Mickey's Toontown#Disneyland

{{Short description|Themed land at Disney parks}}

{{About|the themed land in Walt Disney Parks and Resorts||Toontown (disambiguation)}}

{{more citations needed|date=September 2022}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2013}}

{{Infobox themed area

| name = Mickey's Toontown

| image = Mickey's Toontown sign.jpg

| caption = The Mickey's Toontown sign at Disneyland

| theme = Mickey Mouse Universe

| area =

| area_ha =

| area_acre =

| rides =

| coasters =

| water_rides =

| other_rides =

| shows =

| park1 = Magic Kingdom

| coordinates1 =

| status1 = Removed

| opened1 = June 18, 1988

| closed1 = February 11, 2011

| replaced1 = Portions of Tomorrowland Speedway

| replacement1 = Storybook Circus

| park2 = Disneyland

| coordinates2 =

| status2 = Operating

| opened2 = January 24, 1993

| closed2 =

| replacement2 =

| park3 = Tokyo Disneyland

| coordinates3 =

| status3 = Operating

| opened3 = April 15, 1996

| closed3 =

| replaced3 =

| replacement3 =

}}

Mickey's Toontown is a themed land at Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland, two theme parks operated by Disney Experiences and The Oriental Land Company respectively. At Tokyo Disneyland, this land is named Toontown. A similar land existed at the Magic Kingdom until 2011 and was named Mickey's Toontown Fair. Walt Disney Studios Park in Disneyland Paris has a related land called Toon Studio.

The attraction is a small-scale recreation of the Mickey Mouse universe where visitors can meet the characters and visit their homes which are constructed in a cartoonish style. It was inspired by "Toontown" from the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit in which the cartoon characters live alongside humans.

History

Roger Rabbit was recognized as a lucrative character by Disney after the release of Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and a set of attractions based on the movie was developed for Disney theme parks. Roger Rabbit was set to be the star of his own land, behind Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland, called Hollywoodland. Meanwhile, at the Magic Kingdom, a new land behind Fantasyland was being developed in honor of Mickey Mouse's sixtieth birthday, named Mickey's Birthdayland. There were also set to be attractions based on Roger Rabbit, Judge Doom, and Baby Herman opening in a major expansion at the Disney's Hollywood Studios and Tokyo Disneyland, but after the financial troubles of the Euro Disney Resort, plans were cut back.

The planned attractions for Hollywood Studios were ultimately canceled, but Hollywoodland and Mickey's Birthdayland concepts (as well as some concepts found in Who Framed Roger Rabbit) were eventually combined to form Mickey's Toontown, which opened in Disneyland in 1993 and a different version at Tokyo Disneyland in 1996. Disneyland Paris features a similar Land, 'Toon Studio', located at their Walt Disney Studios Park.

One of the most beloved and remembered aspects of the Land was its Music. Both Disneyland (1993-2022) and Tokyo Disneyland's (since 1996) versions of Toontown featured new musical arrangements based on Classic Disney Shorts (and two exceptions). These Shorts were: Steamboat Willie, The Skeleton Dance, Springtime, Minnie's Yoo Hoo, Smile, Darn Ya, Smile!, 'Box Lunch' Minnie's song from Building a Building, Three Little Pigs, Puppy Love, The Pied Piper, The Grass Hopper and the Ants, Camping Out, Playful Pluto, Funny Little Bunnies, The Tortoise and the Hare, Who Killed Cock Robin?, Thru the Mirror, The Country Cousin, Pluto's Playmate, Donald and Goofy's respective Cartoon Themes from the mid 40's to mid 50's, Casey at the Bat and Little Toot (segments from Make Mine Music and Melody Time respectively; re-released as standalone shorts in 1954) and the Maroon Cartoon logo theme from Who Framed Roger Rabbit.{{Citation |title=Disneyland {{!}} Mickey's Toontown {{!}} BGM Loop |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb4wxTmsdDs |access-date=2024-01-07 |language=en}}

