The game is set in the Cartoon Wasteland, a pen-and-paper stylised world, created in the game's narrative by the sorcerer Yen Sid, as a place for "forgotten things", namely disused or obscure Disney characters. It is physically inspired by Disneyland, and appears as an intricate model in Yen Sid's workshop. However, Mickey Mouse's tampering with Yen Sid's magic paint brush and paint thinner causes mass damage to the model, creating a post-apocalyptic landscape. The land is tormented by the evil Blot, a monstrous being loosely based on the Phantom Blot, an antagonist to Mickey in the comic strips created by Floyd Gottfredson. There are also the Beetleworx, mismatched audio-animatronics designed by the Mad Doctor.
