Where are they moving Mickey and Minnie's houses?

[dwaters]

I read about the Fantasyland expansion which will effectively eliminate Toontown. It said that Mickey and Minnie's houses would be kept, but they would be moved to an area in the front of the park.

My question is ...Where? Where are they going to fit them.

Also...how? Those seem like fairly large and solid structures. Just pick 'em up with a crane? Take 'em apart and move 'em down Main Street overnight?

[Disco]

Wow,
This is old news, where you been the past year lol. The article didn't say they are moving the mouse houses to the front of the park. It said they are moving the meet and greets to the front of the park.
The Mouse meet and greets are not in the Toon Town houses but behind them in fair/judge tents.
Mickey and Minnie's houses are to be demolished with the rest of TT. I believe they decided to move Mickey's M&G to independence hall. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong about this.

[Figment632]

The dumpster.

[dwaters]

I've heard about a refurbishment of Fantasyland for quite some time now.

I just didn't realize that involved wiping out Toontown.
Does that include Goofy's Barnstormer or is that going to be re-themed?

There are a lot of neat little elements from the houses that I hope will end up somewhere besides a dumpster. I liked seeing Pluto's house, the Mickey shaped vegetables, the fridge with the note to buy more cheese....
Maybe they can move them to a resort or Downtown Disney or somewhere.

Change is inevitable, but it's always sad to see parts of the park go away.

(Don't get me started on the new "improved" Disney stores which are cold, plain, and unmagical- might as well call it the Gap that sells Mickey plushes.....)

[Figment632]

I've heard about a refurbishment of Fantasyland for quite some time now.

I just didn't realize that involved wiping out Toontown.
Does that include Goofy's Barnstormer or is that going to be re-themed?

There are a lot of neat little elements from the houses that I hope will end up somewhere besides a dumpster. I liked seeing Pluto's house, the Mickey shaped vegetables, the fridge with the note to buy more cheese....
Maybe they can move them to a resort or Downtown Disney or somewhere.

Change is inevitable, but it's always sad to see parts of the park go away.

(Don't get me started on the new "improved" Disney stores which are cold, plain, and unmagical- might as well call it the Gap that sells Mickey plushes.....)

The barn stormer is the only thing staying but the ride is being rethemed to a DUmbo/Circus theme.

[Kimmy0879]

Does anyone know when they will be taking down Mickey and Minnie's houses?

[Disco]

I've heard about a refurbishment of Fantasyland for quite some time now.

I just didn't realize that involved wiping out Toontown.
Does that include Goofy's Barnstormer or is that going to be re-themed?

There are a lot of neat little elements from the houses that I hope will end up somewhere besides a dumpster. I liked seeing Pluto's house, the Mickey shaped vegetables, the fridge with the note to buy more cheese....
Maybe they can move them to a resort or Downtown Disney or somewhere.

Change is inevitable, but it's always sad to see parts of the park go away.

(Don't get me started on the new "improved" Disney stores which are cold, plain, and unmagical- might as well call it the Gap that sells Mickey plushes.....)

LOL, if you noticed many people are not very sentimental about TT. Many feel that it is an ill-conceived and poorly implemented addition to DW. It was just suppose to be a temporary add on which explains a lot. Unfortunately it just kinda streched out its welcome.
I think TT would work better in Disney Studios especially if they put a proper amount of attention and work into it. Unfortunately I doubt they will re-implement TT anywhere else, except for the tents which will be used on the new Dumbo referb. If TT is truely dead I'm sure Disney will use elements of the old attractions in new ones or plant Easter Eggs and homage’s here and there.

[Disco]

Does anyone know when they will be taking down Mickey and Minnie's houses?

I thought I remember a rough outline in an earlier thread but I'm too lazy to find it. I would guess sometime this summer they will block off the entire area and tear it down. I can’t believe that it will survive till the end of this year due to the construction deadlines but who knows maybe they’ll try to keep it all in place till the Little Mermaid is up and running.
They have the contractors all lined up and I think they already started work in the Seven Seas Lagoon area?

