Today, we are continuing our series on the lands of Disneyland Park with a guide to Mickey’s Toontown. We started off with Fantasyland, and today we are continuing with its even more
neighbor. Mickey’s Toontown is home to Mickey, Minnie and their pals, plus three attractions, wonderful play areas and places to shop and dine. Now it is time to burst through the screen and right into Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland.
Where is Mickey’s Toontown?
First, let us get you to Mickey’s Toontown. You are going to head all the way to the back (far north end) of Disneyland Park. To get there, take the path coming northeast out of Fantasyland. You will walk past Storybook Land Canal Boats and head towards the impressive facade of “it’s a small world.” But, you will turn left before you get to “it’s a small world” and go under the Disneyland Railroad tracks and into Mickey’s Toontown. The entry is marked by a town sign complete with an ever-changing population counter.
Unlike other lands at Disneyland Park, there is only one way in and out of Mickey’s Toontown. Everyone has to go under those railroad tracks, and it can get a bit congested at times. You may notice what looks like a massive stroller parking lot just outside Mickey’s Toontown. Cast members keep strollers corralled here to try to manage some of the congestion. (See our tips for strollers and keeping tack of them here.)
If you do not want to take the path to Mickey’s Toontown that we just described, you can instead ride the Disneyland Railroad to get there. Just keep in mind that you will still need to cross under the tracks after you disembark, as the station is just outside Toontown and adjacent to the Fantayland Theatre. The trains travel clockwise around the tracks in a continuous loop, so you can board at any of the other three stations and hop off at Mickey’s Toontown station. Turn left out of the station and head under the tracks into Toontown.
What Will I Find in Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland?
Mickey’s Toontown has three rides: Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin and Chip ‘N’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster, but the main attraction here is really the town itself.
Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland is where Mickey and his pals live. You can find Mickey’s House, Minnie’s House, Donald’s Duck Pond and Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard (plus house). Daisy is represented in Cafe Daisy, which serves basic American diner fare, and Pluto has a market stand with healthy snacks called Good Boy! Grocers.
The idea is that this is a functioning town, so you will also see things like a bank and post office boxes. You will also find CenTOONial Park and a whimsical central fountain. The best part is that basically all these things are meant for interaction, so climb on the fire truck, ring the doorbell and peek into the mailbox. Everything has been executed in a charming cartoony style with the intention that you will feel like you have stepped into a cartoon.
Food and Merchandise in Mickey’s Toontown
In addition to Daisy and Pluto’s dining locations, you should also be able to find some snacks back by Chip ‘N’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster. Merchandise is at the exit for Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in EngineEars Souvenirs.
Restrooms and Water in Mickey’s Toontown
If you need a restroom or water fountain (with water bottle filler) look in the building shared with Good Boy! Grocers.
How Do I See Characters in Mickey’s Toontown?
Mickey’s Toontown is really all about its residents, so naturally you can find them hanging around town at various times of day. The characters you will meet here are those who inhabit Mickey’s world, so expect Mickey and Minnie Mouse, plus friends like Goofy and Daisy, and maybe even some surprising characters like Pete or Clarabelle Cow.
We recommend checking the schedule in the Disneyland app to see when the characters are available for meet and greets, as the schedule varies, and not everyone is out all day. The app will also tell you where to find the characters. Those who do not have designated meeting spots inside their own houses (aka Mickey and Minnie) are usually somewhere around CenTOONial Park and the playground area.
The most consistent opportunity for a character interaction is to meet Mickey at his house. This is a neat experience, as the queue to meet Mickey will actually take you through the rooms of his house and deposit you out back where you can give Mickey a hug. Minnie also spends a lot of time greeting guests at her house, though her hours are not as long as Mickey’s. Whether Minnie is home or not, you are still invited to take a walk through her house and visit her backyard wishing well.
What Are the Rides in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland?
While the characters and general ambience are the heart of Mickey’s Toontown, there are also some great rides. With the addition of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in 2023, there are now three rides in Toontown. The other two rides are Chip ‘N’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster and Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. Chip ‘N’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster does not use Lightning Lane, but the other two rides are currently included on Lightning Lane Multi Pass.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is in the distinctive El Capitol Theater, straight ahead when you are entering Toontown. We think this ride is good silly fun, and we especially like that it can appeal to riders of all ages. There is no height restriction, and while there is some cartoon-y peril, we have taken toddles on here with no trouble. We love that riding it really feels like entering a Mickey Mouse cartoon, and some clever Imagineering tricks make it clear this was the intention. One warning is that this ride can be very loud, so if you have some sensitive folks in your group, consider ear protection.
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
Not far from Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. This wacky ride is based on the film Who Framed Roger Rabbit which featured its own version of Toontown. This ride has a steering wheel mechanism that allows you to spin your ride vehicle—a runway taxicab—as it careens through a storyline featuring menacing weasels and their toxic Dip. This ride has no height requirement, but young kids may find it a bit frightening. You might want to preview some photos or videos of the ride before jumping in the queue with little ones.
