August 1955 – December 1981
LOCATION
Fantasyland – The Mickey Mouse Club Theater (later the Fantasyland Theater) faced the center courtyard, behind Sleeping Beauty Castle. Guests crossing through the castle would find the theater on the left, just after Snow White. Today, this space houses Pinocchio’s Daring Journey.
BACKGROUND
Every land in Disneyland centers on storytelling, but perhaps none takes this job as seriously as Fantasyland. From character encounters, to thrill rides, to dark rides, to shows, Fantasyland uses an overwhelming variety of storytelling styles. In the first few decades of park operation, this included a traditional screening theater.
The Mickey Mouse Club theater took its name from the iconic television show, which aired for more than 40 years. In 1964, the theater changed its name to the Fantasyland Theater, to better blend into its surrounding land. But in both forms, this theater remained the only attraction in Fantasyland to play film shorts and animations.
EXPERIENCE
The Mickey Mouse Club/Fantasyland Theater did not put on periodic performances like the other stages in Disneyland. Instead, Disney cartoons and shorts played on a loop, and guests were free to come and go as they pleased. These included classic black and white Mickey Mouse animations from the 30s, Winnie the Pooh, and in later years, short featurettes produced by Walt Disney Studios.
CLOSURE
This theater’s long lifespan in the park was not a reflection of its popularity. When neighboring attractions included the tea cups, Peter Pan, and Dumbo, guests more often than not completely skipped the screened shorts. When Disney began planning New Fantasyland in the 1980s, the theater had absolutely no chance of survival. It closed the curtains for good in December 1981, transforming into Pinocchio’s Daring Journey over the next two years.
TRIVIA
The exterior of the theater mimicked Snow White’s continuation of the castle stone. Pinocchio, on the other hand, adopted theming to appear as a distinct building from the castle.
Before the shuffling from the New Fantasyland project, the theater directly overlooked the tea cups. (They have since moved over by the Matterhorn).
I saw Mickey Mouse do a magic show in the theater, when I was a little girl in the nineteen-sixties.
Oh, and Duchess, it couldn’t have existed in March 1955. Disneyland opened July 1955.
I saw Mickey Mouse do a magic show in the theater, when I was a little girl in the nineteen-sixties.
Duchess, Disneyland did not open until July 1955.
I would love to see the 3D Jamboree film again. I appeared in it as a clown doing yo-yo tricks. I was in 5th grade at the time and it was a thrill to attend school at the Burbank studio for a few days with the original Mouseketeers while filming my segment. That was a great experience for a kid. Thank you for posting the pictures of the theater.
I’d like to see it too! I haven’t found the full video anywhere but I did find this video with some clips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd10MN71y_g
I do feel the Fantasy Land in this park should have a theater like the Magic Kingdom. Something for live entertainment.
Fantasyland does actually have two theaters: one near It’s A Small World and a mini one over in the Fantasy Faire!
I love history and Disney combined!!! Really interesting to see the Disney that Walt himself created, and not just what has been built in his honour.
I thought I remembered my childhood trip to Disney Land quite well. But I have no memory of this theater. I suppose that speaks to its uneventfullness.