This was far more complicated to put together than I imagined. Between trying to track down links (easiest), release dates, Completers, pouches, etc. I am sure there are errors, and some info I couldn't find. If you know something about which pouch colors correspond to specific series that isn't listed, please post!
The information available in this post is available as a PDF on Google drive. Remember, the internet is not forever and printing physical copies can be your friend.
drive.google.com
In 2011, Disney made a major change to the release schedule. Instead of one large collection, sprinkled out weekly or monthly all year, pins would be released, fully, in two waves. Wave A pins near the beginning of the year; Wave B sometime in the summer. Also new for 2011 were Silver, unfilled chaser versions of some of the pins. For 2011, these pins were a mystery and not included on the checklists.
Let’s continue on our journey…
WDW Hidden Mickey 2007
WDW Hidden Mickey 2007
Per tradition, the first batch of this series debuted on trading boards at Disney’s Pin Celebration September 8-10, 2006. Dizpins.com also archived an “expected month of release” document originally published on Disney’s website.
Monthly Waves (Dizpins)
DLR Hidden Mickey 2007
DLR Hidden Mickey 2007 Checklist
I presume these debuted in the months the calendar suggests, starting with January 2007. Apparently, Hidden Mickey pins became “old news” as the usual references to finding new ones in the Dizpins News Archive didn’t happen. Or people posted about them on the forums, which were not archived.
WDW Hidden Mickey 2008
WDW Hidden Mickey 2008 Checklist
Another Disney’s Pin Celebration, and a debut of another Hidden Mickey series. After release at the event September 5-7, 2007, WDW Hidden Disney Series 2 were released in weekly Waves. Here are the links for the October 2007 – January 2008 waves.
October 2007 Wave
November 2007 Wave
December 2007 Wave
January 2008 Wave
Addressing collectors concerns about authenticity, Disney began selling Hidden Mickey pouches in November 2008 as an alternative way for collectors to acquire Hidden Mickey pins. Each blue, green or red pouch contained 2 pins from a specific 2008 sub-series.
The initially released “Rolf” pin from the Muppets sub-series is an error pin. The correct spelling is “Rowlf.” When Hidden Mickey packs were released for purchase in May 2008 Disney had corrected the spelling.
Completer pins debuted June 13, 2008 as a Purchase with Purchase (PWP) promotion at Disney’s Pin Traders. Pins were $1 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
DLR Hidden Mickey 2008
DLR Hidden Mickey 2008 Checklist
Like at WDW, to address collector concerns about authenticity, DLR began selling pins from this collection via Hidden Mickey pouches containing 2 pins from a specific sub-series in blue, green or red pouches.
WDW Hidden Mickey 2009
WDW Hidden Mickey 2009 Checklist
A page included in the information packet for Disney’s Pin Celebration showed photos of the pins that could be found on trading boards September 5-6, 2008. There was quite the conversation over *what* everyone would come to know as “Buckeye Mickey” actually was. Ohioans for the win. The entire series made its park debut in November 2008. Specific sub-series pins were also sold in blue, green or red pouches.
This was the last year Hidden Mickey pins regularly debuted on event Trading Boards. The 2009 event was held in June, which was too early to announce the 2010 pins, and in 2010 they changed the release pattern entirely. Eight Completer pins for this series were released, exclusively via trading boards June 26-27, 2009 at Disney’s Pin Celebration event.
Disney made another error with the Height Requirement sign pin. On the original release, the two horizontal lines were filled with white enamel. A corrected version, with black enamel released in November 2008.
DLR Hidden Mickey 2009
DLR Hidden Mickey 2009 Checklist
With Dizpins ending news updates at the end of 2008, and Disney Pin Forum not starting until October 2010, information regarding the release of this series is lost to time. Remember, kids… digital information is not forever. Like WDW, pouches were blue, green or red, depending on sub-series.
