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Electronic Toad Hall - The Middle
"And now the weasels were closing in; I could SMELL the ugly brutes."
--Hunter S. Thompson
Now with more than 1150
submissions from Toad fans all over the world.
(Comments are not in chronological order. Not
even close.)
(Click here to read the first 500 Electronic Toad
Hall entries.)
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Thanks to everyone who participated.
From: Sarah Stevens <sssharkie@aol.com>
They did a short story about Mr Toad's demise on my local TV station.
Thanks to you, I did know about his horrible end when I went in May, so I
was able to ride with more appreciation than I normally would.... My
boyfriend is just happy we went when we did, cause I have been talking
about going back to ride Mr Toad's Wild Ride since we met. Seven years of
whining..... and if I had never gone.... oh the horror!!!! He would have
changed his phone number.
Anyway, you put up a good fight. I tried to do my part also. Let's just
say I too have no need to return to Disney..... One of the last unique
attractions will be gone... I hope they can sleep at night!!!!! sigh......
From: John Deans <jbdean2000@aol.com>
Thanks for all that you did to try to save this treasure. As a kid I rode
it in the 1st weeks of the opening, and always rode it on every visit over
the years. It is truly sad that the powers that be have let such a classic
meet this fate. As I now live in Arizona, I was not able to attend on that
final day, but my thoughts were with you and your group. Wishing I could
have been there, and admiring you for your efforts. For this I will always
consider you a friend, indeed a friend to all of us who found some much
joy from this atrraction over the years. Once again, many, many thanks for
a fight well fought.
From: Amelia Capalbo <address withheld by request>
I'm another Toad fan who appreciates your work during the past year. As
soon as I read the article in the Orlando paper last October, I found your
website. I was happy to see that so many others loved Mr. Toad's Wild
Ride. As a child, it was my favorite ride too and I never grew out of it.
I vacation at Disney World as often as I can. I've always had the same
"ritual" when I arrive at the Magic Kingdom - I go directly to Mr. Toad
and ride both sides immediately. My next trip is in December and I'm not
even sure I can stand to go to the Magic Kingdom this time.
Thanks for trying.
From: Julie Young <featuremom@aol.com>
Thanks for your diligence in saving Toad. We love him, the ride, the book,
the video, etc. Keep it up! I just sent Disney World e-mail a searing
treatise on how quality is slipping, merchandise tie-ins are ruling
decisions, parades are nothing more than movie promos, Main Street is a
big long Disney Store, etc. Thanks again!
From: Robert Cota <realgenius@mindless.com>
I am all for the cause.
From: tenplanten@aol.com
Hells yeah I wanna save Mr. Toads Wild Ride Sign Me up!!!!!
Oh man I just read further and saw that they had already closed the ride.
Man, what'll they do next?
From: Mark McCaustland <mcluddite@yahoo.com>
There was a story in today's San Francisco Chronicle---in the business
section, no less---regarding your campaign against the evil folks at
Disney. I can't believe they'd replace Mr. Toad with
Winnie-the-passive-aggressive-Pooh, but stranger things have happened.
From: Morgan Wenderoth <awender@bellsouth.net>
Save the toad!
From: Lindlee B. Norvell <lnorvel@comp.uark.edu>
I understand that I am much too late on this account, but I do have a six
year old daughter, and I still wanted to register my opposition to the
closing of this ride.
From: A.J. Sinclair <adam20@concentric.net>
As a student of political science (formerly a UM student, to be exact), I
have a penchant for lost causes. I pity the poor frog who has been run
over in the dead of night by the Disney corporate machine, piloted by
Michael Eisner.
I feel that, before too long, the people of the Walt Disney Company will
have so much power that Peter Jennings will end up wearing one of those
Disney name tags that all the "cast members" at the theme parks wear.
Once again, I salute the poor frog, and all the other Disney attractions
that have fallen by the wayside since my first visit there in 1979. (The
20,000 League Under the Sea Ride, among others)
From: Jen <stephens@eclipse.net>
I wanna save Mr. Toad's Wild Ride!!!!!!
I used to live in Florida, that's one my fav rides, even though I'm a
little older now.
Save Mr. Toad!!!!!!
[...moments later...]
never mind
i didn't know it already closed
i truly wish i was there to take that final ride.
i didn't know that last year was gonna be my last time on that ride.
this story, your story, made me cry, it's a very upsetting story for disney
goers and I.
thank you for trying to save a truly wonderful toad, your attempts will be
remembered by me.
Once again, thanks.
From: B. Brown <bdbk7@aol.com>
I loved Mr. T!!
Is nothing sacred? We are still mourning the end of the Main Street
Electrical Parade in Disneyland, and I preferred the old, low tech "It's A
Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" at Disney Land. What's next...removing the
carousel??????
Keep up your protest!
Thank you for all your hard work!
From: Chris Neuenschwander <chris.neuenschwander@jacksonthornton.com>
viva la toad
From: John P. Maloney <maloneyj@bellatlantic.net>
From 1980 to 1987, I was an employee at Disneyland in California. Darkish
times, but not as bad as the past couple of years, which has seen the
unannounced ripping out of the Skyway, the Motorboat Cruise (a ride unique
to Disneyland), Adventure thru Inner Space (ditto... okay, so that was in
about 1985...), the complete redo of the soundtrack to it's a small world
(now it is all in English), the PeopleMover, and the venerable
Circlevision 360.... and Disney recently announced a plan to replace the
Submarine Voyage with something "more up to date"! Please send me a bunch
of Save Toad cards...
From: Kathy <ksmcgraw@aol.com>
What a shame that the ride won't be there to commemorate the
anniversary [of The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad]!!!!!!!!!!!
From: John O'Hare <johare@worldnet.att.net>
My family and I bought seasonal passes on Sunday and rode Mr. Toad twice
that day and returned to ride twice more on Monday...the last day. My
last ride was at about 6:30 or so on the right side. I rode in one car
with my 4 year old son and my wife rode in the car behind with my 18 month
old. What was interest was when I got off and waited to take a picture, a
photographer for the Orlando Sentinel snapped about 20 pictures of my wife
and youngest son as their car exited. I thought for sure it would have
been in the paper today, but unfortunately they decided to use a picture
of another family? :-(
Anyway, thanks for trying to save the ride. I rode it for the first time
back in about '72 when I was about 9 years old. It was one of my
strongest memories of our trip to Disney World.
From: Anonymous <address withheld by request>
Please suggest to your visitors that they ask Disney to relocate the Pooh
ride to Animal kingdom, where there no really great rides. The integrity
of Fantasyland is in danger if this ride is located here.
From: suferrrrr3@aol.com
i live in west palm beach florida, and woke up to the news of toad being
destroyed, as well as the fateful news of 20,000 leagues, which was my
fav. ride. I am so sorry that your efforts did not seem to help the toad,
but in a way it did, no one will forget the ride.
From: Marc Chamness <sircalmar@home.com>
Let me help save Toad's Wild Ride.
From: The Trayburns of TN <trayburn@dekalb.net>
Please know that we all appreciate your efforts to save this
historic/loveable ride.
From: Tristan Ward <trippermm@hotmail.com>
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I GLADLY SUPPORT ALL TOADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mr toad's wild ride is the only refuge from the constant giddiness of the
rest of the park. don't get me wrong, i love the mouse - but sometimes a
teen's or mom's brain can't handle all that damned happiness. we need a
little dark humour to make us laugh at ourselves again and relax us for
the 6 hours AFTER the goofy luncheon. it is the only ride that I MUST go
on EVERY time i am there. i've ridden mr toad 25 times in my 33 years and
it's right up there with "i've watched starwars yadda, yadda, yadda..." as
a party topic. ya see, too many cool memories to trash a disney icon.
From: Susan Granby <ggranby1@tampabay.rr.com>
I am the mother of the little girl who was calling "bye-bye Toad..." at
the Magic Kingdom on that ill-fated day.
About three days ago we were in Atlanta (Thanks to Hurricane Georges) and
took my husband's grandmother to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. They have
several LARGE metal toad statues placed throughout the park. He is
usually sitting on a bench reading. My daughter saw them and was waving
and calling "Hi Toad!". My older daughter asked me if this is where Mr.
Toad had come to live since they closed his old house....(*sniff*)
Just thought you'd appreciate that one.
From: drbella@aol.com
Need any help...just ask
From: Chris Cornell <ccornell@napco.com>
I just want to be the millionth person to thank you for everything you
did. Your work has been an inspiration.
I am the maintainer of the official Mystery Science Theater 3000 fan site
(www.mst3kinfo.com), and we've already been through one cancellation, when
I thought the thing I liked most had been taken away, so I can relate. And
now, though it's been renewed for another season on Sci-Fi Channel, I am
starting to dread what will happen when that season ends.
Your graceful report has been guidance to me.
From: Amy Meldgin <amy.meldgin@cwi.cablew.com>
I heard you on WLUP in Chicago this morning. I agree....Mr Toad's Wild
Ride is classic!
I am a major Pooh fan, but isn't this (Disney) World big enough for both
of them!
From: Candace Drimmer <drimmer@mail.internet.com.mx>
Just read of the death of The Ride. As Holmes had The Woman, for me this
was the only reason to go to any amusement park...which Disneyland is.
Just dressed up differently.
I know I'm late to the cause (though I have been a fan of Toad since I was
7-years-old...only 41 years ago), but living in Mexico City information
recently from the USA has been more about that other toad, in the white
house. We (I) voted for him, believing our vote of confidence would turn
him into a prince...go figure.
Anyhow...yell at Eisner for me. Glad my friend ...who'd always wanted to
work at Disney...just quit after getting her Duck pin (5 years).
I am appalled... and saddened. I was 7 when I discovered Toad and his
insanity. Felt right at home. As an adult (alleged) I've lived in 7
countries in 12 moves in 25 years...always felt like Toad's ride to
me.
My husband is lovely, but hates Disneyland. I dragged him to Toad and he
was kind and enjoyed it (for my sake)...but now. We've no reason to
return, right?
Just read Jef Moskot's piece in a local English-newspaper ...pity.
Long live the Toad!!! and down with Eisner's greed.
From: Jamie Bonfanti <jbonfanti@att.com>
I think it is terrible that they closed down the ride.
From: Kevin Graham <kwg105@psu.edu>
Here's some tidbits from the Disneyanna convention in relation to
toad.
BTW, I was there supporting toad on it's last night. And the sound of
those trash cans hitting the entrance were particularily eerie.
The [Toad ride vehicle] sold for like 16 grand at the auction, and when it
came on the screen. There was a large group booing them for closing the
ride. Your feelings were definately shared with the Disney faithfuls.
There is a sketch for sale in the gallery store yesterday only. It was
labelled, "Mr. Toad's Last Ride". And had a sketch of toad, the horse
riding the car. And it was dated with the date of the closure. $35.
Another way for disney to make money off of things. A true disgrace.
From: Jon Gleich <johng98@mindspring.com>
I must admit that I'm a little late in getting in on this. The truth is
that I just learned about the destruction of my very favorite Magic
Kingdom ride yesterday. When I heard the news, I was truly affected.
We are distraught over the demolition of one of our fondest childhood
memories.
Long live Mr. Toad and his wildest of rides.
From: Dorothy Cassetta <dcassetta@aol.com>
I can't believe my favorite Fantasyland ride is being replaced by Pooh!!!
From: Carolyn Coen <csq14@hotmail.com>
I'm sending ALL best wishes and intentions for the success of the
SaveTheToad movement. After all, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride has been my own (and
ONLY) favorite ride since I first went to Disneyland (at the age of 27) in
1966!
