Steamboat Willie Ear Headband

Collectibility

This pin is highly desirable due to its status as a Chaser variant within the Disneyland Resort (DLR) Hidden Disney 2025: Wave A "Ear Headband" series. Chaser pins are significantly rarer than the standard pins in a Hidden Mickey set, as they are not sold directly but must be acquired through Cast Member (CM) trading, making them Hard to Find (HTF). Its depiction of Steamboat Willie, an iconic and historically significant version of Mickey Mouse, further enhances its appeal. The classic black-and-white aesthetic and its connection to the seminal 1928 film contribute to its strong collector demand.

Historical Context

The pin celebrates Steamboat Willie, the groundbreaking animated short film released on November 18, 1928. This film marked the public debut of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse and was revolutionary as the first cartoon with fully synchronized sound, forever changing the animation industry. The *Steamboat Willie* film itself entered the U.S. public domain on January 1, 2024, nearly 95 years after its release, sparking renewed interest in this original character design. At Disneyland Resort, *Steamboat Willie* has a continuous presence, having played at the Main Street Cinema since the 1980s.

Tags