Why does Mr. Toad's Wild Ride end in H-E-double hockey stick?

[alohamom]

Well, my adults kids road Mr. Toad yesterday and just asked me why it ends up in purgatory/the inferno.

They have been on it before but I guess they were too young to notice.

I have never seen the Disney animated Wind in the Willows movie so I have always assumed it was just part of the movie BUT when I googled it the result was no definitive answer.

The closest plausible one I found was that the movie had scenes that were created but cut from the final product but they were put into the ride but as I typed that it seems ridiculous.

I totally understand the concept (he was bad, he was judged, he was punished) but I dont know why it is part of the ride if that concept was not in the movie

Do any of you Disneyland experts have the answer?

 

[EmJ]

I don't know this answer, but I read this reader comment in Seth Kubersky's Unofficial Guide and it made me laugh:

"Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is awesome, and everyone should go on it because it's about a toad who goes to hell. I feel like that's a neglected topic in theme parks these days."

 

[Brett Wyman]

According to the above it was added simply because it worked better as a ride element.

Also society has a whole was much less sensitive back then, so the idea of children being told they were going to hell for being bad wasn't seen as a "OH GASP!" moment.

 

[avalon451]

I can’t remember where I read it, but I saw some commentary that said it was quite a common theme back in the 50’s, to kind of jokingly end with the cartoon character in hades. In fact, I do remember I was traumatized as a small kiddo watching a different cartoon, I think it was also Disney, where a gluttonous character ended up in a place where he was force fed, but I think it turned out he was dreaming. Man, that gave 4 year old me nightmares.

 

[alohamom]

"Loosely based" LOL

 

[alohamom]

I can’t remember where I read it, but I saw some commentary that said it was quite a common theme back in the 50’s, to kind of jokingly end with the cartoon character in hades. In fact, I do remember I was traumatized as a small kiddo watching a different cartoon, I think it was also Disney, where a gluttonous character ended up in a place where he was force fed, but I think it turned out he was dreaming. Man, that gave 4 year old me nightmares.

That actually makes a lot of sense to me. I can remember Harvey cartoons with that kind of ending, kind of a built in moral or lesson

 

[WonkaKid]

I first rode MT at DW when I was 8. We always presumed that because MT drove like such a maniac, Hell was his punishment.

 

[EmJ]

I first rode MT at DW when I was 8. We always presumed that because MT drove like such a maniac, Hell was his punishment.

There's a lot of drivers in my state who could benefit from experiencing this attraction, lol.

 

[Summer2018]

When we were in Disneyland last week we were trying to figure out who Mr. Toad was and what Disney movie he was from.

I have never heard of “Wind In the Willows.”

 

[BrianL]

When we were in Disneyland last week we were trying to figure out who Mr. Toad was and what Disney movie he was from.

I have never heard of “Wind In the Willows.”

The movie is properly called "The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad" - it is a package picture from 1949 featuring adaptations of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "The Wind in the Willows."

As to the ride, the original Disney dark rides have their roots in the "ghost train" style ride, or haunted house. The idea was that the imagery would be at least somewhat dark, macabre, and harrowing or scary. They don't necessarily have to have a happy ending. For Mr. Toad, that's what drunk driving will get you!

 

[Catvondita]

He was drinking and driving. Gotta be some repercussions yo

 

[Dr.Mickey]

As to the ride, the original Disney dark rides have their roots in the "ghost train" style ride, or haunted house. The idea was that the imagery would be at least somewhat dark, macabre, and harrowing or scary. They don't necessarily have to have a happy ending. For Mr. Toad, that's what drunk driving will get you!

Well that sure explains Snow White’s Scary Adventures...and possibly most of Fantasmic.

 

[2 Pinks]

I don't know this answer, but I read this reader comment in Seth Kubersky's Unofficial Guide and it made me laugh:

"Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is awesome, and everyone should go on it because it's about a toad who goes to hell. I feel like that's a neglected topic in theme parks these days."

Thats hilarious!

 

[LizzyS]

When we were in Disneyland last week we were trying to figure out who Mr. Toad was and what Disney movie he was from.

I have never heard of “Wind In the Willows.”

Oh, this hurts!

Anyone who hasn't seen The Wind in the Willows, please do! I saw it as a child and always loved Mr. Toad. I've rewatched as an adult (I quote "I'll pop 'im off!" occasionally) and read the book as well, even. It throws back to a time when cartoon characters routinely had guns and knives in their fights, lol.

 

[ImDMous]

The Wind in the Willows was one of our recurring rainy day movies in school if it was too wet for PE.

I've read the book also, I think I liked it better as an adult. You gotta watch out for those weasels.

 

[BrianL]

Well that sure explains Snow White’s Scary Adventures...and possibly most of Fantasmic.

Yes, Snow White is definitely in that same style. The amusement rides before this time were meant to offer a thrill to the riders. The idea was to get scared, maybe have your date hold you extra tight, not dissimilar to a horror movie. Some outside of Disney may have even been more graphic, at least for the time (think of an old horror movie and equivocate). Walt of course wanted that type of vibe but more in a way that families could enjoy together, thus the darker aspects of the animated films were accentuated. It's not too scary for the kids, but the adults will still get some mild thrills and chills. Those dark rides are all a bit surreal, especially Mr. Toad. They are also quite wonderful!

 

[Pamela M]

Oh, this hurts!

Anyone who hasn't seen The Wind in the Willows, please do! I saw it as a child and always loved Mr. Toad. I've rewatched as an adult (I quote "I'll pop 'im off!" occasionally) and read the book as well, even. It throws back to a time when cartoon characters routinely had guns and knives in their fights, lol.

I blame Disney for this- The only way to see old Disney movies is if you buy them or if you happen to catch it on TV. Who does either of those things these days. I wanted to watch Mary Poppins before Mary Poppins return came out the only way to watch it at the time was to buy a dvd/blueray. Can't wait for their streaming service.

 

[BigBlueWho]

I was able to pick up a copy at Walmart two years ago. I watch it multiple times each October.

 

[avalon451]

Our (now teens and twenties) kids are only familiar with Mr Toad because the song “Merrily on our way to nowhere in particular at all” was on a vhs cassette we had of Disney singalong songs. It also included clips like “Zip-a-Dee-Do-Dah” “Casey Junior” and “When I See an Elephant Fly.”

 

[caylene44]

Yes, Snow White is definitely in that same style. The amusement rides before this time were meant to offer a thrill to the riders. The idea was to get scared, maybe have your date hold you extra tight, not dissimilar to a horror movie. Some outside of Disney may have even been more graphic, at least for the time (think of an old horror movie and equivocate). Walt of course wanted that type of vibe but more in a way that families could enjoy together, thus the darker aspects of the animated films were accentuated. It's not too scary for the kids, but the adults will still get some mild thrills and chills. Those dark rides are all a bit surreal, especially Mr. Toad. They are also quite wonderful!

This all makes so much sense. I went on Snow White for the first time in years (as an adult, I generally avoid FL unless it's PP) and was surprised how scary it was. The name doesn't lie.