The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
The connection of Grahame’s work to Disney began in 1949 with the release of The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. This film package consisted of two segments based on Grahame’s The Wind in the Willows and Washington Irving’s 1820 short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” respectively. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad was the last of Disney’s “packaged” films that became popular during the World War II era because of their lower costs as compared to full-length animated films.
The Toad portion of the film loosely follows the plot of The Wind in the Willows, with Mr. Toad, Mole, Rat, and Badger eventually regaining possession of Toad Hall following Toad’s misadventures with his newfound motor-car obsession. The Toad portion of The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad ends in funny fashion with Toad’s newest obsession…airplanes! More so than The Wind in the Willows, the film emphasizes Toad’s obsessive personality, disastrous financial management skills, and his selfishness and tends to make him a less lovable character than that portrayed in the book.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride opened in the Magic Kingdom on the park’s opening day, October 1, 1971. Because the original Disneyland version of the attraction was so popular, Imagineers decided to add a new feature to the Magic Kingdom’s Toad attraction: two separate vehicle tracks that provided guests with two different experiences. This was the first and, at least for now, the last time this type of “dual” attraction was developed and incorporated into the Disney parks.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was a classic Disney dark ride that transported guests in, appropriately enough, motor-cars, past a series of colorful and zany scenes through London. The attraction was the epitome of “wacky”, with bright colors and an eccentric quality that matched that of its namesake, Mr. Toad. As guests travelled on this “wild ride,” they would narrowly escape danger in each scene before passing to another. Along the way, the fun theme song of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride proclaimed that guests were “merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily” on their way “to nowhere in particular.”
Regardless of which track guests traveled on, the first scene would be stately Toad Hall, composed of dark wood furnishings and paintings, conveying a grand sense of the legacy of the Toad family. The marquee centerpiece of the scene was a marble statue of Mr. Toad himself. From there, the ride tracks diverged through a variety of different scenes that, depending on the track, would lead through a trophy room, a gypsy encampment, Town Square, a pub, a library, a barn, a one-way street, and a jail. Many of these scenes were more on the “adult” side of the entertainment spectrum than other Fantasyland attractions. For example, guests could see a shoot-out with criminal weasels, a very buxom barmaid serving adult beverages in a bar, and a quite promiscuous painting of a nude woman.
The two separate ride tracks would eventually come together in a train tunnel, heading straight towards an oncoming locomotive with a loud horn honking and the light of the train shining directly in guests’ faces. For a Fantasyland attraction, it was certainly a scary experience. So what happened next? Well…guests went to Hell. Yes, you are reading that correctly. The next scene was literally Hell with Satan and a variety of red devils smiling at the encounter due to the fact that Mr. Toad and the other guests had presumably died. To say that this was a departure from the Magic Kingdom generally and Fantasyland specifically is a vast understatement.
Here Comes Pooh
So why did Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride eventually close? The attraction was still extremely popular with park guests and, from an expense standpoint, was not a very costly attraction in terms of staffing and upkeep. Toad’s demise was caused by Disney’s desire to incorporate some of its most popular characters into the Magic Kingdom: Winnie the Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood.
In October 1997, the Orlando Sentinel ran an article revealing that Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride would be closed in favor of a Winnie the Pooh-based attraction. When word of the change began to spread, Disney became inundated with a backlash of negative feedback from Toad loyalists. In addition to over a thousand complaint letters, fans also silently protested by sitting outside the attraction in what famously became known as “Toad-Ins.” Many protestors wore green shirts declaring their love for Mr. Toad. Despite these protests, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride officially closed on September 7, 1998. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh opened in Fantasyland almost a year later on June 4, 1999. Other than a substantial renovation to the attraction’s queue in 2010, the attraction has remained largely unchanged.
Although Mr. Toad was evicted from his Fantasyland home, observant guests can still enjoy small tributes to the eccentric amphibian in the Magic Kingdom. In addition to the Toad details in The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh referenced above, the greatest tribute of all is found down the road in Liberty Square beneath the shadow of the Haunted Mansion. As guests exit the Haunted Mansion and follow the pathway leading from the brooding Dutch-Gothic manor house back towards the heart of Liberty Square, they pass a very strange scene. Perched on a hill to the left of the walkway is a very small pet cemetery surrounded by a wrought iron fence. The cemetery includes tombstones for dogs, cats and other animals. Hidden away in the back of the cemetery is the tombstone of none other than Mr. Toad.
