TheWalt Disney Companyis an American multinational, mass media and entertainment corporation, composed of several independent businesses, that was founded in 1923 by brothers Walt and Roy O. Disney. The company established itself in the animation industry with the cartoon character Mickey Mouse, who first appeared inSteamboat Willie, becoming the first post-produced sound cartoon by using synchronized sound. Mickey Mouse soon became the mascot of The Walt Disney Company, which is now officially abbreviated and known as Disney. Disney became a major success by the early 1940s, then in the 1950s diversified and expanded to include live-action films, television, theme parks, and more. Over time, Disney also created beloved characters that have captivated audiences for decades and continue to in the present day.
Disney characters are known to depict wholesome morals and positive values while displaying bravery, loyalty, tolerance, and strength throughout the adventures encountered in their storylines. With so many characters to have come into existence throughout the years, Disney cameos have also developed, which involve characters from Disney films appearing in other Disney films that are not related to one another. The character cameos often go unnoticed as their appearances have no relation to the film, but fans have been enthralled with finding all the cameos. The list below includes some of the most surprising cameos made by Disney characters that you may have missed when first watching the classic films. From classic films created in the early days to modern ones, here are Disney character cameos in other Disney movies.
10The Great Mouse Detective (1986)
The Great Mouse Detectiveis a1986 animated mystery adventure filmabout rodents living in Victorian London, and inspired bySherlock Holmes, with a heroic mouse who consciously emulates him. When Basil and Dawson head to the tavern disguised as sailors, they spot Fidget there and follow him to Ratigan’s headquarters, where they are ambushed by Ratigan and his henchmen. One of Ratigan’s henchmen is actually Bill the Lizard fromAlice in Wonderland, wherein he is a chimney sweeper recruited to pull out the giant Alice monster from the chimney. Other cameos that can also be found in the film include Dumbo as a bubble blowing toy in a Toy Store and the Dog wagon fromLady and the Tramp.
Related:Disney Celebrates The Great Mouse Detective on Its 35th Anniversary
9Alice in Wonderland (1951)
Alice in Wonderlandis a 1951 animated fantasy film about a young girl named Alice who dreams about entering an imaginary world full of wondrous characters and adventures. At the beginning of the film, when Alice sings “In A World Of My Own”, the bluebird originally featured inBambiappears flying around. During the tale told by Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum ofThe Walrus and the Carpenter, the fishes that appear watching the Walrus are the same fish featured inPinocchio. The school of fish appears in the filmPinocchiowhen watching him searching for Monstro.Alice in Wonderlandalso features a cameo of José Carioca from Disney’s 1943 animated filmSaludos Amigosas one of the members of the jury.
Related:How Alice In Borderland Parallels Alice in Wonderland
8The Little Mermaid (1989)
The Little Mermaidis a1989 musical fantasy filmabout a mermaid princess in the kingdom of Atlantica, who is dissatisfied living underwater and fascinated by the human world. In the beginning of the film, during King Triton’s entrance, Kermit the Frog fromThe Muppetsis featured walking among the crowd of mermaid people. Kermit is followed by Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy. Ron Clements is the co-director ofThe Little Mermaid, andhe explained the cameos saying, “In that particular case, and I would say this to the case of how a lot of these things happen, the animator who animated the crowd in that scene did that himself as a little inside joke, and I think he did it for himself.” Later, The King and The Grand Duke fromCinderellaalso appear during the wedding scene.
Related:The Little Mermaid Trailer Breaks a New Disney Record
7The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)
The Hunchback of Notre Dameis a 1996 animated musical drama film about Quasimodo, a deformed bell-ringer of Notre Dame, who is confined but yearns to be accepted by society. Disney cameos in the film include the rat fromLady and the Trampin the beginning, followed byBelle fromBeauty and the Beast, Pumba fromThe Lion King, and Magic Carpet fromAladdinfeatured during the song “Out There”.Disney superfan Juju explained: “We knowBeauty and the Beastis set in France, and we know Belle likes to read and walk. Well, inThe Hunchback of Notre Dame, you can literally see Belle during the ‘Out There’ song.“The Hunchback of Notre Damefilm was released five years afterBeauty and the Beast.
Related:The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Adult Themes in the Animated Classic
6Tarzan (1999)
Tarzanis a 1999 animated adventure film about a British couple shipwrecked in Africa who are killed by a leopard, leaving their infant son to be adopted by a gorilla. The infant grows into an adult named Tarzan and kills the leopard with a spear, gaining the approval of the leader of the pack of gorillas he was raised with. Disney cameos in the film include Mrs. Potts and Chip fromBeauty and the Beastat the Porter’s camp, and the doll of Little Brother fromMulanappearing in the background of a gorilla scene. Disney fans speculate the cameo suggestsa familial link between Belle and Jane, including similarities in their appearance, dresses, and affinity for literature, but the theory has not been proven.