DLR Hidden Mickey 2010
DLR Hidden Mickey 2010 Checklist
Same warning as 2009… keep analog copies of things you want preserved. I did find an old blog commentary about Disneyland people upset that the 2010 pins were released “all at once,” beginning in January 2010, instead of one set per month, like previous years. I assume since WDW’s pouches were Yellow, DLR’s were also Yellow. Completer pins debuted October 2010 as a Purchase with Purchase (PWP) promotion. Pins were $1 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
WDW Hidden Mickey 2010
WDW Hidden Mickey 2010 Checklist
New pins debuted in January 2010. For the first time, WDW’s Hidden Mickeys aligned with DLR’s with all pins releasing at the start of the year (instead of Fall). New to 2010, the concept of Shared Releases with the Country Bears set released at both DLR and WDW. This collection was sold in Yellow pouches. Completer pins debuted April 10, 2010 as a property wide Purchase with Purchase (PWP) promotion. Pins were $1 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
DLR Hidden Mickey 2011 Wave A
DLR Hidden Mickey 2011 Wave A
A Disney Parks Blog post revealed Wave A pins would release in either January or February, but it turned out to be March 2011, according to a DPF post. Two Deebees (Engineer and Spaceman) were Shared Releases with WDW. Completer pins for 2011 Wave A and B debuted November 26, 2011 as a Purchase with Purchase (PWP) promotion. Pins were $2.95 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
WDW Hidden Mickey 2011 Wave A
WDW Hidden Mickey 2011 Wave A Checklist
Old DPF posts reveal WDW Wave A pins were spotted on January 28, 2011.
Two Deebees (Engineer and Spaceman) were Shared Releases with DLR. Completer pins for 2011 Wave A and B debuted March 2012 as a Purchase with Purchase promotion (PWP). Pins were $2.95 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
DLR Hidden Mickey 2011 Wave B
DLR Hidden Mickey 2011 Wave B Checklist
Old DPF posts mention managers with Wave B pins in early July 2011. Figaro T-shirt was a Shared Release. However, errors in the WDW pin meant they were actually different. Completer pins for 2011 Wave A and B debuted November 26, 2011 as a Purchase with Purchase (PWP) promotion. Pins were $2.95 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
WDW Hidden Mickey 2011 Wave B
WDW Hidden Mickey 2011 Wave B Checklist
There were two errors with the T-shirt sub-series for this wave. As mentioned, in 2011 Disney debuted silver, unfilled chasers. These chasers are marked “X of 20” on the back of the pin instead of “X of 5” like the filled versions. However, the Mickey T-Shirt and Figaro T-Shirt arrived with their chasers…which are marked “X of 20” on the back, indicating they were supposed to be chasers… filled with enamel. Corrected, actual silver chasers were released later in 2011. There was a second error with the Figaro T-shirt. The bottom corners are supposed to be white, and on the original WDW pin they are black. I think DLR received the correct version, as that pin was a Shared release (the only one).
That may not be the craziest thing regarding the new chasers. Since they aren’t shown on the checklist, future collectors might guess this is a fake pin situation. Two of the WDW silver chasers from this Wave are Colorful Figments. But the base of the Colorful Figments look identical. It’s the pigment that makes them different, so why make two of these pins chasers? Who knows, but they did! One is marked “12 of 20” the other “20 of 20.” Disney released it this way, so they are legitimately different pins, and to be completist means having both.
Completer pins for 2011 Wave A and B debuted March 16, 2012 as a Purchase with Purchase promotion (PWP). Pins were $2.95 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
A final note, on Oct 1, 2012 Disney released a Hidden Mickey pin celebrating Epcot’s 30th anniversary, that could only be traded from Epcot Cast Members. While this pin does not have the silver Mickey Icon on the front of the pin, it says “Hidden Mickey Pin” on the back. This pin doesn’t appear on the checklist.
DLR Hidden Mickey 2012 Wave A
DLR Hidden Mickey 2012 Wave A Checklist
According to old DPF posts, the first pins were spotted on January 25, 2012. The Zodiac sub-series were Shared Release, although DLR and WDW received different silver chasers. Completer pins for 2012 Wave A & Wave B debuted February 22, 2013 as a Purchase with Purchase (PWP) promotion. Pins were $2.95 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
WDW Hidden Mickey 2012 Wave A
WDW Hidden Mickey 2012 Wave A Checklist
According to old DPF posts, the first pins were spotted on January 8, 2012. The Zodiac sub-series were Shared Release, although DLR and WDW received different silver chasers. Completer pins for Wave A and B debuted February 13, 2013 as a Purchase with Purchase (PWP) promotion.