Select Bibliography
I drew upon numerous resources during my research for this book. These resources include corporate records of the Disney company, marketing materials and brochures, and a multitude of books and online resources, including those listed below. The bulk of my research, however, came in the form of countless trips to the Magic Kingdom during which I did my best to examine every nook and cranny of that park. For the many guests whom I’m sure I frustrated while looking atop every shelf and behind every box in attraction queues (not to mention taking numerous pictures of the same), and needlessly backing up the line in the process, I offer my apologies.
The Disney Company. 1969 Annual Report for Walt Disney Productions.
The Disney Company. 1970 Annual Report for Walt Disney Productions.
The Disney Company. 1971 Annual Report for Walt Disney Productions.
The Disney Company. 1972 Annual Report for Walt Disney Productions.
The Disney Company. 1973 Annual Report for Walt Disney Productions.
The Disney Company. 1974 Annual Report for Walt Disney Productions.
The Disney Company. A Complete Edition About Walt Disney World (1969).
The Disney Company. Marc Davis, Walt Disney’s Renaissance Man (2014), p. 7, 11, 34, 108-109, 128-133.
The Disney Company. Preview Edition, Walt Disney World, The Vacation Kingdom of the World (1971).
The Disney Company. Walt Disney World The First Decade (1982), p 10, 31-46, 73-76.
The Disney Company. Walt Disney World 20 Magical Years, p. 33-39, 40-45, 64.
Evans, Morgan “Bill.” Walt Disney’s introduction to Disneyland World of Flowers (Walt Disney Productions) 1965.
Fickley-Baker, Jennifer (Disney Parks Blog). “A New Look at Storybook Circus at Magic Kingdom Park,” June 14, 2011. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2011/06/a-new-look-at-storybook-circus-at-magic-kingdom-park.
Fickley-Baker, Jennifer (Disney Parks Blog). “Jungle Cruise Goes ‘Jingle Cruise’ for the Holidays at Disneyland Park & Magic Kingdom Park,” October 23, 2013. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/10/jungle-cruise-goes-jingle-cruise-for-the-holidays-at-disneyland-park-magic-kingdom-park.
Fickley-Baker, Jennifer (Disney Parks Blog). The Adventurous Tale of the Great Goofini at Magic Kingdom Park, March 27, 2012. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/03/the-adventurous-tale-of-the-great-goofini-at-magic-kingdom-park-2.
Fickley-Baker, Jennifer (Disney Parks Blog). “The Adventurous Tale of the Great Goofini at Magic Kingdom Park,” March 27, 2012, https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2012/03/the-adventurous-tale-of-the-great-goofini-at-magic-kingdom-park-2.
Gennawey, Sam. Walt Disney and the Pro
mise of the Progress City (2014).
Glover, Erin (Disney Parks Blog). “The Magic of Disney Parks Storytelling: Jungle Cruise at Disneyland Park,” February 18, 2014. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/02/the-magic-of-disney-parks-storytelling-jungle-cruise-at-disneyland-park.
Glover, Erin (Disney Parks Blog). “The Magic of Disney Parks Storytelling: Pirates of the Caribbean,” April 30, 2013. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2013/04/the-magic-of-disney-parks-storytelling-pirates-of-the-caribbean/.
Gordon, Bruce and Kurtti, Jeff. The Art of Walt Disney World Resort (2009), p. 31-32, 49-52.
Gordon, Bruce and Kurtti, Jeff. Walt Disney World, Where Dreams Come True, Then, Now, and Forever (2008), p. 16, 101.
Handke, Danny, and Hunt, Vanessa. Poster Art of the Disney Parks (2012), p. 30-31, 68-81.
Hench, John. Designing Disney, Imagineering and the Art of the Show (2008), p. 12-17, 70.
