It’s not a complete first trip to Disney without picking up your very own Mickey Mouse Ears Hat with your name embroidered in gold on the back. It’s a rite of passage beginning with their history in the 1950s as the signature look for a Mouseketeer, to today where variations light up with evening spectaculars, we’ll take a deeper look at our favorite Disney souvenir, the Mickey Mouse Ears Hat. (Sorry friends, a look a Minnie Mouse Headbands is coming later.)

Mickey Mouse Ears History

Beginning in the 1950s with the Mickey Mouse Club, the first Mouseketeers to wear these hats throughout the show and they quickly became something that Disney fans everywhere dreamed about wearing. The original concept was actually inspired by Mouseketeer, Roy Williams, who was inspired when he saw Mickey tip his ears to Minnie in the 1929 short The Karnival Kid. The first version was crafted from felt with two large plastic ears and has evolved over time to take various themes and designs that are sold all over Disney properties today.

Where to Buy Mickey Mouse Ears

There are a number of places to buy Mickey Mouse Ears, both official (and unofficial which are not covered in this post.) Here’s a quick rundown of where you can find them inside and outside the parks.

1. Online: shopDisney

Hands down the single best place to get Disney merchandise, including items from the parks. They keep a regular array of Mickey Mouse Ear Hats (and headbands) available. Read More >>

2. Disneyland: The Mad Hatter on Main Street, U.S.A

Head into Disneyland Park in style with a stop at this Main Street, U.S.A. shop. It’s filled to the brim with so many caps and on-site personalization on a pair of Mickey Ears. Read More >>

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3. Disneyland: The Mad Hatter in Fantasyland

Top off a whimsical trip through Fantasyland by taking your pick from all kinds of Disney-themed headwear and a full array of Mickey Mouse Ears. Read More >>

4. Walt Disney World: Chapel Hats in Disney Springs

Tip your cap to the fashionable chaps at Chapel Hats, who specialize in and carry just about every kind of headwear you can possibly imagine. Read More >>

5. Disneyland Paris: ABC Shopping on Main Street, U.S.A

Head into Disneyland Park in style with a stop at this Main Street, U.S.A. shop. It’s filled to the brim with so many caps, you’re sure to find the perfect Mickey Mouse Ears Hat. Read More >>

6. Disneyland Hong Kong: Merlin’s Treasures in Fantasyland

Find all kinds of treasures inside the walls of this quaint cottage—tucked into the coziest corner of Fantasyland. Read More >>

7.Disney Resort Shanghai: Mickey & Minnie’s Mercantile in Fantasyland

It’s the only location in all of Shanghai Disneyland where you can find Mickey Mouse ear hats featuring your name in embroidered in English or Chinese—available for the very first time in any Disney theme park! Read More >>

Top 10 Mickey Mouse Ears Hats (Our Favorites)

There are so many variations of Mickey Mouse Ears that we can’t possibly list (or collect) them all. However, in the spirit of our favorite souvenir, here’s a list of our top 10 collectible hats from over the years. (And for some, where you can buy yours right now.)

1. The Original Mouseketeers Hat

We can’t help but list this one first. It’s the original and, in our opinion, the best look for the Mickey Mouse Ears Hats in all of history.

2. Club 33 Mickey Mouse Ears Hat

There’s only one place to buy this hat, you guessed it, inside the elusive Club 33. A top collectible for rare Disney items, it’s royal blue and Club 33 embroidery makes this hat a sight to behold.

3. Disneyland Diamond Anniversary Sequined Ears

Designed for Disneyland’s 60^th Anniversary, these bling-bling ears are second to only the Swarovski Minnie Headband that was released as part of the 60^th Anniversary merchandise.

4. Chip N’ Dale Mickey Ears Hat

They’re just a couple of crazy rascals out to have some fun, but you can bet our two-sided Chip ‘n’ Dale ear hat will have Donald on the run! Don’t make too much mischief while wearing this nutty chipmunk topper.

5. Minnie Mouse Ear Hat with Silver Polka Dots

Forever hold your banner high in Minnie’s Mouseketeer ear hat with sparkling silver polka-dots and a red sequined bow. Why? Because she likes you! Buy Online

6. Hollywood Tower of Terror Mickey Ears Hat

Turn any elevator upside down with this Hollywood Tower Hotel ear hat direct from the Disney Parks Twilight Zone Tower of Terror attraction.

7. Lion King Simba Mickey Mouse Ears

This hat roared it’s way into as a salute to “Festival of the Lion King” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in 2011 and was difficult to find since it was only sold in that specific park.

8. Haunted Mansion 40^th Anniversary Limited Edition

Created to celebrate the Haunted Mansion’s 40^th Anniversary, this hat came with its own collectible box, pin, and Vinylmation figure.

9. Pinocchio Mickey Mouse Ears Hat

Give a little whistle for this charming Pinocchio Ears Hat. Features Pinocchio accompanied by his Official Conscience, Jiminy Cricket on his ears.

10. Bride & Groom Mickey & Minnie Mouse Ear Hats

Okay, so this is “two” hats, but we have to mention them in this list. Who doesn’t find the newly engaged, married, or anniversary celebrating couples strolling around in these adorable hats? We always share a “congrats” with them! Buy the Groom here and the Bride here.

And honorable mention…

The Classic Mickey Mouse Ears Hat

Disneyland Version (Personalize & Purchase Online)

Walt Disney World Version (Personalize & Purchase Online)