In a few weeks we’ll be bidding a final good-bye to a special corner of the Magic Kingdom that has been dedicated to all things Mickey Mouse: Mickey’s Toontown Fair will be folding up as the Fantasyland expansion moves toward this end of the park.
Welcome—and good-bye—to Mickey’s Toontown Fair. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Of all the lands of the Magic Kingdom, this section has probably undergone more change than any other—including Tomorrowland. My first visit to Walt Disney World was in 1988 just months after Mickey’s Birthdayland opened up. There was no Goofy’s Barnstormer back then. There was a petting zoo that included a cow named Minnie Moo, and a place to go visit Mickey. But the key focus were the tents, where you went to see Mickey’s Birthday Party, a show that I thought was one of the best ever presented at the Magic Kingdom. In time the show became more of a showcase to Disney Afternoon characters like Rescue Rangers and Darkwing Duck, and the entire land was retitled “Mickey’s Starland.”
Minnie, Pluto, and Donald all prepare for Mickey’s Birthday Party. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
I was probably one of the first to see Mickey’s Toontown Fair when it premiered on October 1, 1996 as part of Walt Disney World’s 25th Anniversary. I arrived at 3:30 in the morning to do some video taping as part of my work as a cast member with the Disney Institute. I remember seeing the workers hosing down the street and making last-minute preparations. I had yet visited Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland, but what I saw was very impressive compared to what had been there before, and I was excited to bring my children over for a visit. We came only a few days later. Needless to say, Goofy’s Barnstormer was a winner.
That comparison to Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland is probably the biggest challenge Mickey’s Toontown Fair faced since opening. Let’s face it—Mickey’s Toontown is so much bigger and is dripping with so many details. Plus they have Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, which is arguably one of the best dark rides out there. Still, there’s something special about Mickey’s Toontown Fair. And while the multi-colored tents have certainly seen their day, that’s not to say that there isn’t much to celebrate. This photo journey is a tribute to those many details, which probably have not received enough notice over the years.
Let’s take a stroll and see those details one last time.
The Road Through Toontown
You can’t go to the fair without souvenirs. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Pete’s Garage (and restrooms). Who left the key in the tank? Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
“Trust Me With Your Car” is the slogan at Pete’s Garage. Not sure how effective that motto is with Pete in charge. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
If you can’t trust Pete with your car, are you sure you want to trust him with your face? Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
With the same color scheme, this seemed like it was part of Goofy’s Barnstormers. In truth, I really don’t know what the building is supposed to do, though I sense it to be a leftover of Mickey’s Birthdayland. It reads: Wacky Radio with Red Barns, the rowdiest rooster on radio. All country—All the toon. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
The plaque reads: “This is Old Cornelius Coot. Who turned his corn crop into loot. And founded Mickey’s Toontown Fair. To him we dedicate this square. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Signs offer you a four finger point you in every direction. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
This playground wasn’t even listed on the Magic Kingdom guide map. But to a toddler, who cares? Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
A change of title is coming soon to this train station. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
The Roy O. Disney prepares to leave the station. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
The Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm
Entrance to Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm, affectionately known by most as “Goofy’s Barnstormer.” Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
A bumper crop of “bell” peppers. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Another subtle pun in the form of Squash. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
The chickens were so well timed to cluck when the coaster flew by that they almost seem real. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Goofy’s blueprints clearly indicate that safety is clearly an option on this plane. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
A goofy scarecrow keeps the crows out of the popcorn-or does he? Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Sailing through Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
This is really one of the subtler but funnier puns only understood by how the box has lodged itself. It says, “Lookout Below Air Freight Co. Attn!: Ground Crew.” Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Donald’s Boat
Donald’s Boat. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
A map of The Quack Sea. Careful examination reveals Daisy Bay in the shape of Daisy. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Daisy graces the front of Donald’s boat. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Minnie’s Country House
Minnie’s home dressed up for the holidays. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
An early photo of family in Minnie’s Living Room. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
A bulletin board in Minnie’s house. Among the papers is a flier from Jiminy Cricket to attend his “I’m No Fool” lecture series. “Can you live with your conscience if you miss it?” Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Toontown Hall of Fame
Welcome to Cornelius Coot’s County Bounty. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
This was actually one of the biggest gift shops on property, with a wide variety of merchandise to choose from. Notice that at the time this photo was taken, My Little Pony with attachments like Mr. Potato Head was a key sale focus. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Over the years, a variety of characters have played meet and greet in this location, to include Winnie the Pooh and friends as well as Tinkerbell and friends. Still the princesses have always reigned. Does anyone remember that the tent for this character meet and greet was once where Mickey’s Birthday Party showed. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
This old photo of my daughter with either Suzy of Cinderella fame. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Mickey’s Country House and Judge’s Tent
Country house at Christmas time for the leader of them all. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
No question where Mickey goes to get his mail. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Mickey’s bedroom on display. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Practical Pig of Chiny Chin Chin Construction Company is the general contractor on the remodeling going on in Mickey’s kitchen. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
These tomatos rival those found at The Land in Epcot. Here Super Toon Plant Food was used. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
A home for Pluto. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
The sign says that if you see Pluto, please tell him to take himself for a walk. I wish my dog could do that. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
This experimental Toon plant hybrid notes the Genus as being: Pumpkin Pie Are Squared Variety, and the Species as Pumking Maximouse. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
The judge’s tent was once the first tent you entered. It was a holding area before you entered directly into the show tent, where the character show was. From there you emptied into the merchandise tent. All three used to be connected. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
I grew up in Arizona, but I’ve never seen cactus topiary quite like this. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Mickey’s garage is filled with great trivia. I wish my garage looked this cool…or at least this clean.Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Referencing a Disney short from 1952, The Auto Biography of Suzie the Blue Coupe. It’s Not the Years,..It’s the Mileage. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Love the license plate. Note the cans of Mohave Oil, a tribute to Catastrophe Canyon over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
You’ve heard of First Aid, Only in Toon Town can you find Last Aid. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
Mickey is packing up and moving to a very different Exposition Hall on Main Street, U.S.A. We’ll be keeping an eye on the expansion to come here in this corner of the Magic Kingdom. We’ll see a re-modeled Barnstormer, along with a three-ring circus-themed interactive Dumbo area. Beyond a dueling Dumbo’s ride, it’s not exactly clear what will support the draw to this corner of the park. We can be certain, however, that like Disneyland, the Magic Kingdom will never be complete.
We leave Mickey’s Toontown Fair at dusk. Photo by J. Jeff Kober.
