Mickey’s Toontown has reopened at Disneyland Resort! Along with new attractions and entertainment, the land has been redesigned in order to make it more accessible for all guests.Â
On March 19, 2023, Disneyland officially reopened Mickey’s Toontown to guests! The land reopened with many of the same entertaining installments that guests know and love, but also some exciting new additions. The land features new play areas, food options, and attractions for guests to explore. And when it came to the redesign, Walt Disney Imagineers put a lot of thought into exactly what changes they wanted to make to ensure that the land kept what made it so special but expanded on it to make it fit for a new generation. That’s why, when Walt Disney Imagineers thought up the redesign for the land, they did so with accessibility at the forefront of their minds. We spoke with Imagineers on the opening day of Mickey’s Toontown to get their thoughts on the recently reopened land and dig into exactly what has changed and why.
Disneyland Expands on Toontown Accessibility
Photo Courtesy Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort
Accessibility was critical to the redesign of Toontown, allowing guests of all abilities to enjoy everything the land offers. Along with brightening up colors and elements of the land, Disney also made some significant changes to how accessible everything is. That means they got rid of curbs to allow guests in wheelchairs or guests with strollers to navigate around more easily and also added companion restrooms. In the play areas, more accessibility has been added as well. Slides now have expanded dismount benches at the bottom, giving space for guests needing extra assistance without worrying about holding up the slide for others.
Photo Courtesy Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort
Disney also added a quiet zone to the land, which you can find located over by Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Gadget Coaster. The area has open space to sit on turf-like grass and a shaded enclave with soundproofing so that noise can be blocked from the rest of the park if any guests need a place to decompress. Overall, you’ll find more green spaces to gather, play, and relax throughout the land than before.
New Toontown Areas Let Guests Experience Senses in Different Ways
Photo courtesy of Disney
Mickey’s Toontown was redesigned with everyone in mind, from kids to adults. The different attractions and areas were all designed with sensory elements, allowing guests to interact and play. CenTOONial Park is the first spot guests will see when entering Toontown, featuring two interactive play elements. There’s a fountain featuring water tables that are designed for guests to play in, along with a “dreaming tree” that has sculpted roots meant for kids to crawl around and explore in. Inspired by a place Walt Disney imagined dreamed of while growing up, the dreaming tree also features wheelchair pathways for all guests to enjoy.
At Goofy’s How-To-Play Yard you’ll find a sound garden where kids can discover “new ways to make wacky noises” and play in a new, elevated clubhouse. Inside Goofy’s House, sound elements have been purposely toned down so as not to cause sensory overload.
Photo Courtesy Richard Harbaugh/Disneyland Resort
Donald’s Duck Pond features Donald’s Boat surrounded by spinning water lilies, balance beams, and rocking toys. All of the elements are accessible and designed to interact with all of your senses for kids to explore and engage with.
Toontown Revamp is for a New Generation
Photo Courtesy of Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort
“Toontown when it opened 30 years ago, was perfect for that generation; Toontown today is perfect for all of our generations,” Imagineer Carlos told us. “What I mean by that is it allows everyone with any ability, all abilities, to come and play, explore, wonder, and just have a great time.”
The land still has plenty of nostalgia and elements that fans of the original will love, but has expanded to become more accessible for a new generation of fans. Our reporter, Kathleen, found the land to still be fun, zany, and whimsical as ever, but with certain sensory details dialed back to be more pleasant for all. That means less noise, like when you’d hear sirens or jackhammers in the background as you walked through before the revamp.
Make sure to read all our Disneyland Toontown coverage at the links below!
Mickey’s Toontown Reopens at Disneyland: Everything You Need to Know
Eat Your Way Through Mickey’s Toontown With These Delicious New Food and Drink Options
Our Favorite Merch Finds from the Reopening of Mickey’s Toontown in Disneyland
