Reimagined Mickey’s Toontown now open at Disneyland Resort

By Melanie Gable

At the land’s dedication ceremony on March 18, 2023, Disneyland Resort President Ken Potrock referenced Walt Disney’s 1955 Disneyland opening day quote, “To all who come to this happy place, welcome.” Potrock put his own spin on the line – and also noted the reopening of Toontown marked another significant milestone of the Disney100 celebration, which began in January,

“To all who come to this happiest of lands, in this happiest place, welcome,” Potrock said. “We are so thrilled that you are here as part of not just the opening of Toontown, but quite honestly, the continuation and further excitement of the 100th anniversary of the Walt Disney Company.”

Potrock went on to explain that Walt Disney Imagineering aimed to craft a new version of Toontown that was safe and fun for children and welcoming and accessible to guests of “all capabilities and all ages,” and pointed to the land’s improvements in these areas, including flattened curbs, additional wheelchair ramps, and experiences for guests with limited mobility.

Mickey’s Toontown debuted in 1993 and has seen a few changes and refreshments to its attractions over the past 30 years, but this is the first large-scale refurbishment to the land, which closed for construction in 2022. Now that the land has reopened, Potrock referred to this upgraded section of the park as the “hot corner” encompassing the refreshed Toontown, the “it’s a small world” attraction, and the uplifting “Tale of the Lion King” stage show in the Fantasyland Theatre.

What’s New in the Reimagined Mickey’s Toontown

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – This family-friendly attraction opened on Jan. 27, 2023, but will still be a new experience for many guests visiting the reimagined Toontown for the first time. The trackless dark ride has no height restrictions, and the humor, twists, and turns on this technological marvel are designed to be enjoyed by all ages. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is the crown jewel of the new Toontown, and it’s worth the wait. The line queue features an abundance of eye candy and Easter eggs for Mickey Mouse fans, with full-scale “props” from every era of Mickey’s long and storied career.

EngineEar Souvenirs – As guests exit Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, they’re funneled into this delightful little shop, which features a railway theme complete with a train chugging around a track near the store’s ceiling.

This is the place to purchase all things Runaway Railway, including the Remote Control Trackless Train ($149.99), which debuted at this store and is currently exclusive to the Disneyland Resort. We bought the more modestly-priced Remote Control Roadster ($49.99) and had a blast playing with the toy at home with our eight-year-old daughter. If kids want to try out the toys in-store, cast members are on hand at a play table to demonstrate the features of the train and roadster.

Other hot merchandise at this location includes the Mickey & Co. clothing and home accessories collection, Toontown-themed souvenirs, and the new Power Lime candy, which references the character Powerline from “A Goofy Movie.” The shop also offers Mickey ear embroidery, plus merchandise mobile checkout through the Disneyland app.

Pete Meet-and-Greet – For the first time in any Disney park, guests can meet Pete, the feline antagonist in many of Mickey’s most famous cartoons, including the classic “Steamboat Willie.” But this Pete is the character’s friendliest version, as seen in the series “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” who’s more of an accidental troublemaker than a villain.

Kids and adults alike were thrilled to meet the character, who was adorable and friendly with guests. It might be challenging to grab a moment with Pete, as he’s Disneyland’s newest and most popular celebrity, but we found him hanging out near Minnie’s house, and he graciously agreed to pose for pictures.

Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard – Goofy’s house has gone through a couple of significant changes over the years – most notably transitioning from a bounce house to a playground – but the new How-to-Play Yard is designed with increased accessibility and interactivity in mind. In this whimsical sound garden, guests of all sizes can enjoy a “Bigfoot” lookout, rainbow-hued slides, a rope bridge, colorful decor, and soft play floors.

The interior of Goofy’s house has been updated with a “candy-making” contraption where kids can pull levers, spin wheels, and press buttons to send colorful balls hurtling through clear tubes attached to the walls and ceiling. The space is also decorated with sweet new art of Goofy and his son, Max, hanging out with their Toontown pals.

Donald’s Duck Pond – Gone is the water feature that once surrounded Donald’s boathouse, and in its place is a foam-floored play area with rocking toys, balance beams, and spinning water lilies, which were a favorite among guests young and old alike. (Hang around here long enough, and you might even enjoy a spin with Donald or Goofy!)

You can no longer go inside Donald’s boat, but the porthole windows now showcase interactive scenes featuring Donald’s nephews, Huey, Dewey, Louie, and their friend Webby.