[dwaters]

My kids were confused and disappointed that it didn't have anything to do with Toontown the online game that they always play. I'm sure other kids thought the same thing.

I remember the Toontown section of Disneyland in CA having a lot of Roger Rabbit theming and it seems he is an 80's relic more than a classic character like Mickey and Goofy. I wonder what the future of that place will be.

[katmcw]

We really enjoyed seeing Mickey and Minnie's houses. Minnie's plants (I think they were hanging baskets) were so cute and clever! I, for one, will miss it!

[Geubux]

Apparently, Mickey and Minnie both fell behind on their mortgages, and the Barack Administration was unwilling to help them, since Mickey is in the Billionaire category. Now, they'll have to scurry around the walls of someones home, looking for crumbs, like other mice. There are a bunch of houses in Detroit they might try.:banana:

[Oglet]

I wish they would have just made a proper toontown like the one in DL. Id have liked to see them re theme the out dated speedway with toon cars and make it feel like you were driving through Toontown.

Could have started off at Petes Garage, and drive right past a relocated Mickey and Minnie house, Donalds Boat and a whole bunch of new additions such as a toon car wash which could blow a nice cool mist as you pass through it.

It could have made great use out of the walking path and all the empty land behind the speedway for guests to stroll through the old attractions in their new home plus some very nice interactive additions.

[marius97]

Apparently, Mickey and Minnie both fell behind on their mortgages, and the Barack Administration was unwilling to help them, since Mickey is in the Billionaire category. Now, they'll have to scurry around the walls of someones home, looking for crumbs, like other mice. There are a bunch of houses in Detroit they might try.:banana:

I was willing to over look your politcal commentary/humor...until you bashed The Big D. That is just going way too far now.;)

[superme80]

Apparently, Mickey and Minnie both fell behind on their mortgages, and the Barack Administration was unwilling to help them, since Mickey is in the Billionaire category. Now, they'll have to scurry around the walls of someones home, looking for crumbs, like other mice. There are a bunch of houses in Detroit they might try.:banana:

:rotfl2::worship::worship:

Now will someone please send the memo to DL to do away with THEIR Toon Town!!!!!

[SaratogaSprings]

they will disappear forever

[fenrir58]

[QUOTE=Disco;36789279]LOL, if you noticed many people are not very sentimental about TT. Many feel that it is an ill-conceived and poorly implemented addition to DWQUOTE]

...really? I've noticed about 50/50... people who said it was never a big deal to them and people who are crying with their family over the loss of a traditional picture spot...

[Figment632]

They was talk a little while back and some limeted artwork done for a Toon Town at DHS. It would take over One mans dream to Narnia. I doubt this will ever happen however.

[Barb]

I think it's terrible that they're getting rid of Mickey and Minnie's houses. I mean, really, there's NO WHERE else they can go??? They are an icon of sorts and it seems like such a waste to trash their houses. :sad2:

[ChrisFL]

They was talk a little while back and some limeted artwork done for a Toon Town at DHS. It would take over One mans dream to Narnia. I doubt this will ever happen however.

They should move One Man's Dream then...to Main Street at MK...it's a wonderful attraction and deserves a much more visible place.

In other words, they'd better not remove the attraction entirely.

[chrisw127]

I will be disappointed if they do away with it completely. I'm the first to admit that the area gets congested and Pete's Garage may be the worst bathroom in all of WDW (you literally need waders to get through there at times) but I have a special fondness for it and if you have younger children, it can be a lot of fun. I hope they move it to DHS.

[mhaftman7]

I'd like to see them move in a new direction for M&M housing. Move toward the current Mickey Mouse Clubhouse look. Playhouse Disney characters seem to live at DHS so make the MMC there. Plus the one diner towards the front at DHS seems PHD themes to it as well. It would be fitting.

[Figment632]

They should move One Man's Dream then...to Main Street at MK...it's a wonderful attraction and deserves a much more visible place.

In other words, they'd better not remove the attraction entirely.

