For anyone who has grown up watching cartoons starring characters like Mickey Mouse and the gang (which, let’s be honest, is all of us), you’ve probably wished that you could experience their vibrant, over-the-top world for yourself. We know we have. Enter: Mickey’s Toontown. Located just behind Fantasyland in Disneyland Park, Mickey’s Toontown takes the Fab Five’s cartoony community from technicolor to 4D, allowing you to experience the sights, sounds and tastes of Mickey and Minnie’s hometown, from CenTOONial Park and the El CapiTOON Theater to Mickey’s House.
Best of all, thanks to its recent reimagining, there’s a whole new Mickey’s Toontown for Disneyland guests to explore, with both new and updated attractions and restaurants to better-than-ever favorites. But exactly what does this whimsical cartoon world have to offer? From interactive play experiences and kid-friendly rides to character meet-and-greets, dining options and shopping opportunities, read on to learn everything you and your little ones can experience when you visit Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland.
Mickey’s Toontown, Where the Animated World of Mickey Mouse Comes to Life
Have you ever wished that you could join the Mickey Mouse Club (or, for the younger generations, take a trip to the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse)? Well, thanks to Mickey’s Toontown, Disneyland Park’s whimsically immersive themed land, you totally can.
From Mickey’s & Minnie’s Houses to a Tree Inspired By a Young Walt Disney
If you’ve ever been blessed to see 1988’s Who Framed Roger Rabbit (do yourself a favor and watch it if you haven’t already), then there’s a good chance that Mickey’s Toontown looks a little familiar, as much of the inspiration for the area came for the film. Just like the movie representation of Mickey’s Toontown, Disneyland Park’s version is an animated neighborhood where cartoon characters live apart from the human world in perfect harmony.
Just like a Saturday morning cartoon, buildings in Mickey’s Toontown are vibrant and stylized, with balloon-like shapes straight off of a television screen. You can even explore Mickey’s or Minnie’s house or get a bite to eat at Daisy’s diner. Both visual and interactive gags abound, making for an adorable area where little ones will love to get hands-on, and adults will marvel at the many incredible details. So, while Mickey’s Toontown is definitely geared toward smaller Disneyland Resort guests, there are also plenty of elements that everyone can enjoy.
Although Mickey’s Toontown has been a place where kids of all ages, but especially young children, could get hands-on and live out their cartoon dreams ever since its opening on January 24, 1993, Disneyland’s Toontown recently got an upgrade, not only adding on a few new rides and a couple of restaurants but also retheming or “plussing” some attractions that already existed. Now, under the expertise of the ever-creative Walt Disney Imagineering, new Toontown features attractions like CenTOONial Park, which features a fountain and a “dreaming tree” styled after one that a young Walt Disney used to daydream under in his hometown with fancifully sculpted tree roots, and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in the all-new El CapiTOON Theater (a playful pun inspired by Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre, which just so happens to also be owned by the Walt Disney Company).
Although there’s nothing quite as adorable as Mickey’s Toontown, Disneyland Park is one of the only Disney Parks where you can still step into the world of your favorite Disney characters. There used to be a version at Walt Disney World called Mickey’s Toontown Fair, which closed in February 2011 to make way for Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland. That said, you can still experience the land’s Japanese counterpart at Tokyo Disneyland, while Walt Disney Studios Park in Disneyland Paris offers the somewhat similar Toon Studio.
Where to Play, Eat and Shop in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park
Are you planning to visit Mickey’s Toontown on your next Disneyland vacation? Then put on your Mickey Ears and continue on as we explore everything there is to experience in Mickey’s Toontown, Disneyland Park’s cute cartoon land.
Attractions at Mickey’s Toontown
Disneyland Park offers nine attractions in Mickey’s Toontown, including four rides and five larger-than-life interactive play experiences and activity areas. Two of these recently opened as part of the new Mickey’s Toontown, while another was rethemed and the characters’ homes were upgraded.
CenTOONial Park
One of the newest additions to Mickey’s Toontown Disneyland Park has to offer is the cleverly named CennTOONial Park, a new attraction with abundant green space. At the heart of the area is the interactive CenTOONial Park fountain, which invites children of all ages to splash around a bit. As the name suggests, there is also plenty of new green space for guests to kick back, relax and soak up the sunshine for a while, including a “dreaming tree” inspired by one that a young Walt Disney used to sit beneath in his hometown of Marceline, Missouri. Another interactive area, the dreaming tree has sculpted tree roots perfect for little ones to crawl under and explore.
