Why was Mr. Toad's Wild Ride removed from MK? Any reason other then creating Pooh?

[disneydata]

Let's play a game. No cheating (ie Google)!

Name 5 characters from the story Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is based on (other than the character in the name of the ride). Name the story as well.

Good.

Now, name 5 characters from the story the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is based on (other than the character in the name of the ride).

If you could do it, good for you! How many people do you think can actually do that? That's why the ride was changed. Not the sole reason, but a very big part of it.

 

[MarkTwain]

Didn't the Hell scene freak out quite a few people?

The ride is definitely still a hit at Disneyland; it's probably second behind Peter Pan as their most popular Fantasyland ride (not counting the Matterhorn).

Wish I could remember the WDW version...

 

[NORMNB8S]

I wouldn't say that I miss the ride itself. I think I may just miss the memories of the ride. I was young and I don't really remember many of the specific details of the ride. I do remember "driving" the car and I remember getting hit by the train and I remember always riding that attraction with my dad. Those are good memories to have. Granted, I've never been on the Pooh ride but it's not a protest because of Toad being removed, I've just never been on the Pooh attraction.

 

[Krack]

Let's play a game. No cheating (ie Google)!

Name 5 characters from the story Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is based on (other than the character in the name of the ride). Name the story as well.

Good.

Now, name 5 characters from the story the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is based on (other than the character in the name of the ride).

If you could do it, good for you! How many people do you think can actually do that? That's why the ride was changed. Not the sole reason, but a very big part of it.

Oh, I like this game ...

Now, name 5 characters from the story Splash Mountain is based on.

Now, name 5 characters from the story Dumbo the Flying Elephant is based on (other than the character in the name of the ride).

Now, name 5 characters from the television show the Tower of Terror is based on.

Now, name the 5 members of the band that the Rock'n Rollercoaster is based on.

 

[Master Yoda]

Oh, I like this game ...

Now, name 5 characters from the story Splash Mountain is based on.

Now, name 5 characters from the story Dumbo the Flying Elephant is based on (other than the character in the name of the ride).

Now, name 5 characters from the television show the Tower of Terror is based on.

Now, name the 5 members of the band that the Rock'n Rollercoaster is based on.

One minor problem...all the attractions save for one are thrill rides. Thrill rides will typically remain popular regardless of theme or a lack of one for that matter. The only thrill that a dark ride typically provides is the story. If guests can not identify with the story the ride will die.

 

[Tom]

One minor problem...all the attractions save for one are thrill rides. Thrill rides will typically remain popular regardless of theme or a lack of one for that matter. The only thrill that a dark ride typically provides is the story. If guests can not identify with the story the ride will die.

Touche

 

[WDITrent]

Let's play a game. No cheating (ie Google)!

Name 5 characters from the story Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is based on (other than the character in the name of the ride). Name the story as well.

Good.

Just off the top of my head:
-Moley
-Ratty
-McBadger
-Winkie
-Cyril

The Wind in the Willows.

How's that? And I'm not exactly old as the hills.

 

[Tom]

Name 5 characters from the story Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is based on (other than the character in the name of the ride). Name the story as well.

Um...Mr. Toad?

Now, name 5 characters from the story the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is based on (other than the character in the name of the ride).

Eeyore
Tigger
Piglet
Kanga
Roo
Christopher Robin
Owl

See, I'm almost 30. I grew up with Mr Toad's Wild Ride, but I never actually saw the film. However, I still associated Mr Toad with Disney.

But I never had an emotional tie to the ride - and definitely not an unhealthy obsession. I've liked the Pooh ride in my 20s as much as I remember liking Mr Toad when I was <18.

 

[Krack]

One minor problem...all the attractions save for one are thrill rides. Thrill rides will typically remain popular regardless of theme or a lack of one for that matter. The only thrill that a dark ride typically provides is the story. If guests can not identify with the story the ride will die.

I hear that's why the Haunted Mansion died out; it was a dark ride with no recognizable characters. Pre-Depp Pirates, too. And the original Journey Into Imagination. Horizons. The Jungle Cruise.

 

[Tom]

I hear that's why the Haunted Mansion died out; it was a dark ride with no recognizable characters (pre-Depp Pirates too).

I DO NOT want to see Eddie Murphy show up in the HM....so you just keep comments like these to yourself!

 

[Animaniac93-98]

If guests can not identify with the story the ride will die.

After 27 years, of course.

Meanwhile, Disneyland's version is 55 years (27 from the 1983 reno) in counting.

