A green and black half-scale steam engine train with gold accents is parked on a railroad, emitting smoke across the tracks. Bret Iwan stands next to the train’s control panel, wearing a blue and white engineer’s cap, a blue jacket, and brown pants. A wooden house and a clear sky are visible in the background.

Exclusive Q&A: Bret Iwan on the Connection Between His Love of Trains and Mickey and the Very Many Christmases

By Cecilia Sarantopoulos

As the official voice of Mickey Mouse, Bret Iwan doesn’t just bring the world’s most iconic character to life—he fills him with heart, history, and a touch of his own personal passions. D23 sat down with Bret to dive into one of his greatest loves—trains—and how this fascination seamlessly connects to his work, including the holiday special Mickey and the Very Many Christmases.

Premiering December 1 on Disney Jr. as part of the channel’s “Magical Holidays” programming (and streaming the next day on Disney+), the special follows Mickey as he discovers the magic—and mayhem—that unfolds when his wish for a never-ending Christmas comes true!

D23: The holiday season must be a busy time for you. What’s it like working on projects like Mickey and the Very Many Christmases?
Bret Iwan (BI): What’s funny about the holiday season is that all the holiday projects are usually completed at least six months—if not a year—before their release. That said, voicing Mickey Mouse means there’s rarely a slow period. Mickey is such a beloved character, and there’s always something in production, whether it’s TV specials, theme park experiences, or new animated shorts.

For this specific project, I believe we recorded it last summer, which is always a unique experience. Imagine trying to channel the Christmas spirit while it’s a sweltering heatwave outside! Before becoming a voice actor, I was an illustrator and graphic artist at Hallmark greeting cards. There, I became accustomed to working on holiday-themed content far ahead of the actual season. I remember designing Christmas cards while pumpkins and Halloween decorations were rolling out at the office, which felt surreal. That schedule prepared me for the unusual timelines in animation and voice-over work.

A scene from Mickey and the Very Many Christmases showcases the Wonderland Mini, a model mountain village filled with festive decorations, including lit-up houses, bows, and Christmas trees. The background depicts snow-covered mountain peaks under a dark, cloudy night sky dotted with stars.

D23: Your love of trains has become a significant part of your life. Where did that passion begin?
BI: My passion for trains runs deep—it’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My dad was an avid model railroader, so I grew up surrounded by trains. There was even a small train that ran along the ceiling of our family room! Our family vacations were often centered around visiting railroads across the country, whether it was riding through Colorado or visiting a miniature railway in northern Washington.

My connection to Disney added another layer to that passion when I learned Walt Disney himself was a train enthusiast. Realizing that someone I admired shared this interest was a lightbulb moment. Over the years, I’ve delved deeper into trains, from building a garden railroad in my backyard to becoming a licensed locomotive engineer working with full-sized steam trains. Today, I’m working on restoring my very own steam locomotive, which feels like a full-circle moment.

A green and black half-scale steam engine train with gold accents is parked on a railroad, with Bret Iwan standing in front, posing for the photo. He holds a large Mickey Mouse doll, with Mickey’s arm resting on the “1” sign displayed on the front of the train. Bret is dressed in a blue shirt, brown pants, and dark brown loafers. The background features a clear sky and golden, wheat-colored hills.

D23: There’s a personal connection between your train and Mickey and the Very Many Christmases. Can you share more about that?
BI: Absolutely. The train featured in the special holds a deeply personal significance for me, as it’s inspired by my very own half-scale steam locomotive. This train isn’t just a pivotal element in Mickey’s journey—it’s also tied to my family’s history.

The locomotive in the photos is the same one I grew up riding on family vacations. It was originally built in the 1960s by a passionate railroad enthusiast named Tommy Thompson, who turned it into a summer excursion train in the town where my family often vacationed. Riding that train was a childhood favorite for my brothers and me, and now, I’m honored to be its steward, preserving its story and legacy.

When I first read the script for Mickey and the Very Many Christmases, I was thrilled to see that a train was central to the plot. After we finished recording, I shared the story and photos of my locomotive with the producers, who loved the connection. They even added a special Easter egg to the train in the animation: the number plate on the locomotive—a gold circle with a red center and a gold “1”—is a direct nod to my personal train.

This detail is not only meaningful to me but also to the family who entrusted me with the train. It’s a beautiful way to honor their legacy, and I’m so excited to share this connection with them—and with audiences—through the special.

A model train featured in the holiday special Mickey and the Very Many Christmases. The train is painted green, red, and black with gold accents, and it’s adorned with a festive red bow on top.

D23: Voicing Mickey Mouse for so many years must have taught you a lot. What have you learned about yourself through this role?
BI: That’s a great question and a tough one to answer, even after 15 years in the role. My predecessor Wayne Allwine once said, “It’s less about how you influence the character and more about how the character influences you.” That’s been my experience as well. Mickey’s optimism, kindness, and curiosity inevitably seep into my own life. He’s everyone’s best friend, which reminds me to approach the world with the same open-hearted enthusiasm. One of the most rewarding aspects of this job is seeing how Mickey continues to bring joy to people of all ages. That’s a responsibility I don’t take lightly, and it’s shaped how I carry myself, both personally and professionally.

D23: What do you think makes Mickey Mouse such an enduring character?
BI: Mickey’s longevity stems from his ability to evolve while staying true to his core values. He’s a symbol of friendship, resilience, and joy. What makes him unique is that he’s relatable to everyone. Whether he’s solving problems with ingenuity or being a loyal friend, Mickey embodies qualities that inspire people around the world.

As someone who grew up admiring him, I feel incredibly lucky to help carry that legacy forward. Mickey’s stories remind us to stay connected to our inner child, to find joy in the little things, and to never lose sight of the power of imagination. That’s a lesson I think we can all use, no matter how old we are.

Bret Iwan is inside a train, wearing a blue shirt, dark blue overalls, a brown cap, and light brown gloves. He is seated on a black leather seat framed by dark brown wooden accents, working on the train's engine.

D23: Are there any exciting projects you’re working on that fans can look forward to?
BI: Absolutely! Just like voicing Mickey, my artistic pursuits never stop. Recently, I had the incredible honor of designing the Disney100 cover for the magazine [Disney twenty-three], which later inspired Mickey’s 95th anniversary portrait—a piece I was commissioned to paint.

Beyond that, I have several exciting projects in the works, though I can’t share specifics just yet. What I can say is they involve Mickey and art—two of my greatest passions. For fans attending the Festival of the Arts at EPCOT this coming spring, I’m planning to debut some new pieces, so stay tuned! I’ll be making announcements as those plans come together.