Related:Tarzan Reboot Planned at Sony, Will Be Total Reinvention for the 21st Century
5Lilo & Stitch (2002)
Lilo & Stitchis a2002 animated science fiction comedyfilm about a Hawaiian girl named Lilo, who is raised by her older sister, Nani, after the death of their parents. Lilo adopts an extraterrestrial creature labeled Experiment 626 as her “dog” and renames it “Stitch”. Stitch was genetically engineered to cause chaos and destruction, but develops a bond that causes him to reconsider being destructive to keep his family together. The film is filled with Disney cameos, including an alien and member of the Galactic Order resembling Piglet and Tigger, the ball fromLuxo, Jr., and A113 on a truck. Other cameos also include Dumbo as one of Lilo’s toys, “Mulan Wok” as the name of a Chinese restaurant, Cinderella’s Castle on a postcard for Orlando, Florida, aMulanposter in Nani’s room, andThe Ugly Ducklingin Lilo’s storybook.
Related:Disney’s Live-Action Lilo & Stitch: Plot, Cast, Release Date, and Everything Else We Know
4The Princess and the Frog (2009)
The Princess and the Frogis a 2009animated musical fantasy filmabout Tiana, who aspires to own a restaurant and works two jobs to make it happen. After Tiana turns into a frog by kissing a frog prince, she must find a way to become human again before it is too late. Disney cameos appearing in the film include A113 on a trolley, The Magic Carpet during “Down in New Orleans”, Jack Skellington as one of the shadows Dr. Facilier summons, and Genie’s Lamp during “Dig a Little Deeper”. Also, King Triton is featured as a Mardi Gras parade float, two men familiar to Ron Clements and John Musker, and a copy ofRapunzelappears sitting atop a shelf in Charlotte’s room.
Related:Zoe Kravitz Is Tiana in SNL’s Princess and the Frog Parody
3Tangled (2010)
Tangledis a2010 musical adventure fantasy filmabout Rapunzel, a young princess with magical hair who is secluded in a tower that she yearns to leave. With the help of an intruder whose help she accepts, Rapunzel is taken into the world outside of her tower which she has never explored. Disney cameos featured in the film include the spinning wheel from Sleeping Beauty in Rapunzel’s room, Pinocchio during “I’ve Got a Dream”, and A Magic Broom at the Town Square. Other cameos are a storybook ofSleeping Beautydisplayed at a window, Ariel on aLittle Mermaidbook in the Library, andBeauty and the Beastnear Rapunzel and Flynn. Also, the Pigeons fromBolton a castle tower, and the Wardrobe fromBeauty and the Beastin Rapunzel’s room.
Related:Disney Movies that Explore Serious Real-Life Issues
2Moana (2016)
Moanais a 2016 musical action-adventure film about Moana, the strong-willed chief’s daughter of a coastal village, who is chosen by the ocean to reunite a mystical relic with the goddess Te Fiti. When her island is struck by a blight, Moana sets out searching for the legendary demigod, Maui, in hopes of saving her people by returning the relic to Te Fiti. Disney cameos featured in the film include Marshmallow from Frozen on a tapa cloth, and Squirt and Crush fromFinding Nemoin the sandy shore and swimming in the reef. Other cameos include the nose and arm of Olaf fromFrozenin Moana’s boat, Flounder fromThe Little Mermaidamong the fish in “You’re Welcome”, and a mask painting of Baymax fromBig Hero 6on a Kakamora. Also, Genie’s Lamp fromAladdinwithin Tomatoa’s treasure pile in his back, Maui turning into Sven fromFrozenin the middle of “Shiny”, the Sundrop Flower fromTangledduring Motunui’s recovery, andWreck-It-Ralphin the end credits.
1Aladdin (1992)
Aladdinis a 1992 animated musical comedy film about an Arabian street urchin named Aladdin, who finds a magic lamp containing a genie that will grant him three wishes. With the help of Genie, Aladdin disguises himself as a wealthy prince to impress the Sultan and win the heart of his daughter, Princess Jasmine. When the Sultan’s vizier Jafar steals the magic lamp, Aladdin must find a way to get it back to become the genie’s master again and use the lamp for good. Disney cameos featured in the film include two men similar to Ron Clements and John Musker, the rat fromLady and the Tramp, and Pinocchio as one of Genie’s transformations. Also, Sebastian during the prince scene, Beast as one of the Sultan’s toys, Mickey Mouse during a single frame nearing the finale, and Goofy as the mascot on Genie’s cap.
