“Mr. Disney traveled west with just a few bucks to his name.
Along the way, he met Mickey Mouse,
And the world will never be the same!”
-Lyrics from “A Suitcase and a Dream”
The above lyrics ring true as I can not imagine a world without Mickey Mouse. I’m certain a majority of you reading this today can not either. Mickey Mouse has been a part of our cultural environment for 90 years. The big cheese celebrates the big 9-0 on November 18th.
Does your kid take a Moana doll to bed? Do your child and his buddies play PJ Masks at play dates? Can you not get the “Hot Dog” song out of your head? Whether you like it or not, the Disney company plays a large role in family households throughout the world. And it all can be traced back to “Steamboat Willie” – an animated short where Mickey Mouse made his big debut. Walt Disney had created other characters prior to the Mouse, however, it was the success of this short that could be considered the catalyst that propelled Disney to success.
Mickey is a huge part of my life as a mother. I am a self-diagnosed Disney addict, so of course, I introduced the Mouse very early to my son. The majority of the gifts he got when he was born were Mickey themed. A variety of stuffed versions of the Mouse live in our toy box and I would say 75% of his wardrobe is themed to some Disney intellectual property.
At around 6 months I started showing Mickey Mouse Clubhouse to my son. At 8 months, he made his first trip to Disney World. Yes, the trip was more for me than for him, as he won’t remember it. However, I will never forget the look of pure elation on his face when he met Mickey for the first time. Visitors to Disney theme parks will wait upwards of 90 minutes for their one-on-one time with him.
What is it about Mickey that appeals to so many after so many years? When I think of Mickey I think of one thing: confidence. Throughout his countless appearances in shorts, television shows, films, and live performances, Mickey and his friends face many challenges but rarely let fear overcome them. Mickey is a leader who values friendship and the power of good above everything else. Maybe this is why so many children are drawn to him, he feels like their friend and he makes them feel safe.
As he approaches his big day, I’d like to toast to his tenacity and immortality. My grandma’s birthday is about one year before his. Even she grew up in a world that was not devoid of him. She passed away a few years ago. Judging by the ever-present crowds at the Disney resorts, the countless options of merchandise to purchase, and the number of films released annually by Walt Disney Pictures, I assume Mickey will probably outlive me and soldier on to touch the lives of future generations. I think that’s pretty magical.
“Mickey’s a little bit in your face. Mickey’s like, ‘Hey! I’m smart, I can do anything, I get into trouble, but I can get out of it… I’m sort of rebellious, you know. I live by my own rules.’ He’s an adolescent dream, is what he is. Rebelling and making it work, that’s Mickey.”
-Writer Ron Suskind
