Summary
2023 marked the 100th anniversary of theWalt Disney Company. That’s right — for a century now, the entertainment powerhouse has been dabbling in everything from beloved animated musicals, to live-action pictures, to constructing theme parks, to hoovering up every piece of intellectual property under the sun. Love it or hate it, Disney is an inextricable part of pop culture, and it’s done well to make it to triple digits.
Its centennial film, Wish, is intended to be the ultimate tribute to the Mouse House’s legacy. Chock-full of Easter eggs, it’s an ‘origin story’ of sorts for many of the tropes and characters we now associate with the brand. But which of these nods are the most magical?
As you might imagine, this list isriddled with spoilers for both the Easter eggs and the (potentially) universe-crossing ending of Wish. If this bothers you, be sure to check the movie out yourself before reading on!
Updated May 22, 2024by Bobby Mills: While Disney’s Wish may not have lit the box office on fire, it’s now hit Disney+ to a much more expansive audience. Now that more peepers than ever are on this (pretty fun) film, we figured the time was right to polish up our checklist of the movie’s best shout-outs, in case you missed any!
12Hidden Mickeys
Well, ‘Hidden’ Might Be A Strong Word
Starting off with a pretty simple one: it just wouldn’t be a Disney production without Hidden Mickeys. Those three circles forming Michael Rodent’s ears are so iconic that the animators like to slip them in wherever possible, and there are tonnes in Wish. Right near the beginning, during ‘Welcome to Rosas’, three merchants in the background cross paths at just the precise moment so their flowerpots align into the shape.
Likewise, when Asha and Star bust into Magnifico’s study, the latter’s magic goes haywire, causing a nearby quill to come to life. As you’ll see in the image, it starts furiously scribbling Mickey’s ears onto parchment. The film even closes with a Hidden Mickey; Star summons a fireworks show for Rosas, and three of the rockets form the pattern. Ha-ha!
11Peter And Wendy
Those Names Sound Familiar
Throughout the film, you see a handful of the Rosas residents' wishes, suspended in orbs in King Magnifico’s study. One of the most prominently visible wishes comes from a brunette lady living in Asha’s part of town, who longs to be able to fly like a bird. The way she envisions herself zooming across the sky, arms outstretched, might already ring a few bells — but the movie’s ending delivers the big payoff.
This woman’s name is Wendy, and Queen Amaya introduces her to a young man, Peter, who’s “trying to invent a way to fly.” Coincidence, you say? Well, it might be — were it not for the fact that Peter is dressed head to toe in green, complete with tights and the iconic feathered hat. It seems the tale of Peter Pan and Wendy’s friendship dates back further than first thought.
10Sabino
Doting Disney Grandfather
Kindly old Sabino, Asha’s 100-year-old grandpa, forms much of the emotional core of Wish. He’s been waiting literal decades for his heart’s desire (to create something inspirational for the next generation) to be granted, and it’s when Asha discovers the King has no intention of ever doing so that the main conflict kicks off. Perhaps fittingly, then, Sabino is a walking reference factory.
His age, and the fact that it’s his centennial birthday when the film takes place, are a clear parallel to Disney’s own milestone. Likewise, in his first scene, he replicates the superstitious Bruno’s “knock on wood” tic from Encanto. He expresses a love for pineapple cake, as Walt Disney himself favoured, and in the finale can be seen entertaining all the children of Rosas.
9Rosas Castle And Its Treasures
Call It A Disney Museum
Rosas' castle, from which the King and Queen rule from on high, is stuffed with Disney detritus down to its very foundations. A mural painted on its outer walls mimics the starry pattern from Mickey’s sorcerer hat in Fantasia; the suits of armor from Arendelle’s palace in Frozen line the halls; the stable and chicken coop are ripped straight from Belle’s domicile in Beauty, and the Beast. The chickens themselves even mimic the dance moves of the cutlery in ‘Be Our Guest’!
And then there’s King Magnifico’s study. On his desk, he has a replica of the Evil Queen’s poisoned apple.Underhis desk, you can spot Dr. Facilier’s top hat. The hidden stairway to the dungeon where he creates his staff (the same staff Maleficent uses in Sleeping Beauty) is a dead ringer for the one in Snow White, complete with needlessly dramatic torches. Plus, during his hammy number ‘This Is The Thanks I Get?!’, Magnifico tosses a rose about – it’s Beast’s enchanted rose! Better be careful with that…
8The Wildlife Of Rosas
It’s Like The House Of Mouse’s Guest List
When Asha makes her big wish, and the adorable Star comes down, the Disney Easter eggs start coming thick and fast. Star’s magic lends voices to all the flora and fauna in the Rosas forest, and in the course of the rather catchy number ‘I’m A Star’, many familiar names and faces pop up. A rabbit named Thumper stomps his foot repeatedly. A tree in the background bears the face of Pocahontas' Grandmother Willow. A family of mushrooms quote Frozen directly: “we love crazy!”