Besides, my partner, Kevin, missed it on his only visit to Disneyland and
I insist that he be given every opportunity to appreciate these moments of
pure joy completely without diminishment. I simply cannot adequately TELL
him about it!
From: Linda Ireson <juliad415@aol.com>
We grew up riding that ride and we loved it.
Thank you so much.
From: Neil Schuman <marshotel420@compuserve.com>
I was very upset to hear about one of my favorite attractions closing. We
always thought it was so cool that Disney had a ride that "killed" the
rider at the end!
From: David Miller <davidm@snip.net>
I am interested in buying a shirt before those b@$%*#&s at Disney make
that ride nothing but a memory.
From: Jeanne Burch <jburch@sunstroke.sdsu.edu>
Congrats on your campaign to save the WDW toad; it was a noble effort.
From: Deirdre Reinert <deirdre.reinert@vmmc.org>
I read about how they f--ked up the Tiki Room (on your site) after I sent
off the Email. That made me start to cry, on top of the other depressing
Disneyland news. Somehow the way they're "updating" it is worse than if
they just closed it down. Also heard about the submarine ride. If it ain't
broke don't fix it!
I'll keep plugging away with those postcards...
From: Kat Bennett <eltband@usa.net>
Heard the interview on NPR this morning and whipped off an email to
Disney.
I hope your campaign in Orlando will be successful. Good luck.
From: Robert Brotherton <robertb@keytech.com>
Like millions of others I was disturbed by Mr. Toad's demise (I'll bet
Walt wouldn't have allowed it). Perhaps a new campaign would be in order
to possibly resurrect Mr. Toad. One example, perhaps an enhanced version
of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride could be appropriately placed in London in World
Showcase at Epcot. I believe a poll would provide an interesting array of
ideas and support.
From: Justin Miller <miller.2421@osu.edu>
Brodie (Jason Lee) said it best in "Mallrats" when he said, "Be fair,
alright! Everyone wants Mr. Toad's Wild Ride."
From: Shawn, Mario, Chris, Jerry, and Kenny <valekjax@aol.com>
where oh where has my little toad gone?! even pooh wouldn't like this
idea.... can walt really rest in peace knowing that disney is selling out
for the almighty dollar? we have enough pooh!! seriously, please consider
keeping mr. toad around, the ride is an original piece of disney themepark
history, it is timeless. captain eo yes, but mr. toad NO!!!!!!
From: William J. Koenitzer <nitz@futuresouth.com>
Why would anyone think of taking down the most popular ride in the park?
I am 12 years old and I think that this idea of tearing down my favorite
ride is an outrage, and must be stopped. This is my parents favorite ride
as well. They are both 42 and they are refusing to go to Disney World
again until the ride is restored to its original Toady state. Pooh
sucks!! How could you think of replacing Good ol' Mister Toad with that
2-bit piece of yellow fabric.
From: Mrs. B. Duffel <dionyasis@sprynet.com>
When I was a little girl we went to Disney World. When we came home, for
the next few years my older brother would put me on his bike and ride me
through the yard yelling, "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride." His birthday is coming
soon and I saw this website on WGN Channel 9-Chicago this morning. What a
great idea!!!!
From: John Marsden <techman@ameri-com.com>
i am a toad ride lover, and i am sorry i couldnt be there for the closing.
From: Alan Kim <disneykeys@webtv.net>
First I want to thank you for all your efforts into saving a worthwhile
ride. I have been following your efforts from almost the beginning and I
know this was a labor of love for you. I'm only sorry that they didn't
have a ceremony at the closing. They had a closing ceremony for the Subs
at Disneyland, but it still wasn't enough. I only wish that the powers
that be would realize that people are the important thing and not the
bottom line.
I know this is little consolation, but we do have a Toad Ride (for the
moment) at Disneyland. I know this is not the same but I hope we can meet
at one of the Sunday meets so I can shake your hand.
From: Michael S. Bellman <mbellman@mail.coin.missouri.edu>
I grew up in Tampa and have visited the MK at least 20 times. I thought
Mr Toad's Wild Ride was cool because not only was it one of the most
fast-paced lines in the park, but it had !2! versions. They are different
stories! My wife and I got to ride 3 times in July so at least we saw it
before they kill it for good.
From: Brian <jn1315@aol.com>
Well, I was at the Magic Kingdom yesterday and neglected to visit Mr.
Toad. As always the wait was enormous. I guess he's more popular than
the Disney execs think.
I heard about this terrible fiasco this morning when I read the news
paper. (It mentioned your site too) I'm upset that Mr. Toad may face
extinction, but I'm even more horrified to find out that Horizons faces
possible death as well. That's one of my favorite rides of all. I'm
still mourning the loss of 20,000 Leagues and World of Motion. I wish
they'd leave things alone. Disney might not have to raise their ticket
prices again this year if they decide not to rebuild these attractions.
From: engtp@aol.com
We vacationed at the Magic Kingdom a few weeks ago, and I must say that
even though I love Pooh, I can't understand why they closed this ride.
Whose idea was this? That ride was enjoyed by so many people. We feel that
after numerous visits there that Disney is changing and not always for the
better. I think it is great that you became involved in such a worthy
cause. You will not win all of your battles in life, but remember that you
had the courage to fight.
Good luck in your future endeavors.
From: Laura <bellebay@aol.com>
Is it too late???
I only heard about my dear Mr. Toad recently!! It is too late to change
their minds?? I LOVE this ride at Disney World!!! My family and I have
been to Disney World 9 times and every single time we start off the trip
with a spin through Toad Hall. What will we do now?!
Let me know if there's anything that can be done!
From: Chris Campbell <chriscam6@aol.com>
I know the ride is supposed to close in two days, but these fiends must be
stopped...if resistance isn't maintained, they might even try to do the
same thing at (YIKES!) Disneyland, too!
I love Toad's Wild Ride. It's always been my favorite...even after all
these years (I just turned 50), I'm never ENTIRELY sure that it ISN'T a
train this time, and I always get scared. Very satisfying.
Thanks for maintaining this swell site!
From: Chris Sampson <dsampson@bellsouth.net>
I too find this to be one of my favorite rides at WDW. It is very
unfortunate that they are closing it and not listening to the fans.
From: Erica Davies <mikebarb@hockinghills.net>
Please don't replace Mr. Toad's Wild Ride with Pooh. Isn't there another
place you can put the Pooh attraction. I was a junior in High school when
I came to Disney it had always been a dream of mine. I rode Mr. Toad's
Wild Ride I liked it and I don't think you should do away with it.
From: Brad DePlanche <nicesoles@aol.com>
I play Toad every year in the Shakespeare Santa Cruz production of The
Wind in the Willows, and it was mine and my sisters favorite ride in the
parks.
I'm starting to learn my lines again, and getting angrier and angrier
about the closing of the ride. I saw the original Disney film the other
day as well, both priceless. It's a shame.
From: Lynn A. Pecuch <lpecuch@email.msn.com>
I hope I'm not too late in trying to save the BEST ride in Disney World.
Mr. Toad must stay or DW will never be the same!!! Mr. Toad is the first
ride we go on to begin our "magical" time at DW and its the last ride we
go on as we depart the kingdom. Please don't end our family tradition.
The joy on my neices faces were the exact replicas of mine and my sister's
when we were their ages experiencing Mr. Toad for the first time. Please
spare Mr. Toad!!!!
From: Miss Mary <jpe@freeway.net>
Long live Mr. Toad!!!
One of my earliest childhood memories is of our family's trip to Disney
World. Sure, I loved the Peter Pan ride (is it still there?) and meeting
Donald Duck, but nothing compared to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Disney has
committed blasphemy, plain and simple!!!
Might I add that on that long-ago visit to Disney World, Minnie Mouse was
romping around and "accidentally" knocked down the 3 year-old me and
stumbled over my little head! Since then, I have known that Miss Minnie
is EVIL!!!
I am quite upset about the demise of Mr. Toad in Florida. As Toad said, "I
am wounded, mortally wounded!!!"
From: Susan <savethetoad@webtv.net>
I just read about Mr. Toad's plight in the Ft. Myers News Press. I'm
very disappointed in Disney!
From: Chris Burns <skybums@lemoorenet.com>
I too am a long time Mr. Toad's Wild Ride fan, I grew up riding it and
want to share the experience with my children. :)
From: Sean T. Nolan <sean.t.nolan@worldnet.att.net>
Fight! Fight! Fight!
I'm with ya!
From: Robbie McDaniel <dmcdaniel@erols.com>
I think this is a great cause. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was and will always
be the greatest ride at Disneyworld.
From: Ilene Kummer <ilene.kummer@gte.net>
Thanks for the info on a most worthy toad indeed!!!
If more people cared about the fate of all toads, our roads would be much
nicer!
From: Richard Williamson <m4658@prodigy.net>
I know that I'm writing this letter after the fact, but I just wanted to
say you put up one helluva fight. If more people had put the time and
energy that you did to save Toad, we all might be riding 'til we were old
and gray. Thank you for your tremendous effort!!! I am thankful that I was
able to ride on the final day, but unfortunatly we had to leave to come
home at around 1:00. I do regret that I was not there for the final Toad
In. But as I said I count myself fortunate that I had one last ride.
I felt like I could really relate when you said you saw the smiles on
those boy's faces and said "That was me 20 years ago." Mr. Toad was my
first memory of Disney, and it just really sucks now that He's gone. Well
enough of my ramblings, just thanks again, helluva fight, and maybe by
some bizarre twist of fate, we will ride Toad once again!!!!!!
Long Live Toad!
P.S. It pissed me off too that they had the Pooh ride already listed on
the guidemap on Toad's final day.
From: Mike Chew <bobsmike@webtv.net>
If it is not too late, I'd like to register my protest opinion for me
and my girl.
I have only been on the net two months. Thank you for the good fight to
save Toad. It even made the business section of the San Francisco
Chronicle (AP wire story).
From: twinmicks@aol.com
my son broke into tears when he heard the news about the imminent closing
of MTWR.
thanks for your attention to this. i guess it is too late to save the
ride.
From: Carol Gee <clgee@inreach.com>
Will be making a trip to Disney World in November and would love to wear a
"Toad" shirt....just to remind them....Toad isn't forgotten!
My son frequents Disneyland and it would be nice to let them know how
disappointing it is that Mr. Toad is gone (DW) however, hope they don't
get any weird ideas.
From: Chris Moore <cmoore01@gte.net>
I'm sorry for the loss....
From: Darwin L. Hatheway <dhathewa@isd.net>
My first opportunity to go to Disneyland was in 1987, when I was 32 years
old! Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is one of my favorites! I've since been to
Orlando and was delighted to be able to take the Wild Ride there, too.
If Toad goes, what's next? Teacups? Peter Pan? Canal Boats? Where will
it all end?
From: Susannah Pelletier <dinojrfrk2@aol.com>
I just rode this ride twice the other day. I will surely miss it.
Keep up the good work. We don't have to settle for this quietly.
From: Eric Schmidt <eschmidt@scudc.scu.edu>
I've heard that the ride got killed a week ago or so. I live in
Cali...and if Disney killed Toad in Florida, who knows if the Disneyland
version won't get the axe next.
From: Christine Wilson <jcwilson@aracnet.com>
I'm sorry for your loss, Toad... :)
Seriously, though, that *really* sucks. Thanks for letting us know. Just
FYI, I did write them about it! Maybe it's worth writing again...
I've enjoyed your site and thanks very much for trying to save the ride for
the rest of us.
From: Wendy Reimer <tech17@gateway.tec.wi.us>
I got sent your wonderful articles on Mr. Toad about his last ride. I was
very interested, my family was going to fly down there on the last day but
I had to work. I know that is no reason to miss the ride but work is work
once you start you can't stop.
