Mickey Mouse is 80 years old today. Happy Birthday, Mickey!

First appearing in 1928, in Steamboat Willie, Mickey Mouse has delighted fans around the world for longer than most of us have been alive. So, today, in honor of his birthday, don’t delay, make plans to visit Walt Disney World or Disneyland on your own birthday and get in free during 2009.

Visiting Mickey Mouse and his friends is always a treat for the whole family. To save money on your trip, consider renting a Disney Orlando vacation rental home near the park. Then take advantage of tips from savvy insiders available in park guides on Amazon.com and on websites including AllEars (Deb’s unofficial Walt Disney World Information Guide) and MouseSavers.com (great deals on all things Disney). Of course, you can always purchase tickets here, too.

And now, a few photos of Mickey Mouse through the years, courtesy of CNN.

Happy Birthday, Mickey!