From Pop-Up to Permanent: Disney’s Tent Obsession and the Accidental Origins of Toontown (Ep. 533)

This week, Len Testa and Jim Hill reveal how Disney’s “temporary” structures - from party tents to prefab domes - have a habit of overstaying their welcome. What starts as a stopgap often becomes a staple, and nowhere is that more obvious than in the strange evolution from Mickey’s Birthdayland to Toontown .
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Mickey’s Birthdayland - The 18-month quick fix that morphed into a 20-year land.
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Festival of the Lion King - The show that squatted in a space meant for dragons... and thrived.
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Magic Kingdom Strategy - How early entry and Lightning Lane stacking can knock out every headliner by noon.
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Disney’s Indoor Parks - From DisneyQuest to Abu Dhabi, a look at the past and future of enclosed theme parks.
It’s a celebration of Disney’s most beloved “temporary” projects - and the ones that just refused to leave.
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