Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride: A Magic That’s Gone But Not Forgotten
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride had been a staple of Walt Disney World since opening day on October 1, 1971. Today, the beloved attraction is a piece of Disney World archeology, and we’re here to uncover it! Get ready to visit the Scottish highlands of 1908, take a detour with Sherlock Holmes in 1949, and then a spin with Mr. Toad and Walt Disney in California before hopping onward to present-day Orlando, Florida.
Hold on tight, now – with Mr. Toad at the wheel, things might just get a little wild!
The Wind in the Willows
“I’m such a clever Toad.”
mr. Toad, the wind in the willows1
(Photo: Peter Francis via Flickr)
The origin of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride can be traced back to Kenneth Grahame, a Scottish author who penned one of the most quintessentially English works of literature.2 If that dynamic wasn’t ironic enough, his novel, The Wind in the Willows, was a tale about animals who were more like an English gentleman, and willow trees were never mentioned.
Although the 1908 literary hit wasn’t considered a children’s book, animals who ate breakfast wore Edwardian garb and got into mischief like stealing cars appealed to young and old alike and to the whimsy of Disney animators like James Bodero and Campbell Grant. Although Walt thought it was “awful corny,” he still purchased the rights to Grahame’s novel in 1938, and the animation studio got to work.3
A decade later, after the disruption of World War II and other production hiccups along the way, Disney’s version of The Wind in the Willows was finally ready to be released in October of 1949. It was packaged together with another short film, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Together the two films created 68 minutes of runtime – just enough for a theatre release under the name: The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.
Although altered from the original story, the colorful character of Mr. Toad was still self-absorbed and given to fits of “motor-mania,” in which he became obsessed with cars. However, instead of actually stealing a motorcar like in the book, Disney’s Mr. Toad was framed for the crime, as film codes of the day didn’t allow sympathy for wrong-doers.4 And, with his round cheeks and spiffy spats, it’s hard not to like Mr. Toad, even if he is a bit of an airhead!
Throughout the course of the film, Mr. Toad’s wild ride about the English countryside was narrated by none other than Sherlock Holmes! (That is to say, the impeccable Basil Rathbone.) The English actor’s distinct voice lent an air of respectability to Toad’s mismanaged affairs, and Basil even declared: “If you were asked to choose the most fabulous character in English literature, who would it be? . . .I would nominate a toad!”5
Disney’s take on The Wind in the Willows was well-received, with The New York Times declaring that Toad, Mole, Rat, and Badger “are creations equal to the best in the Disney zoo.”6 Considering the “Disney Zoo” contained the likes of Mickey Mouse and Dumbo, this was incredibly high praise!
Mr. Toad’s jump from page to the screen had been a huge success! But now it was time for him to make an even bigger leap. . .
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
“We’ll go for a jolly ride!”
Mr. Toad, The adventures of ichabod and Mr. Toad7
When the Disneyland theme park made its debut in Anaheim, California, Mr. Toad was there to share in the excitement – and add to it with a wacky motorcar ride! Although not as intense as a rollercoaster, visitors were still sent careening through Toad’s estate (Toad Hall), across the countryside, and even around London! People enjoyed the attraction so much it was decided an even bigger and better version would be imagineered and installed at Walt Disney World.8
In Orlando, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was expanded to include two different tracks full of mayhem and misadventure. In addition to new, 3D models (upgraded replacements for the flat cut-outs in California), there were also more details from the animated show sprinkled throughout the ride, including a fountain figurine of Toad and his horse, Cyril, a list of bills Toad had accrued during his escapades, as well as the villainous weasels.9
Because there were two tracks in the Magic Kingdom, the new iteration of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride also included a harrowing encounter where the tracks converged, and visitors’ run-away cars catapulted toward each other in a collision course, only to veer again off at the very last second! (Not to mention other sudden jolts, sharp turns, and obstacle-dodging throughout the length of the ride!)10
And yet, somehow, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was never considered a thrill ride. . .
Of course, such reckless shenanigans have their consequences. Both tracks ended in an extremely non-Disney fashion with a drive-through “Hell.” (Uh, yeah. . .apparently Mr. Toad didn’t make it through the last railroad crossing sequence or repent for his other traffic violations.)
Despite its dark undertones, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride remained a favorite of Fantasyland visitors for over thirty years.
Wild Ride Croaks, Mr. Toad Lives On
“He did not at all want to abandon the new life and its splendid spaces. . .But it was good to think he had this to come back to.”
kenneth grahame, the wind in the willows11
Unfortunately, Mr. Toad’s wildlife finally caught up with him, and he had to retire from his “motor-mania” to something a little more laid back – watching over the Hundred Acre Wood.
Mr. Toad’s loyal fans protested his retirement but were unsuccessful in convincing him to continue his daredevil ways. Toad had finally reformed! (To the relief of Badger and Mole.) Sad, but wishing Mr. Toad well, his fans turned out in droves to experience his wild ride one last time on September 7, 1998.
Mr. Toad passed on the deed of Toad Hall to Owl from Winnie the Pooh. You can see it for yourself in the commemorative portrait in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – the ride that now resides in Mr. Toad’s old pad in Fantasyland. Although we still miss Mr. Toad, he harbored no ill will toward Winnie and Co., and neither do we!
In fact, Mr. Toad and his friends are scattered throughout many pictures in Winnie’s ride, and it looks like they’re all having a blast! Another reference to our favorite amphibian can be found in the form of a debonair statue. . .in the pet cemetery by the Haunted Mansion. . .but let’s not think about that one too deeply, okay?
While Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride may no longer be in the Magic Kingdom, Toad himself has left lasting webbed-shaped footprints across Fantasyland and on our hearts.
We’ll always remember those wild times. . .
“The world has held great Heroes,
As history books have showed;
But never a name to go down to fame
Compared with that of Toad.”
“The Song of Mr. Toad,” Kenneth Grahame12
Cover Image
Photo: Jennifer Lynn via Flickr
Recommended Gear for this Adventure
Disclaimer: We earn a commission if you click any of the links above and make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
