The Skyway, Mr. Toad's, and other missed attractions

[matt1979]

Of my top 3 rides when I was young...2 of 3 are no longer there. The Skyway and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. (Peter Pan is the only one of the 3 that remains)

Having not been to DW since high school, in 1998, I was really disappointed to find that both have long since been gone. I'd also be curious the reasons. I find it hard to believe it was just because it didn't draw enough people in. I look at other attractions that remain and have a hard time believing they are/were more popular. For instance (and not meant as a knock on those who like it, because we'll likely ride during our visit) the People Mover is still there and I don't think it's anywhere near as unique as the Skyway was IMO.

Also curious to hear what other attractions people miss.

 

[mesaboy2]

Sometimes it's due to factors such as cost, load capacity, legal issues, etc. I have no idea why Mr. Toad bit the dust--no good reason I can think of--but at least it's still at DLR.

The Skyway wasn't particularly unique, that kind of ride was once in several parks and is still in a few today--Busch Gardens Williamsburg for example. I think the PeopleMover is far more unique in terms of design and enjoy it quite a bit. Itss capacity is many times that of the Skyway too.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Sometimes it's due to factors such as cost, load capacity, legal issues, etc. I have no idea why Mr. Toad bit the dust--no good reason I can think of--but at least it's still at DLR.

The DL version of Mr Toad is different than the one I remember riding at MK. I could be wrong, though. But I doubt it.

 

[DVCcurious]

The skyway's "cost per rider hour" was like twice as much as the next most expensive attraction. That's why it was closed down. People spitting over the side and the guy who died at the Fantasyland end are typically blamed but it really came down to a dollar and cents issue. The skyway was too darn expensive to operate.

Mr Toad died for a simple reason: Winnie the Pooh has to go somewhere and they decided to put it where Mr Toad was. It was either there or where Snow White's Scary Adventures was because they weren't taking out PP or IASW for Pooh.

 

[mesaboy2]

The DL version of Mr Toad is different than the one I remember riding at MK. I could be wrong, though. But I doubt it.

I'll be checking it out in June, though I don't remember if I ever rode WDW's and obviously if I did what it was like. That's what YouTube is for I guess!

 

[morethananyonex]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, I was going to be nice until you dissed the Peoplemover . Just kidding. But seriously, don't mess with the Peoplemover .

Mr Toad was replaced with Winnie the Pooh, which is much more kid friendly and much more marketable than Mr Toad was. You can find a little Mr Toad in the graveyard at the Haunted Mansion, and no I'm not joking. Top left, I believe. There's also a picture in the Winnie the Pooh ride that shows Mr Toad handing the deed (to the ride) over to Owl.

I think the Skyway had multiple issues. It had safety issues, it was slow loading, it "ruined the magic" by giving a birds eye view where you could see the buildings the rides are actually in, and I believe there was even talk of guests spitting on other guests from up there. Gross.

As for what I miss? Horizons!! I loved that ride. Doesn't help that I really don't like Mission Space. I was also a huge Alien Encounter fan, and while I don't hate the Stitch version like everyone seems to I do miss the original.

 

[matt1979]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, I was going to be nice until you dissed the Peoplemover . Just kidding. But seriously, don't mess with the Peoplemover .

Mr Toad was replaced with Winnie the Pooh, which is much more kid friendly and much more marketable than Mr Toad was. You can find a little Mr Toad in the graveyard at the Haunted Mansion, and no I'm not joking. Top left, I believe. There's also a picture in the Winnie the Pooh ride that shows Mr Toad handing the deed (to the ride) over to Owl.

I think the Skyway had multiple issues. It had safety issues, it was slow loading, it "ruined the magic" by giving a birds eye view where you could see the buildings the rides are actually in, and I believe there was even talk of guests spitting on other guests from up there. Gross.

As for what I miss? Horizons!! I loved that ride. Doesn't help that I really don't like Mission Space. I was also a huge Alien Encounter fan, and while I don't hate the Stitch version like everyone seems to I do miss the original.

I was afraid of ruffling the feathers of the People Mover fans lol But seriously...nothing against it...just given the choice I would choose the Skyway in a heartbeat!

 

[BrianL]

My Most Missed: 20,000 Leagues, hands down!

 

[Iowajes]

I still can't believe they got rid of Snow White... I guess since they are replacing it with another ride themed on that story it isn't so bad- but Disney without a Snow White ride is kind of unfathomable to me.

 

[GusGus77]

I thought the skyway had to do with disability compliance because it was not handicap accessible and it was way too much money to make it so as there wasn't an easy fix?

 

[Jennasis]

As a kid, Mr. Toad was my be-all-end-all in the MK. In Epcot it was World of Motion. And in DHS (then MGM) it was, believe it or not, the Monster Sound Show.

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

I miss Cranium Command and the bikes in the Wonders of Life pavilion. Mickey and Minnie's houses were great too.

 

[mrsklamc]

Tom Hanks gave a reason for the skyway closing in Mr.Banks interviews...can't think of a DIS friendly way to say it though.

 

[sarga]

If You Had Wings. That was my absolute favorite on my very first Disney trip in 84. I rode it countless times that trip, and I can still sing the song. I love that Buzz uses the same ride track. But seriously, the first time I went to Dunn's River Falls in Jamaica, I was so excited because the scene of that was one of my favorite parts of If You Had Wings. It was like I was living the ride!

I also miss World of Motion and the original Journey into Imagination.

 

[Laketravis]

My Most Missed: 20,000 Leagues, hands down!

And "Wings".......

 

[Jennasis]

Tom Hanks gave a reason for the skyway closing in Mr.Banks interviews...can't think of a DIS friendly way to say it though.

I thought it was due to people spitting on/throwing things on the folks below?

 

[PoohsFan1]

I was afraid of ruffling the feathers of the People Mover fans lol But seriously...nothing against it...just given the choice I would choose the Skyway in a heartbeat!

No worries, you aren't ruffling my feathers even though I am a huge fan of the People Mover . I do understand how you feel about the Skyway though because I really do miss that ride too. However, I'm not sure if it was more unique then the People Mover, but I do miss it. The other rides I miss are Horizons, World of Motion, the old Journey into Imagination ride, and the ride that used to be in Tomorrowland where Buzz Lightyear is now (please forgive me I am having a brain fart right now and can't for the life of me remember the name).

 

[PoohsFan1]

If You Had Wings. That was my absolute favorite on my very first Disney trip in 84. I rode it countless times that trip, and I can still sing the song. I love that Buzz uses the same ride track. But seriously, the first time I went to Dunn's River Falls in Jamaica, I was so excited because the scene of that was one of my favorite parts of If You Had Wings. It was like I was living the ride!

THAT'S IT!!!!! I probably should of read the rest of the thread before replying to it

 

[BrokeMack]

When did it switch from If You Had Wings to Dreamflight? I really liked Dreamflight but I also like Buzz Lightyear.

 

[fbarker]

I miss Cranium Command and the bikes in the Wonders of Life pavilion. Mickey and Minnie's houses were great too.

Yes, along with the classics being mentioned here this was one of my families favorite attractions. It was so creative and fun we truly miss this one