! Next to this wall was the original Academy Award that was given to Walt Disney for the creation of Mickey Mouse. I couldn’t believe that I was so close to something that he had held in his own hands. A piece of history right there in front of me brought me to tears! To have the opportunity to see something like that is a treasured moment that I will hold very close to my heart for a lifetime.
Multiple rooms make up this exhibit, with each one being as diverse and unique as the next. The Sorcerer Mickey inspired room was my ultimate favorite out of them all! This space displayed original animation, an enchanted broomstick, and even a gigantic Sorcerers hat that became the perfect photo opportunity! One of the most interesting pieces of art in this room was made up only of foldable chairs. At first I could only see the big picture until I finally took a closer look at those intricate details and realized what the entire piece was made up of! Throughout the exhibit these kinds of astonishing findings were placed throughout and I loved being able to explore through them all.
If you have been a fan of Mickey Mouse long enough, you most likely know the iconic Steamboat Willie that introduces many of the animated Disney movies! Within the exhibit, there was even an ode to the O.G. Mickey with a life-size tugboat that put YOU right into Steamboat Willie’s shoes (and, yes, the steering wheel was fully functional)! This was an exciting addition because it really placed you right into the animation. Something I really admired were the photo spots throughout the exhibit that were really incredible and were gauged towards both children and adults.
Outfit details:
- Mickey’s 90th faux fur bomber jacket
- Burnt orange long sleeve tee (found a similar version through link!)
- Black boots (extra comfy)
- Denim jeans
- Coach yellow Mickey cross body (borrowed from Sarah)
Who’s the leader of the club thats made for you and me?
M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E!
The Mickey Mouse Club was also featured in one of the rooms and was another fan favorite! They had original outfits and artifacts used during the first debut of this iconic show and even TV screens with our two favorite mouseketeers Brittney Spears and Justin Timberlake playing on repeat. Did you know, the original outfits were only made up of brown fabric because it popped better on a black and white television screen? THE MORE YOU KNOW! Growing up, I did not get to watch the Mickey Mouse Club, but as an adult I definitely wish I would have! Who doesn’t want to be a mouseketeer and get the classic varsity jackets with your name embroidered right on the front?! Definitely wishing upon that twinkling star to become an honorary mouseketeer one day!
In this same room, Ample Hills Creamery has set up shop and hands out free cups of ice-cream to all of the guests. There are two flavors, Triple Chocolate Surprise and Celebration Confetti, both are DELICIOUS (my favorite was the Chocolate Surprise)! And with a bit of research, I found that you can even pre-order these flavors, plus a third flavor (Peanut Butter Jamboree) on their online site! You can also visit the Ample Hills at the Boardwalk Resort in Walt Disney World to try any of the other original flavors that they offer! Ample Hills is definitely an ice-cream company of my choice, Ben and Jerry’s who??
I am so thankful to have gotten the opportunity to visit this marvelous exhibition with great friends and the one I love the most! It was such a memorable experience and I will be basking in the Mickey Mouse glow for a very long time! Thank you for following along on this magical Mickey journey! Remember, all our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them. NEVER give up on your dreams and NEVER lose sight of the things that make you happy in this world.
Keep dreaming,
Allyson
magicandwishes.blog 