I'm sad too so I now what your going through.
From: Shawn Cochran <shawncochran@earthlink.net>
RIP Toad... You were one of my favorites.
From: Tony Kontzer <tony@goodink.com>
I wanted you to know that I read every word of your Toad-In report and was
very touched. You did a masterful job of taking us to the scene. I think
you should consider writing something for mags like the New Yorker and
Premiere, etc. And I'm a professional writer/journalist, so I do know a
little something about which I speak.
And great job on the pictures page. Very enjoyable. I only wish I could have
ridden the Florida version just once before it expired.
Back to The Ride...
I grew up on Disneyland and have never been the Disney World, and it bums
me out that if I ever do make it there, I won't be able to ride the
Eastern version of Toad. Heck, I didn't even know it had two sides. And if
they make the same decision regarding Disneyland's Mr. Toad, well, a big
piece of MY childhood will die. Here's hoping that doesn't happen.
Mr. Toad has always been one of my all-time favorites. A non-thrill ride
that titillates with creativity! They don't make 'em like that anymore.
And when they updated Fantasyland in the 80s and made changes to the ride,
I was aghast until I rode the new version and found it was even
better.
But Disney has been in a state of flux for some time, as you know. I'm
already really irritated that they took out Disneyland's Peoplemover.
Tomorrowland was in need of updating--it was looking more like
yesterdayland--but why do they always add by subtraction? And a few years
ago I visited Anaheim and was dismayed that they had put speakers on the
tops of the seat backs on Space Mountain, playing irritatingly
inappropriate surfer music throughout the ride. You couldn't even hear
all the spacey background sounds and it completely ruined the atmosphere.
I understand they've changed the music to something a bit more spacey and
mood-appropriate, but the damage has been done.
Anyway, thanks again for a job well done. And remember, some of the best
soldiers in history fought on the losing side of the battle.
From: rjohn45060@aol.com
i love your website and i visit it almost every day. i just saw the last
toad in pictures today and they're really nice. thanks
From: pokey02323@aol.com
It is a travesty that they are closing this ride!! Next they'll be closing
Peter Pan's Flight!! It's sacreligious!! I am 30 years old and Mr. Toad
is one of my favorite rides. Yes, it may be "simpler" than some of the
other rides, but that is the charm of it. I really hope that the suits at
Disney wake up and realize how popular and beloved this ride is!!
I must say that you had me in tears reading about your last ride. I cannot
believe they closed it....for the latest fad. I own stock in
Disney...maybe I should reconsider.
You did a great job. I loved reading about your "toad ins".
Take care and.....chin up.
From: lgenovese@yahoo.com
I'm sorry about the Toad, I wish I was there to help save him. The ride
will be greatly missed. I grew up on Disney, my family and I went every
year and when I turned eighteen danced for Walt Disney World in the Magic
Kingdom and MGM. I loved that ride!!! Thanks for trying!!!
From: Tim Morell <tim_morell@counsel.com>
I remember reading the accounts of your efforts to save the Toad. Made me
proud to be a UM Alum (Law 83).
From: The Atkinsons <waldos3@aol.com>
So sad to think my children ages 4 months and 4 years will not be able to
experience Mr. Toad as I did in my childhood! I cried then from fright,
now from sadness.
From: J.P. McDevitt <juntmonkey@aol.com>
Wow, [the final Toad In report] was very good, and extremely emotional. I
am touched. It was my favorite ride also.
From: Vanessa Aquilina <vlaquili@flash.lakeheadu.ca>
I've been to Disneyland in Florida twice, and I love Toad's Wild Ride.
In fact, right now I'm doing a major project on Toad for my second year
Children's Literature class. Not only will I support not closing down
the ride, but these postcards will be a rock'n bonus for me for class!!!
I will admit, I love Winnie the Pooh, but can't Disney put it somewhere
else? Can't the two rides live in harmony?
From: David Reilly <treehaus@loop.com>
i have been a disneyland (anaheim) visitor since 1958. i was eight years
old then. toad was always one our favorite rides, even after i supposedly
"outgrew" it i always rode it. i took my little boy on it. (space mountain
scared him) i had no idea this was happening. but, i cannot find anything
anywhere in you site regarding toad at the west coast disneyland. is it
already long gone?
what's up?!?!?
thanks for your efforts against the corporate beast.
From: Zevaluz <zevaluz@amphigory.com>
As a very recent finder of your site (2 weeks ago) who was planning to
purchase a T-shirt and other things for the cause, I'm very saddened by
the announcement today.
Please post on the site all the details of the 'last ride', since I'm in
IN, I cannot make it there, but would like to hear about it.
I'm going to concentrate some of my ears that I have pointed towards Disney
to find out if they are planning the same for Mr. Toad in WDL, CA.
From: Rob <retlawfan@aol.com>
Thank you.
You are a great fighter.
Even though I'm out here in California, and could never get to a Toad In,
I was with you in spirit. You will always have friends here, who believe
in the cause too.
So, I say again....Thank you.
:(
From: heavensk@aol.com
I've been going to Disney World since it opened and Mr Toad has always
been my favorite ride! I cant believe that they are destroying the
classic!
From: Melissa Shaw <meshaw@indiana.edu>
Nice save toad site....I had no idea they were going to close it.....as
for the Wind in the Willows....I recorded it off of the disney channel a
few months ago....they were running it pretty heavy on there for a
while.....I just think it would be nice to have a little stuffed Mr.
Toad.....he's got to be one of the cutest characters ever!
I think if I had to pick just one character that needs more mechandise it
would be Mr. Toad In fact, I cant remember seeing any Mr. Toad merchandise
at all!
From: mskott80ss@aol.com
let us all please have a moment of silence for the termanally ill mr.
toad. poor ole toad, the ride i ended many a stay at wdw as a kid too
frightened of "big people" rides such as space mountain or thunder
mountain, i would ride mr. toad as my last ride at 12:00 when the park
would close. even though now 24, an age where i end the stay at space
mountain, i still ride toad every visit and say "HI!" to moley every damn
time in the first room before you blast through the fireplace. I've just
graduated college and looking for a job so this summer is pretty much out
for a visit. unless something like a new good job where i have the extra
$ and time off for a trip soon, i may never see my old pal toad or his
ride again. i've been to wdw probably 15 times in my 24 years, living in
kentucky, so it's not like i've lived a deprived childhood, so this story
is not one of epic sadness, none-the-less, i will shed a tear and throw
a melting mickey eared icecream at the first damn pooh i see, whether he
be animatronic or plush or costume. so goes mr. toad, we will never see
his like again.
:(
From: Chris Wittmer <christine.wittmer@swcollege.com>
Hope it's not too late to show my support.
From: Sylvia Lam <sylvialam@prodigy.net>
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, was one of my favorites and he shall ever live on in
Anaheim, where I went last summer!
From: Dan Metsch <jamdan1@bellatlantic.net>
It's a real shame to see MR. TOAD go the way of another great attraction
you all might remember...20,000 leagues under the sea. I first rode these
rides in 1976 & fell in love with the place, these are the things that
separate Disney from the rest. Very disheartening.
From: Nicole Gilliam <nicoleg636@aol.com>
i think it is mean that they are tearing it down i've never been there but
i'm sure i'd like it.
From: Anne <annagonia@aol.com>
We are planning a trip to WDW for November, 1999. One of my 10 year old's
first comments upon hearing of our plans was, "I want to ride Mr. Toad
again!!!" We are very disappointed and will miss Mr. Toad. Thank you for
your efforts to save him.
From: Arthur Sperry <sperrya@frederick.k12.va.us>
My story is a bit late, but I have to relate it. When I was in 9th grade
(1977) we went to Disney World. I am now 37, and teach Latin here in
Virginia. The one ride which really made an impression on me was Mr.
Toad's Wild Ride. Skip to 1998. My sister is living in Nevada. While
visiting her we took a few days to go to Disneyland in California. I now
have an eight-year-old son. The first ride we rode was Mr. Toad. With no
real prodding from me, he loved it! We rode the ride about 25 times over
a two day period. All this time I had no idea what was happening in
Florida. Last August I first saw the news reports of what was happening. I
felt sick to my stomach. The rides like Mr. Toad are what sets Disney
apart from their competitors. They are cutting their own throats by
closing a classic! I support your valiant effort and applaud you for your
persistence. I hope that Mr. Toad will continue to live on in Ca. My
little boy had an interesting thought. He says that Disney should release
The Wind in the Willows again, so that a whole new generation will come to
know Mr. Toad and company. He even said they could have monitors showing
the video while one waits in line. Oh well, some day historians will note
the closing of Mr. Toad as yet more evidence of the decline of western
civilization (ha ha)!!
From: Maggie Strate <isisgirl7@aol.com>
I love that ride. Can't bear to see it go...
From: Mary Coenen <mcoenen@co.scott.mn.us>
My sister and I are big Mr. Toad fans.
From: Catherine Olive <cathyo@ti.com>
Save Mr. Toad's Wild Ride! It's been one of my favorite rides at Disney
World for years!
From: Chas Andres <candres@ultranet.com>
I think there may be a chance to get them to reopen Mr. Toad.
I would actually try to save a ride that I have always liked just as much.
Journey into Imagination (Figment) is going to be closing. :-(
From: Ivy Roche <chulee22@aol.com>
I'm gonna try and do my part to save mr. toad.
From: Fred Guilmette <fred.guilmette@worldnet.att.net>
To save any ride. Become a stockholder.
I have been to Disney's stockhold meeting in FLA., at Disney World some
years ago. Here is where CO listen to stockhold. Disney's stockhold
meeting is held every year in February, normally Calif. next year in
FLA..
At meeting start would Show with Mickey or small floots. Then CO tell how
company is doing, and going do in upcoming year. Next business report on
Disney. Now Good part! Q&A part of meeting. before beginning some of
stockholder head for door for free tickets. (Note: This there were no free
tickets parks) You find that the stockhold that have a issue or thing to
bring up to Disney, stay. The CO listen and gives replies to
stockholders. Then CO make motion end the meeting.
From: Richard Dilbeck <rdilbeck@bellsouth.net>
One of the greatest memories was riding Mr. Toad with my Dad and Brother
in the summer of 1972. I looked forward to riding it every time I went to
Disneyworld and I am glad my daughter got to ride it on our last visit in
1996.
From: jcjpbrain@aol.com
JUST HOLD A MINUTE, I THINK THAT WDW IS THE BEST PLACE TO WALK INTO YOUR
FAVORITE DISNEY MOVIES..... I'VE SEEN POOH COMING, BUT WHY DOWN WITH
MISTER TOAD? WHY COULDN'T POOH BE PUT IN CRITTER COUNTRY, OR MAYBE ADDED
ON TO FANTASYLAND? COME ON! KEEP UP THE FIGHT!!!!!
From: trichard@pcisys.net
I wish to express my extreme dissatisfaction and disappointment that
Disney decided to close Mr. Toad's Wild Ride attraction in Fantasyland.
It was a favorite of mine since I was a child and I really feel that
Disney is doing its customers a disservice by taking this type of approach
on wonderful legacy rides. My wife and I have already booked a trip to
Disney this May and I can't tell you how disappointed I was when I just
heard the news. I am very sad that my two sons will not be able to enjoy
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride as I did...
From: Jonna Monge <boxer204@aol.com>
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, AND I THINK IT'S GREAT WORK AND DEDICATION THAT YOU ARE
PUTTING INTO THIS! KEEP IT GOING, HOPEFULLY WE CAN REACH THEM
From: Tracey <trixie65@hotmail.com>
I still haven't gotten over losing the Mickey Mouse Revue. Now Toad?
