In 1940, Walt Disney and his animation studio made history once again with one of the most ambitious, ground-breaking features of the 20th century. Fantasia wasn’t an instant success, never recouped its massive production costs until the 1960s and spent its early years as a ‘B’ picture or touring various roadshows, but it created one of the most iconic movie sequences ever, starring one of the movies’ most iconic characters.
That’s Mickey Mouse in his starring role as The Sorcerer’s Apprentice. A role that, as Disney theme parks have grown over the past fifty years, has been recreated and reused to dramatic and popular effect numerous times as Mickey dons his special red tunic, yellow slippers and sparkling blue sorcerer’s hat.
Sorcerer Mickey starring in ‘Fantasmic!’ (DLR/WDW)
Starring in shows such as ‘Fantasmic!’ at Disneyland and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Sorcerer Mickey has become without doubt the most popular appearance of the parks’ lead character. You’ll find him around the world — every day at Hollywood Pictures Backlot in Disney’s California Adventure and the star of the entire Hollywood Studios (formerly Disney-MGM Studios) park in Florida.
But one place you’ll never, ever see him? Disneyland Resort Paris.
No.6 - The AWOL Apprentice
It’s a complete mystery. We’ve got Mickey in his regular tuxedo, as a cowboy, as an Adventureland explorer, as a spaceman, as a director, in Irish and Welsh costumes and many more. Outfits to fit every Disney Hotel, outfits for special events like his Winter Wonderland show and Once Upon a Dream Parade. The one version of Mickey Mouse we never see in Paris is his most famous.
Photoshoots at Walt Disney World / Greeting 1995 celebrities in Paris
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Sorcerer Mickey is practically the icon of the park — the one character you have to have your photo taken with. He poses along Hollywood Boulevard, in front of the giant hat modelled on his own and often in a special location at the end of their animation tour. Look through someone’s Walt Disney World photos, and he’ll be there.
The sorcerer’s apprentice has travelled across the Atlantic, however — take a look at the proof (above)! He met David Copperfield and Claudia Shiffer at the opening of Space Mountain: De La Terre a la Lune in 1995. Even more recent than that, Mickey made a special appearance in the costume during the grand opening of Walt Disney Studios Park in 2002. Alongside such Disney legends as Roy E. Disney and Andreas Déja, he helped to inaugurate an attraction very close to his heart — Art of Disney Animation.
Sorcerer Mickey’s most recent appearance in Paris, 2002
The attraction that features his blue hat as its icon — the attraction that, during the ‘placemaking’ works of 2007, saw a statue of the Fantasia character itself pointing directly toward it.
So here’s our wish — a very simple one — let’s see Sorcerer Mickey out and about in this district of Toon Studio. Of all the lands in all the Disney theme parks, nowhere is a more perfect home for the character. With one of the most popular attractions at Walt Disney Studios simply being its many character “meet ‘n’ greets”, seeing Sorcerer Mickey at the park would be something really special for guests.
The Sorcerer’s home — complete with hat and statue
Whilst Disneyland Park can see the mouse in many different guises, the Studios only plays host to Mickey in his dull tux or unflattering, modern movie director outfit. Bringing Sorcerer Mickey to Toon Studio would be a real coup for the park… yet another reason to visit, especially for the many character fanatics.
The mouse, in his bright red tunic, could meet fans behind the statue itself, next to the giant hat, or anywhere in the original Animation Courtyard area. It would undoubtedly be a very special event for all. But… it could be even more special.
The Disney Animation Gallery (during Toon Studio makeover)
Have you ever visited The Disney Animation Gallery boutique at the end of the tour, housed within the hat itself? Described during the park’s previews as “postage stamp-sized” and always a nightmare to navigate — particularly with all those expensive ornaments — no matter how busy, it’s surely one of the least functional spaces in the entire resort. Has anyone ever actually bought anything there? With the huge popularity of Toon Studio, a real, full-sized store needs to be considered instead.
The Gallery from within the large post-show of ‘Art of Disney Animation’
Strangely, this is just the kind of store we’d probably all like to see more of. Less cheap, tacky merchandise and more exclusive, interesting souvenirs. However, the space is too small for Toon Studio’s demand, and could be much better used by… the sorcerer.
Yes, Sorcerer Mickey. With its plush interior of warm lighting and fabric-lined walls, the sorcerer’s hat would be the perfect place for a permanent meet ‘n’ greet location for Sorcerer Mickey. Move the mouse from his uninspiring backdrop over in the new Toon Studio plaza and let him have the hat as his own — a perfect finale to the Art of Disney Animation tour, and no doubt a wonderful money-spinner in professional photographs for the resort. It might even make more money than the shop… it’d certainly be a bigger hit with the guests.
Sorcerer in the stars
Look up to the ceiling in the hat, and it’s even in the stars. Using this special space for a meeting with Sorcerer Mickey would turn it into a kind of “flagship” meet ‘n’ greet location for the entire resort. The one place you have to have your photo taken, the place where — if you’re going to meet just one character — you have to go. It’d be functional all year round, whatever the weather, and how many meet ‘n’ greet spots can claim that?
Add in the thousands of valuable photos heading home with guests — and the possibility of selling hundreds of professional photos every day at at least € 11 a go — and that sounds like a winner.
Whether inside the hat or just out on the streets, we wish that someday soon the stars will finally align for the apprentice’s long-awaited return to Disneyland Resort Paris.
‘Fate is kind’ - Does our wish have a chance?
Of course! All the Entertainment department need to do is find Mickey’s old sorcerer costume, dust it down, and let him stroll the Studios wearing it. Simple.
The Animation Gallery wish is a little more problematic and would certainly require a gutsy move from a resort official. It might also not be truly viable until a second, larger store is built in Toon Studio — which we can’t see happening at least until another new attraction opens in the land.
– With thanks to Photos Magiques for both the wish and additional photography!
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