Posted by Mike and Chris Pettey Updated on September 16, 2024
Category: Disney vs. Disney
Tags: Disney vs. Disney Disneyland Tokyo Disneyland

Toontown is a themed area within Disney’s Castle Parks, with a cartoon theme loosely inspired by the 1988 Touchstone Pictures film Who Framed Roger Rabbit? The land is intended to be the “home” of Mickey Mouse and his animated friends, and can be found at two of the six Disney Resorts across the globe. We’ve experienced every Toontown in person. (Updated Sept 9, 2024)

Major Similarities & Differences

You can watch fantastic videos of all versions of the land online, so we won’t spend time re-hashing the details of each experience. Instead, we will just point out the major similarities and differences we feel are worth calling out:

In California the land is called Mickey’s Toontown. In Japan it is simply named Toontown.
The Tokyo version and California versions were originally very closely mirror images of each other in many ways until the update of the California land in 2023.
Both Toontowns originally had a transportation attraction called the Jolley Trolley which ran through the middle of the land. Due to space constraints as well as safety concerns, both attractions were closed.

Both Goofy themed areas were once called “Goofy’s Bounce House” and were a balloon jump house theme. Both were rethemed, though to different concepts, still involving Goofy.
The Florida resort once had a Toontown inspired land called Mickey’s Toontown Fair. This was a completely different take on Toontown, and was intended to be a holiday fairground home for Mickey and his friends. The land was re-themed as Dumbo’s Storybook Circus (a sub-section of Fantasyland) in 2012 as part of the New Fantasyland project.

The Rankings (from least favorite to favorite)

2. Toontown – Tokyo Disneyland (Tokyo)

Coming in a close second is Toontown in Tokyo Disneyland park. Like much of this park, this land is a time capsule of sorts, as it has remained relatively untouched since its opening; a throwback to the California original. The theming is perfect, the paint is fresh, the maintenance is in top form with everything working and functioning as it should. Cast members are on their A-game, retail is unique and inspired, and food offerings are both delicious and fun. The theme of Goofy’s Paint ‘n Play House is better than its original California counterpart, with more interactive features for kids. The Chip ‘n’ Dale Treehouse is even still a functioning attraction here. And finally, Minnie’s Style Studio adds a fun themed meet-n-greet as a counterpart to the Mickey meet-n-greet that has existed here for years. It’s a well-rounded offering that sparkles and shines in true Tokyo Disney fashion. And while it doesn’t quite reach the heights of the re-imagined California version, it is still a solid land, the second best version of Toontown on the planet.

1. Mickey’s Toontown – Disneyland (California)

The California version of Toontown was the first to open, and the backstory is fantastic – the idea being that this home of Mickey and friends has always existed just beyond the train tracks, and in 1991 was opened up to visitors. The problem was that over time, the land became a shell of its former self, with many attractions closed, removed, or simply non-functional. In the mid 2010’s the land was often relatively empty, and felt like it was lacking in offerings compared to other areas of the park. Then, in 2019, it was announced that the land would be receiving a new headliner attraction, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – a copy of the popular ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios park in Florida. Along with this addition, the land would receive a full refresh and overhaul, with new play areas for the kids, new scenery, refreshed versions of the Roger Rabbit dark ride and the Go-Coaster, and new food and retail offerings. Opening in 2023, the result is nothing short of fantastic. Mickey’s Toontown now feels like a full-fledged land, and can hold its own with any other land in the park. The addition of Runaway Railway gives the land a true headliner, and the rest of the land feels alive and complete again. It’s exactly what Toontown needed, and it propels this land to the top spot on our list – the best version of Toontown in the world.

Written by Mike and Chris Pettey

Did you enjoy this list? Do you love Disney Parks rankings? Check out our full library of "Disney Vs. Disney" blog posts where we rank and review literally dozens of similar rides, parks, lands and attractions. From the four Big Thunder Mountains, to the six Main Streets, to the four Winnie the Pooh dark rides, there's plenty of great content. Go check it out!

YOUR THOUGHTS?

Agree or disagree with our rankings? Have you experienced any of these lands – either in person, or virtually via the internet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

4 Comments

Madi says:

May 25, 2021 at 5:23 pm

Cool

Madi says:

May 25, 2021 at 5:24 pm

Noice

George Quitoriano says:

May 19, 2023 at 6:54 am

You need to revisit this. Not only did Disneyland add Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, an exceptional ride, they also renovated the land (e.g. new fountain). Clearly, your prediction came true.

Mike and Chris Pettey says:

May 22, 2023 at 8:33 am

Indeed, you are correct! We will be updating this post, along with a few others coming down the pipeline, in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!

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Disney Vs. Disney: Ranking Every Toontown