Agreed OMD belongs on Mainstreet they do have an empty thearter there anyway.

I think TT would be a great addition to DHS.

[Disco]

and Pete's Garage may be the worst bathroom in all of WDW (you literally need waders to get through there at times).

Gawd,
My poor wife went in there once to take our daughter to the bathroom. When she flushed the toilet, after she was done, it completely splashed my wife in the face standing fully up.
She almost lost her lunch and was green for the rest of the day. I'm glad to hear we're not the only ones with a bad experience. How could they let those bathrooms become so terrible?!
That whole trip was cursed anyway. Everything went wrong maybe to the point here we didn't enjoy going to DW!

[yekcoh_99]

I wish they would have just made a proper toontown like the one in DL. Id have liked to see them re theme the out dated speedway with toon cars and make it feel like you were driving through Toontown.

Could have started off at Petes Garage, and drive right past a relocated Mickey and Minnie house, Donalds Boat and a whole bunch of new additions such as a toon car wash which could blow a nice cool mist as you pass through it.

It could have made great use out of the walking path and all the empty land behind the speedway for guests to stroll through the old attractions in their new home plus some very nice interactive additions.

You should apply to be an Imageneer. Sounds like you got some better ideas then they do.:teacher:

[Disco]

...really? I've noticed about 50/50... people who said it was never a big deal to them and people who are crying with their family over the loss of a traditional picture spot...

:rolleyes:
Yeah, like 50% of the people isn't considered "many". Statistically that's only 3+ billion possible people who hate DW Toon Town...

[mickeymyfavorite]

Every year we go to Disney since my son was 2, now he's 15yrs old:scared1:. We used to take a picture right next to Mickeys mail box. We would compare how big my son has grown, now the mailbox is gone and I'm sad about that :sad2: I wish they could of kept it.

[CarnotaurDad]

If we hadn't gone to WDW 8 years ago when our DD was 2, I probably wouldn't care one whit about it leaving.

However, over the past 8 years, it has seriously been a special place for us. I get that it was getting run down and overcrowded (which is funny because usually being overcrowded is a good thing, because it means people liked it) but it also was just a fun, silly place to hang out.

There were lots of great, hidden things (especially in the houses) that paid homage to the cartoon characters that don't get that kind of attention in the rest of the parks. When it wasn't crowded, and you could wander through the houses and Barnstormer queue, it could be like walking through one of their comic books.

Silly blueprints, a Donald shaped ping pong paddle, the mail on the table, Mickey's wardrobe. Sure, they weren't E-Ticket attractions but everything doesn't HAVE to be an E-Ticket attraction to add some value.

Yes, I'm probably more sentimental because we did get to spend time watching our DD grow up through MTT, but I will admit missing it when it is gone.

[hkeller27]

Every year we go to Disney since my son was 2, now he's 15yrs old:scared1:. We used to take a picture right next to Mickeys mail box. We would compare how big my son has grown, now the mailbox is gone and I'm sad about that :sad2: I wish they could of kept it.

We do the same thing! It was such a nice tradition, and I will be sad for that one to end. My DD's love touring both houses.

While I understand that TT was never meant to last, and I am all for the Fantasyland expansion, I kind of think that Mickey and Minnie's houses have become iconic and deserve to be kept alive somewhere in WDW!

[midnightlouise]

Wow I really I am behind....I guess I'm glad we made an effort to really check out TT this year. I hate to see Mickey and Minnie's houses go, as there were some really clever things about them that I enjoyed, but it is what it is. My boys will be sad to see TT go...

[emmababy]

We do the same thing! It was such a nice tradition, and I will be sad for that one to end. My DD's love touring both houses.

While I understand that TT was never meant to last, and I am all for the Fantasyland expansion, I kind of think that Mickey and Minnie's houses have become iconic and deserve to be kept alive somewhere in WDW!

We also do the same thing!