DLR Hidden Mickey 2012 Wave B
DLR Hidden Mickey 2012 Wave B Checklist
According to old DPF posts, pins debuted July 18, 2012. Duffy Hat series complemented a similar WDW series, but there were no Shared Releases. Completer pins for 2012 Wave A & Wave B debuted February 22, 2013 as a Purchase with Purchase (PWP) promotion. Pins were $2.95 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
WDW Hidden Mickey 2012 Wave B
WDW Hidden Mickey 2012 Wave B Checklist
According to old DPF posts, a few may have trickled out in June, but were definitely out by July 10, 2012. Duffy Hat series complemented a similar DLR series, but there were no Shared Releases. Completer pins for Wave A and B debuted February 13, 2013 as a Purchase with Purchase (PWP) promotion.
DLR Hidden Mickey 2013 Wave A
WDW Hidden Mickey 2013 Wave A Checklist
According to an old DPF post, pins debuted January 26, 2013. Character Popcorn labels were a Shared Release with WDW. Purple pouches were released June 25, 2013. 11 Completer pins for 2013 Wave A and B were released February 2014. In a distribution error WDW did not receive the Popcorn Label Mickey, so it was only sold at DLR. Pins were $2.95 per $30 spend on pin merchandise.
WDW Hidden Mickey 2013 Wave A
WDW Hidden Mickey 2013 Wave A Checklist
According to old DPF posts, pins were spotted January 22, 2013. Character Popcorn labels were a Shared Release with DLR. Purple pouches were released June 25, 2013. Completer pins for 2013 Wave A and B debuted March 2014. In a distribution error WDW only received 9 pins. Popcorn Mickey was intended to be a Shared Release, but WDW did not receive them. Pins were $2.95 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
Not because of errors, but because of the similar colors, it’s a good idea to check the numbers on the back of your Friendship Boats to make sure you didn’t miss or duplicate one.
DLR Hidden Mickey 2013 Wave B
DLR Hidden Mickey 2013 Wave B Checklist
According to DPF posts, DLR pins debuted on Disneyland’s birthday July 17, 2013. There were no Shared Releases In this series, however the Disney Birds sub-series were complementary. Pins from this collection were sold in Yellow pouches. Completer pins for 2013 Wave A and B were released February 2014. Pins were $2.95 per $30 spend on pin merchandise.
WDW Hidden Mickey 2013 Wave B
WDW Hidden Mickey 2013 Wave B Checklist
There were no Shared Releases In this series, however the Disney Birds sub-series were complementary. Pins from this collection were sold in Yellow pouches. Completer pins for 2013 Wave A and B debuted March 2014. Pins were $2.95 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2014 Wave A
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2014 Wave A (Disney Parks Blog)
If you prefer PDF, DLR followed by WDW
DLR Hidden Mickey 2014 Wave A Checklist
WDW Hidden Mickey 2014 Wave A Checklist
According to DPF posts, DLR pins were spotted around March 10, 2014. Scoop Sanderson, at WDW, had some pins in January, but resort wide release did not occur until March 2014. Shared releases for this Wave are the “it’s a small world” collection. Pins from this series were sold in a Blue pouch. No Completer pins were made for this series.
You’ll notice WDW released a Nemo Sketchpad pin as an alternate *enamel filled* chaser, instead of a silver, unfilled chaser. But this time, they noticed before they made the checklist, and didn’t have to produce a correct pin.
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2014 Wave B
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2014 Wave B (Disney Parks Blog)
If you prefer PDF, DLR followed by WDW…
DLR Hidden Mickey 2014 Wave B Checklist
WDW Hidden Mickey 2014 Wave B Checklist
DLR pins debuted July 13, 2014 according to DPF posts. No Shared Releases, but more complementary Disney Birds. Due to the 2015 West Coast port strike, WDW and DLR swapped pins in early 2015 to cover the gap. So you could find 2014 DLR Wave B pins on lanyards at WDW, and 2014 WDW Wave B pins on lanyards at DLR. No Completer pins were made for this series.
