Knott’s Scary Farm maze resurfaces Mickey Mouse’s original name with a horror twist

Knott’s has not identified Walt Disney as an inspiration for “Inked,” but the premise and imagery invite comparisons to Disney’s early career.

Is Knott’s Scary Farm’s “Inked” inspired by Walt Disney?

The name Mortimer is especially notable. Walt Disney initially considered calling his new animated character Mortimer Mouse before his wife, Lillian Disney, reportedly suggested the friendlier name Mickey. Mortimer Mouse was later introduced as a separate Disney character and rival for Minnie Mouse’s affection.

Artwork for the maze depicts black-and-white characters rendered in the exaggerated “rubber hose” animation style associated with cartoons of the 1920s and 1930s. One of the grinning animal characters also bears a resemblance to early versions of Mickey Mouse and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.

Disney created Oswald in 1927 while producing cartoons for Universal Pictures. After losing control of the character and much of his animation team, Disney developed Mickey Mouse with animator Ub Iwerks. The Disney company regained the rights to Oswald decades later, in 2006.

What is “Inked”?

“Inked” transforms elements of that animation history into a horror story about a failed studio founder whose creations turn against him. The maze’s visual identity also appears to draw from the unsettling qualities of early black-and-white cartoons, replacing their elastic movement and broad smiles with blood, sharp teeth and violent imagery.

The concept arrives at Knott’s Scary Farm, a Halloween event at Knott’s Berry Farm located only several miles from Disneyland in Southern California. The two resorts have shared the region’s theme park market for decades, although Knott’s has not described “Inked” as a direct parody of Disney or its characters.

“Inked” is one of the new mazes announced for the 2026 season of Knott’s Scary Farm. The separately ticketed Halloween event returns to Knott’s Berry Farm on select nights from Sept. 17 through Oct. 31.

Inside “Inked” with the maze’s designer

In an interview with Attractions Magazine, the art director behind “Inked” said the concept began when prop team members Denise Redzinera and Xandria Ortiz pitched an attraction set inside a creepy 1930s animation studio. The team pushed the premise further by connecting the studio’s ink to blood.

“Let’s make it very much about blood and about ink,” the designer recalled.

The maze will move from a sepia-toned animation studio into a black-and-white cartoon world before gradually erupting into full color. Its initially playful characters also become increasingly gruesome.

“They transform from their black-and-white selves, the original selves, into monsters — really monstrous, very twisted versions of themselves,” the designer said.

Whether Mortimer Morbid is officially meant to represent a corrupted version of Walt Disney remains unconfirmed. The character’s name, profession, era and cartoon creations, however, make the comparison difficult to overlook.

2026 tickets and dates

Experience Knott’s Scary Farm on the following 2026 dates.

• Sept. 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27
• Oct. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31

Tickets are $110 at the gate, but range from $65 to $89, with parking starting at $45.

Knott’s Berry Farm’s chaperone policy will be in effect for all Knott’s Scary Farm event nights, and a bag policy will also be implemented. Guests may bring either a clear plastic bag no larger than 12″ x 12″ x 6″ or a non-clear wristlet or clutch no larger than 5″ x 8″ x 2″. All bags are subject to search before entry.