CenTOONial Park and Popcorn Park – CenTOONial Park can be found just past the entrance of Toontown and includes a “dreaming tree” with giant sculpted roots for kids to play on, an artificial grass picnic area directly in front of Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, and a gorgeous Mickey and Minnie fountain with water play tables for splashing fun.

Named for its adjacent popcorn stand, Popcorn Park at the opposite end of the land (where Chip’ n Dale’s Treehouse once stood) offers another play or resting area with artificial grass and a covered section with benches, which we saw being used by nursing mothers and families needing a moment of peace and quiet. Toontown was once known as one of the most uncomfortable places in the park on hot days due to the lack of shade, and these new areas resolve that issue and add to the land’s charm.

Dining in Mickey’s Toontown

Cafe Daisy – This new quick-service dining option offers classic diner fare with “a new twist,” including all-beef foot-long hot dogs, which can be “dressed up” with chili-cheese sauce, mac-and-cheese, and parmesan potato crispies. The popular pizza flop-over is convenient for guests on the go and is available in cheese or pepperoni. We tried the Spring Garden Wrap, the cafe’s plant-based option, which was substantial and delicious (all options are paired with house-made potato chips). The kids’ menu includes cheese or pepperoni pizza, mini corn dogs, and “Mac and Cheesy” – and for dessert, Daisy’s Goody-Goody Donuts are made in-house.

The specialty beverages are fun here, too, with the Picnic Time Watermelon Lemonade, Granny Goof’s Garden Sweet Tea, and Cold Brrr-ew rounding out the menu. We chose the sweet tea and were pleasantly surprised by the boba-like “mango flavor-filled spheres” at the bottom of the drink. Guests looking for a quick bite or refreshment can place a mobile order for this location through the Disneyland app. You might even spot Daisy Duck interacting with guests enjoying her cafe.

Good Boy! Grocers – Picnicking is encouraged in the new Toontown, and you can pick up all the fixings for an al fresco snack at Good Boy! Grocers, a small grab-and-go market themed to Mickey Mouse’s best pal, Pluto. The stand, which sits on the spot previously occupied by Goofy’s gas station, features grab-and-go drinks and snacks. You can also order frozen Slushees in a variety of flavors at this location and pick up a new Donald Duck or Mickey and Minnie souvenir sipper.

During our visit, we tried the $25.99 novelty Perfect Picnic Basket (available while supplies last), which allows guests to choose three snack items and a small water bottle or juice box. The Mickey and Minnie-themed plastic basket has a carrying strap, a Mickey “glove” perfect for small hands to reach in and hold the handle, and art from “The Perfect Picnic,” the cartoon that kicks off the adventures in Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. For an additional $11, guests can add an adorable travel-sized picnic blanket featuring images of Mickey and Minnie. Though the Perfect Picnic experience is on the pricier side, we found that sitting on the grass in CenTOONial Park and sharing snacks together as a family was one of the highlights of our visit to Toontown.

Mickey’s Toontown Attraction Refurbishments

Returning favorite Toontown attractions have been revitalized with fresh paint, repairs, and additions.

• Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin – A dark ride based on the film “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” that debuted in 1994, received a storyline update in 2021, and still plays a significant role in the Toontown experience. The attraction’s theming doesn’t quite match the Sensational Six vibe of the new Toontown, but it’s a fun ride, and we speculate that time and budget limitations may have led to Car Toon Spin remaining in the land.
• Gadget’s Go Coaster – Rethemed to Chip’ n’ Dale’s GADGETCoaster, the ride is mostly unchanged, but the addition of interactive Chip and Dale statues along the coaster’s track are cute and a hit with kids. (Tall riders beware; you may get water sprayed in your face!)
• Mickey’s House and Minnie’s House – These beloved addresses received cosmetic makeovers and repairs to malfunctioning interactive elements. We were especially excited to see Minnie’s computer and kitchen appliances back in working order and looking as new as they did back in 1993. When Mickey and Minnie are “home,” guests can experience meet-and-greets in their houses. Mickey hangs out on various sound stages in his barn, with costumes to match, and Minnie can be found having a tea party under a gazebo in her backyard.

Guests with children might have difficulty convincing their little ones to leave the reimagined Mickey’s Toontown once they’re inside, so we recommend setting aside extra time to check out what’s new during your next Disneyland visit. Entertainment, experiences, and offerings vary. Check the Disneyland app or Disneyland.com for daily listings.

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