Personally, I feel Mickey Mouse has always been big to little children and adults. I can't tell you the countless times I've seen adults wear Mickey Mouse t-shirts. But yes, there was a time when Mickey Mouse was big but it was not the 80's. Mickey Mouse came into moving pictures on Nov. 18, 1928. So, I think Mickey became really big in the 50's or 60's. But remember, he always has been big.