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2015 Wave A
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2015 Wave A (Disney Parks Blog)
As a result of delays caused by the 2015 West Coast port strike, 2015 pins did not actually make their debut until May 15, 2015 at WDW and July 2015 at DLR. Disney Villain Neckties were a Shared Release, including the silver chaser,
For the first time, four WDW or four DLR Completer pins were distributed in Hidden Mickey pouches at their respective resort. Since Villain Neckties were a Shared Release, so is the Hook Completer. Pink pouches went on sale at WDW in July 2018. With these type of pins no longer made available through a PWP series, or as part of the regular lanyard release, significantly fewer of these pins were produced, which affects secondary market values.
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2015 Wave B
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2015 Wave B (Disney Parks Blog)
With Wave A being pushed back, Wave B was pushed back as well releasing in November 2015. Five DLR or four WDW Completer pins for this Wave were distributed in Hidden Mickey pouches at their respective resort. Dark Blue Pouches were released at DLR February 21, 2018.
2016
Due to continuing merchandise delays caused by the 2015 West Coast port strike, 2016 Hidden Mickey pins were cancelled entirely. Pins previewed at the 2016 Disney’s Pin Celebration event, and expected in late 2016, became the 2017 Series.
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2017
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2017 (Disney Parks Blog)
New Hidden Mickey pins finally arrived in January 2017. Reports from WDW on January 20th confirmed the game was once again, afoot. Although multiple waves were expected, only these pins released in 2017. Smiling Disney Villains were a Shared Release, including the silver chaser version.
Five Completer pins for their respective resort are exclusive to White pouches which went on sale August 2018, and therefore are more limited.
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2018
Disney did not prepare checklists for 2018 pins. They were previewed at Disney’s Pin Celebrations in 2017 & 2018, so we have Internet Archive links to the DisneyPinsBlog.com posts about these series.
Wave A
DLR and WDW 2018 Hidden Mickey Wave A (Disney Pins Blog)
WDW Wave A pins were found beginning March 25, 2018. According to Disney pin people at that year’s Disney’s Pin Celebration, DLR Wave A pins were never ordered! A mistake they did not realize until delivery of WDW’s pins. They finally arrived October 31, 2018. Big Feet Characters were Shared Releases, including Pooh Completer. Mint Green pouches containing 2018 Wave A pins were released September 18, 2018 at DLR and October 22, 2018 at WDW. Five Completer pins were only released in pouches, and therefore are more limited.
Wave B
DLR and WDW 2018 Hidden Mickey Wave B (Disney Pins Blog)
WDW Wave B pins, in a shocking return to tradition, were found on trading boards at Disney’s Pin Celebration August 24-25, 2018 and spotted in the parks September 21, 2018. DLR pins were spotted on September 11, 2018. Shared Releases for this series are Character Snacks. Completer pins were released during lanyard release, so all series are six pins not five.
DLR and WDW Hidden Disney 2019
Disney prepared but did not publish Hidden Mickey or Hidden Disney checklists. DisneyPinsBlog.com was supplied with the digital files for Waves A, B and C. Completer pins were released during lanyard release, so all waves have six pins, not five.
Wave A
DLR and WDW 2019 Hidden Mickey Wave A (Disney Pins Blog)
Character Presents were Shared Releases (including silver chaser) and 8-bit Characters were complementary. Orange pouches containing 2019 Wave A pins were released July 2019.
Wave B
DLR and WDW 2019 Hidden Mickey Wave B (Disney Pins Blog)
Animated Shorts were Shared Releases (including silver chaser) and Princesses were complementary. Lime Green pouches containing 2019 Wave B pins were released October 2019.
Wave C
DLR and WDW 2019 Hidden Mickey Wave C (Disney Pins Blog)
Disney changed how they did the unfilled chasers in this wave. DLR’s chasers received a teal tint, WDW’s chasers received a purple tint. Dog Houses were Shared Releases, but with completely different chasers). Cranberry pouches containing 2019 Wave C pins were released in December 2019.
The information available in this post is available as a PDF on Google drive. Remember, the internet is not forever and printing physical copies can be your friend.