Lightning Lane Availability: None
Height Restriction: Any Height
Best for: All Ages
Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster
Dreamt up by Mickey’s Toontown’s favorite tinkerer, Gadget Hackwrench, the inventor mouse from Disney’s Rescue Rangers cartoon, Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster is a fun-sized thrill ride designed for Disneyland’s tiniest guests. For this kiddie coaster, which is located right next door to Donald’s Boat, guests set out in a hollowed-out acorn, each designed to fit one child and one adult.
Lightning Lane Availability: None
Height Restriction: At least 35 inches (89cm) tall
Best for: Kids and Tweens
Disneyland Railroad
The Disneyland Railroad is a true Disney Parks classic. One station for the iconic attraction is located in Mickey’s Toontown, making this a convenient spot to climb aboard for your next destination or disembark for a chance to see Mickey’s House and meet the Big Cheese.
Lightning Lane Availability: None
Height Restriction: Any Height
Best for: All Ages
Donald’s Duck Pond
Donald’s Boat is another must-see for kiddos exploring Mickey’s Toontown. Also known as Donald’s Duck Pond, this water play area overflows with fun and interactive activities, such as spinning water lilies, rocking toys and balance beams where little ones can test their balance. Following the area’s reimagining, guests can also take a peek inside Donald’s Boat through the vessel’s portholes for a chance to see Huey, Dewey and Louie, as well as their pal Webby, splashing about in the water-logged craft.
Lightning Lane Availability: None
Height Restriction: Any Height
Best for: Preschoolers, Kids and Tweens
Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard
Once you’re ready to dry off after making a splash at Donald’s Boat, head next door for another wacky attraction: Goofy’s House, which is known as Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard. Named for Goofy’s How to Play cartoons, this hilarious humble abode is chockful of hands-on activities and silly sounds.
Outside Goofy’s House, a sound garden allows guests to let their imaginations run wild, while Goofy’s playhouse boasts a bird’s-eye view of the cartoonish community below. Then, head inside Goofy’s House to try out his interactive candy-making contraption, which uses drips of honey from a beehive outside to craft fabulous confections. The entire area feels as if you’ve just taken a step into A Goofy Movie.
Lightning Lane Availability: None
Height Restriction: Any Height
Best for: Preschoolers, Kids and Tweens
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Appropriately located in Toontown’s prem-ear entertainment venue, the El CapiTOON Theater, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway takes the immersive aspects of this vibrant land even further, plunging riders headlong into the madcap animated realm of Mickey and Minnie. As a high-tech dark ride, this new attraction sends guests through a series of zany cartoon scenes, which twist, change and rearrange just like they do on-screen.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway queue is just as whimsical as the ride itself, featuring the grand debut of “Perfect Picnic,” the lovebirds’ newest short, as well as “Mickey Through the Ears,” a delightful journey through the storied career of the Big Cheese himself, including items like memorabilia and movie props.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway opened in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park on January 25, 2023, and has been a hit ever since. Luckily, this isn’t the only place where you can experience Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. The ride is also located in Walt Disney World at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Lightning Lane Availability: Individual Lightning Lane
Height Restriction: Any Height
Best for: All Ages
Mickey’s House
You can’t go to Disneyland and not take an opportunity to see Mickey Mouse. After all, it all started with him and his starring role in “Steamboat Willie.” Fortunately for guests, the Big Cheese has been gracious enough to open up his home to visitors, allowing guests to catch a glimpse of how he lives.
Mickey’s House is filled to the brim with an array of delightful details, from Pluto’s dog house to treasured photos to movie memorabilia from some of his starring roles. And, of course, there’s no better setting for a meet-and-greet with Mickey Mouse than the place he calls home.
Lightning Lane Availability: None
Height Restriction: Any Height
Best for: All Ages
Minnie’s House
Next, make your way next door to visit Minnie’s House. Resplendent in soft hues of lavender, pink and cream, as well as plenty of hearts, Minnie’s House is just as sweet as she is. This charming confection-like abode is also stuffed with thoughtful design details, such as love letters from and pictures with her main squeeze, Mickey Mouse. Naturally, you can also meet the lovable mouse herself.
Lightning Lane Availability: None
Height Restriction: Any Height
Best for: All Ages
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
Jump behind the wheel of Benny the Cab and join Roger Rabbit as he helps his lady love, Jessica Rabbit, foil the evil plans of the Toon Patrol Weasels. Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin has also gone through a reimagining recently, turning Jessica Rabbit from a damsel in distress into the lead investigator of her very own private eye business.