[chrisw127]

Gawd,
My poor wife went in there once to take our daughter to the bathroom. When she flushed the toilet, after she was done, it completely splashed my wife in the face standing fully up.
She almost lost her lunch and was green for the rest of the day. I'm glad to hear we're not the only ones with a bad experience. How could they let those bathrooms become so terrible?!
That whole trip was cursed anyway. Everything went wrong maybe to the point here we didn't enjoy going to DW!

Now THAT is a trip report I would have enjoyed reading! Sorry it went so bad. I had one of those as well and we laugh about it now but at the time, I was calculating the cost per hour and not happy about it.



To the PP who asked when it will be taken down, the Disney parks blog "sort of" confirmed spring of 2011.

[michelleiada]

I hate the thought of Mickey and Minnie's houses just heading to a dumpster. I think they were adorable and could have been moved to a rethemed area too! My children loved them when they were young. Disney Imagineers could have come up with some creative way to salvage them. So sad. After all....it was all started with this mouse and his gal...

[Berlioz70]

Not that this makes it any better, but technically Mickey and Minnie live at DL. The houses at WDW are just their summer homes.

Agreed OMD belongs on Mainstreet they do have an empty thearter there anyway.

I think TT would be a great addition to DHS.

The theater is being demolished as we speak for the new Mickey, Minnie and Princess meet and greets which will start when ToonTown closes in 2011.

[fall08CP]

Gawd,
My poor wife went in there once to take our daughter to the bathroom. When she flushed the toilet, after she was done, it completely splashed my wife in the face standing fully up.
She almost lost her lunch and was green for the rest of the day. I'm glad to hear we're not the only ones with a bad experience. How could they let those bathrooms become so terrible?!
That whole trip was cursed anyway. Everything went wrong maybe to the point here we didn't enjoy going to DW!

I'm eating a bowl of chili right now. Well, I was. It suddenly became less appetizing :lmao:

[daleswife]

Dang, dont get on the boards for a while and you miss everything!!! Im sad to see the houses go too. We always take our kids in there. One of my best memories of WDW was the first time we took DD into mickeys house and she saw his bedroom and said "GOSH MOMMY Mickey has really big feet..." And my sons first roller coaster ride was on Barnstorm....I hate to see toon town go....

[disneyphilip]

The theater is being demolished as we speak for the new Mickey, Minnie and Princess meet and greets which will start when ToonTown closes in 2011.

But of course the princesses will have to move out of there once their new Fantasyland homes are completed.

I also think that Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto and Chip & Dale should be placed in the new Expo Hall meet-and-greet area as well. It'd be perfect for them, IMO.

That way, we can maybe get some more different characters in Town Square outside.

Besides, my understanding is that Frontierland Donald, Pirate Goofy, Space Chip & Dale, etc. are supposedly only temporary meet-and-greet re-locations anyway and that they will leave those areas after they complete the construction on the new areas.

[kelseighrox925]

I was not happy when I found out that they were going to be taking out Toontown just to expand Fantasyland, especially when the Princesses, Fairies, and Dumbo aren't even the main faces of Disney! The should just move all of the Toontown stuff to DHS in my opinion.

[doconeill]

I was not happy when I found out that they were going to be taking out Toontown just to expand Fantasyland, especially when the Princesses, Fairies, and Dumbo aren't even the main faces of Disney!

:confused3 I understand Mickey is the head guy, but these helped build the company...

[Wondermom1965]

I am new to this discussion board and I can't believe they are going to move our DD's favorite childhood memory! :sad1: We also take pictures at both houses every time we go to see how our DD grows. The Barnstormer was also her first roller coaster. We will need to go soon and get our last pics at our favorite place. She always loved Minnie's kitchen and her sewing machine. She is so upset. :sad1:

[hfeff8]

I worked as a Disney World Cast Member in Toontown. I did everything there. It's like my life at Disney is being erased. I can't believe that Toontown won't be there the next time I go down.:sad2:

[LuluLovesDisney]

I really hope they can be re-imagined somewhere else, maybe they will surprise us.

