Let me preface this article by stating that Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is one of my all-time favorite Fantasyland attractions!
I was very excited to rewatch the film for the purpose of this article.
This classic attraction at Disneyland is the only one of its kind in any Disney Park. Originally, there was a second incarnation located in Magic Kingdom and was closed in 1998.
Currently, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh sits on the grave.
It was an opening day attraction when Disneyland opened in 1955. Today, it’s not the same as it once was.
Are you familiar with the ride?
Some people like to joke and call it “The Hell Ride” because of the….ending.
Don’t worry, it will all make sense as you read on!
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Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride Movie and History
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is based on a very little-known Disney film “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad,” which is loosely based on the book “The Wind in the Willows“ by Kenneth Grahame.
- Factory sealed DVD
- Bing Crosby, Basil Rathbone, Eric Blore (Actors)
- Jack Kinney (Director) – Erdman Penner (Writer)
- French, Spanish, English (Subtitles)
- English (Publication Language)
Walt Disney took some classic stories and turned them into movies, and this one is no different.
- Hardcover Book
- Grahame, Kenneth (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 224 Pages – 03/06/2012 (Publication Date) – Union Square Kids (Publisher)
The movie was part of a package deal and was the 11th in the Disney animation lineup. It was actually the very last of the 1940s package films.
Mr. Toad’s Story Told in the Film
We follow J. Thaddeus Toad, ESQ. who is known to have a love of fads, doesn’t care about the cost and is owner of the esteemed Toad Hall.
He’s known as Rat and Mole’s go-to guy when it comes to reeling in his latest obsession with a horse and buggy, but that all changes when he lays eyes on a motor car for the first time.
He escapes the house arrest and is later charged with car theft. That’s a long story in itself so you’ll just have to watch the film because it really is just WILD.
Totally worth a watch!
There are court cases, a weasel gang, real estate dealings, etc. You can get the gist of this film’s vibe.
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Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride Comes to Life
Similar to other opening day attractions of the time, you take on the role of the main character of the film the ride is based on. In this case, you take on the role of Mr. Toad himself.
For Disneyland’s version, you start your journey in Toad Hall, crashing through the library, and having some close calls as you see badger, mole and the weasels.
As you step out, you end up zooming through the countryside, by the town docks, past Rat’s place, crossing bumpy train tracks, popping into a bar for a drink, and making a quick stop at the courthouse where you’re convicted of your misdeeds.
Unfortunately, you meet an untimely end after being hit by the train and go about a ride through hell. After you are granted a reprieve, you escape hell and are returned safely back to the unload area. Like I said, it’s wild!
Magic Kingdom (Now Defunct) Version of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Similarly, to its predecessor, Mr. Toad’s at Disney World was an opening day attraction and was still a dark ride.
What made this version unique was that it had two boarding areas that were separate.
So, depending on which side you ended up on, your ride would be totally different because they were on separate tracks! And sometimes, the vehicles would head straight at each other, making it seem like a collision was about to happen!
It was truly one of the most popular attractions during its time and despite protests and petitions, it was closed to make way for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
On one side, you would be in your vehicle leaving Toad Hall, passing by a barn and a tunnel with warning signs.
After that, you’d stroll into the plaza and run into a cop, and then head into the courtroom where they declare you guilty!
You stroll past some jail cells and witness a wild showdown between cops and the weasels. Then, you’d wander along the train tracks and accidentally get bumped, leading you to the fiery scene, before heading back to the starting point.
As you move towards the other side, you get the same scenes from Toad Hall to the plaza with some different scenes. They were the:
- Trophy room in toad hall
- A gypsy camp
- The Toad Hall kitchen
Later, you can spot the weasels chilling at the bar. Heading into the countryside, you’d go by the rat’s house and then onto the train tracks.
You would hit the hell scene shortly after and come back to the boarding area.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride at Disneyland: Many Changes Over the Years
The Disneyland version remained the same up until 1982 when it shut down temporarily for a refurbishment and remains the same to this day since 1983.