It's too much to handle.
Count me in as a toadie!
I rode for the first time 27 years ago, December 1971, I was 6 and the
park was only 2 months old. Now my grandchildren will never see Toad
Hall.
Breaks my heart.
From: Dan Holloway <jrc5181@garnet.acns.fsu.edu>
Keep up the fight!
From: Samuel Karge <barney@execpc.com>
Long live Toady!
From: Maureen Byrne Vera Cruz <mousear@worldnet.att.net>
I hate Mr. Toad's ride being removed. It was one of my favorite rides.
It's nice to know there are people like you who care...
From: Rebecca Burns <burns111@erols.com>
I think what you are is great I also love Mr. Toad's Wild Ride very much.
From: Sarah Austin <srraustin@aol.com>
i was there on labor day for the last ride and i want to complain.
From: Karen Mitchell <kickass_karen@gurlmail.com>
Thanks for putting up this great site. I too am one of many crazed Disney
park fans-- more subliminally than actively, since almost all my dreams at
night take place at Disneyland, often in the Mr. Toad's car! I'd have to
agree with the other malcontents who have noticed a decline in the quality
of the parks, unfortunately. I hate how the park is turning from the
happiest place on earth to pure, unadulterated promotional drivel for
whatever flick is out now. (The Hunchback's Feast of Fools?!) And
personally, I think Pooh sucks. Long live Toad!
From: Patty Crane <trcrane@televar.com>
Long live Mr. Toad!
From: Paul Fogle <syber@pcisys.net>
As a previous Florida resident, I grew up with lot's of trips to Disney
World, and loved all the old rides. I'd hate to see any disappear as then
I'd have no memories to talk about when I take my kids there in the
future.
From: Linda Hudson <lehudson@aol.com>
Thanks for your hard work!
From: Jason W. Koye <jkoye@clemson.edu>
I found out about the closing through my college paper here at Clemson. I
was a little annoyed that I found out about it so late but those are the
downfalls of being uninformed.
Save Toad.
From: Alan Schwartz <schwartz@digitaldune.net>
As a former cast member of WDW (1988-1990) it is sad to see the good
classic rides go...when I worked at WDW I was in MK-East and I used to
work occasionally at Mr Toad. I feel if Disney would have released "The
Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad" people would know the story better and
the outcry would be LOUD and definitely heard..It's a shame.
From: noraft13@aol.com
The first time i went to Disney World, I fell in love with Mr. Toad's Wild
Ride. Please don't get rid of it or you ill be getting rid of part of my
childhood. Thank you.
From: Jeremy Fassler <halhillco@aol.com>
I wish I had found out about this website sooner. I have never been to
Disneyworld but I have to Disneyland. Mr. Toad in Anaheim is always one of
my favorites. I want to go in the summer to go on the new Winnie the Pooh
ride and compare it to Mr. Toad. You shouldn't have closed MTWR because if
I go in the summer I won't be able to enjoy the ride like many of us did.
DON'T LET MR. EISNER DO ANYTHING TO MR.TOAD IN DISNEYLAND!!! If he does I
could kill him. I could just kill him. My Point here is to Force you to
reopen MTWR. Moley can't stop crying. Ratty has himself locked in his
house and he won't come out. The only character I haven't heard from is
Mr. Toad himself. If you don't reopen Mr. Toad, I will go there and make
you. You need to learn from your mistakes.
P.S.This is my dad's internet name but I am allowed to use it.
From: Jennifer Litwin <litwin34@potsdam.edu>
I too loved Mr. Toad and was appalled to find out that he had been closed
down the night before I got down there. I worked at the Magic Kingdom this
past fall on the college program. I too received many positive comments
about Mr. Toad from guests and how disappointed they were that he was
gone. Thank you for keeping the spirit of Mr. Toad alive.
From: Kaliopi Pappas <kip@ocf.berkeley.edu>
Man. The Weasels sold you all down the Rivers of America in a caravan of
Toad cars. At least we still have our Hall in Anaheim...but I fear for the
Tiki Room and the Bear Country Playhouse.
Don't let the b@$%*#&s wear you down.
From: Parry Aftab <parry@aftab.com>
Love your site! Keep up the good work!
Mr. Toad rocks!!!
From: Dave <soapnbox@aol.com>
Sorry to hear about the demise of Mr Toad's Wild Ride. That ride
(although corny) is one of my favorites and SHOULD be preserved. But
alas, this is Eisnerworld.
From: A Disney Employee <address withheld by request>
Just want to let you know that I as I was waking up this morning, I hear
Bill Wier on WGN tv here in Chicago announce that their web site of the
day is Save Toad! They basically just scan thru the site and tell what's
there. He made the comment that it was very well done and how much he
liked Toad as a kid....and it scared him a bunch. The other members of
the news team voiced their agreement on liking Toad, and all moaned when
he said they were putting in Pooh. He put in a plug for the shirts and
ended with the pics of the "Send Pooh to Hell" posters.
They will link the site from theirs now....too bad it wasn't a little
sooner....... It's also funny, this is Bill's last week at WGN....he is
totally nuts..... hmmmmmmm, coincidence???? This wacked out group really
helps me get going in the a.m......I'm gonna miss this guy! Aaaaccckkkk!
Don't know how I can take so much trauma all at once....;(
When I was out in LA last May, I got to tour WDI and got a brief
glimpse of a model of the Pooh ride (sssshhhhhh, don't tell!)......
knotted my stomach right up.....sigh........
JT, thanks for all your hard work this past year! I love this company
dearly, and am saddened and very concerned that it is all going to
collapse one of these days if they continue with the current
mindset.........
keep the faith.....
From: Natalie Frye <ndfrye@earthlink.net>
I emailed my protest of Toad Hall's closing long before I found your web
site. My family and I were planning our first trip to Disney World and
were saddened to learn of the closure. Living on the west coast, we go to
Disneyland quite often and honestly the entire Magic Kingdom at WDW pales
by comparison to Anaheim.
Long live Toady!
From: Mark Love <mlove50103@aol.com>
I have decided to fly from Los Angeles to Orlando this weekend for a final
ride on this great attraction. Unfortunately, because of work on Labor
Day itself, I will not be able to attend the "official" farewell on
Monday, but I will be with you all in spirit.
Thanks for all of your efforts to save Mr. Toad.
From: Bill Wertz <wertz@eye-site.com>
This may be a bit after the fact, but I'd like to add my condolences to
those of thousands of others. My first trip to WDW was in 1971 - and the
only thing I remembered about the trip was Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. A few
years later, when my family next visited the Magic Kingdom, it was the
first thing I wanted do. And, apart from the Haunted Mansion, the only
ride I wanted to repeat.
Nearly thirty years later, Mr. Toad remains one of my most vivid early
memories. I may still visit WDW, but I doubt I'll be treading in Pooh.
And the Kingdom will definitely have lost some of its Magic.
From: Rob <rdw@blarg.net>
I was deeply saddened to hear about the closing of the ride in Orlando.
Being a west coaster, I have never been to Disney World. However, I have
enjoyed Mr. Toad's journey to hell (and back) many times in California.
Has Disneyland closed their ride as well? I hope not, as I plan on
returning in the spring. Some friends of mine started a pizza restaurant
in Portland, Oregon, and named one of their pies- you guessed it "Mr.
Toad's Wild Ride".
Great job on the website and the noble battle you undertook.
From: Westenberg <westenb@casema.net>
I just read Mr. Toads Wild Ride is history in wdw. It is terrible! I
always wanted to see it and in Disneyland Paris there is no MTWR, but next
year I finally could see it, I thought, but I can't! I am very
disappointed! Mr. Toad is 100000000 times better than Winnie the
Pooh!!!!!!
From: Jennifer Schillig <sg963@webtv.net>
I'm a 26-year-old grad student and still a kid at heart, who will always
love Disney World. In the past, I never was overly crazy about
MTWR---Peter Pan's Flight was always my #1 in Fantasyland. But after
reading your website, especially your touching story on the last day...I
wish I had been. I would have gone on it more if I had gotten out of the
ride all you seemed to.
Funny...one of the older guidebooks I read classified it as one of the
only duds in the MK, due to the cutouts rather than animatronics (probably
what Disney meant when they called it outdated). Certainly, I'm all for
the addition of new rides to the World, but they also must keep a sense of
the classic. And don't get me wrong...I adore Pooh. In fact, I wouldn't
really call Pooh a "new fad", since he was still popular when I was a kid.
I still have some vinyl albums of Sterling Holloway narrating Pooh stories
and poetry. But I do agree...since when is Disney so pressed for space?
The best Disney movies and attractions combine old with new. That's what
made me love Beauty and the Beast so much,--it had modern elements, but
kept some very classic ones too (the enchanting score, the fairy-tale
atmosphere). But I must encourage you and all the fighters out
there....DON'T GIVE UP HOPE. I just read that they're returning the old
Main Street Electrical Parade to the MK. (Mixed feelings on that...I love
the old parade, but SpectroMagic had my jaw on the ground, too. That
peacock!) So take heart, Toadies...if they can return an old attraction
to the MK, is it so difficult to imagine that they might rebuild Mr. Toad
if enough people continued making noise? Maybe an upgraded version, like
Disneyland's.
And take heart that Toad rides again at Disneyland! I've always said I'd
like to go there one day just to see what's different (the Pinocchio and
Alice rides sound cool). I'll have to re-discover Toad there. Count me a
Toad convert, and don't lose heart!
From: Bill Mapes <bmapes@ibm.net>
Long Live The Toad !!!
From: Harry Applegate <wdisneyw@email.msn.com>
I just found your site and support the cause. Removing rides and
attractions sucks.
From: Lynda Kemp <kemp@ldr-int.com>
Although it's too late, I still want to voice my objections. Thanks for
your efforts. Ride on Mr. Toad!!
From: Tiffany C. Townsend <townsend.tiffany@tumora.swmed.edu>
I know it's a bit late, but I just found out that Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is
closing today from an NPR report.
From: Dean Benoy <dbenoy@pressenter.com>
The ride has been shut down which is a total disgrace.
From: David Goussev <dpg@wirepaladin.com>
DOWN WITH DISNEY!
DISNEY BITES! GO TOAD! Mr. TOAD ROCKS! Toadi Acceleratio!
Save the toad's wild ride!!!!!!
From: Scott and Jeanne Croinex <wlvren@gci.net>
I AM STATIONED IN ALASKA (WERE WORD TRAVELS KINDA SLOW), BUT GREW UP IN
DAYTONA, AND WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS TRAVESTY! I HAVE E-MAILED DISNEY AS
REQUESTED.
***LONG LIVE TOAD***
From: John Nick Pull <johnnick@hotmail.com>
Congratulations on your blurb in the New Yorker. Condolences on the sad
closing. I rode the California version with my older brother in 1975, and
I'll always remember him pushing me out of the car when the train came.
He was trying to save me. It was a good laugh afterward. He died a
couple years later, and Mister Toad's Wild Ride is one of my favorite
memories of the two of us together.
From: territo@ibm.net
SCREW DISNEY!!!!!
I live in Orlando and Disney's ruining all the best rides; first Mr. Toad,
Horizons, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Imagination, next the Haunted
Mansion, Dumbo, the Race Cars, and probably the Living Seas. Like, what
are they doing, going and ruining everything that was good? Well I had to
get that down for the record.
From: Chad E. Logan <chad.logan@eds.com>
I just learned of the travesty that Disney is trying again to run the
world. It's terrible.
From: Andrea Hackett <colette@lvcm.com>
Thank you for your time and wonderful efforts on JT Toad's behalf. Our
4-year-old son, Goodwin is in complete shock over all this. We were
planning a trip to WDW this XMas, but NOT NOW!!!!
