For many Guests, packing for a Disney vacation has to include accessories. When exploring the Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort, you can expect to see Mickey ears, Loungefly backpacks, and light sabers as part of the outfit of many Guests. Some Guests would even argue that your Disney vacation isn’t complete without at least one of these accessories in your luggage.
Mouse Ears
One particular accessory is a key part of many Guests’ Disney Park attire. Speaking from our own experience, once you arrive in Lake Buena Vista, the ears go on and only come off for sleeping, swimming, and showering until our Disney vacation ends.
You can expect to see two types of Mickey ears around the Disney Parks and Resort hotels. Mouse ears are the most common type, consisting of a headband with two rounds that form the ears and a bow. Some Guests choose to wear official Disney Parks ears, which can be bought in merchandise stores around Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Meanwhile, other Guests prefer to purchase their Mickey ears from small shops. Mouse ears can be inspired by Disney characters, Disney Park attractions, Disney snacks, and more.
Another type of Mickey ears that you will see around the Disney Parks are Mickey ear hats. Mickey ear hats sit on top of your head and feature two plastic rounds that form the ears. Each Mickey ear hat has an elasticated strap that can be worn underneath your chin. Personalization services are available at the Walt Disney World Resort. Guests can have their Mickey ear hats embroidered to add a name or commemorate a special occasion.
Mouse ears are a popular accessory for Guests in the Disney theme parks. However, they have been known to be problematic. Should you plan on wearing ears during your Disney vacation, be aware of the following problems.
They’re Popular
Mouse ear designs in and outside the Disney Parks can be incredibly popular. As such, you can expect designs to sell out. While The Walt Disney Company has now enforced a limit on the number of items Guests can purchase of any one piece of merchandise, it only stays around for a while when something is popular. From our experience, if you love a piece of Disney merchandise, purchase it when you see it to avoid later disappointment if it sells out.
Unfortunately, popularity isn’t limited to official Disney merchandise. Shopping small is a great idea, but some small shops sell Mouse ears that are so popular they sell out within minutes. Being active on social media can help you secure a pair of ears you hope to purchase. Setting a reminder on your phone can also help you to buy a new pair of ears as they go on sale.
They’re Expensive
Recently, limited edition mouse ears have been released by The Walt Disney Company. Loungefly, Coach, Vera Wang, and other designers have joined with Disney to create exclusive mouse ear designs. But exclusivity comes with a cost. While you can expect to pay around $30 for a regular pair of Disney Parks mouse ears, limited-edition pairs can cost at least $75. Could you justify spending so much on a Disney accessory? Some Guests would say it’s an investment!
They’re Unsafe
Mickey ear accessories must be held onto like hats and glasses when riding the thrilling Disney attractions. Failure to do so will result in your mouse ears ‘flying’ away due to your traveling speed. Losing grip on your ears can result in you losing them, at the very least. If you try reaching for them, you may be putting yourself at risk of injury. Remember that hands, arms, feet, and legs must always remain inside Disney ride vehicles. Losing accessories while on Disney rides could result in delays to the attraction if they land on the track and even cause a Disney ride to break down.
Please make sure you hold onto your Mickeys ears, hats, and other accessories at the following high-speed attractions:
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train
- TRON Lightcycle/Run
- Space Mountain
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- Mission: SPACE
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
They Discriminate
Recently, a question has been raised about the inclusivity of mouse ears. While they may be known as Mickey ears, the headbands have a bow, like Minnie Mouse. So, are mouse ears gender specific? Disney fans are now suggesting that mouse ears should come with a detachable bow, allowing anyone to wear ears as they wish. Will The Walt Disney Company take on board the suggestions from fans and make official Disney Parks ears more inclusive to all Guests?
They’re Inconsiderate
While they are magical accessories to wear in Disney theme parks, mouse ears can be inconsiderate to other Guests. Picture this: you have secured the perfect spot to watch Happily Ever After in Magic Kingdom Park. But, 5 minutes before showtime, another Guest returns to their family in front of you and is wearing mouse ears. The Mickey ear silhouette now blocks the perfect view that you had of Cinderella Castle. Therefore, we request that if you’re a mouse ear wearer, you kindly remove them during nighttime spectaculars to help the Guests behind you enjoy an unobstructed view of the fireworks.
While we don’t recommend that you stop accessorizing your Disney outfits with mouse ears, it’s worth considering these problems during your next Disney vacation. It’s worth planning ahead to avoid any complications relating to the popular Disney accessory.
