The Disney100 Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Annual Passholder magnet is now available at EPCOT. This is just the latest complimentary magnet available exclusively to Annual Passholders.
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Magnet
The magnet is available at Creations Shop until October 23 or while supplies last. Passholders must present their Annual Pass and ID in order to get their magnet.
There was a line on Wednesday morning to pick up the magnet.
The magnet’s D-shaped border is a sparkly silver in honor of Disney100. Oswald is in the center, wearing his blue shorts. “Walt Disney World annual passholder” is around the edge.
Beginning today, the following Annual Passholder-exclusive Oswald-inspired treats are also available at EPCOT:
- Oswald Triple Chocolate Cake: Chocolate cake, chocolate ganache, chocolate mousse, crisp pearls and a white cookie dome
- Oswald Cookies ‘n Cream Shake: Garnished with an Oswald the Lucky Rabbit chocolate coin
These can be purchased at Sunshine Seasons in The Land Pavilion.
Oswald the Lucky Rabbit
Envisioned by Walt himself and animator Ub Iwerks, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was one of the very first Disney characters to have a personality, as well as the first to see major success. The Alice Comedies certainly garnered a strong reputation of hits, but its star was a real person placed on an animated background. This time around, the animation was the star.
Oswald debuted in the 1927 animated short “Trolley Troubles.”
At the time, Walt Disney did not have the means nor the notoriety to distribute his own art or wield absolute creative control. In a 1928 business deal largely favoring the distributor (Universal), Disney lost the rights to Oswald entirely when he decided to walk away from the partnership, while the majority of his animators stayed behind. This event ultimately led to the creation of Mickey Mouse on the train ride home from New York City, a new replacement star who’d remain under strict in-house ownership and hopefully at least catch similar financial sustenance.
Of course, Mickey Mouse became a global phenomenon, the mascot of the entire Disney universe of stories and projects, and a household name with 95 years of continuous relevance.
The Walt Disney Company remained separated from its original animated character until 2006 when the rights to the character were exchanged for sports broadcaster Al Michaels being transferred from ABC and ESPN to NBC Sports.
The Lucky Rabbit is certainly a cornerstone of Disney history and will likely continue to be celebrated through merchandise, experiences, and media as the 100th-anniversary festivities enter the spotlight. 94 years after the last Oswald cartoon with Walt Disney’s direct involvement, Walt Disney Animation Studios produced a new animated short celebrating this character’s legacy as one of the original Disney Bros. success stories. Watch it below.
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