Please let us know what we can do to ensure the evil Eisner doesn't try
the same thing with the Toad Ride in Anaheim.
From: Michael Sweeney <sween@mail.swbell.net>
I know it is now too late, but I still want to express my contempt. I
also was a major Toad fan, and I feel sick that I didn't know about this
sooner.
Thanks for following some propriety with your actions. It shows people
that the Disney Co. is the real villian here and not their patrons. While
I understand that the theme parks need to change and grow, I can't
understand getting rid of a classic -- a ride that is part of the
experience of the Magic Kingdom! Anyway, thanks for you efforts.
Pooh! Who the hell wants a Pooh ride? What will be do, collect honey?
Posh! And 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea makes me sick to. Do you know the
circumstances behind that closure? The stupid people at Disney will
probably put a Little Mermaid attraction in that wonderful lagoon.
From: Kobbe <nuggetmac1@aol.com>
Keep up the good job.
Stick to your guns.
I have been to Walt Disney 7 times and Mr. Toad's ride was always on the
list to ride.
From: Amy Waldron <amy_waldron@hotmail.com>
I AGREE WITH YOU COMPLETELY THAT MR TOAD'S IS A CLASSIC RIDE. IF DISNEY
WANTS TO IMPROVE THE PARK BY ADDING A WINNIE THE POOH ATTRACTION I THINK
THAT THEY NEED TO FIND SOMEWHERE ELSE TO PUT IT AND LEAVE MR TOAD ALONE.
From: R.D. Lendley <tango307@aol.com>
Thank you very much, and for all the work that you have done to save
<sniff> Toady!
From: Byron Suthers <baron619@aol.com>
i love mr. toad's wild ride
From: Julie Balter <juliehope@worldnet.att.net>
Thanks for trying to save Mr. Toad!
From: Mother and Daughter from So Cal <ashckat@aol.com>
Thankx for letting us know how it ended. We are very sorry that Mr. Toad
is gone.
You tried very hard and we appreciate your effort.
Also we did send in all of our postcards.
From: Dennis McKeen <dmck62@aol.com>
I can not believe it!!!!!!!!!!
I am outraged at this.
SAVE THE TOAD
From: Dana Polovoy <pluto526@hotmail.com>
My sister and I have visited Walt Disney World about 13 times a piece in
the last 19 years. On our most recent trip to the parks in March 1998, we
made our last ride of the trip "Mr. Toad" because we knew that it would be
closing soon. We took pictures of the ride, in the cars, and standing in
fron of the marquis. Disney has taken away one of my biggest memories:
begging my mom to wait through the 30-45 minute line, just so that I could
drive the car through Toad Hall! I vow never to go on the new Winnie the
Pooh ride, just as my own personal protest.
From: Kathryn Kula <kathryn.kula@pharma.novartis.com>
I am so sad that Mr. Toad will be no longer in a little over a week. I
love Toad for many reasons, but I feel that the most important lesson is
that it teaches us that driving like a maniac will only make you end up in
Hell!
JT: You have put forth a valiant effort, and you will always be
remembered by Toad fans throughout the world.
From: Loni Reeder <lonir@email.msn.com>
Too little - too late!
I can't believe that I knew nothing of this --- in any event, I still sent
the following to TPTB in Orlando.
Wish I could be with you all in Orlando on Monday, but alas --- a long way
from California. Rest assured, I will be there with you in spirit.
My best to you....
Re: Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
I can't believe this is the first I am hearing about this. I spent most
of the day in a funk, thinking that my fondest childhood memory was going
to be cast aside for what we now call "progress". Fortunately for me (but
unfortunately for Disney World visitors), the "termination" is happening
in Orlando, not Anaheim as I had originally thought.
There is evidently nothing that can be done to save Mr. Toad in Orlando
(sad --- had I been more aware, you would have been besieged by my
numerous media connections). However --- mess with Anaheim, and I'll find
a way to bring back Walt to put you all in your place if need be!!!
From: Michael McCormick <iamtrode@aol.com>
I would like to subscribe to your newsletter, even though I reside on the
"Magic Kingdom" coast! I was even more dismayed to learn, from a flyer
from Disneyland that I recieved on Oct. 5th, that the submarine ride at
disneyland also submerged into obscurity forever at the end of Sept!!!!!
What is going on with this "Mickey Mouse" co.?
Thank you very much for your concern over OUR parks!
From: Frank <frankie78@aol.com>
All I can say is THANK YOU! You gave up so much of your time and tried so
hard to save something that is a huge part of so many people's childhoods.
I am a 19 year old guy, and me and my girlfriend loved Toad so much, and
we will truly miss it. Disney has taken a piece of our childhood away
from us. But I have one major thing to say about you final report. Do
not look as it as if you did no good, or failed. The Ride may not have
been saved, but you changed so many peoples lives, and made sure Toad
would live forever. You did such a great job, and let many people know
about the end of Toad, than would have ever been known, if we all had to
wait for Disney to fill us in on there plans. They announced it, and less
than a week later, we all said bye. Me and my girlfriend tried to make it
up there, but it just didn't seem to work out to where we could make it.
Your letter, and your accounts of that last day, brought a tear to my eye.
I will miss Toad forever, but I will always have the memories, from when I
was a little kid, to when I rode it on Grad night with my girlfriend, to
my last time riding it, this past Valentine's Day, also with my
girlfriend. Thank you so much for everything you have done. Your voice
has been heard by many, and you truly have made an impact!
From: Deb <budman@erols.com>
...just wanted to add my 2 cents, as late as they may be. I sure am sorry
to see Mr. Toad go by the wayside... and I sure did think what you were
doing was wonderful. I just can't understand Disney's philosophy these
days. And I can't believe that all your hard work was for naught.
Anyway, I'm sure it is small consolation to you, but at least you know
that you didn't sit idly by, doing nothing... I really admire your effort
and wish you could have been more successful.
From: Denise & Andy <linstead@toad.net>
We protested for you symbolically. My husband was especially vocal with
the ride operators.
From: Joe and Mary Ann Kulo <kuloskorner@worldnet.att.net>
I have enjoyed your efforts to Save Mr. Toad. We enjoyed the ride also
when our son was growing up. We never understand why the things we like
seem to be the ones discarded. If it is not sex and violence it is
dropped. Guess we are old fashioned.
From: atatadam@aol.com
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride Rules!
From: Kienan Almeida <kja@mailserver.fiber-net.com>
2 words--Those Bastards! I just heard and i know its a little late. I am
severly upset. I have always known Disney to be the evil megalomaniacs
that they are, yet I never imagained that even THEY were capable of such a
vile deed as closing Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. I am sixteen, this ride is a
vital part of my inner psyche, which was infiltrated before I knew better
about Disney's evil.
I know my friends feel the same exact way.
From: Elizabeth Finkelstein <emarie@netcom.com>
I'd like to say how supportive of you I am.
Thanks a mill.
From: coobeans14@aol.com
i just wanted to let u know that i do like the shirts and appreciate what
you are doing.
From: gibbon99@aol.com
What you guys have done is great.
From: Luke <harddisk88@aol.com>
Mr. Toad was one of my favorite rides. I'm sure going to miss it. You
guys made a great stand to keep Toad alive and I give thanks for that. I
would be there but I live 1000 miles away and have to go to school. I'm
sorry about it all. Thanks for the help.
From: Ed Klamp <flippers@mpinet.com>
We rode the ride with my 5 yr old today (both sides) @ about 11:30
knowing it was the last day. What a SHAME . There were not a lot of happy
faces in line. It was very sobering. I'll miss the ride. Where else can 2
people drive 1 car!!!!!! Too little too late I guess!!!
From: Pat Patterson <sesrating@aol.com>
I am from SoCal but now live on the East coast. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride has
been my favorite ride and my wife's also. Our family of 4 spent a few
days at Disney World this spring and went on the ride. I forwarded this
message to everyone I know. Please send me several of each post card if
there are any left and we will send them off. We were planning on making
an annual trip in the spring to the keys and the Disney World, now we may
have to reconsider. Thanks for your hard work and dedication, The
Patterson Family (Pat, Lynn, Kyle, Sierra and Woody).
From: Lynn Murinson <murinsol@bms.com>
Thanks a lot and good luck with the campaign.
From: kingpt@aol.com
They close Mr. Toad and their stock drops, the world knows something
Disney doesn't!!
From: Maria Kahn <mariak620@aol.com>
I love Mr. Toad...........
From: Kim Rodgers <samadhi@ideal.net.au>
Save Mr. Toad's Wild Ride!
If you could please send as many cards as possible so I can distribute
them down here... It might help if disney received protests from this far
away...
From: Barrett Benica <ekho7@aol.com>
excellant site. every trip to disney world my brothers and i make multiple
trips to mr toad's ride. to take the ride away would mean that my brothers
and i could never again enjoy the thrill and fun of yelling quotes from
the movie to one another while whizzing past weasels and winky on our way
to nowhere in particular. its time to call on mole, rat, and macbadger to
once again help us reclaim toad hall from that band of disney ceo weasels.
thank you and good luck
From: Cheri <edhcheri@aol.com>
Thank you for all your work.
From: Paige B. <paigepooh@webtv.net>
This is my most favorite ride at disney. I would hate to see it go.
From: Kevin <jlzzmonkey@aol.com>
I can't believe this travesty. I'm a Florida native (originally from
Ft.Lauderdale, currently living in Tallahassee) and just found out about
this today in Tallahassee's Break Magazine. I can't believe what I'm
hearing please tell me it's a hoax.
I've been to Disney World God knows how many times and I'll tell you that
I've been on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride more than any of them. With the Pirates
of the Carribean and the Haunted House both a close second.
From: Julie Beadle <elmo13@prodigy.net>
You are a great person to care so deeply. I am 13 and have been to Walt
Disney World 4 times. I am VERY upst about the closing of Mr. Toad's Wild
Ride. Mr. Eisner has ruined a family tradition with his greed. Thanks for
listening, and good luck Mr. Toad!
From: Al "2-Shoes" Sheinfeld <sassleen@aol.com>
Don't Squash The Toad!
I found Mr. Toad's Wild Ride to be a one of a kind experience. Although I
was 23 years old when I first took the wild ride. I remember it being one
of the best looking vintage attractions in the park. Don't let them turn
MTWR into another Las Vegas where they destroy any trace of history for
the flavor of the month!
The world still needs Mr. Toad.
From: blueye7030@aol.com
dont u dare!
hey listen......im going to disney world in August and if Mr. Toad is not
there man im probably gonna sue...im only 12 and i LOVE that ride....its
like one of my favs anyways im gonna sue if u take it down so i would
ummm....think about what ur doin because Mr.Toad Kicks @$$ and i love that
ride!
Save Mr. Toad!!!!
From: Karen A. Szajdek <ksogood@aol.com>
i am a true kid at heart. one of the best rides in walt disney world was
mr. toad's wild ride. i cannot believe what i am reading. i was just
there in the summer of 1997 and (once again, at the age of 27) fully
enjoyed mr. toad. i am planning on visiting again in the summer of 1999
with my baby girl (born november 1997). i was hoping she could enjoy all
the wonderful rides i had always took pleasure in. and now.........now i
find they extinguished one of the best rides they had for all ages!!!!!!
and for what???????? a pooh ride? well, pooh on them!!! they will not
hear the end of this from me. everytime i sign-on, everytime i visit a
disney store, everytime i get the chance in the park, i will let my
opinion be heard!!! they are taking too many memories from the parents
of today. parent's that assume these rides will be operating from year to
year. disney surely has enough land to place this pooh ride elsewhere.
why replace a "classic" attraction? please keep me updated!!!
