Did You Know Michigan Has Its Own Disneyland? (Technically)

I am by no means a "Disney Adult", but I am absolutely a Disney appreciator. I did the Disney College Program back in 2019, working at Epcot at Disney World in Orlando for a few months and having an absolute blast. Throughout my time there, I had the option to work at other locations if I wanted to, such as transferring to Disneyland in Anaheim or to a location abroad.

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But at no point during my program did they mention there was another Disneyland location in the US back in my home state. As it turns out, there is a tourist attraction in Hamtramck that shares the name of the iconic theme park, but you won't find Mickey, Donald, or Goofy at this Disneyland.

Hamtramck Disneyland via Facebook

Instead, you'll find a colorful and downright wacky assortment of structures made by one man over nearly 30 years, located in his backyard. Let's take a tour of Hamtramck Disneyland.

The History of Hamtramck Disneyland

Hamtramck's slogan is "the world in two square miles", and this crazy creation gives credence to this spectacle. Hamtramck's Disneyland version of Walt Disney is a Ukrainian immigrant named Dmytro Szylack, who arrived in the US in the 1950s and worked at General Motors for 30 years before retiring in the 1980s.

Hamtramck Disneyland via Facebook

READ MORE: The Magic Capital of the World Is in Michigan

After retiring, Szylack stayed very busy, as he began building an assortment of very colorful yard art, folk art sculptures, and structures that started in his backyard but quickly spread across his two garages and grew taller than the power lines.

Some of the structures include a big airplane, a helicopter, a rocketship, an upside-down cat, many windmills/whirlygigs, and some of the most colorful walls you'll see anywhere on the east side of Michigan. It's been open to the public since 1999.

Hamtramck Disneyland's Second Chapter

Szylak's backyard project grew into a tourist attraction over time, and he continued to update it until his death in 2015. Upon his death, it wasn't known what would happen to the decades-old project. But thankfully, Hatch Art, a 501(c) (3) art collective based in Hamtramck, stepped in and took over the ongoing updates to the off-brand Disneyland.

Hamtramck Disneyland via Facebook

Since 2016, resident artists have added their own contributions, and the entire project is volunteer-run and free to the public. If you're looking to volunteer, Hatch Art is hosting volunteer opportunities all summer.

READ MORE: Forgotten Disney Movie That Celebrated Detroit’s Golden Age

The only thing you need to keep in mind is that this entire art project is part of a neighborhood, so just be mindful of the neighbors. If you're looking to microdose on some of that Disney magic, Hamtramck is calling.

Located in the alley between Sobieski and Klinger Streets, Hamtramck, MI 48212.