When I heard there was a miniature Disney-themed garden railroad hidden in a quiet neighborhood in Anaheim Hills—and that it opens to the public—I went on a mission to learn more. Castle Peak and Thunder Railroad is a privately owned backyard garden that transports visitors into a tiny world of imagination, offering a unique outing for all ages, including families, Disney fans, and anyone who appreciates craftsmanship and miniatures. If you’re lucky enough to score tickets to visit Castle Peak, it will be an enchanting experience you won’t forget.
I signed up to receive notifications about their open house events (every spring and fall) and was fortunate to secure tickets. It was magical, indeed! Here’s what to know about visiting Castle Peak and Thunder Railroad.
A Miniature Backyard Theme Park
Built at a 1:24 scale and spread across a residential backyard garden, Castle Peak and Thunder Railroad is a miniature wonderland featuring themed landscapes, castles and tiny villages, all of which are recognizable by Disney enthusiasts who take time to carefully survey the displays. The level of detail is both captivating and awe-inspiring.
For kids, it feels like discovering a mini magical theme park in someone’s yard. Several model trains circle the garden over bridges, past waterfalls and through tunnels, while tiny Disney characters and familiar theme park scenes inspire curiosity and spark joy: Rafiki presenting newborn Simba on Pride Rock, Rapunzel’s Tower, the Haunted Mansion’s hitchhiking ghosts, the “Up” house being carried away by balloons, a miniature replica of Walt Disney himself. There are too many delightful details to mention, but parents are as mesmerized as their children.
A Personal Passion Project
David Sheegog is the architect and creative mastermind behind the artistry of this beloved attraction. He began building the garden railroad in the late 1990s as a fun project for his kids. Many of the buildings were built from scratch, some structures reaching several feet tall. The project became a hands-on learning lab, introducing his kids to engineering, computer programming, horticulture and art through the process of designing and operating the miniature railroad.
A Warm Welcome
Another reason to love Castle Peak and Thunder Railroad is the personal touch of the experience. Free open house events are hosted by Sheegog and his wife, Frances. They’ve been generously opening their backyard to the public (on select dates) since 2002.
David often chats with guests about the design process while Frances helps check-in and welcome visitors. Their friendly hospitality offers the comfort of a neighborhood gathering versus the frantic pace of a tourist attraction. Meeting the people who built the magic contributes to what makes this experience unique and memorable.
What to Expect
- Arrive ready to explore—wander around, watch the trains and search for your favorite Disney landscapes, miniature rides and characters. The Sheegogs offer a fun scavenger hunt that encourages guests to look for hidden details around the garden. It will be fun to discover what the kids get excited about!
- A new Pixie Hollow water and light show is being launched spring 2026. It’s a two-minute water and light show featuring custom animations, hundreds of programmed LED lights and dancing fountains.
- Accessibility: There are two steps in the front yard and two steps in the backyard.
- Visitors are going into someone’s backyard. It’s big (and spread out) enough for plenty of people to attend simultaneously and enjoy all the garden railroad has to offer. But there is not space for children to run wild. If your kids have the wiggles, let them exert some energy at a nearby park before heading over to Castle Peak so everyone can enjoy themselves.
- If you don’t get tickets this spring, try again in the fall. Don’t give up!
How to Get Tickets
- Sign up for updates. Subscribe to email announcements at www.cptrr.com/clients so you’ll be notified when reservations for new open house dates are available.
- Mark your calendar. Open house dates and space are limited. Each spring and fall the Sheegogs offer 6–8 weekend afternoons, limited to 250 people with staggered entry times on each date. Reservations open a couple weeks prior to open house dates and disappear quickly, so mark your calendars. The next set of dates is in May 2026, so reservations are expected to open in April.
Southern California has no shortage of family attractions, but an outing to Castle Peak and Thunder Railroad is a fun experience with creativity and heart—it’s worth the drive from San Diego. While you’re in Anaheim, consider grabbing lunch at the famous (and fantastic) Porto’s Bakery!
Lisa Gipson is managing editor at San Diego Family. She loved watching the old school miniature Skyway ride (also known as the bucket ride) while standing in line to enter the backyard.