Chip ‘N’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster
The final Mickey’s Toontown ride is Chip ‘N’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster. This attraction does have a minimum height requirement of 35” but because that is lower than other roller coasters in Disneyland Resort, this is a first roller coaster for many kids. The other feature that makes it a nice first roller coaster is that anxious kids can see the whole ride from the queue and decide whether they are ready to ride. For adults and older kids who can ride other roller coasters, this ride may not hold much appeal, but it is worth looking at just to see the clever way everyday objects where incorporated into the design.
(Note: If you are considering whether a ride is too scary for your little one, be sure to look at Too Afraid to Ride: How to Handle Scary Disneyland Rides)
What Else Can I Do At Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland?
We think the best way to enjoy Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland is just to take a stroll with your senses engaged. The Imagineers have really done a wonderful job immersing guests in a cartoon world. There are so many clever little gags, and many of them are interactive. We hope you get some time to enjoy it.
Our kids could spend a very long time exploring Mickey’s Toontown, and they really appreciate the invitation to climb slide and wiggle around the playground of Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard. In Goofy’s house, kids (and adults) can turn cranks and pull levers to help make candy, and the yard is full of play structures with some extra Disney oomph. The neighboring Donald’s Duck Pond and the little campsite behind it continues in the same vein of Imagineered playground.
Our kids love exploring here, and we also know that this is a great place to get some unstructured play and get some wiggles out.
What Are Some Tips for Visiting Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland?
While we really appreciate the cartoon style of Mickey’s Toontown, we also cannot deny that it comes with some compromise. Specifically, there is very little shade and little (natural) plant life in Toontown. On a summer day, we think Mickey’s Toontown feels like the hottest place in all of Disneyland Park. For this reason, we suggest avoiding Toontown during midday in Anaheim’s hotter months. On the other hand, you may find noon in Toontown pleasant if you are visiting during the winter.
Toontown’s design can also make you feel the crowds more intensely here than in other parts of the park, which is again a reason to avoid the busy midday times.
Our advice is to head to Mickey’s Toontown when your kids need a free-play break, but if you want to enjoy the details, avoid midday. We like to go to Mickey’s Toontown second after we start our morning in Fantasyland.
Mickey’s Toontown Can Close For Part of the Evening
Another thing to keep in mind when planning your visit to Mickey’s Toontown is that—like parts of Fantasyland—it regularly closes during nighttime entertainment.
On the day of your visit, check the Disneyland app to see the operating hours for the rides in Toontown. This will give you a good idea of when Toontown itself will be open. You can also check for signs posted outside the entrance to Mickey’s Toontown. The land usually reopens after fireworks on days when Disneyland has long operating hours, but it may not if the nighttime entertainment is close to park closing time.
Why Should I Visit Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland?
Mickey’s Toontown is one of the best places to play in all of Disneyland Resort. We love that this land reflects the playful nature of its residents, and we love taking our kids here to get a little silly if they have been waiting in queues for much of the day.
Even if you do not have kids with you, we think you will appreciate the clever design and hidden gags of Mickey’s Toontown. You do not have to actually get in line to meet Mickey to appreciate his hometown. After all, Walt Disney himself said that he hoped to “never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse.”
Thank you for reading this guide to Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland Park.
For our first entry in this series, see Featuring Fantasyland at Disneyland Park: Highlights, Tips & FAQs. And for help planning your Disneyland visit, go to Step-by-Step Disneyland Prep. Finally, please consider subscribing to our free newsletter after the FAQS below.
FAQs for Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland
Here are some quick answers to questions about Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland.
Did Mickey’s Toontown close?
Not the one in Disneyland! Mickey’s Toontown Fair in the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World did close in 2011, but Mickey’s Toontown is Disneyland is still open!
In fact, Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland received a refresh to go along with the opening of Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway in 2023. The land closed temporarily during that time, but it is now fully reopened.
Do I need a special ticket to visit Mickey’s Toontown?
Admission to Mickey’s Toontown is included with general admission to Disneyland Park. You do not need a special ticket or reservation to visit.
Are there Lightning Lanes in Mickey’s Toontown?
Two rides in Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland currently use Lightning Lanes. These rides are Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. The remaining ride and the character opportunities do not presently make use of Lightning Lanes.
Do I need to go to Toontown to meet Mickey Mouse?
No. Mickey’s Toontown is a great place to meet Mickey Mouse, because you also have the opportunity to walk through his house. However, there are other places in Disneyland Resort where you can meet Mickey.
Does Mickey’s Toontown close early, before the rest of Disneyland?
Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland Park does regularly close during nighttime entertainment.
Prior to the 2023 refurbishment, the land would often not reopen after the closure and it would also open later than the rest of the park. Since the 2023 reopening, Mickey’s Toontown has operating hours closer to those of the park as a whole, but it does still close during nighttime entertainment. On evenings when nighttime entertianment is close to park closing time, it may not reopen.
Can I visit Mickey’s Toontown without kids?
Yes! You do not need to be with kids to visit Mickey’s Toontown. We think anyone can enjoy the clever design and fun attractions.
