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For decades, one of the most significant artifacts of entertainment history sat deteriorating under the harsh Florida sun. Today, Walt Disney’s legendary private aircraft, affectionately known as “Mickey Mouse One,” has been triumphantly restored to its mid-century glory, and you can see it at the Palm Springs Air Museum.
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Purchased by Walt Disney Productions in 1963, the Grumman Gulfstream I was much more than a luxury transport; it was a high-flying office that shaped the future of imagination. With the FAA registration N234MM, air traffic controllers quickly came to know the vessel simply as "Mickey Mouse." The plane logged nearly 20,000 flight hours and carried an estimated 83,000 passengers, shuttling Walt, his family and his Imagineers across the country as they worked on projects like the 1964–65 New York World’s Fair and the initial blueprints for Walt Disney World.
After its retirement in 1992, the plane languished following the closure of Disney’s Hollywood Studios backlot tour. However, beginning in 2019, a powerhouse collaboration between the Walt Disney Archives, Walt Disney Imagineering, Phoenix Air Group and the Palm Springs Air Museum set out to save it.
The meticulous, multi-year restoration project brought the plane back to life. The exterior was stripped and repainted into its vibrant, original 1960s orange-and-black color scheme. The interior, personally designed by Walt and Lillian Disney to accommodate 15 passengers, features a galley kitchen, two restrooms, lounge-style seating and a desk. The restoration includes exact recreations of Disney accoutrement like custom mid-century stationery and matchbooks featuring subtle Mickey details.
Following its brief public debut at the 2022 D23 Expo, "The Mouse" has found its long-term home in Southern California. Aviation enthusiasts and Disney fans alike can step back in time and view this beautifully preserved piece of history in Palm Springs.