Get to Know Hidden Mickey.pdf
drive.google.com
Get to Know: Hidden Mickey Series
For the lanyard pins which debuted at Disney’s Pin Celebration in September 2006 (released in late 2006 and 2007), Disney announced this series would officially become the Hidden Mickey series. To celebrate, Disney, once again, did something to confuse current and future collectors. They re-released sub-series from the previous four editions. Some of these are easily identifiable. For example, the Formal Characters were a different size, the Topiaries were smaller, silver instead of gold, and details were changed like the color of Dumbo’s hat and some of the leaves. Series I and Series II pins had been released without the silver Mickey, so those pins can be identified from the front, because for the new series, they did. For others, literally the only easily identifiable difference is the original says “Cast Lanyard Series” on the back and the re-released version says “Hidden Mickey.” If you are confused about which series your pin is from, check the back. All the re-releases say “Hidden Mickey,” all the originals “Cast Lanyard Series.”
Let’s continue on our journey…
WDW Hidden Mickey 2007
WDW Hidden Mickey 2007
Per tradition, the first batch of this series debuted on trading boards at Disney’s Pin Celebration September 8-10, 2006. Dizpins.com also archived an “expected month of release” document originally published on Disney’s website.
Monthly Waves (Dizpins)
DLR Hidden Mickey 2007
DLR Hidden Mickey 2007 Checklist
I presume these debuted in the months the calendar suggests, starting with January 2007. Apparently, Hidden Mickey pins became “old news” as the usual references to finding new ones in the Dizpins News Archive didn’t happen. Or people posted about them on the forums, which were not archived.
WDW Hidden Mickey 2008
WDW Hidden Mickey 2008 Checklist
Another Disney’s Pin Celebration, and a debut of another Hidden Mickey series. After release at the event September 5-7, 2007, WDW Hidden Disney Series 2 were released in weekly Waves. Here are the links for the October 2007 – January 2008 waves.
October 2007 Wave
November 2007 Wave
December 2007 Wave
January 2008 Wave
Addressing collectors concerns about authenticity, Disney began selling Hidden Mickey pouches in November 2008 as an alternative way for collectors to acquire Hidden Mickey pins. Each blue, green or red pouch contained 2 pins from a specific 2008 sub-series.
The initially released “Rolf” pin from the Muppets sub-series is an error pin. The correct spelling is “Rowlf.” When Hidden Mickey packs were released for purchase in May 2008 Disney had corrected the spelling.
Completer pins debuted June 13, 2008 as a Purchase with Purchase (PWP) promotion at Disney’s Pin Traders. Pins were $1 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
DLR Hidden Mickey 2008
DLR Hidden Mickey 2008 Checklist
Like at WDW, to address collector concerns about authenticity, DLR began selling pins from this collection via Hidden Mickey pouches containing 2 pins from a specific sub-series in blue, green or red pouches.
WDW Hidden Mickey 2009
WDW Hidden Mickey 2009 Checklist
A page included in the information packet for Disney’s Pin Celebration showed photos of the pins that could be found on trading boards September 5-6, 2008. There was quite the conversation over *what* everyone would come to know as “Buckeye Mickey” actually was. Ohioans for the win. The entire series made its park debut in November 2008. Specific sub-series pins were also sold in blue, green or red pouches.
This was the last year Hidden Mickey pins regularly debuted on event Trading Boards. The 2009 event was held in June, which was too early to announce the 2010 pins, and in 2010 they changed the release pattern entirely. Eight Completer pins for this series were released, exclusively via trading boards June 26-27, 2009 at Disney’s Pin Celebration event.
Disney made another error with the Height Requirement sign pin. On the original release, the two horizontal lines were filled with white enamel. A corrected version, with black enamel released in November 2008.
DLR Hidden Mickey 2009
DLR Hidden Mickey 2009 Checklist
With Dizpins ending news updates at the end of 2008, and Disney Pin Forum not starting until October 2010, information regarding the release of this series is lost to time. Remember, kids… digital information is not forever. Like WDW, pouches were blue, green or red, depending on sub-series.