From: humbear@webtv.net
I'm forty six.
I remember going on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride when I was very small at
Disneyland---when I went home to Los Angeles, I re-created it in the
living room with chairs and pillows as the car. It was one of my
favorites.
Maybe thirty five years later, I was comissioned to write a stage
version of THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS, and realized that the only story
that you could follow through to the end, was about Toad and his friends
and the wild ride...
As it happened, I also played the voice of the narrator for every
performance and I had to read Kenneth Graham's great thundering swirl of
words about Toad and his obsession with speed. That was a ride in
itself.
Winnie the Pooh will be a very different kind of experience---honey and
condensed milk and confusion and sweetness...but that's Pooh.
Can't somebody recreate the Toad experience someplace? Find some great
scenic painters? Use blacklight paint and have some cars made? It could
live forever someplace---surely there are enough people who rode the
original who remember the details.
Thanks---my condolences.
From: Gregg C. Hider <gchider@eznet.net>
Thank you for all your hard work. I've always enjoyed Mr. Toad's Wild
Ride and will cherish the memories.
From: Brad Sarnoff <bsarnoff@aol.com>
Love what you are doing for my favorite disney ride. I would like you to
know that I have already emailed the company and told them of my
disappointment.
From: Tracey L. Schulz <tschulz@lonestar.jpl.utsa.edu>
Let's stick it to the Man.
From: Barry Collins <bacfire@netdoor.com>
I just learned that Mr. Toad rode for the last time this past Labor Day.
I found this out about thirty minutes ago. I have been sitting here,
literally in shock. How can they do this?
I want to blame myself for my lack of action. I didn't do anything when I
first learned of its possible fate because I just didn't believe they
would close it. They couldn't... not Toady.
So much is changing in the Disney Company these days, and I am not sure
why. I suppose the pursuit of the almighty dollar is blinding to the
Powers that Be.
While we are talking about the needless closing of rides, why have they
closed Dreamflight? They could have put a Buzz ride anywhere. Even at
the Studios.
I am 31 years old. I still remember my big brother and I riding with Mr.
Toad when I was a kid. I relived that moment every time I've ridden it
since. He and I have grown apart, as many do when they reach adulthood.
But, when on that ride, I could still feel that special bond we had as
children. Now, even that memory is gone.
Farewell Toady.
From: Elizabeth VH <thestargirl@hotmail.com>
I was thrilled to see your site as I read through "The New Yorker" today!
Congratulations! It might be too late for Toad, but hopefully this can
become a great piece of publicity for other future cruelties inflicted by
that Rat Eisner and his henchweasels. I think of your loss when I ride
"Toad" at Disneyland and I am so sorry for the way it turned out.
From: Ron Lee <ronlee@utah-inter.net>
I went on the ride 12 years ago I was the highlight of our trip to
Orlando.
From: Adam Feinsilver <dopey@icanect.net>
Damn! I didn't find out about Toad Ins until today! I was even in Disney
for the miserable last moments on Monday! The flyers didn't even have Mr.
Toad's Wild Ride on them on Monday! They had the coming attraction for
Whinnie the Boring Pooh!
From: Jennifer Click <jclick@mindspring.com>
Below is the e-mail we sent to Disney this morning.
Save Mr Toad!! My wife and I took our son, Evan, to Disney World for
his second birthday. He loved Mr Toad's Wild Ride. He woke up from his
nap as the ride began, gripped the steering wheel and squealed with
delight as he drove through walls and around weasles.
Pooh's Hundred Acre Woods will, no doubt, also delight children of all
ages but please, not at the expense of Mr Toad. You've got lots of room
around Disney World. It would be better to put Pooh and friends over by
Toontown and Mickey's house.
Generations of families have become intimately familiar with the Magic
Kingdom. Everyone knows where Mr Toad's Wild Ride is. There are many
things about Disney World that can and no doubt will change. The Magic
Kingdom is special. Parents look forward to sharing the rides they loved
as children with their own children. Disney's success brings with it a
unique burden--to maintain continuity in the midst of novelty.
Please don't kill Mr Toad.
From: Steve Farmer <jake@axtek.com>
Save Mr. Toad!
Thanks for your efforts....keep up the good work!
From: Joan Boyd <garyjboyd@earthlink.net>
i have already sent an absolutely heart-wrenching e-mail to disney, that
would have singlehandedly saved the ride -- if disney HAD a heart....
clap your hands if you believe in miracles!
From: Patrick Macbeath <patrick.macbeath@roche.com>
Shame to hear MTWR is in danger in Orlando... I've only been to Anaheim
and Mr. Toad has always been a favorite.
From: Emilie R. Juneman <emilie.juneman@celebration.fl.us>
I love mr. toad! He was the first "thrill ride" that I ever took. I was
at the final toad in, made front page news, and news channels 2, 4, 6 and
9!
From: Stephanie Travis <f.w.beans@juno.com>
Le sigh...poor Mr. Toad :(
You know...I've gone to Disney World every year twice a year since I was
born in 78. To me, all the great rides were the original ones...the Mad
Hatter's Tea Party, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Peter Pan....heck,
even that weird show where you sit in the room and it moves to different
years was great! But then, one day...the song and the ENTIRE commentary
for that particular ride changed. Then Snow White was "less scary".
Space Mountain became "brighter" inside, as did the Haunted Mansion. The
3-D show was changed to become the Lion King show. MY BELOVED "GURGI'S
MUNCHINGS AND CRUNCHINGS" snack shop turned into Mrs. Pott's Cupboard and
then The Seven Dwarf's Mine. Dumbo was given a "new
look"....THEN...20,000 Leagues Under the Sea stopped working and it
TOTALLY disappeared!! I can't believe that poor Mr. Toad had to suffer
like the rest of these rides, it's becoming almost unfair to the older
rides, seeing as how the don't stand much of a chance against newer,
bigger, "better" rides. I'm fine and dandy with the OLD rides thank you
very much...why go and change a good thing???? I'm going to Disney World
this Saturday for my birthday, and believe me....they're going to get some
personally delievered letters.
Rest in Peace Toad Hall....maybe one day, you'll be reincarnated somewhere
in Disney World...and if Disney gets rid of Big Thunder Mountian, the
Jungle Cruise, the Haunted Mansion OR Space Mountain, I will never go
there again. Disney needs to learn from their mistakes.
Thank you for letting me rant. :)
From: Avery Schwartz, Age 12 <schwartz@voicenet.com>
I have one word on the destruction of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride - "D'oh"! It
was the first thing I rode in the park when I was seven and now it's
gone..... for a Winnie the Pooh ride!!! I have nothing against Pooh, but
his world is not deserving of a ride. Nothing exciting can really happen
(at least that's what I think). Arrgghh..... I learned about what was
going to happen to Mr. Toad in vacation in Maine.... simultaneously, my
friend and I shouted "WHAT?!?!?" very angrily. They should destroy a
ride that I don't like such as It's a Small World or Toontown or
something. Oh well, we always have Mr. Toad in Disneyland.....
Why oh why oh why? >:-(
From: jnwells01@aol.com
I'm in my forties and my favorite ride in all of the Magic Kingdom is Mr.
Toad's Wild Ride. It is a classic, because although one rides through in
a series of cars, one is always in each room by oneself. The car before
has moved into the next room and the car behind is still in the prior
room. It's technically perfect for a ride that excites!!
From: Hartley Haft <superhart5@aol.com>
I was devastated to hear about Mr. Toads. I am 17 years old and I can
remember having my dad carrying me on his back while waiting on line for
the best ride in the park. But I will not be sad too long. For hopefully
I will put my energy into saving Horizons.
From: grpezfish@aol.com
I LOVE POOH AND ALL, AND I AM ALL FOR A POOH RIDE OR WHATEVER IT IS GOING
TO BE. BUT NOT ON TOP OF MR. TOAD!!!!!!! WHAT HAPPENS WHEN POOH DIES DOWN
AND MR. TOAD IS THE NEW FAD? DON'T TEAR DOWN THE RIDE. I LOVED IT. AND
EVERY MORNING WHILE GETTING READY FOR SCHOOL I LISTEN TO "I'M ON MY WAY TO
NOWHERE" 'I'VE GOT TO GET THERE I'VE GOT TO GET THERE!!!!!!
TEAR DOWN MR. TOAD AND LOSE A VERY POPULAR ENTHUSIASTIC DRAMATIC
SUPPORTING WALT DISNEY WORLD FAN.
HOW CAN YOU TEAR DOWN MR. TOAD?
From: Don Lancaster <dlancast@io.com>
I know that Toad has taken his last ride, but I just wanted to thank you
for trying.
It is sad to see the park going so commercial. Its hard to explain the
magic that has been lost to friends who never saw the Magic Kingdom in
its earlier days. Still, it is heartening to know that other people have
noticed and give a damn enough to try and stop it. Efforts like yours are
the only hope for preserving what magic is left.
Even though your page didn't succeed, it informed a lot of people about
what is happening to the Magic Kindom (including Me), and that means the
next time they try something stupid, more people will be watching.
From: toptimlrd@aol.com
Like many, I remember Toad when I was a child. It, If You Had Wings, and
The Haunted Masion were the only 2 rides I can remember purchasing extra
tickets for. Now I understand when a ride HAS to be removed (20,000
Leagues due to cracking concrete between it and the utilidors), but why
couldn't they compromise on Toad? I have looked at the blueprints and it
would be very possible to redo Toad and make room for Pooh at the same
time even if they had to put Pooh in the same quadrant as Toad. Simply,
dare I say it, tear out Toad and REBUILD it into a single track similar to
Disneyland, take out Lumiere's Kitchen next door (it's rarely open anyway
and Pinocchio's is across from it) and build the other track through what
would have formerly been Lumiere's. I disagree with some others that Pooh
could go in Toon Town Fair as it fits better with Fantasyland. As a stock
holder and extemely frequent visitor to the parks (over 100 in the past 4
years), I hate to see Disney do anything that hurts the most important
thing about Disney, its FANS. I enjoy taking my son now and he enjoys Toad
as much as I did and still do. Many things have happened since Walt's and
Roy's death that they would not approve of: Pleasure Island, Westside,
McDonalds on property, etc. Some they would approve of: Moderate Hotel
pricing (All Star Resorts, Coronodo Springs), improvements in themed
Waterparks, the Animal Kingdom (Walt loved wildlife), etc. Although the
attraction is closed at this time, I hope that if we yell loud enough,
there is still time to modify the plans. At least I can say I was there on
the last day and rode both tracks with my wife and son one last time. I
still love Disney, but please Michael, think about what Walt would have
wanted. Don't subscribe to that loser Katzenburgh's view that what Walt
would want is irrevelant since he's dead and no one could know what he
would want anyway. I refuse to see any SKG animated movie after the
fiascos that Katzenburg put into the Disney movies while he was there
(subliminals, things hidden in artwork [Mermaid], etc.). I do call on
anyone who values Toad to continue to support Toad after his death by
resisting the urge to try the Pooh ride. If the ride doesn't garner as
much attendance, then maybe Disney will rethink its move. Also for anyone
interested, I learned that at next years Disneyana Convention auction,
there will be Toad items from the ride including a few of the cars up for
grabs. Other items are going to Disneyland, and most of the cars are being
saved for "a future attraction" according to a Disney spokesman.
From: Jennifer Newton <jennifernewton@mci2000.com>
this has always been one of my favorite rides - i used to run back and
forth getting on each side. i just took my daughter for her first (and
what looks like her last) time in january and she loved it.
my mom's server isn't working, but she wanted me to express her
dissatisfaction also. we have come to be avid pooh haters, since he seems
to be all disney cares about marketing. we won't buy any more merchandise
with the 100 acre woods gang on it until they start marketing their other
characters as well. i actually cried when my husband first told me about
this - please say its not too late, or that they have had a change of
heart!!
