Mickey’s Toontown Fair, a beloved themed land in the Magic Kingdom at Disney World in Florida, opened its doors to the public on June 18, 1988. It was initially introduced as Mickey’s Birthdayland, then renamed Mickey’s Starland on May 26, 1990. The final transformation occurred on October 1, 1996, when it was rebranded as Mickey’s Toontown Fair. The area was designed to be a holiday home for the characters based in Disneyland’s Toontown. However, on February 12, 2011, Mickey’s Toontown Fair permanently closed its doors to make room for the expansion of Fantasyland.
Mickey’s Toontown Fair at Disney World in Florida closed its doors permanently on February 12, 2011, to make way for the expansion of Fantasyland. Post-closure, the area underwent major renovations and reopened in 2023, featuring new attractions like CenTOONial Park and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Some of the original Toontown attractions were repurposed or relocated within Disney World, while others were permanently closed.
Key Attractions and Features of Mickey’s Toontown Fair
Mickey’s Toontown Fair was a unique and interactive area that offered various attractions for guests. Some of the key attractions included:
- The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm: This was a roller coaster attraction designed for the thrill-seekers.
- Walt Disney World Railroad: This was a train ride that had a station in Toontown.
- Mickey’s Country House and Minnie’s Country House: These were walkthrough attractions showcasing the houses of Mickey and Minnie.
- Judge’s Tent: This was a meet-and-greet area where visitors could interact with their favorite Disney characters.
- Donald’s Boat: This was a play area themed around Donald Duck’s boat.
- Toontown Hall of Fame: This was a location where visitors could meet various Disney characters.
In addition to these attractions, there were several shopping areas, including Cornelius Coot’s County Bounty, Mickey’s Toontown Fair Souvenirs, and Toontown Farmer’s Market.
Closure of Mickey’s Toontown Fair
Disney World made the decision to close Mickey’s Toontown Fair to pave the way for the expansion of Fantasyland. The news was met with mixed reactions from the public. While some fans expressed nostalgia and a desire for the original Toontown to return, others were excited about the new experiences that the expansion would bring.
What Happened to the Former Toontown Area?
Following the closure of Toontown, the area underwent a major renovation with a renewed focus on play areas for young children. The reimagined Toontown, which closed its doors in March 2022 and reopened a year later in March 2023, now features CenTOONial Park, a natural space with interactive play experiences, and the new Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway attraction.
Relocation and Repurposing of Toontown Attractions
Some attractions from Toontown were repurposed or relocated within Disney World. For instance, The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm was rethemed as The Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini and is now part of the Storybook Circus area in Fantasyland. The Walt Disney World Railroad station in Toontown was replaced by the Fantasyland Station. However, many attractions, such as Mickey’s Country House and Minnie’s Country House, were permanently closed and not relocated or repurposed.
Future Plans for Toontown
While Disney World does not currently have plans to reintroduce elements of Toontown, Disneyland in California has recently reimagined Mickey’s Toontown, which reopened in 2023. The new Toontown includes the attraction Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, which debuted on January 27, 2023.
In conclusion, the closure of Mickey’s Toontown Fair marked the end of an era, but it also paved the way for new and exciting experiences at Disney World. Despite the closure, the magic of Toontown lives on in the hearts of its fans and through the transformed areas and attractions within the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the reason behind the name changes of Mickey’s Birthdayland to Mickey’s Starland and then to Mickey’s Toontown Fair?
The name changes were part of the park’s evolution. Mickey’s Birthdayland was originally created to celebrate Mickey Mouse’s 60th birthday. After the birthday celebration was over, the area was rebranded as Mickey’s Starland to reflect the broader inclusion of other Disney characters. Later, it was renamed again as Mickey’s Toontown Fair to align with the theme of Disneyland’s Toontown, portraying it as a holiday home for Disney characters.
What is the Storybook Circus area in Fantasyland?
Storybook Circus is a section of the expanded Fantasyland at Disney World. It is themed around a classic American circus and features attractions like Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station, and The Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini, which is a rethemed version of The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm from the former Toontown.
What is Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway?
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a new attraction that debuted in the reimagined Toontown at Disneyland and later in the renovated area of the former Toontown at Disney World. It’s a dark ride that takes guests on a wild adventure through a Mickey Mouse cartoon short.
Was there any Toontown in any other Disney park?
Yes, there is a Toontown in Disneyland Park in California. This is the original Toontown that Mickey’s Toontown Fair at Disney World was designed to be a holiday home for. Disneyland’s Toontown also went through a major renovation and reopened in 2023 with new attractions including Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
