Toon Park (1993–1998) was a children’s playground in Disneyland’s Mickey’s Toontown, opening on January 24, 1993, and closing on December 23, 1998, due to safety concerns. Located near the Toontown entrance, it featured soft, spongy surfaces and cartoonish play structures for young kids. It was rethemed as CenTOONial Park in 2023 as part of Toontown’s reimagining.
Below are 10 fun facts about Toon Park during its 1993–1998:
- Toontown Opening Feature: Toon Park debuted with Mickey’s Toontown on January 24, 1993, designed as a safe, open play area for young children, complementing the land’s Who Framed Roger Rabbit-inspired cartoon aesthetic.
- Spongy Play Surface: The park’s ground was made of soft, foam-like materials in bright colors, providing a cushioned surface to prevent injuries, ideal for toddlers running and climbing on low structures.
- Cartoonish Play Structures: The playground featured whimsical, low-height climbing structures shaped like oversized cartoon props, such as acorns and barrels, fitting Toontown’s zany, Max Fleischer-style design.
- Parent Rest Area: Shaded benches surrounded the play area, allowing parents to relax while supervising kids, with nearby stroller parking to accommodate families visiting Toontown’s interactive attractions.
- No Height Restrictions: Toon Park had no height or age limits, but its small-scale equipment was tailored for kids aged 2–6, making it a low-intensity stop for families with preschoolers.
- Interactive Gags: The park included push-and-pull gags, like spinning cartoon wheels and levers, encouraging hands-on play that aligned with Toontown’s tactile, “poke-and-prod” philosophy.
- Central Toontown Location: Positioned near the Jolly Trolley and Gag Factory, Toon Park served as a welcoming green space at Toontown’s entrance, visible immediately after passing under the train bridge.
- Safety-Driven Closure: The park closed on December 23, 1998, due to safety concerns, including wear on the spongy surface and minor injuries from crowded play, prompting Disneyland to rethink the space.
- Temporary Use Post-Closure: After 1998, the area was repurposed for character meet-and-greets and stroller parking until Toontown’s 2022–2023 overhaul introduced CenTOONial Park with a fountain and Dreaming Tree.
- Tokyo Disneyland Counterpart: Toon Park was inspired by a similar playground at Tokyo Disneyland’s Toontown (opened 1996), which continues to operate, though Disneyland’s version was unique in its layout and gags.