From: Sue Chalenski <sue@albany.net>
Being in the web business, I fully understand the phenomenon of modern
progress. "Out with the old, in with the new" seems to be the catch-phrase
for anyone concerned with staying current and cutting edge. Because of
this, I can understand Disney's reasoning in replacing Mr. Toad with Pooh
(the current hot ticket character). Condone it, however, is something I
refuse do.
Disney is a self-proclaimed 'magic-making' industry. While the new Pooh
ride will undoubtedly 'make magic' for many new visitors, the ones that
have been left behind by Mr. Toad's extinction will no doubt outnumber.
My first trip to the Kingdom with my boyfriend found me being excitedly
hustled into the Toad line. Having never ridden the ride myself before, I
was told about how my lovable now-22-year-old man had gone there as a
young kid and it was so much fun and it was his favorite ride and it was
the only one we HAD to go on and and and... It was an absolute blast--a
refreshing break from all the steroided super-effects in some of the other
rides. Toad was simple, heart-pounding fun (the way the campy movie "The
Exorcist" is much scarier than any modern-day effects-crazed horror movie
could ever be), and an instant favorite of mine. I was crushed to hear of
its closing. Long live toad!
Speaking of Disney no-no's, what's with Epcot's revised Illuminations?
The best part was when they highlighted each country and played the
music--very moving. Now it's just a homogenized score with nothing nearly
as spectacular. Blech.
From: M. Marder <mmarder@uiuc.edu>
Why?
That was my favorite ride there, I hate Winnie the Pooh, well, I've been
going to D-World for almost twenty years now, this is not right.
From: mrtoad90@aol.com
I grew up to the zany and wonderful exploits of J. Thaddeus Toad. Now they
want to shut down the ride at Disney World. What's America coming to?
From: The Hurn <thehurn@aol.com>
PLEASE SAVE THE FROG [MR TOAD] YOU MUST NOT HANG THE FROG OR RUN HIM OVER
.......SIR MR TOAD GET UP BRUSH YOUR SELF OFF AND KEEP GOING THE RIDE MUST
GO ON.................
From: Andy Cass <andycass@cassdesign.com>
I sit here with tears in my eyes! I can't believe you are closing Mr.
Toad's Wild Ride. This is one of the few Disney rides I still remember as
a child at Disneyland. Please don't end the wild ride. You are Disney, the
largest promotion company in the world! Re-invent him. Give him a fresh
lease on life. Just imagine recapturing all the adults who remember Mr.
Toad - Give us a reason to come back and enjoy Disney too. We'll bring
our kids!
From: mrdisney7@aol.com
i've loved mr. toads wild ride since i was a kid. i once stood in line for
one hour to go on the ride. i think it's just as good a ride as space
mountain, pirates of the caribean, and splash mountain. when i read in the
paper that they were closing the ride i cried. i wanted to jump on a
plane, go to walt disney world and go on the ride a millon times. if i had
the money i'd pay over half a billon dollars to have the ride in my back
yard.
From: A Disney Employee <address withheld by request>
Hey JT, just saw the news. It's a sad, sad day for Walt Disney World, let
me tell you. What really gets me is that I haven't been to WDW in over
two years, and I never got to say goodbye. Luckily for me out in
California is that Disneyland still has Toady, and hopefully they're too
busy taking out the Skyway and the Subs to mess with him.
You put up a good fight, one that was almost certainly doomed from the start,
I'm afraid. You should be congratulated for bringing the Disney Internet
community together around this issue, and preaching the friendly way to be
heard. Just don't stoop to namecalling at this point. (Especially with Mr.
Eisner, he's sort of an important guy!)
And lastly, don't listen to me differently just because I have a
"disney.com" attached to my e-mail. It really doesn't make me anyone.
The folks at WDW probably made this decision, this foolish, foolish
decision, so long ago that they haven't even thought twice about it. And
even if they did, what could they do now? I tell you that I really hoped
that they would change their minds, but I knew that that chance was one in
a million. Eisner probably doesn't care, either. Hate to bring you down
man, but this is the way that it is.
So next time you're in California, let me know. We'll hit Disneyland and
ride Mr. Toad all night. It's not the same, I know, but it's better than
Pooh. (Granted brain surgery is better than Pooh ...)
Sorry to be a silent supporter, but that's how it's got to be (for now!)
When I'm in charge there'll be Toad out of our ears. Count on that.
From: James Trynosky <james_2002trynosky@usmma.edu>
I am currently a plebe at The United States Merchant Marine Academy. I
was disheartened to learn that Walt Disney World would be removing my
favorite ride.
I have always enjoyed this ride since the first time I was on it. I was 5
years old. Since then I have visited the park on three other occasions
making sure I was able to ride on Mr. Toad. I'm not sure what drew me to
this particular ride. Personally I feel it is less conventional, even
very un-Disney. But I can tell all of you that It sure as heck beats
splash mountain any day of the week. Personally I can't see waiting two
hours to go on a sub par log flume with some singing characters. Both
times that I had the privilege to ride on that abomination I didn't get
touched by a single drop of water one of these times I was sitting in the
front seat. Why waste all that time when you can stand on line for a few
minutes to ride Mr. Toad? I would also like to mention that What
happened to 20,000 leagues under the sea is a crime. That ride was also a
classic and one of my favorites. I was very displeased on Grad Night when
I was told the ride no longer operated and they might be taking it
out.
I once read that Disney owned an area of land the size of Rhode Island in
Florida. With that amount of space (a little over 1/4 of it is used thus
far) Disney could open an entire theme park devoted to Winnie The Pooh
entitled "The Hundred Acre Woods" or maybe get rid of that lame Mickeys
Toon Town Fair or what ever it's called, and build the woods there. Why
must Mr. Toad suffer?
Personally I have seen enough corporate greed on the part of Disney and
many other companies...aka... WAL*MART. Whatever happened to pleasing the
consumer? Many of my friends, at home and even people at the academy here
who I barely know agree with me. It is such a shame to see Mr. Toad and
his aptly titled "Wild Ride" torn down for a ride that from the sounds of
it has the potential to be as annoying as Splash Mountain! I am glad I
had the chance to visit it in May at Grad Night and during a week I spent
at WDW in June.
I tell people this and they think I am insane but here goes. If you have
read this long winded narrative you have earned a good chuckle! I wanted
to get married on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. I have heard of people getting
hitched on the Cyclone at Coney Island and at other amusement parks. Well
I wanted mine to be on the Wild Ride, because from what I have seen that's
what married life is! Heck I think it would be a great way to start out
but apparently Eisner has different plans for me and other fans of the
Toad Man.
Thanx for posting this and I am terribly sorry to hear of Toad's passing
in Florida. Congratulations on a job well done trying to keep him alive
and I thank you for your effort even though it may seem like it was for
nothing.
From: Manny <mcv458@aol.com>
God save Mr. Toad!!!
[Addition]
I received your Final Toad Report. Reading it brought me to tears. I'm
18 and I've been to Disney World many, many times. I just couldn't
believe it when I heard that they were going to replace the ride. I
remember the first time I went on Mr. Toads Wild Ride. I was with my
parents and my younger brother. We both insisted on driving, so my mom
went in one car with my brother. They took the left side, my father and I
took the right. Needless to say it was a day I'll always remember, hell
my father scared the crap out of me in the tunnel with the "train." He
started yelling, telling me to turn the wheel to avoid it. And I
frantically turned the wheel as fast as I could. When I saw we weren't
going to avoid it I let go and covered my eyes, awaiting our lives to end.
When nothing happened I opened my eyes, looked up to my dad who was
laughing. I had a great time even if we did wind up in hell... I just
want to thank you and the others for everything that you did. If I lived
in Orlando, or if I had the money to fly down there (poor college student
in NYC), I would've been there with you and all the others. God I wish
you would've won. When I think of what's being to my favorite place in
the world, it brings me to tears.
From: Diana Crockett <wildwubber@redshift.com>
This really is the WORST news.......I just don't understand.....it is such
a keen ride!!!!
I am writing Disney and printing out your flyer and shouting from the
roof tops! aggghhhhhhhhhhhh.
I am passing out flyers.......boy I sure wish I had heard about this
SOONER!!!!!!!!!
What a GREAT site and you all are so very fun!!!
Gribbit!
From: Rebecca Ann List <q629@academic.truman.edu>
My friends and I are all behind you in your quest to save Mr. Toad and his
wild ride!
Save Mr. Toad!
From: Amanda <sail428@aol.com>
i think this isn't fair. this ride is great. it was always a tradition for
my sister and i to go on it, when she came with us to disney world. now
because of this, our tradition is broken. disney world will not be the same
without this ride. it made me start to cry when i read all of that
information about the ride closing, and i am still crying. i will feel bad
for all those kids who loved that ride, or the kids who never got to go on it,
because now they can't. why did they shut the ride down anyway? why do they
have to put that winnie the pooh ride there. it should go somewhere else.
this isn't fair for me and everyone else who loved that ride. disney will
never ever be the same anymore (i know i said this earlier in the letter).
well thank you for taking the time to read this.
From: DFR <rowerdbb@aol.com>
Thank you for leading us in a gallant fight!
From: Maria <marie2398@aol.com>
I was fifth to last to ride Mr. Toad's Wild Ride with my boyfriend -
Dumbo98. We are also not happy about the change in attractions... It
will not be the same without Toad... :(
From: hankspain@aol.com
If you think about what is happening Disney is actually enhancing the name
of Mr Toads Wild ride by giving him the very Unfortunate wild ending.
Despite all the efforts to save him this part of his wild ride appears to
be the toughest! What could be worse than the sight of Mr Toad being
literally ripped apart and physically ceasing to exist! I know that the
end of the ride has the devil cackling at Mr. Toad but who would ever
imagine that the devils character would be played by DISNEY!!!
From: Madison <sslever@aol.com>
My family is very sad to hear that Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is being torn
down. It was our favorite ride on our trip to Disney this past summer.
We rode the ride 4 times in two days. I went to Disney World with my mom
and dad and brother. I am 7 years old and my brother is 3. We hope you
can convince Disney to change its mind. Thank you.
From: lahtka@aol.com
Poor Mr. Toad. We will never forget him.
From: Pat Helton <pat@adamshelton.com>
I just heard the horrible news yesterday on National Public Radio.
I live in San Jose, CA - about 600 miles (give or take) from Anaheim's
Disneyland. So THAT'S the Mr. Toad's Wild Ride that I know and love. But
to close that ride ANYWHERE is insufferable. It's my very favorite!!!!!
From: Gilbert B. Cross <gcross@mich.com>
I have taught this book in my classes at Eastern Michigan University for
over 25 years. I first heard this book read by my second grade teacher.
I am now 59 years old.
Anything that gets children excited in advance about Kenneth Grahame's
only novel is extremely valuable. There is more to learn of life in this
book than almost any other--adult or children's. Of course Winnie the
Pooh is a very important book. Surely there is place at Disney for both
rides. Remember, it is vital to get children interested in reading the
books that have stood the test of time and thrilled them in the
millions.
Poop! Poop!
From: Joshua Phillips <kamikauz@aol.com>
My friend and I used our tickets on Labor Day so we could get one more
ride on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. We were in the long line at the end, but
right when we were about to pass into the main, winding line, a Disney
worker named SALLY placed two trash cans in front of us and would not let
us or any others in. We were shocked that we had waited in line and would
never again have the chance to ride the ride again. But to make up for
it, when we got back to the Contemporary, we stuck one of the Mr. Toad
green flyers onto a Winnie the Pooh picture on the wall! Long live Mr.