Whether you’re a long-time fan of Roger Rabbit or you have a kiddo who still hasn’t had a chance to see his titular film (some of the scenes are decidedly not kid-friendly), guests both young and old are sure to love Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. Along with the fun scenes, your car also spins a full 360 degrees, just like the name suggests.
Lightning Lane Availability: Disney Genie+
Height Restriction: Any Height
Best for: Preschoolers, Kids and Tweens
Characters in Mickey’s Toontown
Disneyland Park is positively filled with opportunities to meet your favorite Disney characters. That said, there’s something undeniably magical about meeting the likes of Mickey Mouse and his lady love, Minnie, in the cartoonish comfort of their very own homes. If you’re lucky, you might even get a chance to see other citizens of Mickey’s Toontown, such as Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Pluto, Goofy, Clarabelle Cow and Pete. Just refer to the Disneyland app for the current appearance schedule and locations.
Meet Mickey Mouse
What better place to meet Mickey Mouse than in his humble abode? Meet-and-greets are available throughout the day at Mickey’s House, typically running from park open until the middle of the evening. Check the Disneyland app for the day’s schedule.
Meet Minnie Mouse
Just like at Mickey’s House, Minnie Mouse typically also greets guests all day long in her pastel-heavy home. However, while Mickey Mouse is always a given, availability is subject to change for Minnie. So, be sure to look at the app for her daily appearance times.
Dining in Mickey’s Toontown
Disneyland Park recently received two new dining options with the reopening of Mickey’s Toontown in March 2023. Although you won’t find any table-service restaurants here, the new Toontown does offer two quick-service eateries, as well as one popcorn stand.
Café Daisy
Previously known as Daisy’s Diner, Cafe Daisy is another new addition to Mickey’s Toontown. Disneyland Park guests are sure to be charmed by this cute streetside eatery. Although there isn’t any indoor seating, there are plenty of tables available out front, each shaded by a bistro-worthy umbrella.
As you might expect from a Toontown restaurant, the food available at Cafe Daisy is very kid-friendly, with dishes on offer like hot dogs, pizza “flop-overs,” and cinnamon-sugar donuts. Vegetarians and vegans will enjoy the Spring Garden Wrap, which features quinoa salad and marinated romaine lettuce with a creamy lemon dressing. Wash it all down with a Picnic Time Watermelon Lemonade.
Cost: Snacks, Lunch & Dinner – $14.99 and under per adult
Cuisine: American
What to Get: Daisy’s Dressed-Up Dog, Pizza Flop-Overs, Daisy’s Goody-Goody Donuts
Reservations: None, Mobile Order available
Good Boy! Grocers
Located just next door to Cafe Daisy is Good Boy! Grocers, which serves up a healthy assortment of grab-and-go drinks and snacks. Designed to feel like a Toontown farmers’ market, this counter-service spot offers everything from Mini Babybel Snack Cheese and Goldfish Crackers to fresh fruit and yogurt. Turn your meal into a scene from one of Mickey and Minnie’s cartoons with the Perfect Picnic Blanket and enjoy your snacks from a patch of green space.
Cost: Snacks – $14.99 and under per adult
Cuisine: American
What to Get: Perfect Picnic Basket
Reservations: None
Mickey’s Toontown Popcorn Stand
If you have a craving for popcorn, park yourself near Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster and stop by the nearby popcorn stand. Here you’ll find the salty snack, as well as the Yummy Popcorn Bucket, an adorable novelty item that is designed to resemble a classic movie theater popcorn bucket.
Cost: Snacks – $14.99 and under per adult
Cuisine: American
What to Get: Yummy Popcorn Bucket
Reservations: None
Shopping in Mickey’s Toontown
Disneyland Resort has no shortage of merchandise locations, whether you’re in Disneyland Park or California Adventure. However, for those hanging out in Mickey’s Toontown, be sure to stop by the land’s singular shop, no matter if you’re looking for a character hoodie, Mickey Ears, pins or a plushie.
EngineEar Souvenirs
After disembarking Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, pop into EngineEar Souvenirs to grab a memento of your time in Toontown. Disneyland-themed merchandise of all kinds is on offer here, as well as character-inspired apparel, toys and, of course, Mickey and Minnie Ears.
Well, that brings our whimsical tour of Mickey’s Toontown to a close. Have you had a chance to visit this animated part of Disneyland Resort? What’s your favorite part of the new Mickey’s Toontown? Let us know in the comments! Then, find out how you can save on your next trip to Disneyland Park and California Adventure with our discount Disney tickets.
