PHOTOS: Padded Play Area Opens for ‘Little Goofs’ in Mickey’s Toontown, Birdhouse Removed from Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard

Shannen Ace

PHOTOS: Padded Play Area Opens for ‘Little Goofs’ in Mickey’s Toontown, Birdhouse Removed from Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard

A padded play area for toddlers has opened behind Donald’s Duck Pond and the birdhouse has been removed from Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard in Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland.

Mickey’s Toontown Padded Play Area

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This small, enclosed play area has green padded benches and structures snug against the brown cliffs of Toontown.

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The play area is for “little goofs” from 6 to 23 months. They must have adult supervision at all times. The sign also warns that the surfaces may be hot — the area is mostly shaded, but it can still get sunny in Mickey’s Toontown.

Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard Birdhouse

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The colorful birdhouse is gone from Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard and has been replaced with a fake rock in the center of a ring of chalk drawings.

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The birdhouse was reportedly temporary and a more permanent, interactive version will debut later.

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Here is what the birdhouse looked like when Mickey’s Toontown reopened earlier this year.

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In concept art for Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard, kids can be seen playing with the birdhouse:

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Check out our full tour of Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard.

Mickey’s Toontown

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Mickey’s Toontown first opened at Disneyland in 1993. It was similar to the Magic Kingdom land, Mickey’s Toontown Fair (a.k.a. Mickey’s Birthdayland, Mickey’s Starland, and Mickey’s Toyland), that had opened in 1988. Tokyo Disneyland opened their own Toontown in 1996 which remains much the same as the original Disneyland version did with a few changes.

The lands are inspired by Mickey and Friends, as well as Roger Rabbit. At Disneyland, Mickey’s Toontown currently features Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Mickey’s House, Minnie’s House, Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster (previously Gadget’s Go Coaster), Donald’s Duck Pond, Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard, and CenTOONial Park.

When it opened, it also included Chip ‘n Dale’s Acorn Pit (which only lasted about five years), Chip ‘n Dale’s Treehouse, Goofy’s Bounce House (later re-themed to Goofy’s Playhouse), Jolly Trolley, and Toon Park.

Mickey’s Toontown at Disneyland closed in early 2022 for a major retheming. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway had already been under construction for a few years. The new attraction opened in January 2023 and the reimagined land followed in March 2023.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is almost an exact duplicate of the Disney’s Hollywood Studios ride but set inside the highly themed El CapiTOON Theater featuring the Mickey Through the Ears exhibit.

The refreshed land is supposed to provide more play space and interactive elements for kids, as well as relaxing areas for families. It’s designed to be more inclusive and accessible.

Before the land was fully updated, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin was refurbished to give Jessica Rabbit a better role as a detective instead of a damsel in distress.

Guests can meet characters like Mickey, Minnie, and Pete in Mickey’s Toontown. Mickey even has a new costume.

Dining locations in Mickey’s Toontown are Café Daisy (featuring appearances by Daisy) and Good Boy! Grocers.

Check out our tour of Mickey’s Toontown from just before its closure in 2022. And compare it to a daytime tour of Mickey’s Toontown in March 2023.

Watch our video tour of the reimagined Mickey’s Toontown below.

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