 

[GenerationX]

I did not ride Mr. Toad at the MK, but I had the chance to ride the DLR version, which I understand was essentially the same. The ride did not survive in the MK for two reasons:
1. It's not based on a popular story or character.
2. It was a lousy ride.

Seriously, remove the wistful view of your youth and look at Mr. Toad's Wild Ride from as much of an objective point of view as you can. The ride had cardboard cutouts and one cheap effect (the train). No one knows the source material for Splash Mountain, but the ride itself is fantastic - an engaging story and a couple of thrills. The Haunted Mansion is a dark slow ride with no recognizable characters, but the story is interesting, the effects are outstanding, and the narration is cool. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride had none of the advantages of Splash or HM, but had all of the disadvantages.

Trading Toad for Pooh was a huge step up for the MK. Not only was Toad a fair-to-average ride at best, but Pooh is very good. And compare the two in every meaningful factor - story, effects, character, entertainment value - and Pooh wins every one.

 

[Zummi Gummi]

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was never as popular as its fans made it out to be.

 

[FigmentJedi]

Name five things that aren't Jackie Chan

 

[SeaCastle]

"Here lies Mr. Toad. Sad but true. Much less profitable than Pooh"

 

[MarkTwain]

I did not ride Mr. Toad at the MK, but I had the chance to ride the DLR version, which I understand was essentially the same. The ride did not survive in the MK for two reasons:
1. It's not based on a popular story or character.
2. It was a lousy ride.

Seriously, remove the wistful view of your youth and look at Mr. Toad's Wild Ride from as much of an objective point of view as you can. The ride had cardboard cutouts and one cheap effect (the train). No one knows the source material for Splash Mountain, but the ride itself is fantastic - an engaging story and a couple of thrills. The Haunted Mansion is a dark slow ride with no recognizable characters, but the story is interesting, the effects are outstanding, and the narration is cool. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride had none of the advantages of Splash or HM, but had all of the disadvantages.

Trading Toad for Pooh was a huge step up for the MK. Not only was Toad a fair-to-average ride at best, but Pooh is very good. And compare the two in every meaningful factor - story, effects, character, entertainment value - and Pooh wins every one.

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was never as popular as its fans made it out to be.

I agree with these. Dare I say it, but I've always thought the attraction was... :lookaroun

overrated.

*dodges tomato"

...But seriously, for all the hype the ride gets, and given how high the attraction scores on the "What ride would you bring back" polls, you'd think the ride was the second coming of the Haunted Mansion. When I first rode the Disneyland version after hearing how much people missed the WDW version, I was a little underwhelmed. It was fun, but for the most part it's just a jaunty little ride through static plywood sets, with no real effects, no real AAs, and without even a major song playing into the ride. (Although I'll admit, it was sure fun to hear "We're merrily on our way to nowhere in particular" when I boarded).

I completely respect those who love and miss the ride though. :wave:

P.S. I'm a major advocate of the idea to bring Mr. Toad's to the UK pavilion at Epcot. :lol:

 

[loveofamouse]

I vaguely remember the ride and, although I might have liked it above pooh, I do have to agree with what's said. Truly, it was a cheaply put together ride. Recently, I viewed a ride through on youtube and was seriously wondering how we thought it was okay when we rode it. lol.

On the flip side, I think Pooh is crap but that's just MO.

 

[bamillerpa]

I did love the ride but I agree that it was a lot of cardboard cutouts. However, I think Pooh is a lot of cardboard paintings. I do like the bouncing effect but to me it's a lot of paintings with a few nicer effects tucked in. I don't think it's anything that great.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

When I first rode the Disneyland version after hearing how much people missed the WDW version, I was a little underwhelmed.

Well the two versions were different, but there's plenty of info out there online explaining that.

The ride's a great idea and likely used plywood flats because the hand drawn style they approached it with (very different from the 1949 film) can never be replicated in three dimensions (and in Disneyland because of a total lack of space). Which is why I propose a new version that mixes projection loops of hand drawn animation with black lit flats and occasional 3-D props to keep the zany, frantic look with giving the scenery more movement. Along with banking the turns like an early concept for the ride had.

 

[mp2bill]

Thanks

Can you tell me the year it closed? I have been going each year since 2006 before that it was 2001 and I think it was still open

September 7, 1998.

I'm jealous that Disneyland still has theirs open. You would think that when one theme park has less space than another, the one with more space would have more rides (or more great rides anyway).

I'm not a fan of the Winnie the Pooh ride as I feel that you have to be on drugs to enjoy it...or you may really freak out depending on what drugs you're on. It's very psychadellic.