Sometime around the 2010's, more arranged music covers were added into the land's music ambiance, all taken straight from Disney's Have a Laugh!. These were: On Ice, Mickey's Polo Team, Thru the Mirror, Clock Cleaners, Moose Hunters, Magician Mickey, Boat Builders, Mickey's Trailer, Polar Trappers, Beach Picnic, Mr. Duck steps Out, Canine Caddy and Double Dribble.{{Citation |title=ディズニー トゥーンタウン BGM |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DwIdSN3LLM |access-date=2024-01-07 |language=en}}

Magic Kingdom

File:Minnies Country House (3680532700).jpg

At the Magic Kingdom, Mickey's Toontown Fair (now the Storybook Circus) initially opened as Mickey's Birthdayland on June 18, 1988. It became Mickey's Starland on May 26, 1990, and was briefly renamed Mickey's Toyland in late 1995.{{Cite web|date=June 10, 2013|title=Unwrapping Mickey's Birthdayland at Magic Kingdom|url=http://carolwood.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/CarolwoodChronicle-Issue23-2004Fall.pdf|work=D23: The Official Disney Fan Club|publisher=The Walt Disney Company|access-date=September 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220415050520/https://d23.com/unwrapping-mickeys-birthdayland/|archive-date=April 15, 2022}} The land was closed in early 1996 for an extensive refurbishment, and on October 1, 1996, it reopened as Mickey's Toontown Fair for the park's 25th anniversary.

Mickey's Toontown Fair was closed on February 11, 2011 in order to build the "New Fantasyland" expansion. Some elements of Mickey's Toontown Fair have been demolished and others have been re-themed to a new Storybook Circus area. The Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride was removed from Fantasyland and rebuilt in Storybook Circus, the new version doubling the capacity of the old ride and incorporating an interactive queue. The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm has been re-themed to The Barnstormer featuring Goofy as the Great Goofini. The first half of Storybook Circus opened on March 12, 2012, which included the newly themed "The Great Goofini", the Storybook Circus train station which was completely rebuilt and also one half of the new Dumbo ride.{{Cite web|last=Pilcher|first=Ken|date=March 12, 2012|title=Phase 1 of Fantasyland expansion opens|url=https://www.clickorlando.com/news/2012/03/12/phase-1-of-fantasyland-expansion-opens/|work=WKMG-TV|access-date=September 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903122653/https://www.clickorlando.com/news/2012/03/12/phase-1-of-fantasyland-expansion-opens/|archive-date=September 3, 2022}}{{Cite web|last=Brigante|first=Ricky|date=March 13, 2012|title=Detailed Storybook Circus debut builds excitement for New Fantasyland as first phase opens at Walt Disney World|url=https://insidethemagic.net/2012/03/detailed-storybook-circus-debut-builds-excitement-for-new-fantasyland-as-first-phase-opens-at-walt-disney-world/|work=Inside the Magic|access-date=September 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121085348/https://insidethemagic.net/2012/03/detailed-storybook-circus-debut-builds-excitement-for-new-fantasyland-as-first-phase-opens-at-walt-disney-world/|archive-date=January 21, 2021}} The second phase of Storybook Circus, including the second half of Dumbo, the indoor queue area, and the Casey Jr Splash 'n' Soak Station opened in June 2012.{{Cite web|last=Parr|first=Christopher|date=June 17, 2012|title=Casey Jr. Splash 'N' Soak Station Opens at Disney's New Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/casey-jr-splash-n-soak-station-opens-at-disneys-new-fantasyland-at-magic-kingdom-park-2012-6|website=Business Insider|access-date=September 12, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619070400/https://www.businessinsider.com/casey-jr-splash-n-soak-station-opens-at-disneys-new-fantasyland-at-magic-kingdom-park-2012-6|archive-date=June 19, 2012}}

=Former attractions and entertainment=

=Former shops=

  • Cornelius Coot's County Bounty
  • Mickey's Toontown Fair Souvenirs
  • Toontown Farmer's Market

