Something new opens in Downtown Disney Anaheim tomorrow, April 26: a colorful exhibit of Mickey and Minnie Mouse has taken over the former ESPN Zone. “Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration” is a photo-opportunity experience featuring Disney’s mascot from his humble Steamboat Willie beginnings to the megastar known all over the world today.
Guests visit the exhibit in timed groups. After checking in, you are given a color-code card and are asked to wait in a reception room until your color is called. While in the room, you can download the exclusive playlist of music you’ll also hear during the duration of your tour.
Just before entering the galleries, there’s a fun Mickey-Map Wall that gives a lay of the land.
From start to finish, the exhibit was bursting with eye-catching splashes of color and art inspired by Mickey and Minnie. Even the details, like the stairs leading up to rooms, were themed.
Pop-Up Mickey! Photo Opportunities
The art installations double as photo opportunities, which has become a worldwide trend. Many of the installations also feature Mickey’s love for Minnie. You can hop aboard a steamboat, kick up your heels on Minnie’s couch, take a journey to Fantasmic, and even a quick tour around the world.
Although built primarily as photo ops, these artistic displays are much more interactive than the walls found in the parks. And with the wide variety of styles and eras of Mickey, there’s something for everyone here.
Look for hidden Minnie’s in every room!
There’s quite a range of different art styles featured throughout the exhibit. Black and white, Fantasia and Fantasmic art, and even the modern interpretation of Mickey.
While the exhibit is clearly centered around Mickey, there are a few non-Mickey subjects around the building.
We loved the usage of the modern Mickey throughout the exhibit. He fits in perfectly with this sort of thing; he’s very millennial-friendly while able to retain his original charm.
Here’s a little video teaser that Dusty put together from our visit on Wednesday:
Pop-Up Mickey! Merchandise
At the end of the exhibit, there are a variety of different merchandise items available for purchase: hats, shirts, ears, mugs – pretty much anything you can think of. An exclusive new Spirit Jersey was created just for the event. And the theming continues outside the exhibit, at Marceline’s Confectionary, with treats available to event attendees (event ticket is required for purchase).
Look for the wall of classic Mickey ears from Disney Parks around the world.
Tickets start at $30 for ages 3 and up (weekdays, more expensive on weekends). There is 5-hour complimentary parking at the Downtown Disney District parking lot included with validation from the Pop-Up Disney! A Mickey Celebration event. Validation from the Pop-Up Disney retail store is good for 3-hour complimentary parking.
What do you think of the repurposing of the old ESPN Zone building? Do you think that you’ll come for the highly Instagrammable photo ops? Let us know in the comments.
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