[Disco]

LOL kinda cracks me up, people say Toon Town but all they really like is the Mouse houses. Well that and the Barnstormer which is staying so that doesn't matter.
The playground is the worst one in all the parks. The only nice thing is that it is fenced in so it is a good place to throw the kids in for a detention... err time out... err I mean play time.
Donald's boat is pointless, people just walk in and out of it and wonder why it’s even there. Apparently it used to squirt water or something but the last two times I've gone it hasn't.
The Meet and Greets were one of the downfalls of Disney IMO. Instead of having them wander around and bring the entertainment to you, you have to go stand in line like it is an attraction. It's Mickey frickin Mouse not fricken Santa Clause.
I like the houses too but not enough to keep the entire blemish of an ill conceived land in the park. Like I said before they'll probably work bits and peices of them and the artifacts into new or existing rides as homages / easter eggs. Who knows, maybe they'll relocate/rebuild them later.

[GrumpyFan]

The Magic Kingdom is losing out big on this expansion. Not only are Mickey and Minnie's houses going away, as well as the Judges tent where their meet n is also the Toontown Hall of Fame where other characters can be seen and a huge gift shop which is apparently the second busiest gift shop, next to the Emporium. So, in some ways, they're shooting themselves in the foot. Of course, with Disney, nothing's final until the paint dries, and even then things can change. So, we could actually see some changes to this expansion before it's finished.

[kelseighrox925]

:confused3 I understand Mickey is the head guy, but these helped build the company...

You do make a point, and I'll admit that I loved the princesses when I was little, but I personally feel that the expansion is an insult to Walt's memory, since they have chosen to destroy the home of the mouse that started it all.

[mousermerf]

Side note - the Mermaid ride and Princess areas are coming. They're within the current refurb walls and the buildings are going up as we speak.

The Pixie crapfest and the Dumbo relocation are pretty much on ice. The company is arguing internally about what to do with it - as apparently very few people are happy with that part.

That part just happens to cover the land currently occupied by Toon Town.

The houses will very likely be torn down - they were not built to be permanent fixtures in the park, and Mickey's new home on Main Street is under construction as we speak.

The good news is that we're very likely to get something better for a replacement to Toon Town.

[kelseighrox925]

Side note - the Mermaid ride and Princess areas are coming. They're within the current refurb walls and the buildings are going up as we speak.

The Pixie crapfest and the Dumbo relocation are pretty much on ice. The company is arguing internally about what to do with it - as apparently very few people are happy with that part.

That part just happens to cover the land currently occupied by Toon Town.

The houses will very likely be torn down - they were not built to be permanent fixtures in the park, and Mickey's new home on Main Street is under construction as we speak.

The good news is that we're very likely to get something better for a replacement to Toon Town.

No Pixie Hollow and no Dumbo circus? This is the best news I've heard about the FL expansion yet, including the news about the Little Mermaid ride!

[LuluLovesDisney]

I'm more worried about this "new home on Main Street" business. I thought the meet and greets were just being moved inside. If they make the gorgeous turn on the century main street idea look tacky and cartoonish like they ruined the theming of the Studios with that cartoonish hat, I will be devastated.

[GrumpyFan]

I'm more worried about this "new home on Main Street" business. I thought the meet and greets were just being moved inside. If they make the gorgeous turn on the century main street idea look tacky and cartoonish like they ruined the theming of the Studios with that cartoonish hat, I will be devastated.

I think you're misunderstanding what is meant by moving to a "new home on Main Street". They're not moving the houses their, they're just setting up a location on Main Street where you can see the "big cheese". This seems to be a good idea for the time being, but I have to wonder what it's going to do to traffic patterns. Before, guests had to make the trek all the way to the back to find him, and there were at least a couple of different routes they could take to get there. Now, with him being near the front, it could create some issues with how guests tour the park and spend money.

Something else I heard is that the retail folks at MK aren't too happy about the loss of the Toontown Hall of Fame meet n greet (for Princesses and Fairies) and the gift shop which apparently does a lot of business. The new expansion plans don't have anything equivalent. I would be willing to bet a Mickey Bar that the plans will change before the final nail is hammered and they will build a new gift shop and perhaps even find a way to keep the mouse's houses. I would even venture to guess that somebody at Imagineering is working on those plans as we speak.

