Mickey Mouse to Be Replaced as Disney Mascot? Here’s the Truth

In the newest round of rumors making their way across the internet, Disney fans are concerned that their favorite—Mickey Mouse—will be replaced.

Mickey Mouse is a household name. He’s the mouse that started it all. The mouse has an entire documentary created about him and is so fundamental to the Disney brand that the company has a special protection for him. But it appears not all is well in the world of Disney.

The rumor mill is back at it, with a viral video that has now convinced many Disney fans that Mickey Mouse is soon going to be replaced by the EPCOT favorite, Figment. The rumor appears to have originated from this video, captioned “This might be the saddest day in Disney history.”

Check it out:

@mousetrapnews

This might be the saddest day in the history of Disney 😭 #disneyworld #disneynews #mickeymouse #waltdisney #figment #thewaltdisneycompany

♬ original sound – olinhere – olinhere

The news has surprised Disney fans, and many took to various social media to share their shock at this sudden “development.”

https://twitter.com/sillyhotelmusic/status/1623938598549741568

Another fan questioned the possibility of this at all, questioning how the company could possibly lose the rights to their own character:

Is it true Mickey Mouse will no longer be the Disney mascot? Not really sure how they can lose the rights to their own character?

— Grá (@GraberryBear) February 10, 2023

What’s interesting is that with Mickey Mouse entering the public domain and sharp Disney fans catching the change in music at the Disney Parks and wondering if Disney lost the rights to their own music as well, this kind of question might feel perfectly reasonable to ask.

But can any Disney Fanatic genuinely buy into this?

Mickey Mouse is one of the most iconic characters in history and is the pillar around which the Walt Disney Company has built its brand over the last 100 years. Yes, Figment is certainly a beloved character—recalling the lines for the Figment popcorn bucket last year is enough evidence of that—but to replace Mickey Mouse is unimaginable, and whether fans believe Disney is making good and sustainable business decisions or otherwise, this is a little too out of the realm of possibility to be real.

Over the years, many strange rumors have circulated: Cinderella Castle being replaced, Disney’s Animal Kingdom being permanently closed (particularly surprising considering Disney CEO Bob Iger recently clarified that attendance at the Disney Park has, in fact, increased), and now this.

However, Disney fans can rest easy knowing that this is nothing more than a rumor and their favorite Mickey Mouse is safe where he is.