But it doesn’t stop there. A deer named Bambi (yes, explicitly) thanks a bear identified as John for not eating him. John, of course, is a reference to Robin Hood’s ursine sidekick from the 1973 classic, with whom he shares his name. And we’restillnot done – the swarm of butterflies that surround Mirabel and Abuela as they embrace in Encanto also pay a visit. Better bring a checklist next time you watch the scene, eh?
7King Magnifico Destroying Wishes
A Potion Brewed With Easter Eggs
When Star’s wish-granting magic arrives in Rosas, the power-hungry and paranoid King Magnifico… doesn’t take it very well. He soon goes off the deep end and embraces an ancient evil spellbook, which imbues him with dark magic, fuelled by crushing the wishes of his citizens. In one scene, he prepares a diabolical concoction, and three very familiar-sounding wishes are namechecked.
The first is from someone who wants to visit ‘Fantasyland.’ “How about ‘Neverland’?” cackles Magnifico. The second, from a tired mother who’s after a nanny for her two children. “Poppin’this one!” he cries. And finally, a woman wishes for a romantic partner — “so much for true love!” Magnifico taunts, channeling The Little Mermaid’s Ursula. How very extra.
6Asha’s Seven Friends
Their Quirks Ring A Bell
Early on in the story, you’re introduced to Asha’s best friend, the castle baker Dahlia, as well as their veritable entourage of other chums. You might catch yourself thinking there’s something incredibly reminiscent about the band of seven companions — and then it hits you. They’re the Seven Dwarves! Or expies of them, at least.
Dahlia, the bespectacled leader in red, is Doc. The ever-cheerful Hal is Happy. Contemptuous Gabo stands in for Grumpy. Simon, who spends most of his screentime dozing, is Sleepy. The hyper-allergenic Safi is Sneezy. Introverted Bazeema is Bashful. And, of course, the wiggly-eared Dario is Dopey, purple hat and all. What a lovely tribute to tie Wish back to the film that started it all.
5Star Is The Star
In More Ways Than One!
Star is sure to be Wish’s breakout character — an adorable, glowing ball of puff that seems designed from top-to-toe to sell marketable plushies. He’s very important to the story, too, however. He’s a literal wishing star, plucked from the heavens by the strength of Asha’s desire, and can’t return until he helps her fulfill her goal of rescuing Rosas' wishes.
Wish, per director Chris Buck, was conceived as the origin tale fortheDisney star — i.e. the one that arcs over the castle at the start of all its films. And Star is just that. When he departs at the end, he informs Asha that he needs to “be there for others” to be guided by in the future; a hallowed group that includes (but is not limited to) Geppetto, Tiana, Simba, Moana, and more.
4Asha The Fairy Godmother
Bibbidi Bobbidi Booyah!
In the film’s climax, Asha is gifted a makeshift magic wand by Star. Well, it’s more of a stick, really; and Asha is no great shakes at using it. You might notice, though, that in this scene Asha starts to don a certain blue robe. A blue robe with a hood and purple bow on it, no less. Yes, it’s a purposeful visual parallel to Cinderella’s lovable Fairy Godmother.
Later, Star gives Asha a replacement wand (a real one this time) and the Fairy Godmother title, setting her up for this role proper. Whether this means she’ll go on to visit Cinderella and others — manifesting differently in appearance depending on who she’s helping — or if it just means she’s the first of the Godmother lineage is up for debate.
3Valentino, Creator Of Zootopia
All Cities Start With A Dream
Valentino, the talking goat voiced by Disney legend Alan Tudyk, is a scene-stealer. Star’s magic grants him a refined accent and a loquacious vocabulary, and he’s instrumental in rallying Asha’s friends to help free the wishes. In the finale, though, it becomes apparent he may have had a hand — er, hoof — in establishing yet another corner of the Disneyverse.
Free of Magnifico’s oppression, the citizens of Rosas are free to pursue their ambitions of their own volition; and with Asha newly anointed as the Fairy Godmother, they’re all quick to specify their wishes. What’s Valentino’s? “A utopian metropolis, where all mammals can be equal. And wear clothes.” The ramifications of that are pretty evident. Judy and Nick: bow down to your king.