Disneyland

File:Toontown95 wb.jpg

Mickey's Toontown opened in Disneyland on January 24, 1993.[http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneyland-california/disneyland-toontown.htm Mickey's Toontown - Disneyland Park California]. Wdwinfo.com. Retrieved on September 6, 2013. The area is inspired by Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) and resembles a set from a Max Fleischer cartoon. The buildings are stylized and colorful. There are several attractions involving classic cartoon characters, such as the houses of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and a small children's coaster. There are a few interactive gags. The houses themselves appeal primarily as play areas for small children. From 1993 through 2022, one of the windows in the land had a reference to Laugh-O-Gram Studios, the studio that Disney created before Disney Studios.{{cite AV media |date= December 16, 2017|title= Hidden Walts - Search for hidden references to Walt Disney - Disneyland Secrets and History|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbpA2XT13aA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/AbpA2XT13aA |archive-date=2021-12-13 |url-status=live|access-date= December 16, 2017|format= YouTube video|publisher= Fresh Baked}}{{cbignore}}

An early entry event called Toontown Morning Madness was held here for guests booking travel with the American Automobile Association or book a vacation package with the Walt Disney Travel Company. However, Morning Madness has been discontinued as of 2013 as Extra Magic Hour and Magic Morning are now offered.[http://disneyland.disney.go.com/calendar/early-admission/ Early Admission Options | Disneyland Resort]. Disneyland.disney.go.com. Retrieved on September 6, 2013. On nights that fireworks are scheduled, the land will close early for the day due to its proximity to the launch area for the fireworks. Mickey's Toontown Depot stays open from park opening to park closing as it also serves as a stop for Fantasyland with the station being next to the Fantasyland Theatre. On non-fireworks days, the land closes with the park.

In April 2019, Disney announced that Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway (which opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2020), would open at Mickey's Toontown in Disneyland in 2023. The ride is housed in a building within Toontown called the El CapiTOON Theater, a pun of the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood which in turn is owned by Disney. The attraction, which replaced the Toontown Five and Dime/Gag Factory store, is the first new attraction added in Toontown since Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin opened in 1994.{{cite web |last1=Ramirez |first1=Michael |title=Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway to Roll into Disneyland Park |url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2019/04/mickey-minnies-runaway-railway-to-roll-into-disneyland-park/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419181549/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2019/04/mickey-minnies-runaway-railway-to-roll-into-disneyland-park/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 19, 2019 |website=Disney Parks Blog |access-date=20 April 2019}}{{cite web |last1=MacDonald |first1=Brady |title=First Mickey Mouse ride heading to Disneyland's Toontown in 2022 |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2019/04/19/first-mickey-mouse-ride-heading-to-disneylands-toontown-in-2022/ |website=The Orange County Register |date=April 19, 2019 |access-date=20 April 2019}}

