On a sun-drenched afternoon on July 30, 2025, Elon Musk, the billionaire trailblazer behind Tesla, SpaceX, and Neuralink, traded boardrooms for rollercoasters, embarking on a rare public outing with his five-year-old son, X Æ A-Xii, at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. The tech mogul, often seen navigating global crises or tweeting bold visions, revealed a softer side as he strolled through the Magic Kingdom, sporting a Mickey Mouse ear headband and sharing a joyful moment when X handed him a melting ice cream cone, giggling at his father’s playful look. This heartwarming scene, captured by parkgoers and shared across X, offers a glimpse into Musk’s life as a father, balancing his colossal ambitions with simple family joys.

A Father-Son Adventure

Disneyland, with its vibrant parades and iconic rides, became the backdrop for a day of bonding for Musk and X. The pair, dressed casually—Musk in a black Tesla t-shirt and X in a Spider-Man cap—were spotted weaving through Fantasyland, hand in hand. Witnesses described Musk as relaxed, a stark contrast to his usual high-stakes demeanor. The outing came during a brief pause in Musk’s hectic schedule, following Neuralink’s Blindsight announcement and amid ongoing recovery efforts for Texas flood victims. For X, the trip was a chance to explore a world of wonder, his wide-eyed excitement infectious.

The highlight of the day, shared widely on X, occurred outside the Mad Tea Party ride. X, clutching a chocolate-dipped ice cream cone, handed it to his father with a mischievous grin. Musk, already sporting a Mickey Mouse ear headband adorned with red sequins, accepted the cone, unaware of the chocolate smear it left on his cheek. X burst into giggles, pointing at his father’s face, and Musk, catching on, exaggerated a goofy expression, sending X into peals of laughter. A nearby family captured the moment on video, which amassed over 1.2 million views on X by evening, with users calling it “the most human we’ve ever seen Elon.”

A Personal Touch Amid a Public Life

Musk, father to 14 children, has often spoken of his commitment to family, despite his demanding career. His public appearances with X, including a 2025 Oval Office visit where the boy stole the show with a toy rocket, reveal a tender side to the billionaire. X, born to Musk and musician Grimes in 2020, has become a familiar figure in his father’s orbit, often accompanying him to SpaceX launches or Tesla events. The Disneyland trip, however, was a rare, unscripted moment, free from the weight of Musk’s global influence.

The choice of Disneyland was deliberate. Musk, who grew up in South Africa and moved to Canada at 17, has spoken fondly of theme parks as places that spark imagination—key to his ventures like SpaceX’s Mars mission or Neuralink’s brain implants. For X, whose name reflects Musk’s fascination with the unknown, the park offered a playground to fuel his curiosity. The pair rode classics like Peter Pan’s Flight and the Matterhorn Bobsleds, with Musk reportedly laughing aloud on the latter, a rare sound for a man often described as intense.

The Mickey Ear Moment

The Mickey Mouse ear headband became the day’s unexpected star. Purchased at the Emporium on Main Street, the headband was X’s idea, according to a cast member who assisted them. “The kid was so excited, tugging his dad toward the shop,” the employee shared on X. “Elon just went with it, smiling the whole time.” The sight of Musk, whose $424.7 billion net worth makes him the world’s richest man, wearing a whimsical accessory sparked a wave of reactions. One X post read, “Elon in Mickey ears? This is the multiverse I didn’t know I needed.” Another user noted, “X giggling at his dad is pure gold—proof Elon’s just a dad at heart.”

The ice cream moment amplified the charm. As X handed over the cone, his giggles drew smiles from passersby. Musk, unfazed by the mess, played along, twirling the headband like a crown before wiping his face with a napkin. The interaction, brief but genuine, resonated with fans who see Musk as a polarizing figure—celebrated for his innovations, criticized for controversies like his DOGE-related budget cuts. This moment, however, painted him as relatable, a father savoring his son’s joy.

A Community Response

The Disneyland outing comes at a time when Musk’s public image is under scrutiny. His recent $34 billion net worth drop and fallout with former President Trump over a spending bill have fueled debates, while his Neuralink and Texas flood relief efforts draw both praise and skepticism. The sight of Musk at Disneyland, embracing fatherhood, offered a counterpoint. On X, fans shared sentiments like, “This is the Elon we need—spending time with his kid, not just building rockets.” Critics, however, questioned the optics, with one user posting, “Nice PR move, but what about the NWS cuts?”

Local media in Anaheim picked up the story, with The Orange County Register noting the economic boost from Musk’s visit, as families flocked to the park hoping to spot him. Disneyland cast members, bound by privacy policies, shared off-record anecdotes of Musk’s kindness, like tipping generously at a churro stand and posing for a quick photo with a young fan in a wheelchair. These small gestures, paired with the viral ice cream moment, softened perceptions of a man often seen as larger-than-life.

Challenges and Context

Organizing the trip wasn’t without hurdles. Musk’s security team, ever-present due to his high-profile status, maintained a discreet distance, ensuring X’s safety without overshadowing the fun. The visit required coordination with Disneyland, which reserved a private dining area at Cafe Orleans for the pair to enjoy beignets in peace. The park’s management, aware of Musk’s influence, ensured a seamless experience, though some X users speculated it was a calculated move to boost Tesla’s image amid recent stock fluctuations.

The outing also reflects Musk’s broader philosophy of inspiring the next generation. His Horizon Summer Camp for Texas flood victims, announced days earlier, aims to foster resilience in youth, much like this trip nurtured X’s imagination. The choice to wear the Mickey ears, though playful, aligns with Musk’s knack for defying expectations—whether launching Starlink or donning a whimsical headband.

A Moment That Resonates

The image of Elon Musk, ice cream on his cheek and Mickey ears on his head, laughing with X at Disneyland, is a powerful reminder of his humanity. For a man whose ventures aim for Mars and beyond, this day was about grounding himself in the simple joy of fatherhood. The viral moment, with X’s giggles and Musk’s playful response, has touched millions, offering a glimpse into a life that balances world-changing ambition with quiet family moments. As one X user put it, “Elon’s a genius, but X stealing the show with an ice cream cone? That’s the real magic.” In the heart of Disneyland, amid laughter and mouse ears, Musk and his son reminded us that even the biggest dreamers find joy in the smallest moments.