Bret Iwan is the official voice of Mickey Mouse. This is a role he has held since 2009. He also is a very talented designer. Couple these talents with his love of all things Disney Parks, there is an opportunity to create something very special. For the Expedition Mickey Mouse Collection, Bret stepped into the role of lead designer to reimagine Mickey Mouse in a way that is close to his own heart.

This new collection will officially launch on November 1st at Disney Springs. Ahead of the release, Bret sat down with the Disney Parks Blog to talk about the inspiration for this collection, Easter eggs, the power of fandom, and why this collection is a dream come true for Bret! Check out this interview here:

Disney Parks Blog: You’ve been the voice of Mickey Mouse for over a decade now, but are also an amazing visual artist. How did stepping into a lead design role for this particular merchandise collection compare to the process of bringing Mickey to life through voice acting?  

Bret: It’s been over 16 years now, which is somewhat hard for me to believe. It’s funny because being a Disney artist was my dream from an early age. Becoming the voice of Mickey Mouse is an opportunity that I’m beyond grateful for, but never expected. And in some ways, being an artist and voicing Mickey have gone hand-in-hand for as long as I can remember. I’m such a visual person, that when I’m recording Mickey, it helps to picture a little hand drawn character bouncing around.

So, stepping into this specific merchandise collection gave me another amazing opportunity to combine my two passions. This is the very first collection where it’s entirely my vision. I did all of the artwork, but I was also involved in making decisions about the color, fabric, textures, stitching, and the overall construction. From a detail perspective, that whole process has been so exciting! 

But I think that attention to detail when designing plays a part in voicing Mickey as well. As the voice of Mickey, it’s really important for me to know the character: to know his history, to know his legacy, to know what he would and wouldn’t do, what he would and wouldn’t say, and even how he thinks. Similarly, that same detail-focused mindset goes into developing a collection like this. It’s thinking about how things are going to fit, how things are going to feel, how different pieces will be paired together, and what little visual pops are going to really set it apart from anything else. 

Disney Parks Blog: This new collection is a fun and fresh take on Mickey, with a vibe that feels adventurous, outdoorsy, and rustic. What inspired this Expedition Mickey Mouse theme, and is there a particular sentiment or story that you hope fans take away from it?  

Bret: My aesthetic, for the longest time, has really been based around vintage national parks and outdoor living. Getting outdoors and exploring is one of my favorite things to do. You’ll usually find me in boots, denim, flannel, and lots of layers. This collection was a chance for me to really think about what Bret Iwan’s Mickey Mouse collection would look like.

For the past ten years, I’ve had a collection of posters published by Disney Fine Art’s Cyclops Print Works which are all centered around Mickey visiting different National Parks. I was really inspired by the WPA’s posters from the late 1930s. I think this apparel collection does a really good job of carrying that aesthetic into merchandise — the outdoors and National Parks were a huge inspiration. 

The title of the collection really just goes back to one of my favorite qualities of Mickey, being that he’s an adventurous spirit. I oftentimes say that my favorite quality of Walt Disney was his curiosity. I think Walt was somebody who was always looking towards the future while celebrating the past. He was always looking for the next thing to do — the next thing to learn, the next way to challenge himself. And I’m not the first person to say it, but Walt and Mickey are kind of synonymous. I think Mickey is the personification of a lot of Walt’s qualities. And so my hope is that this collection represents that same spirit of adventure, and maybe even that spirit of curiosity that I tie to Walt so often. 

Disney Parks Blog: The collection includes a variety of items, from cozy flannels and utility jackets to everyday baseball caps and t-shirts. It sounds like your personal interests and style really did influence the overall aesthetic of the collection and the merchandise you chose to create. Were these pieces that you saw yourself wearing and is that why you felt inspired to design them? 

Bret: 100%. There’s been so many great Mickey apparel items over the years — there’s no shortage! It’s awesome that he’s an icon that everybody loves wearing.

But yes, this collection is made up of pieces that I selfishly wanted in my own closet. The flannel shirt is kind of a staple in my wardrobe, and I’m really excited because I got to design the flannel pattern. It’s not just an off-the-shelf piece that I put my art on, the flannel pattern is made up of the color palette from the entire collection. For the sweatshirt, I wanted something that felt like a vintage crewneck, the kind that gets passed down from generation to generation and gets comfier the more it gets worn.

The utility jacket you mentioned is one of my favorites! The outer shell is a heavyweight canvas, and is very utilitarian with lots of pockets. The small accents, like the tab on the pocket or lettering on the buttons, are some of my favorite details. And the patches, including the large appliqué on the back, leave no doubt that you’re ready to hit the trails, or in this case, explore the parks.

Disney Parks Blog: We talked about some of the small details, like the buttons. Were there any other components, like specific patterns or graphics, colors, maybe materials that you were particularly excited about diving into and working with? And are there any Easter eggs fans can look for in the fabric of this collection? 

Bret: I love that the color palette is cohesive throughout the collection, and I really think it works with the theme. Establishing that first and foremost, helped the rest of the collection really come together. Finding moments for details to carry that theme even further, like on the buttons, was just the icing on the cake.

But I’m really excited about all of the art assets that I was able to create and how they were applied as either a patch, appliqué of embroidery. This collection gave me an opportunity to draw Mickey geared up for an outdoor adventure.