Disneyland Resort was temporarily closed from 2020 to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which time construction commenced on Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway.{{cite web | last=MacDonald | first=Brady | title=Disneyland takes on 20 projects during coronavirus closure | website=Orange County Register | date=November 6, 2020 | url=https://www.ocregister.com/2020/11/06/disneyland-takes-on-20-projects-during-coronavirus-closure | access-date=October 12, 2022}} In November 2021, Disney announced that Mickey's Toontown in Disneyland would receive a makeover and would be closed for a year.{{cite web | title=Mickey's Toontown at Disneyland to close March 2022 for redesigning project; slated to reopen early 2023 - ABC7 Los Angeles | website=ABC7 Los Angeles | date=November 15, 2021 | url=https://abc7.com/toontown-at-disneyland-closure-disney-parks-march-2022-shut-down-mickeys/11239434/ | access-date=October 12, 2022}}{{cite news|last=Tapp|first=Tom|url=https://deadline.com/2021/11/disneyland-mickeys-toontown-closing-makeover-1234874784/|title=Disneyland Closing Mickey Mouse's Toontown In March For Makeover, Will Reopen in Early 2023 With New Ride, Iconic Feature|work=Deadline|date=November 15, 2021|access-date=December 1, 2021}} The new features include play experiences for children and families. With the addition of Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway, a new children's play area was added called CenTOONial Park and features a fountain. In February 2022, it was announced that Gadget's Go Coaster, Goofy's Playhouse and Donald's Boat would be "reimagined". Mickey's Toontown was temporarily closed on March 9, 2022.{{cite web|url=https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/02/the-transformation-of-mickeys-toontown-at-disneyland-park-begins-soon/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217181030/https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2022/02/the-transformation-of-mickeys-toontown-at-disneyland-park-begins-soon/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 17, 2022|title=The Transformation of Mickey's Toontown at Disneyland Park Begins Soon|author=Kelsey Lynch|work=Disney Parks Blog|publisher=The Walt Disney Company|date=February 17, 2022|access-date=February 18, 2022}} Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway opened on January 27, 2023. The rest of Mickey's Toontown was originally scheduled to open on March 8, 2023, but was later delayed to March 19, 2023.{{cite web |last1=Palm |first1=Iman |title=Disneyland delays reopening of Mickey's Toontown |url=https://ktla.com/theme-parks/disneyland/disneyland-announces-delayed-opening-for-mickeys-toontown/ |publisher=KTLA |access-date=10 February 2023|date=February 10, 2023}}{{Cite web |date=2023-02-10 |title=BREAKING: Mickey's Toontown Reopening Delayed at Disneyland - WDW News Today |url=https://wdwnt.com/2023/02/breaking-mickeys-toontown-reopening-delayed-at-disneyland/ |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=wdwnt.com |language=en-US}} The newly renovated Mickey's Toontown has been designed specifically to accommodate special needs children.{{cite news |last1=MacDonald |first1=Brady |title=Disneyland reopens Mickey's Toontown with a more welcoming, playful and calming vibe |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2023/03/17/disneyland-toons-down-mickeys-toontown-to-feel-more-welcoming-playful-and-calming/ |access-date=18 March 2023 |work=The Orange County Register |date=March 17, 2023}}

=Attractions and entertainment=

=Former attractions and entertainment=

  • Chip 'n Dale's Acorn Crawl (1993–1998)
  • Goofy's Bounce House (1993–2008) (re-themed to Goofy's Playhouse)
  • Jolly Trolley (1993–2003)
  • Toon Park (1993–2022) (re-themed to CenTOONial Park)
  • Chip 'n Dale's Treehouse (1993–2020)
  • Goofy's Playhouse (2008-2022) (re-themed to Goofy's How-To-Play Yard)
  • Donald's Boat (1993-2022) (re-themed to Donald's Duck Pond)

=Restaurants and refreshments=

  • Café Daisy
  • Good Boy! Grocers
  • Popcorn near Chip 'n' Dale's Gadgetcoaster

=Former restaurants and refreshments=

  • Daisy's Diner (1993-2022)
  • Pluto's Dog House (1993-2022)
  • Clarabelle's Frozen Yogurt (1993-2022)
  • Goofy's Freeze
  • Toon Up Treats

=Shops=

  • EngineEar Souvenirs

=Former Shops=

  • Toontown Five and Dime (1993–2020)
  • Gag Factory (1993–2020)

=Characters=

Tokyo Disneyland

File:TDL Toontown Entrance.jpg

File:Tokyo Disneyland Toontown view 201306.jpg

{{See also|List of Tokyo Disneyland attractions}}

Toontown (Japanese language: トゥーンタウン) opened in Tokyo Disneyland on April 15, 1996. It is largely a copy of the original Mickey's Toontown at Disneyland, with a mirror image of its layout.

In mid May 2017, the entrance to Toontown was removed, to be replaced with Minnie's Style Studio.{{cite news|title=Tokyo Disney announces five new attractions|url=http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201604/5049/}}

=Attractions and entertainment=

=Former attractions and entertainment=

  • Goofy's Bounce House (re-themed to Goofy's Paint 'n' Playhouse)
  • Jolly Trolley ({{RailGauge|3ft|lk=on}} narrow gauge) (1996–2009)

=Restaurants and refreshments=

  • Dinghy Drinks
  • Toon Pop
  • Huey, Dewey, & Louie's Good Time Cafe
  • Mickey's Trailer
  • Pop-A-Lot Popcorn

=Shops=

  • Toontown Delivery Company
  • Gag Factory
  • Toontown Five & Dime

References

{{reflist}}