The End of the Toontown Era: Cartoon Life Concludes at the Magic Kingdom

I have no idea why I’ve never quite felt the same about the Walt Disney World version, but perhaps I’m not alone in feeling that way, as last September, Disney announced that Toontown there would be disappearing to make way for the expansion of Fantasyland. It’s the biggest overhaul in the Magic Kingdom’s almost 40 year history, so it’s hardly surprising that something had to make way for all the new additions to the park.

Mickey’s Toontown at Walt Disney World has an interesting history. For starters, it was never intended to be a permanent land, having originally opened as Mickey’s Birthdayland to celebrate the main mouse’s 60th birthday. It proved to be so successful that Disney chose to retain it, renaming it as Mickey’s Starland. By 1996, it was once again rehabbed to become Mickey’s Toontown Fair Hall of Fame. 

To refresh your memory of the expansion, by 2013, Fantasyland will vastly increase in size, taking over pretty much all of the Toontown that exists today, plus parts of Fantasyland occupied by Dumbo and the old 20,000 Leagues lagoon (Ariel's Grotto and Pooh's Playful Spot). Toontown will make way for the improved Dumbo ride, which will double in size thanks to adding a second carousel, and Pixie Hollow, where you’ll be able to meet Tinker Bell and her friends. Never fear, because meets and greets with Mickey and his friends are too important to lose altogether, so Disney has promised that those will continue elsewhere in the park, with new homes for Mickey and Minnie planned near the front of the park.

Magic Kingdom - Toontown Hall of Fame
The entrance into the Toontown Hall of Fame, the place to head to for meets and greets with your favorite Disney characters. - photo by chezp

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There is one part of Toontown that will remain and that’s the popular children’s roller coaster, the Barnstormer. This makes sense, as it’s the only coaster aimed at children in the park. No doubt it will be in for some re-theming to make it fit into this new part of Fantsyland. Another element that will remain and undergo some re-theming is Toontown Station. Both are expected to get a new circus feel to them, as one part of Toontown will be transformed into Dumbo’s Circus, where the centrepiece will be an expanded version of Dumbo the Flying Elephant, which should help to reduce waits for this popular attraction.

One attraction that won’t be making the transition to the new expanded Fantasyland is Mickey’s Country House and that’s a shame, as like his good Minnie’s Country House, it’s packed with superb little details as you walk around. Admittedly, many who visit here are hustling through to get to see the main mouse, but it’s worth pausing on the way round to check out everything. Examples include checking to see who’s sent post to Mickey recently and listening to the radio in his living room.

The final parts of Mickey’s Country House are perhaps some of our favourite parts. The garden is a delight, not only because it’s home to Pluto’s doghouse, but because of the wonderful vegetables, some with familiar shapes to them, and cactus creations you find out there. Mickey’s workshop can be found in his garage and it’s worth taking some serious time to look at the various books he has in there. The titles of them are wonderful! We always seem to spend ages, just exploring every nook and cranny of these two areas.

Meanwhile, life is very pretty in pink over at Minnie’s Country House. You can’t help but think that it’s probably every girl’s dream at some time or another to have a pink house and Minnie’s certainly succeeded in achieving that dream! Here, our favourite spot has to be the kitchen. There’s just so much to see and do there. Her packed refrigerator is a sight to see and it’s lovely to get some cold air from it. Much as I adore dairy products, even I have to admit that the idea of cheese-flavoured ice cream just doesn’t do anything for me! I’ll also admit to having a very soft spot for the exterior of Minnie’s Country House. It’s a beautiful and fun building and the mailboxes outside are just superb.

I wish the same could be same of the Toontown Hall of Fame. Controversial as it might be, this is one area that I won’t be sad to see the back of. Sure, it’s home to some truly magical character encounters and we’ve enjoyed many there over the years ourselves, but I’ve also thought that there’s so much wasted space here. Somehow, walking in and seeing the County Bounty with its selection of goodies, spread out over too wide an area, has never done much for me. I’m sure there can be a better use for this area.

We’ll soon be seeing that, as the work is expected to begin in Toontown in early 2011 (Ariel's Grotto and Pooh's Playful Spot in Fantasyland have already closed). Part of me will be very sad to bid farewell to Toontown at Walt Disney World, but in truth, it’s probably the least appealing of the three Toontowns at the world’s Disney parks. I can’t help but think that somehow the new, improved and massively expanded Fantasyland will be a fitting way to replace Toontown.



Magic Kingdom - Mickey's House exterior
Mickey's House in Mickey's Toontown Fair from the outside. - photo by chezp

About the Author: Cheryl and husband Mark live in England and love to travel, particularly to Disney, and they have made numerous visits to destinations across America and Europe. They recently completed their tour of every Disney theme park around the world, which culminated in their visit to Japan, including the Tokyo Disney Resort. Click here to view more of Cheryl's articles!

Related Links:
Enjoying the Japan Pavilion at Epcot - A World Showcase Favorite last updated 2/24/2011
The Parades of the Magic Kingdom - A Plethora of Processions last updated 01/22/2009
Epcot's World Showcase - Pavilions vs. The "Real" World last updated 01/29/2009
Recent Changes to Disneyland - Part 1 last updated 02/12/2009
The Seas With Nemo And Friends - In Love With The Living Seas last updated 4/23/2009

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Reader Comments:

I had never even noticed any music in Mickey's living room, I'm going to pay more attention on our trip in November. (it will still be there then?) I don't remember noticing the garage at all before, but for some reason it really captured my attention this last trip, but I didn't notice any books! Going back in November, I hope I can snap some pics then! I do love the garden and have already snapped bunches of pics of that thankfully!

Minnie's house was a NIGHTMARE on the day we were there. Park was most packed that I've ever been. It was an oven in Minnie's house and everyone was just trying to speed through. (is it normally air conditioned? I don't remember suffocating so much in May 2009) I always have just let my kids explore the kitchen, and snapped some pics of them - I'll have to stick my head in the fridge in November! LOL

I'm not really sad to see these things go - but I am glad we got the chance to see them - and lots of pics to remember them by.

     JCRKTW459 on June 3, 2010 @ 10:54 am

So when is this going to be happening? I will be there Sept 23rd

     samg0627 on June 10, 2010 @ 6:54 pm

Great article!

     home4us123 on June 11, 2010 @ 8:26 am

Is there a substitution where we can cool off during our August 2010 vacation? I was looking forward to Ariel's Grotto, too. It was one of the magical places during our first Disney trip with our eldest son (while #2 was in the belly!).

Seriously, any other place to play in water at MK?

     rosieob on July 19, 2010 @ 2:46 pm

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Updated 06-02-2010 - Article #483 

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