For many fans, the 90s were the best time for Disney flicks. With films like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King, Disney kept releasing hit after hit. It was arguably the brightest era for Disney royalty, hence the fan-created name “Disney Renaissance.”
The films of this period are so classic, they’ve been watched and rewatched hundreds of times over. It’s during these rewatches that a few hidden winks to the audience surface; treats provided by the Disney animators for the fans. Though Disney has always had a knack for slipping easter eggs into their films, they outdid themselves in the 90s. Here are just ten of the most prominent to look for on your next viewing.
Familiar Wedding Guests
One thing many Disney fans have noticed over the years is that several films have indicated a shared universe from as early as Bambi. Disney Princess movies are no exception to the rule, but they just might go a little further with some of their hidden characters. Have a look at these two familiar faces at Prince Eric’s wedding.
Those who have seen Cinderella will more than likely recognize the King and Grand Duke hanging out with some of the other wedding attendees while Scuttle and his pals crash the party. Maybe Eric is a relative? He does look like a more detailed version of Cindy’s prince after all.
Mickey Hits the Books
This one is blatantly obvious but at the same time, very well disguised. Along with hiding familiar characters in their other animated films, the studio is notorious for hiding the profile of its famous mascot in nearly every single animated film they produce. Beauty and the Beast was no exception.
When the Beast gives Belle the beautiful library of her dreams, it’s not only a grand and romantic gesture on the Beast’s part, but it also gives us a giant, golden hidden Mickey hanging right under the ceiling. Guess even the French masters have a taste for the mouse.
Best Among Beasts
Speaking of the Beast, the large mass of fur, fangs, and claws would eventually become an easter egg himself when Aladdin hit the scene in 1992. If you didn’t catch his little cameo, don’t feel bad, he was slightly better hidden than the Cave of Wonders. A pause button is definitely necessary for this one.
While the Sultan is busy amusing himself with a collection of stackable animals, a toy version of the Beast can be seen hidden in the mountain of mammals, cape and all. Though it’s unclear how the two tales fit on a timeline, but we do appreciate this little nod to the character.
Summoning Sebastian
It goes without saying that Robin Williams obliterated the fourth wall with his portrayal of the Genie from Aladdin. In fact, almost his entire performance is packed to the brim with references and familiar impressions, but since the focus is on the Disney Renaissance here, one particular nod to another famous Disney flick stands out.
While the Genie is looking up ways to make Aladdin into a prince, he literally pulls Sebastian from The Little Mermaid out from the pages of a recipe book. It’s a corny little gag, but very endearing to Disney fans.
Something with a Little Bounce In It
Of all the films of the Disney Renaissance, The Lion King was the biggest and most beloved. Naturally, it’s not without a handful of easter eggs and Hidden Mickeys as well. That being said, there are few more blatant and obvious than a certain little song that Zazu begins to sing much to Scar’s (and others’) chagrin.
There should be a record scratch sound effect the moment he breaks into “It’s a Small World” for more reasons than one. First of all, how does he know the song being miles away from the nearest Disney Park? Second, how does the world not implode from this level of self-awareness?
He’d Make a Very Handsome Throw Rug
Ok, Zazu has gone from bending the rules of the Disney universe to straight-up predicting the future. At the end of his tyrannical reign, Scar is cast to the starving maws of his hyena henchmen, but that apparently wasn’t the end of his story.
The next time the mad monarch appears is when Hercules wears him as a pelt. Does this mean Scar escaped and everyone’s favorite demigod turned him into a fashion statement? There are a lot of questions here, but there’s no denying that that’s Scar Herc’s wearing as he gets his portrait painted.
Many Mickeys
Pocahontas was a very different feature at the time of release. In fact, Disney was trying to do all within their power to make sure it was a more professionally made picture, using the top artists, animators, and actors to bring it to life. Though not exactly what they’d hoped for, it definitely has a fair share of Hidden Mickeys for fans to enjoy.
There aren’t really any major easter eggs in the film, but Mickey appears in everything from smoke to sunflowers in this film. That takes some very creative design.
A Poor Provincial Town?
Disney’s adaptation of The Hunchback of Notre Dame is the very definition of an underrated masterpiece. Due to the film’s incredible scale, there’s more than enough room for a fine selection of easter eggs to go around. However, there’s one nod to the audience that pulls on everyone’s heartstrings.
As Quasimodo is looking out upon the city below, a familiar peasant girl can be seen with a dreamy far-off look and her nose stuck in a book. Belle is literally wandering through the streets of Paris, making everyone wonder if Beauty and the Beast takes place during the same time period.
A Pot of Tea
Tarzan was one of the last hurrahs for the Disney Renaissance and it was definitely one of the best of the era, incorporating new animation techniques and an absolutely killer soundtrack by the legendary Phil Collins. There’s a lot to admire about this trek through the African jungles, but there’s a very charming cameo hidden in the explorer’s camp.
Before Terk, Tantor, and the rest of the apes start trashing the camp, viewers see a very familiar tea set amongst the unpacked gear. Could it be Mrs. Potts and Chip were passed down to Jane Porter’s family? Color us intrigued.
Directors Get Into the Fun
Another common trope of Disney animation is having the film’s director(s) make an animated cameo somewhere in their films, whether as an animated version of themselves, voicing a character, or both. It’s a tradition that’s been done for a good while, but none are better known than Musker and Clements.
John Musker and Ron Clements are almost notorious for their director work and their cameos, having been featured in films like The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, and Hercules. Since they’ve continued to do work for the studio, their cameos have continued outside the 90s and have since been featured in films like Treasure Planet and even Moana.