And there are some great Easter eggs too! If you look at the pattern on the short sleeve button down shirt, tucked in amongst lanterns, trees, and even Pluto, you may catch a glimpse of a few park icons like Big Thunder Mountain, The Matterhorn, and Everest. It was fun to add elements that tied Mickey’s exploration back to the Disney Parks. I can’t think of anywhere else where you can go and get a true representation of so many different landscapes.

Disney Parks Blog: This collection was created specifically for Disney Parks. Knowing you are a big parks fan yourself, was it important for you that these products were a part of the park experience for fans, and that they could shop for them in-person while visiting and having an adventure of their own?  

Bret: I think there’s something really unique about finding something special when you’re in the park. Finding pieces that help tell the story of your adventure is all part of the immersive experience, and I hope this collection adds one more layer to someone’s visit. One more layer to their parks story. 

I’m a huge parks fan, and I’m often asked, out of all the Mickey projects I’ve voiced, what my favorite is.  Well, it’s really hard to pick — I work on so many projects, everything from TV shows to toys and video games, cruise ships, and of course, the parks. But, I always say the parks are my favorite projects because growing up, Disneyland was my favorite place on earth. And to this day, there’s nothing like going to a Disney Park, and becoming fully immersed the minute you walk through those gates.

The reason I particularly love voicing Mickey in parks projects is that it’s a performance that turns into an experience, and it’s something that I can go enjoy with our guests. When Mickey comes out on the castle stage, you hear people cheer. When Mickey appears in Fantasmic – which by the way is one of my most cherished projects – you hear the crowd erupt, and you really get a sense of what Mickey means to people. And by extension, what our performances as voice actors lend to that experience. So, yes, anytime I get to be a part of the Disney Parks experience, including this collection, is something really special for me. 

Disney Parks Blog: Mickey is such an instantly recognizable and iconic character with a very rich legacy. Our fans know and love him in many forms, and I’m sure many of those forms you’ve been responsible for. How do you see this version of him adding to that legacy? And how did you find the balance of staying true to his classic appearance while also bringing something new to the character’s look? 

Bret: Mickey has had so many iterations over the years. Personally, I’ve always gravitated towards the Mickey design perfected by Freddie Moore. Freddie is credited with giving Mickey a more spherical appearance and giving Mickey pupils, like in ‘The Sorcerers Apprentice’ section of Fantasia. That era of Mickey, the late 30s and early 40s, fit perfectly with the National Parks era I was inspired by, and since it’s my favorite styling of Mickey, it was the perfect starting point. Adding elements like his hat, camping shirt, and shoes made for the trail were just a natural extension of the theme. 

For me, I think Mickey’s strength has been his consistency. And, rather than trying to come up with a new version, I think it’s important to add to the parts of Mickey that we know and love. Expedition Mickey Mouse isn’t so much a new version, as it is a celebration of one of Mickey’s many admirable qualities. We can all relate to a part of Mickey!

Disney Parks Blog: I understand that you and Ashley Eckstein are close friends and that she’s been involved behind the scenes in helping bring this collection to life! Given her experience with Her Universe and designing products for such passionate fan communities, was there anything you learned from her about creating merchandise with fandom at the heart, since you were the one really in the driver’s seat for this collection? 

Bret: Ashley is one of my besties. I’m so fortunate to have her in my life and to have known her as long as I have. She’s always been (her term) the ultimate “hype friend” and has introduced me to so many amazing people who work behind the scenes to create all the magical Disney Parks merchandise.

Ashley and I have worked on a lot of collections together over the years, and there’s nothing like working alongside of of your besties. Her merchandising and apparel knowledge are invaluable, but her connection with the fans is out of this world. I’ve learned so much from her! 

Luckily, I’m no stranger to the power of fandom. First and foremost, I’m just a huge Disney fan who is so lucky to get to play a small part in a legacy that is so near and dear to my heart. I think the one of the reasons Ashley and I became besties as quickly as we did is we joke that I’m the West Coast version to her East Coast version — I’m Disneyland, she’s Walt Disney World. We’re both just kids at heart who love the brand, love these characters, and love these experiences.

Expedition Mickey Mouse Disney Springs Launch Event

The launch event at Disney Springs for the Expedition Mickey Mouse Collection will be on November 1st. It will be a part of the Disney Artist Showcase and feature Bret Iwan! During the event, fans will get that chance to participate in a live Q&A with Bret at the AdventHealth Waterside Stage. He will then lead the World of Disney magical moment opening ceremony when the store first opens to guests for the day. Once this happens, there will be the chance to head over to Disney’s Wonderful World of Memories to participate in a meet and greet with Bret, and also receive a pre-signed item.

Where to Buy New Expedition Mickey Mouse Collection

The new Expedition Mickey Mouse collection will be found at select Disneyland Resort locations starting on October 31st and then select Walt Disney World Resort locations on November 1st. They will be available while supplies last at the following locations:

Disneyland Resort 

• Bonanza Outfitters 
• Rushin River Outfitters 
• Acorns 

Walt Disney World Resort 

• World of Disney 
• Art of Disney 
• Keystone Clothiers 
• Star Traders 

What do you think of this new collection? Are you excited to add some of it to your own personal collection? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!