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

If the wind up on ebay like the rest of the park decor I got in my kitchen, I'll bid!:rotfl2:

[Figment632]

While it is true about PH being most likley canceled the only thing up in the air about Dumbo is its location.

Burbank was afraid of the girl oriented nature of FLE, PH is being replaced and expect Fontierland to recieve a major expansion soon.

[doconeill]

While it is true about PH being most likley canceled the only thing up in the air about Dumbo is its location.

Burbank was afraid of the girl oriented nature of FLE, PH is being replaced and expect Fontierland to recieve a major expansion soon.

Given how extensively detailed the original announcement was, if they were changing the perceived focus I would think they'd want to announce that as well.

After all, they already announced and executed the name change to the carousel - that makes it more boy-focused, right? ;)

It was also clear from the original plans vs. the artist's rendition and model, that they were undecided on the locations of PH and Dumbo...

[Figment632]

Given how extensively detailed the original announcement was, if they were changing the perceived focus I would think they'd want to announce that as well.

After all, they already announced and executed the name change to the carousel - that makes it more boy-focused, right? ;)

It was also clear from the original plans vs. the artist's rendition and model, that they were undecided on the locations of PH and Dumbo...

tThen something called WWOHP opened up. Plans change and Burbank knows what they are doing a little more than TDO. As of right now PH is dead and something new will take its place.

[loveysbydesign]

Side note - the Mermaid ride and Princess areas are coming. They're within the current refurb walls and the buildings are going up as we speak.

The Pixie crapfest and the Dumbo relocation are pretty much on ice. The company is arguing internally about what to do with it - as apparently very few people are happy with that part.

That part just happens to cover the land currently occupied by Toon Town.

The houses will very likely be torn down - they were not built to be permanent fixtures in the park, and Mickey's new home on Main Street is under construction as we speak.

The good news is that we're very likely to get something better for a replacement to Toon Town.

So now there may be no pixie hollow? It's a shame they can't do Never Never Land in FL! Then we could have pirates and pixies!:thumbsup2

[kmk1180]

No Pixie Hollow and no Dumbo circus? This is the best news I've heard about the FL expansion yet, including the news about the Little Mermaid ride!

I would wait and hold judgement on that info yet.
Your not exactly getting it from the most reliable source.

[ChrisFL]

I'm not surprised at all about PH not being added. Disney was trying to move on from a Princess theme to get girls excited about the parks, to Pixies, but I don't think it ever caught on nearly as well as they hoped.

Yes, many people are disappointed in the FLE plans only being one actual new ride and almost entirely designed for young girls...perhaps Disney is deciding to do some other things more boy oriented.

[LuluLovesDisney]

I just hope that the debating doesn't derail the planning schedule and we sit with construction walls till 2015.

[Figment632]

I just hope that the debating doesn't derail the planning schedule and we sit with construction walls till 2015.

Nah these are the only debatable asspects everything else is in motion.

[Colleen27]

Aw, I may be the only one but I hate to see the PH idea go... My girls would have loved it, the Tink meet & greet was the highlight of all the characters we met last trip.

Any good links to news/blogs covering the construction-in-progress or the changing plans?

[doconeill]

Reportedly a construction permit has been taken out for a "Fastpass clock" for Dumbo. So I'm guessing the location plans for Dumbo are being nailed down :)

[livvylivvie]

I for one will REALLY miss Mickey and Minnies homes!!
It was a HIGHLIGHT for my 3 year old!!

[Barb]

I would be willing to bet a Mickey Bar that the plans will change before the final nail is hammered and they will build a new gift shop and perhaps even find a way to keep the mouse's houses. I would even venture to guess that somebody at Imagineering is working on those plans as we speak.

I hope you are correct. I think trashing Mickey and Minnie's houses is a terrible idea and would love to see them find a new "home" in the FLE.