So, you may be wondering, what happened to Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride?
Here are the big differences between the 1955 original version of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride at Disneyland to the current one of today.
- The original was extremely simplistic and featured very simple gags, the least amount of set pieces and characters and was the shortest in length at 98 seconds.
- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride Disneyland original attraction utilized plywood sets in its interior scenes unlike other dark rides like snow white’s scary adventures and peter pan’s flight.
- The exterior was made to replicate a medieval tournament tent that was vibrant and colorful. The queue was connected directly to a wide and large opening area.
- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride loading area featured a large mural that was painted along the entire wall that housed the interior scenes.
- In 1961, additions like new gags, technical improvements, set pieces and crash doors were added.
- The 1983(current version) has all the characters voiced by a new voice actor named Corey Burton.
- Now, the entire hell scene is now heated for effect.
- A lot of the plywood sets were taken away and upgraded with better standing physical set pieces.
- There is a new mural and artwork that commemorate characters from The Wind in the Willows.
Is Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride scary for kids?
One of the big things I get asked regarding this ride is whether or not it’s scary for children.
Personally, and this is my recommendation as someone who has worked in childcare for several years, is that I think it’s good for children above the age of 3.
But you know your child better than me, so if they are a shy child who might scare easily, I would skip this one for them.
At times, it can be sensory overload with the heat of the hell scene, the bumpiness of the car over the train tracks and one scene which features flashing lights.
9 Tips and Fun Facts About Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride at Disneyland and Walt Disney World
- The Motorcar Vehicles are named after characters from the film, similar to how the one’s in Snow White’s Enchanted Wish are named after the seven dwarfs. They are as follows: Mr. Toad, Toady, Ratty, Moley, MacBadger, Cyril, Winkie and Weasel.
- There are 17 animatronics total in the ride which lasts 2 minutes.
- The mural features a hidden dedication to Walt and his love of trains in the form of a train called “W.E.D Rail.
- Nods to the WDW incarnation can be found scattered across various rides in Magic Kingdom including a tombstone dedicated to toad in the pet cemetery of the Haunted Mansion.
- A photo of Mr. Toad giving the deed to Owl can be found in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, which is a nod to the film where toad sells his deed in exchange for a motor car and to the ride that Winnie the Pooh replace.
- There is a “Class of 1955” plaque on the ride placed in 2005. It certifies it as an opening day attraction.
- The queue line features statues of various characters from the film.
- In the film and book, Mr. Toad does not go to hell at all.
- A miniature version of Toad Hall can be found at Storybook Boat Canals in Fantasyland.
- During the earlier years, this attraction was considered “C” ticket.
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My Final Thoughts on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride in Disneyland
As we return to the land of today after exploring this wild ride, there is a reason why it still continues to be one of the most popular fantasyland classic attractions at Disneyland.
It is crazy good fun.
Now why Disney Imagineers added the hell scene in the ride, I have no idea, but many Disney fans find it to be the best part of the attraction itself.
You can find it nearby its dear friends, Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, which has recently been refurbished, Peter Pan’s Flight and Pinocchio’s Daring Journey.
The first two are part of the Class of 1955 club as well! It makes it equally special as it’s the only one at any Disney Park anywhere.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride stands as a reminder that there are Disney films and history that guests today may not even know of or have seen, but thanks to Disney+, we can! It is a way to continue to show off Walt and his legacy.
Have you ridden Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride at Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort? Have you watched the movie? Share your thoughts and memories with fellow solo travelers in our Facebook Group!
About the Author
Victoria is a professional solo traveler here to make your solo trips as stress free AND enjoyable as possible for you.
She has over 5 years of Disney and Non-Disney travel experience and was featured by POPSUGAR as one of the Top 50 Black Disney Creators you should follow.
She is a Proud Native to Baltimore, Md but always will call Disney World home.
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(Original Article Date: January 30, 2022/Updated on May 15, 2024 by Editor)