The Imagineers. Walt Disney Imagineering, A Behind the Dreams Look at Making the Magic Real (1996), p. 25, 131.
The Imagineers. Imagineering: A Behind the Dreams Look at Making MORE Magic Real (2010), p. 30.
The Imagineers. The Imagineering Field Guide to the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, An Imagineer’s-Eye Tour (2005), p. 40-44, 77-78, 82, 88-90, 112-113.
Korkis, Jim. Extra Secret Stories of Walt Disney World: Things You Never Knew You Never Knew (2018), pp. 17-20.
Kurtti, Jeff. Since the World Began: Walt Disney World The First 25 Years (1996), p. 73.
Kurtti, Jeff. Walt Disney’s Imagineering Legends and the Genesis of the Disney Theme Park (2008), pp. 115-119.
LeBlanc, Paul. “Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean ride loses ‘Wench Auction,’” June 30, 2017. https://www.cnn.com/2017/06/30/us/disney-pirates-of-the-caribbean-wench-change/index.html.
Lurie, Alison. Peter Pan afterword (1987), p. 193-200.
Mannheim, Steve. Walt Disney and the Quest for Community (2002).
Milne, A.A. Winnie-the-Pooh (1926).
Sklar, Marty. Dream It! Do It!: My Half-Century Creating Disney’s Magic Kingdoms (2013), p. 146.
Slater, Shawn. “Tortuga Tale,” August 11, 2013, http://disneyshawn.blogspot.com/2011/08/tortuga-tale.html.
Smith, Dave. The Official Encyclopedia of Disney A to Z, Third Edition (2006), at p. 8-9, 33-34.
Smith, Thomas (Disney Parks Blog). “Carrousel Name Change at Walt Disney World,” May 25, 2010. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2010/05/carrousel-name-change-at-walt-disney-world.
Smith, Thomas (Disney Parks Blog). “Walt Disney World’s Classic Space Mountain Attraction to Reopen with a Few Surprises,” November 10, 2009. https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2009/11/walt-disney-world’s-classic-space-mountain-attraction-to-reopen-with-a-few-surprises.
Surrell, Jason. Pirates of the Caribbean: From the Magic Kingdom to the Movies (2005).
Surrell, Jason. The Disney Mountains: Imagineering at Its Peak (2007), 37-59.
“23 Questions with X Atencio” (D23 website). https://d23.com/23-questions-with-x-atencio.
“Did You Know? 10 Fascinating Facts About Fun and Fancy Free” (D23 website). https://d23.com/know-10-fascinating-facts-fun-fancy-free.
“Scintillating Swiss Family Robinson Fun Facts” (D23 website). https://d23.com/scintillating-swiss-family-robinson-fun-facts.
Acknowledgments
I have enjoyed reading books since I was a child. Until a couple of years ago, however, the thought of actually writing my own book never crossed my mind. With the support of many friends and family members, I took a large leap of faith and wrote my first book, The Walt Disney World That Never Was: Stories Behind The Amazing Imagineering Dreams That Never Came True, in 2016. That was quickly followed in 2017 with The Backstories and Magical Secrets of Walt Disney World: Volume 1. As I said with the release of both of those books, to the extent that I have created a book that readers will enjoy, the credit for that accomplishment should go to the people that are listed below much more than to me.
At the outset, I want to say that this has been an exceedingly difficult year for my family. Earlier this year, my mother Gradie Mae Smith passed away. She was the most loving, caring, and understanding woman I have ever met. In past acknowledgements, I said that no matter how terrible a neutral reader might find my books, my mom would swear they were the greatest books ever written. And that is the absolute truth. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about her and the profoundly positive impact that she had on my life. I would not be the man that I am today without her. I am currently working on a project that is really a passion project for me and is really the reason I started writing in the first place. That is the project that I will completely dedicate to her memory. But as there is a great deal of work still to be done on that project, I want to dedicate this book to my Mom also. Mom, I will never forget you.
