In 1927, the creative tandem of Ub Iwerks and Walt Disney created an animated character while working for Universal Pictures. Oswald the Lucky Rabbit became a hit, but when he was claimed as a character owned by Universal, Disney and Iwerks went independent and created a replacement star: Mickey Mouse.
Following several decades as a Universal property appearing on various media, Oswald was officially regained by The Walt Disney Company in 2006. He became prominent upon co-starring with Mickey Mouse on the Epic Mickey videogame series. He also started getting special appearances on Disney theme parks. Here’s a handy list:
- Tokyo Disneyland (2010) – their first Easter holiday event featured a float with Oswald’s face
- Disney California Adventure (2011) – new entrance construction had covering walls decorated with old-era Disney characters, including Oswald
- Magic Kingdom (2011) – Town Square Theater had a decorative poster featuring Oswald as a magician’s “hat rabbitâ€
- Disneyland Paris (2011) – shops on Main Street USA started selling Oswald-themed clothing items
- Disney California Adventure (2012) – opening of new “Buena Vista Street†entry area, with a structure dedicated to the Lucky Rabbit: “Oswald’s Service Station”, a gift shop designed like a 1920s gas station with Oswald on its logo; DCA started stocking Oswald goods while Disneyland Park next door remains exclusively Mickey-centric
- Walt Disney World (2012) – the Emporium started selling Oswald ear-hats as an alternative to Mickey Mouse-ears
- Magic Kingdom (2014) – “The Seven Dwarves Ride” has an Oswald figure carved to a tree near the attraction’s exit
- Tokyo DisneySea (2014) – Oswald the Lucky Rabbit becomes an official meet-and-greet character there
- Disney California Adventure (2014) – Oswald starts making appearances on Buena Vista Street aside from his Service Station
