it ’ s quacked up to be .” Mickey was the birthday boy here , but it was clear that the stars of DuckTales were along for the ride .
The opening of Mickey ’ s Birthdayland happened as DuckTales was rising to fame during after-school televisions across America , so it makes sense that the DuckTales world was worked into this shiny new land . Guests could walk the streets of Duckburg , lined with facades that offered photo opportunities , including a huge statue of Cornelius Coot , Duckburg city founder .
Mickey ’ s house was a walk-through attraction that showed off his animated furnishings , and the Grandma Duck ’ s Petting Farm ( now where Goofy ’ s Barnstormer stands ) offered the chance to interact with small animals . There was also a playground and a hedge maze that would squirt water in your face because this cartoon world just wasn ’ t weird enough .
In the ' 90s , guests could meet and greet with the stars of the Disney Afternoon lineup . MAGIC KINGDOM MAP SCAN
Mickey ’ s Birthdayland was designed and hastily built on short notice , hence the many facades and simple attractions . Eisner intended the land to be a temporary area , but it proved to be so popular that it stuck around and evolved for over two decades .
1990 — MICKEY ’ S STARLAND A year after opening , Mickey ’ s birthday was officially over , but this land , intended to be temporary , was just too popular to shut down . Since the city of Duckburg already incorporated characters from the popular DuckTales cartoon , it only made sense that characters from the entire Disney Afternoon lineup should join them . Chip , Dale , and Gadget from Chip ‘ n Dale Rescue Rangers , Baloo and Louie from TaleSpin , and various Gummi Bears headed to Magic Kingdom to rededicate Mickey ’ s Starland .
The setting was still Duckburg , and Disney added more touches to the already feathered town . As different Disney Afternoon shows came into popularity , they joined the new Mickey ’ s Magical TV World stage show . Guests could see Goofy and Max of Goof Troop and even Darkwing Duck . Roger Rabbit even made an appearance during some 1991 shows .
An unexpected character debuted at Grandma Duck ’ s Petting Farm in 1990 , saved from slaughter and purchased by WDW after her owner sent photos and a plea for help . Minnie Moo , the cow with a
Minnie Moo was a hit with visitors . PHOTO COURTESY OF KEN AND ESTHER SHUMARD
remarkably unhidden Mickey spot across her side , joined the animal ensemble and quickly became a guest and Cast Member favorite .
1996 — MICKEY ’ S TOONTOWN FAIR Meanwhile , on the West Coast , Disneyland was creating Mickey ’ s Toontown . This land opened in 1993 , sparked by Mickey ’ s Starland and the 1988 film , Who Framed Roger Rabbit ? Attractions included Roger Rabbit ’ s Cartoon Spin , the Jolly Trolley , Gadget ’ s Go-Coaster , Chip ‘ n Dale Treehouse , and a Mickey house walk-through that was more interactive than the Magic Kingdom version .
The overwhelming popularity of Mickey ’ s Toontown inspired yet another makeover for the Mickey ’ s Birthdayland site in Florida . Mickey ’ s Toontown Fair opened in 1996 . Many of the same show buildings remained . Mickey ’ s house was still there but rethemed to look like a summer getaway , and Minnie ’ s house was built down the street , replacing the Mickey ’ s Hollywood Theater meet-and-greet tent . Here , guests could interact with all of Minnie ’ s furnishings , like sit in her chairs or look in her fridge ( yes , it was full of cheese ). Donald ’ s Boat was added as yet another walk-through attraction , next to a playground .
The real buzz around Mickey ’ s Toontown