For Mickey Mouse’s milestone 60th birthday in 1988, Walt Disney World created an entire themed land at Magic Kingdom called Mickey’s Birthdayland. Billed as the “World’s Biggest Birthday Party,” this area opened on June 18 where guests could visit Mickey’s home and see a new birthday show staring several Disney characters. Just a few weeks after opening, my family returned to Florida for our second family visit to the Vacation Kingdom of the World. I grabbed a few images from the show created especially for the big cheese.
RIDE THE BIRTHDAY EXPRESS TO MICKEY’S BIRTHDAYLAND
In a report to Orlando-area chamber of commerce on March 8, 1988, Disney executives Dick Nunis and Tom Elrod announced more than $1 Billion in new projects were coming to Disney’s Florida destination. At the time, the Disney team claimed the new attractions, resorts and more represented “the largest investment [Disney] has made to date” on the 27,400-acre resort. New experiences included Norway pavilion in World Showcase at EPCOT Center, Disney’s Grand Floridian Beach Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort opening in 1988, and a new water park called Typhoon Lagoon, a nighttime entertainment complex named Pleasure Island and a third theme park called Disney’s MGM Studios opening in spring 1989.
That summer, the resort destination would kick-off a year-long celebration of Mickey Mouse’s 60th birthday with a new themed land in the original Disney theme park, Magic Kingdom.
Guests visiting the park could take the birthday express at Main Street Train Station or Frontierland Train Station and journey to Mickey’s Birthdayland, a “fun-filled three-acre site adjacent to Fantasyland.”
The land would feature a birthday show, attractions, music and games, party treats and “unequaled photo opportunities with Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters.” A centerpiece of the land was Mickey Mouse’s house which would be the first time guests could go into the home where the iconic mouse lived.
Work continued quickly on building out this mini-land and Disney characters from the seven Dwarfs to the three little pigs got into the act. I love this shot published in The Miami Herald on May 22, 1988.
Granted, Mickey wouldn’t turn 60 years old until November 18 that year. Most likely the project was rushed in order to meet the high demand of the summer travel season. Interestingly, Minnie Mouse also turned 60 that year. But it would be years before her birthday would be celebrated with the same level of importance as the mouse that started it all.
The Orlando Sentinel ran a photo by Bobby Coker announcing the official opening on Wednesday, June 23. They mistakenly list Big Thunder Mountain as opening in 1978 except that it opened in Florida on November 15, 1980.
The 1950s-themed land was based on Duckburg from the Disney comics. A number of building facades included McDuck’s bank, Goofy’s Clip Joint Barbershop, Daisy’s Cafe and Duck County School. You could also see Pluto’s doghouse and fountains topped with duck statues. Grandma’s Duck Farm served as the town’s petting zoo with real life animals. Little ones could run around in Mickey’s Playground. It was a bright and colorful, candy-stripped land fitting for such a milestone moment.
MICKEY’S BIRTHDAYLAND STAGE SHOW
A 12-minute stage show with Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, Donald Duck, Chip and Dale and others awaited guests who passed through Mickey Mouse’s house. During the performance, the world famous characters attempt to bake a larger-than-life cake for their mouse friend.
At the time, I had a simple point-and-shoot camera using Kodak 35mm film. Compared to my Canon EOS R5 and other digital camera equipment of today, I had no idea how the images would turn out. Unfortunately, I also didn’t know much about photography at the age of 12. Some photos, like the one above with a performer with Goofy and his son Max, were blurry.
I also don’t remember much of the show other than it was a quick performance as that kept people moving through the attraction.
It was over before I knew it as Mickey Mouse left the building. This is a time when I wish I had a time machine and the photography skills I possess today. Yet, it was still a memorable time and a highlight of our family trip that summer.
Mickey’s Birthdayland would morph into Mickey’s Starland at the conclusion of his 60th birthday celebration. It would transform again to Mickey’s Toontown Faire before being completely removed in favor of Storybook Circus as part of New Fantasyland in 2012.