DLR Hidden Mickey 2010
DLR Hidden Mickey 2010 Checklist
Same warning as 2009… keep analog copies of things you want preserved. I did find an old blog commentary about Disneyland people upset that the 2010 pins were released “all at once,” beginning in January 2010, instead of one set per month, like previous years. I assume since WDW’s pouches were Yellow, DLR’s were also Yellow. Completer pins debuted October 2010 as a Purchase with Purchase (PWP) promotion. Pins were $1 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
WDW Hidden Mickey 2010
WDW Hidden Mickey 2010 Checklist
New pins debuted in January 2010. For the first time, WDW’s Hidden Mickeys aligned with DLR’s with all pins releasing at the start of the year (instead of Fall). New to 2010, the concept of Shared Releases with the Country Bears set released at both DLR and WDW. This collection was sold in Yellow pouches. Completer pins debuted April 10, 2010 as a property wide Purchase with Purchase (PWP) promotion. Pins were $1 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
DLR Hidden Mickey 2011 Wave A
DLR Hidden Mickey 2011 Wave A
A Disney Parks Blog post revealed Wave A pins would release in either January or February, but it turned out to be March 2011, according to a DPF post. Two Deebees (Engineer and Spaceman) were Shared Releases with WDW. Completer pins for 2011 Wave A and B debuted November 26, 2011 as a Purchase with Purchase (PWP) promotion. Pins were $2.95 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
WDW Hidden Mickey 2011 Wave A
WDW Hidden Mickey 2011 Wave A Checklist
Old DPF posts reveal WDW Wave A pins were spotted on January 28, 2011.
Two Deebees (Engineer and Spaceman) were Shared Releases with DLR. Completer pins for 2011 Wave A and B debuted March 2012 as a Purchase with Purchase promotion (PWP). Pins were $2.95 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
DLR Hidden Mickey 2011 Wave B
DLR Hidden Mickey 2011 Wave B Checklist
Old DPF posts mention managers with Wave B pins in early July 2011. Figaro T-shirt was a Shared Release. However, errors in the WDW pin meant they were actually different. Completer pins for 2011 Wave A and B debuted November 26, 2011 as a Purchase with Purchase (PWP) promotion. Pins were $2.95 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
WDW Hidden Mickey 2011 Wave B
WDW Hidden Mickey 2011 Wave B Checklist
There were two errors with the T-shirt sub-series for this wave. As mentioned, in 2011 Disney debuted silver, unfilled chasers. These chasers are marked “X of 20” on the back of the pin instead of “X of 5” like the filled versions. However, the Mickey T-Shirt and Figaro T-Shirt arrived with their chasers…which are marked “X of 20” on the back, indicating they were supposed to be chasers… filled with enamel. Corrected, actual silver chasers were released later in 2011. There was a second error with the Figaro T-shirt. The bottom corners are supposed to be white, and on the original WDW pin they are black. I think DLR received the correct version, as that pin was a Shared release (the only one).
That may not be the craziest thing regarding the new chasers. Since they aren’t shown on the checklist, future collectors might guess this is a fake pin situation. Two of the WDW silver chasers from this Wave are Colorful Figments. But the base of the Colorful Figments look identical. It’s the pigment that makes them different, so why make two of these pins chasers? Who knows, but they did! One is marked “12 of 20” the other “20 of 20.” Disney released it this way, so they are legitimately different pins, and to be completist means having both.
Completer pins for 2011 Wave A and B debuted March 16, 2012 as a Purchase with Purchase promotion (PWP). Pins were $2.95 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
A final note, on Oct 1, 2012 Disney released a Hidden Mickey pin celebrating Epcot’s 30th anniversary, that could only be traded from Epcot Cast Members. While this pin does not have the silver Mickey Icon on the front of the pin, it says “Hidden Mickey Pin” on the back. This pin doesn’t appear on the checklist.
DLR Hidden Mickey 2012 Wave A
DLR Hidden Mickey 2012 Wave A Checklist
According to old DPF posts, the first pins were spotted on January 25, 2012. The Zodiac sub-series were Shared Release, although DLR and WDW received different silver chasers. Completer pins for 2012 Wave A & Wave B debuted February 22, 2013 as a Purchase with Purchase (PWP) promotion. Pins were $2.95 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
WDW Hidden Mickey 2012 Wave A
WDW Hidden Mickey 2012 Wave A Checklist
According to old DPF posts, the first pins were spotted on January 8, 2012. The Zodiac sub-series were Shared Release, although DLR and WDW received different silver chasers. Completer pins for Wave A and B debuted February 13, 2013 as a Purchase with Purchase (PWP) promotion.
