January 24 - Mickey's Toontown

Image copyright Disney

On this day, in 1993, Mickey’s Toontown opened in Disneyland. At a dedication ceremony two days later, Michael Eisner would declare Night Court star Harry Anderson as the land’s honorary mayor. Loosely based on Mickey’s Birthdayland, which opened in the Magic Kingdom for Mickey’s 60^th birthday in 1988, Toontown was primarily inspired by the town of the same name in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Highly stylized, multi-colored buildings showcase the “permanent” homes of some of Disney’s most famous characters. Kids can play in Mickey’s house, Minnie’s house, Donald’s boat and Chip and Dale’s treehouse. Guests can also ride one of the longest dark rides in any Disney park, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin,  take a whirl on Gadget’s Go Coaster or visit Goofy’s Playhouse. The Disneyland Railroad Depot is meant to service Toontown and Fantasyland, which is right next door. For the astute guest, look at the second story windows above Toontown’s library. You just might see a reference to Laugh-O-Gram Studios, Walt’s first animation business in Kansas City.

Image copyright Disney

While the concept of visiting Mickey’s house may have started with the creation of Mickey’s Birthdayland in Florida, the Walt Disney World version took a twist that I’d venture most people don’t know about. When Mickey’s 60^th birthday celebration ended, the land devoted to his birthday had been quite popular with guests, so it became Mickey’s Starland (without a whole lot of changes) in 1990. Toontown opened in California three years later and, because Disneyland likes to be the place of origin for as much as possible, established their houses as the “real” ones. When Starland (which was actually named Mickey’s Toyland for a hot second before closing for the refurbishment) was given an extensive makeover and became Mickey’s Toontown Fair, the houses there might have naturally been confused as the actual mailing addresses of Mickey, Minnie, et al. However, according to official Disney theming, the Florida buildings were merely the characters’ summer homes, i.e. the temporary shacks they live in just during the fair. Even though they really came first. By five years. I suppose it’s all a moot point, since Mickey’s Toontown Fair doesn’t exist anymore and Toontown does, but still. We know the truth.

Image copyright Disney

In 1996, Tokyo Disneyland got its own version of Mickey’s Toontown, nearly identical to California’s except in mirror image. No word on how they feel about the authenticity of their buildings, but since the Japanese were instrumental in reviving interest in the Orange Bird, we can overlook any delusions of origin they might have.