Yes, I can verify that both Cheshire Cats and the Tulgey Wood eyes all used the two-level following-eyes effect. As a kid, I was so inspired when I noticed how it was done that—once home from vacation—I grabbed my cardboard supply, exacto knife, blacklight and dayglow paints and made my own little 2-plane Tulgey Wood eye panel.
Let me know if you have any specific questions about pre-83 Toad. I never rode the opening day bare-bones version, but took dozens of trips on the “plussed” original: The one with the butler and motorcycle cop added, but the devil’s mouth removed and the axe-wielding suit of armor retired to background prop.
I actually started my own attempt at a 1955 Mr. Toad reconstruction back in July, but I pretty much gave up after only a few days. The current ride uses the same track as the original, minus a straightaway (the original train tunnel) in between what is now Winky's Pub and the point in the Hell scene where the track turns to the left after passing through the rock maw. This track plan most likely isn't totally accurate, but it's the best I've been able to come with given the information I've accumulated over the years.
Oh man, I never knew they got rid of that utterly sick devil's mouth! That was almost like something straight out of a 1930s pretzel ride. Its removal makes sense though, as I think the original flat stalagmites and stalactites in the Hell scene were replaced by dimensional rock-work in 1961 or so (correct me if I'm wrong on this, but this seems to be the case judging by photos of riders exiting the scene), and it really wouldn't have fit the more "realistic" aesthetic at all.
Thanks for offering to answer any questions! I do have one. What was the audio like throughout the attraction? Any details you can think of would be interesting to hear!
Very loud and raucous (but without the crispness of the ‘83 sound equipment). The 2 policeman whistles and the motorcycle cop’s siren were so loud you could hear them over and over throughout the ride, which added to the chaotic feeling (You could actually hear the motorcycle siren through the building wall from the outdoor side queue). I believe the non-film chorus version of The Merrily Song played in the Toad Hall rooms, but after that it was all sound effects with no music or voices (except for the cackling devils).
I have a few questions as well. I've been a pre-1983 Fantasyland dark ride schmuck for years and years, so it's a miracle to actually get to speak with somebody about this stuff! Not to bombard you, but:
Awesome! It definitely sounds like it was a classic style pretzel dark ride! I would’ve loved to have ridden it back then! Also, was the Merrily Song the same one WDW used years later?
To me, it sounds like it would have been similar to the WDW version of Mr. Toad audio-wise, especially the right-side track, which was a bit louder than the other one and had less music to drown out sound effects bleeding in through other scenes. On either track, however, you could hear the whistle of the town square cop, both sets of railroad crossing bells, and both ear-splitting train whistles throughout almost the entire building. I think all three of those might have been produced by real, physical means as opposed to playing off magnetic reels, which would definitely explain why they were so loud if true.
Nice observations there! I definitely remember the WDW version being incredibly loud, based on all of the YouTube ride throughs I’ve watched! I personally think the loud and chaotic aspect adds quite a bit of charm to the attraction, and generally makes it more chaotic, which is perfect for Mr. Toad!
You're right on that one; that's why I appreciate the fact that Disneyland's Mr. Toad still hasn't received proper soundproofing. Sometimes being able to hear things you're not necessarily supposed to just brings a certain flavor of intensity and rowdiness to a ride's atmosphere in a way best described as "masterfully discordant". And it's kind of funny that you should bring up the notion that WDW's Toad Hall music may have been used for the original 1955 ride as well, as I actually wrote a gigantic wall of text detailing my thoughts on that particular theory in the comments of the video you posted.
Haha, I saw that comment after going to the video on YouTube to see if anyone had the same idea as I did, and sure enough I saw your comment! I just didn’t know it was you until you told me just now, since your YouTube username is different.
1) The version I rode (mostly in the 197Os) had you knock over the poor butler, then crash through the left wall into that dark corner where now a Policeman stood, (surrounded by just darkness) blowing his whistle and thrusting a white-gloved palm at you. You turned right onto the twisty country road.
Lots of valuable stuff right here! Thanks a lot for replying! I had personally always wondered if there were any anthropomorphic trees in that wooded section as there were in the queue mural, and I'm kind of surprised I've never seen a single account of them before. I think it's especially interesting that they seem to have shortened the Hell scene for whatever reason, bringing it down to a length possibly even shorter than the WDW Hell scene from the way you describe it. If you don't mind, I have a few more questions as well:1) The version I rode (mostly in the 197Os) had you knock over the poor butler, then crash through the left wall into that dark corner where now a Policeman stood, (surrounded by just darkness) blowing his whistle and thrusting a white-gloved palm at you. You turned right onto the twisty country road.
2) Moley was right at the start. You entered the building through two show doors, and Moley (small flat cutout) was directly in front of you as the 2nd door opened. He was painted with a shocked expression, and he swiveled away to the left on a mechanism (like a door opening) in a way that suggested the car had struck the poor guy. A right U-turn, and then you encountered an outraged MacBadger sitting behind a desk in your path. And... the desk kinda moved backward out of your way as you made the left U-turn. It was odd—even odder because MacBadger been painted waaay off-model, so he looked like a little old human man. I think this moment replaced the Suit of Armor that used to lower its axe at riders, but now just stood motionless in the background.
3) Betwen the warehouse and train tunnel, you zig-zagged between flat trees with faces, painted to look like they were leaning back in fear, holding their branch-arms up to shield themselves from being struck (just like on the old outdoor ride mural). The neat thing was that this narrow twisty bit smoothly widened into the train tunnel entry scene, and it was a great transition as the tunnel entry and crossing gate came into view as you zigzagged through the trees, just gradually enough to give you plenty of time to realize what you were getting into, with the gate warning bell sounding throughout.
The train tunnel entry was so much better on this version. The countryside setting was believable, and you had plenty of time to see that gaping tunnel waiting for you. And then there was the signalman, staring at you with a sleepy, stoned expression like he didn’t care if you lived or died. Creepy!!!!
4) The train tunnel was great. Entering the tunnel, swallowed by darkness, you clump-clumped forward over actual bumps simulating the railroad ties, and for a couple of seconds, that‘s all you heard or saw. Then you heard the train’s bell and rhythmic chugging steam (higher-pitched chug than the current one) as the headlamp appeared and bore down on you (I’m sure it did move forward—It certainly appeared to).
Now, in all the times I rode, there was a loud crashing sound and a final, more pronounced CLUNK as you rode over one last floor bump, but no flashing lights at all. Just complete darkness—I never saw anything in the tunnel but the train’s headlight.
Then it was kind of weird, because you went around a couple of turns in darkness for a few seconds (where the devil’s mouth used to be), then a pair of doors opened and you were in the small hell cave full of little cackling devils. Five seconds later, you were heading out through the final door.