DLR Hidden Mickey 2012 Wave B
DLR Hidden Mickey 2012 Wave B Checklist
According to old DPF posts, pins debuted July 18, 2012. Duffy Hat series complemented a similar WDW series, but there were no Shared Releases. Completer pins for 2012 Wave A & Wave B debuted February 22, 2013 as a Purchase with Purchase (PWP) promotion. Pins were $2.95 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
WDW Hidden Mickey 2012 Wave B
WDW Hidden Mickey 2012 Wave B Checklist
According to old DPF posts, a few may have trickled out in June, but were definitely out by July 10, 2012. Duffy Hat series complemented a similar DLR series, but there were no Shared Releases. Completer pins for Wave A and B debuted February 13, 2013 as a Purchase with Purchase (PWP) promotion.
DLR Hidden Mickey 2013 Wave A
WDW Hidden Mickey 2013 Wave A Checklist
According to an old DPF post, pins debuted January 26, 2013. Character Popcorn labels were a Shared Release with WDW. Purple pouches were released June 25, 2013. 11 Completer pins for 2013 Wave A and B were released February 2014. In a distribution error WDW did not receive the Popcorn Label Mickey, so it was only sold at DLR. Pins were $2.95 per $30 spend on pin merchandise.
WDW Hidden Mickey 2013 Wave A
WDW Hidden Mickey 2013 Wave A Checklist
According to old DPF posts, pins were spotted January 22, 2013. Character Popcorn labels were a Shared Release with DLR. Purple pouches were released June 25, 2013. Completer pins for 2013 Wave A and B debuted March 2014. In a distribution error WDW only received 9 pins. Popcorn Mickey was intended to be a Shared Release, but WDW did not receive them. Pins were $2.95 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
Not because of errors, but because of the similar colors, it’s a good idea to check the numbers on the back of your Friendship Boats to make sure you didn’t miss or duplicate one.
DLR Hidden Mickey 2013 Wave B
DLR Hidden Mickey 2013 Wave B Checklist
According to DPF posts, DLR pins debuted on Disneyland’s birthday July 17, 2013. There were no Shared Releases In this series, however the Disney Birds sub-series were complementary. Pins from this collection were sold in Yellow pouches. Completer pins for 2013 Wave A and B were released February 2014. Pins were $2.95 per $30 spend on pin merchandise.
WDW Hidden Mickey 2013 Wave B
WDW Hidden Mickey 2013 Wave B Checklist
There were no Shared Releases In this series, however the Disney Birds sub-series were complementary. Pins from this collection were sold in Yellow pouches. Completer pins for 2013 Wave A and B debuted March 2014. Pins were $2.95 per $30 spent on pin merchandise.
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2014 Wave A
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2014 Wave A (Disney Parks Blog)
If you prefer PDF, DLR followed by WDW
DLR Hidden Mickey 2014 Wave A Checklist
WDW Hidden Mickey 2014 Wave A Checklist
According to DPF posts, DLR pins were spotted around March 10, 2014. Scoop Sanderson, at WDW, had some pins in January, but resort wide release did not occur until March 2014. Shared releases for this Wave are the “it’s a small world” collection. Pins from this series were sold in a Blue pouch. No Completer pins were made for this series.
You’ll notice WDW released a Nemo Sketchpad pin as an alternate *enamel filled* chaser, instead of a silver, unfilled chaser. But this time, they noticed before they made the checklist, and didn’t have to produce a correct pin.
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2014 Wave B
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2014 Wave B (Disney Parks Blog)
If you prefer PDF, DLR followed by WDW…
DLR Hidden Mickey 2014 Wave B Checklist
WDW Hidden Mickey 2014 Wave B Checklist
DLR pins debuted July 13, 2014 according to DPF posts. No Shared Releases, but more complementary Disney Birds. Due to the 2015 West Coast port strike, WDW and DLR swapped pins in early 2015 to cover the gap. So you could find 2014 DLR Wave B pins on lanyards at WDW, and 2014 WDW Wave B pins on lanyards at DLR. No Completer pins were made for this series.