As always, I want to send a heartfelt thank you to my wife, Alexis. As is the case with every other aspect of my life, Alexis was overwhelmingly supportive and encouraging of my work on this book. My professional work schedule is time intensive, as is my “father schedule.” Therefore, there are not many spare hours lying around within which to write a book. Instead, a great deal of family time, vacation time, and otherwise quality time with Alexis had to be sacrificed in order to see this book completed. Given the fact that she had done this during the writing process for two previous books, her willingness to continue to do so for my third book is an even bigger testament to the woman that she is. However, Alexis never complained and instead continued to support and encourage me, even at those points where my own enthusiasm for the project started to wane. I have still “outkicked my coverage,” and you are still “the one.” I know Mom can rest easy knowing that I have you in my life.
To my father, Edmon Smith, I honestly don’t even know how to put a thank you into words. But thank you for being the best man I have ever known. You have worked countless hours to support our family, and I could never repay you for that. All I have ever wanted to be is you, but I realize that is an unrealistic goal. However, if I can even become half the man, husband, and father that you are, I will have achieved a tremendous goal indeed. Although I have written these words in the past, they are even more appropriate today than there were then. You are my hero.
To my oldest son Dakota, thank you for being such a kind and truehearted young man. You have insisted on carving your own path, and I could not be prouder of that. Our trips to Walt Disney World when you were a child are some of my best memories, and played a key roll in rekindling my love for the Most Magical Place on Earth. I could not be more proud of you and the man that you have grown to be. Please know that no matter how old you get or where you go, I will love you and be here when you need me.
To my son Samuel, thank you for being my boy. Your love, your kindness, and your smile constantly inspire me to be a better man and father. I love when we have sword fights, when we go fishing, and when we play outside together. Most of all, I love watching the kindness and love you show to both of your sisters. I can already see the man that you will grow into, and that makes me so proud.
To my daughter Scarlett, thank you for being my angel. I don’t know what our family would do without you. I love your free spirit, your energy, and your happiness. You are truly a ray of sunshine that constantly shines on our entire family. I wish I could freeze you at this age. But I know that the woman you will become will have even more spirit than the angel that I love today.
To my youngest, Alice Anne, that you for being my miracle. You love hard, and you play hard. I am so thankful that you came into our lives to complete our family. I hope that, no matter how old you get, you will always be willing to give your dad love, a kiss, and, my personal favorite, some “cheek.”
I also want to thank my good friend David Block. David was once again brave enough to actually read over these chapters and provide invaluable input and suggested revisions. In short, he was a valuable role player in this project. Clearly, his
work as an editor is only surpassed by his efforts managing sports teams. Not little league or pop warner…fantasy. #METUA. #I’LLFIGHTYOU!
I have to also send another big thank you to my editor, Bob McLain, without whom this book would not have been possible. Bob, thank you for your continued faith in me and for the opportunities you give me to share my passion with the rest of the world. I know it was challenging working with me this year to get this book out on a much later deadline than we anticipated, but I really appreciate your understanding and patience. Most of all, thank you for your friendship.
As strange as it may sound, I must also thank both Walt and Roy Disney for creating my favorite place on Earth, Walt Disney World. During the dedication ceremony for the Magic Kingdom, Roy stated: “May Walt Disney World bring joy and inspiration and new knowledge to all who come to this happy place … a Magic Kingdom where the young at heart of all ages can laugh and play and learn together.” If Roy and Walt were alive today, I would tell them that Disney World has certainly brought me joy, inspiration, new knowledge, and so much more. I always tell people that Disney World is truly a magical place. It is more than just bricks and mortar, rides and shows, hamburgers and hot dogs. It is a place where adults can become kids again and a place where dreams really come true.
Finally, I thank you, the reader. A dream of writing a book doesn’t mean much if nobody is there to actually read it. By taking the time to acquire and read this book, you have made a lifelong dream come true, and I am eternally grateful for that.
About the Author
Christopher E. Smith is a lucky husband, a proud father, and a blessed son. He is also a Disney historian, author, and corporate attorney practicing law in Huntsville, Alabama. Theme Park Press published his first book, The Walt Disney World That Never Was: Stories Behind the Amazing Imagineering Dreams That Never Came True, in 2016, and his second book, The Backstories and Magical Secrets of Walt Disney World: Volume 1, in 2017.
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