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2015 Wave A
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2015 Wave A (Disney Parks Blog)
As a result of delays caused by the 2015 West Coast port strike, 2015 pins did not actually make their debut until May 15, 2015 at WDW and July 2015 at DLR. Disney Villain Neckties were a Shared Release, including the silver chaser,
For the first time, four WDW or four DLR Completer pins were distributed in Hidden Mickey pouches at their respective resort. Since Villain Neckties were a Shared Release, so is the Hook Completer. Pink pouches went on sale at WDW in July 2018. With these type of pins no longer made available through a PWP series, or as part of the regular lanyard release, significantly fewer of these pins were produced, which affects secondary market values.
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2015 Wave B
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2015 Wave B (Disney Parks Blog)
With Wave A being pushed back, Wave B was pushed back as well releasing in November 2015. Five DLR or four WDW Completer pins for this Wave were distributed in Hidden Mickey pouches at their respective resort. Dark Blue Pouches were released at DLR February 21, 2018.
2016
Due to continuing merchandise delays caused by the 2015 West Coast port strike, 2016 Hidden Mickey pins were cancelled entirely. Pins previewed at the 2016 Disney’s Pin Celebration event, and expected in late 2016, became the 2017 Series.
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2017
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2017 (Disney Parks Blog)
New Hidden Mickey pins finally arrived in January 2017. Reports from WDW on January 20th confirmed the game was once again, afoot. Although multiple waves were expected, only these pins released in 2017. Smiling Disney Villains were a Shared Release, including the silver chaser version.
Five Completer pins for their respective resort are exclusive to White pouches which went on sale August 2018, and therefore are more limited.
DLR and WDW Hidden Mickey 2018
Disney did not prepare checklists for 2018 pins. They were previewed at Disney’s Pin Celebrations in 2017 & 2018, so we have Internet Archive links to the DisneyPinsBlog.com posts about these series.
Wave A
DLR and WDW 2018 Hidden Mickey Wave A (Disney Pins Blog)
WDW Wave A pins were found beginning March 25, 2018. According to Disney pin people at that year’s Disney’s Pin Celebration, DLR Wave A pins were never ordered! A mistake they did not realize until delivery of WDW’s pins. They finally arrived October 31, 2018. Big Feet Characters were Shared Releases, including Pooh Completer. Mint Green pouches containing 2018 Wave A pins were released September 18, 2018 at DLR and October 22, 2018 at WDW. Five Completer pins were only released in pouches, and therefore are more limited.
Wave B
DLR and WDW 2018 Hidden Mickey Wave B (Disney Pins Blog)
WDW Wave B pins, in a shocking return to tradition, were found on trading boards at Disney’s Pin Celebration August 24-25, 2018 and spotted in the parks September 21, 2018. DLR pins were spotted on September 11, 2018. Shared Releases for this series are Character Snacks. Completer pins were released during lanyard release, so all series are six pins not five.
DLR and WDW Hidden Disney 2019
Disney prepared but did not publish Hidden Mickey or Hidden Disney checklists. DisneyPinsBlog.com was supplied with the digital files for Waves A, B and C. Completer pins were released during lanyard release, so all waves have six pins, not five.
Wave A
DLR and WDW 2019 Hidden Mickey Wave A (Disney Pins Blog)
Character Presents were Shared Releases (including silver chaser) and 8-bit Characters were complementary. Orange pouches containing 2019 Wave A pins were released July 2019.
Wave B
DLR and WDW 2019 Hidden Mickey Wave B (Disney Pins Blog)
Animated Shorts were Shared Releases (including silver chaser) and Princesses were complementary. Lime Green pouches containing 2019 Wave B pins were released October 2019.
Wave C
DLR and WDW 2019 Hidden Mickey Wave C (Disney Pins Blog)
Disney changed how they did the unfilled chasers in this wave. DLR’s chasers received a teal tint, WDW’s chasers received a purple tint. Dog Houses were Shared Releases, but with completely different chasers). Cranberry pouches containing 2019 Wave C pins were released in December 2019.