Toad!
From: flanagan74@aol.com
I am very interested in this effort to keep the ride as I just found out
that 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is gone and that was a favorite of mine.
From: A Disney Employee <address withheld by request>
R.I.P. Mr. Toad...
As a cast member working with you was a pleasure... You will be missed by
all!
From: Michael Szorentini <rallyeone@mail.creativeonline.com>
I just wanted to thank you and all your compatriots for your great effort
to save this worthy attractions. My family has always enjoyed out visit
to Toad Hall. I had sent out letters to many of the people you listed on
your site and apparently it had little effect (and I'm a stockholder). I
will send another volley of letters today with the hope they might find a
new spot for Pooh.
Otherwise I will be with you in spirit outside Toad Hall today. Thank you
again for all your hard work.
From: Jonathan Green <jonathan@careerpath.com>
I'm sorry I couldn't have added my voice of support to your campaign, but
I only heard about it yesterday on NPR.
On a childhood trip to Disneyworld, I was looking for big thrills, and
considered Mr. Toad only a guilty pleasure. As an adult living in driving
distance of Disneyland, I appreciate it as the best ride there is. Where
else can one die and go to hell after a short wait?
I can understand why they's want to put the marketable Pooh in a ride, but
why does Mr. Toad have to go? Just because the ride is better than the
movie? No fair. They aren't planning on shuttering it at Disneyland, are
they?
From: Roger Katzenberg <rkatzenberg@ka-architects.com>
Just letting you know that the Toad closing aired on the morning show at
local Baltimore TV station WJZ (a CBS affiliate) approximately a week and
a half ago. They gave the issue a good review, not just the usual 5 second
sound byte. One of the hosts even added his own pleasant recollections of
the ride!
The Toad was the first ride my wife and I went on at our first visit to
WDW, and was always one of our favorites. My son, now four, has always
loved it as well. It was one of the few rides at WDW, and the ONLY one in
Fantasyland, which he loved to do over and over again, "steering" the car
through all of its imagined danger. Why Disney feels the need to replace
it, instead of adding Pooh elsewhere, is beyond me. I have always loved
Disney and the lengths they will go to do something right. This, however,
is just wrong. But I'm not the first Katzenberg to feel the long arm (or
is that the shaft) of Disney... I will truly miss the Toad!
Thanks for all your effort, and for all you have done. Though I could not
be at the Toad-Ins, I lived them through your words and pictures. I hung
on every e-mail, including the fizzled "surprise" saga. Though defeat may
be in sight, what you did was not futile.
From: David Burroughs <burroughs@blunn.co.uk>
I read your homepage before I went to WDW and now I see why you want to
save it. So come on everyone help save Toad's ride.
From: A Disney Employee <address withheld by request>
My dear, you are a very courageous young man. I had heard about your
website, but didn't visit it until it was too late. I sat and watched the
ride go under, as ashamed as I am to admit it, but I work for Disney! If I
had said anything, Dear Mr. Dick Weiss would be down my throat in a
heartbeat. Ah well, I am very happy that someone had the guts to go
against "The Rat Men," even though it could not have been me, I am very
happy it was you and all of the others. I wish you luck and Let Toad Live
On!
From: Glen Ricca <ricca@sainet.net>
Mr Toad is the only ride besides Pirates of the Caribbean that really
scared me when I was little, the Haunted House didn't even scare me. It
still makes me jump but that's what I love about it! Disneyworld just
won't be the same without it. :-( I wish i could ride it one last time.
And what kind of a ride is Pooh going to be?!?!!??!?! Disney doesn't need
another keddy ride!
From: Jonathan <simplyshag@aol.com>
What? I am shocked! Close Mr. Toad's Wild Ride? The only ride I can
take in Fantasy Land? (I'm sorry, but "Small World" gets on my nerves!)
NOOOO! Say it ain't so! Somebody do something! I remember me, my
brother, and my dad would bond on that ride!
From: heyjenfer@aol.com
I learned of the fate of Mr. Toad at 6:50pm, Labor Day while I was at the
Contemporary Hotel, about to go home for the day. Horror-stricken, I RAN
ALL THE WAY (well, as much as I could...I'm not an athletic person) to the
gate from the hotel where a wonderful CM let me in without asking for a
ticket and said "if you run, you might make it". Suffering terribly from
being out of shape, I ran and hobbled the rest of the way to the Wild
Ride. I walked along the line asking where the end was and was told to
sneak in front of HIM (him being the security guy trying to cut off the
line). It was 7pm exactly. I still don't know how I ever made it. I was
able to experience motormania one last time, and say goodbye to a piece of
my childhood. It was a horrible thing to witness, but at least I can say
I was there to see Toad off merrily on his way to nowhere in particular.
From: Jim <wilmar2211@aol.com>
I heard the report on NPR this morning and I have to say I was
unpleasantly surprised: I had not seen that Toad was to be trashed in
favor of a Pooh attraction. Of course it goes without saying that we all
love the ride, even if it's old and technologically "unadvanced." I still
remember vividly the scenes of hitting the train straight on and ending up
in hell: and this is from my early childhood!
Well, even though today is the last day for Toad, I had to write and view
my support of an old favorite.
From: bravfan1@gte.net
I'm going to Disney on Friday, & I can't believe Mr. Toad won't be
there. How sad!
From: Joanne Osband <josband@localaccess.com>
I must have had my head in the sand!!! This is the first I have known
.......and it is too late!!!!!!!! So sorry.....I am happy to hear of all
that you have done to save Toad. You are a winner in my eyes! Thank you
for standing by. Going to be a LONG day!
From: Ken & Helene Hall <knhhall@kans.com>
We took our boys to MK this summer for the first time. They LOVED the
Wild Ride. They rode it numerous times. It was also one of my favorites
when I was a kid. I hate to see it go. Thanks for trying to save it!
From: Rick Fox <blackhol@earthlink.net>
Tonight I will light a candle and shead a tear for Mr. Toad and all the
children who will not be able to enjoy the ride as I and so many others
have done.
Thanks for all you're doing to SAVE MR. TOAD.
Luckily the Mr. Toad ride will be saved here in Los Angeles, but I just
learned this week that they are shutting down the submarine ride. I didn't
find out until the day it happened and didn't get a chance to ride it once
last time. I'm angry!
I was also incredibly upset when they ruined Space Mountain. First they
added these horrible TV screens and play Space Mountain TV while you're
in line. It's really one big advertisement for Fed Ex!! The line used
to be moody and surreal. The music was weird old fashioned electronic
space sounds. It was brilliant. Not it's ruined. Then they added
MUSIC to the ride itself. How could they? What once was a zen-like,
timeless experience, now is all reved-up ride that isn't all that fast
but now isn't a work of art, either.
We thought about protesting when this happened. We talked about it, but
we didn't do it. All talk, no action. You have done more. Keep up the
fight, we are with you!!!
From: Allison Furlong <allison_furlong@hotmail.com>
It is one of my favorite rides in Disneyworld. I have taken many rookie
visitors on this ride and given them our families history on this great
ride.
From: Michael J. Greco <etruscan@compuserve.com>
I just sent Disney a lengthy e-mail condemning their decision -- I was
shocked to hear it was even under consideration! I took the ride first in
'71 and was totally jacked. My college roommates and I all had
independent recollections of MTWR on our spring break trip in '83, so we
went back and took the Ride again! I also told them that my own roadway
driving record is "squeaky clean," no thanks (or perhaps OWING) to MTWR
(let's hope the yahoos in their Bureaucracy Dept. haven't gotten rid of
their senses of humor!). Thank you for fighting this absurd
(anti-)creative choice -- I think WDW will be TOTALLY insipid without
MTWR.
From: Ronald Koder <rlk@intrepid.chm.jhu.edu>
Yet another example of short-sighted marketing jerks running a good
business into the ground.
From: Cara <rrthree@aol.com>
it's so sad that they're getting rid of my favorite ride ever at disney.
there's nothing else at disney really, i mean i loved the 20,000 leagues
under the sea ride, apparently that's gone as well. i can recall so
clearly the first time i went on that ride. i remember exactly what i wore
and who i was with. i remember standing on line sooooooooooo excited. and
it was my very first ride that kinda jerked you around. and i was scared
to fall out and it helped to build my love or rollercoasters. it's my fav.
From: Wesley Bailey <weazlwerkz@earthlink.net>
I wish to offer to you, my sympathies concerning the "unfortunate demise"
of Mr. Toad in Orlando. I write to you from the L.A. area, where I am to
understand, is the last homesite and vestige, to our zany and
beloved.....Mr. Toad. My deepest sympathies to "Toadphiles" of the Eastern
seaboard. It's a tradgedy that the evil dark Mickey, is willing to commit
"Bufocide" in order to secure the almighty dollar. I can remember my first
trip to Disneyland. I was 6 years old, not quite tall enough to ride the
rollercoasters that my siblings and cousins waited in line for, so mom
took me to the part of the park they shunned. The first ride for me, was
that of my favorite smiling lunatic amphibian friend, Mr. Toad. A bedtime
story changed forever! After that none of the other rides ever compared to
Mr. Toads "world". As a California native, Disneyland was a constant
through the years. Now, realized and dubbed "Mousewich", my journeys to
the beloved childhood dreamland have tapered sharply. Once in a great
while, my sister with her 2 daughters in tow come up to visit. We go to
the mecca of monetary plunder to appease the young ones. So, as my duty as
Uncle, I customarily drag them to the ultimate historical (and most
redeeming aspect of evil D) Mr. toads wild ride. At 6'5" it's not quite
as comfortable as it used to be, but once seated, nothing matters but
going through those doors. Well enough of my sentimental ramblings, I
caught your site from a story in the news.
From: Ryan Hunter <drhunter@atl.mindspring.com>
I really appreciate what you guys are doing. There's something about
Disney that sets it apart from other parks, from other companies. Part of
it is that they're just so good at what they do, but there's something
beyond that. That's the Disney magic we hear so much about. Now, I
understand that Disney is not perfect; they make mistakes. Lately,
however, they seem to be making a lot more than usual. They're letting
money be a bigger factor than the joy they can bring to the fans. If they
aren't careful, they'll lose that magic, the spirit that Walter Elias
Disney intended his parks to have. I don't agree with many things they've
done recently. For instance, in the past several years, Disney has
released cheap sequels to some of their animated features. Pocahontas was
a beautiful movie, but when Disney puts their integrity at the mercy of
the need to make a buck, we get movies of inferior quality, like
"Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World." The Mr. Toad thing is like that.
I understand that Disney must always expand; Walt wanted it that way. I
also understand that sometimes older rides must be eliminated in order to
make room for newer ones. For instance, when Mission to Mars was removed
to make room for Alien Encounter, I just shrugged my shoulders and didn't
think that much of it. But Wild Ride is a classic! To destroy it would be
like destroying the Jungle Cruise or Pirates of the Carribean. Disney
needs to watch themselves. One day they may turn around and find
themselves no more special than a Six Flags.
From: sandiw875@aol.com
Please save Mr. Toad. This ride makes Disneyland. I can't believe they
would do this. If Mr. Walt Disney himself was still alive then he would
not allow this awful matter to take place.
From: Dr. Morbido <drmorbido@aol.com>
At the top of my Disneyworld pantheon is the holy trinity:
Haunted Mansion
Pirates of the Caribbean
AND MR. TOAD'S WILD RIDE!!!!!!!
The "new" Disney apparently doesn't care about anyone's childhood
memories. They've already taken down more than one of the classics that I
remember as a kid. I mean, I admit 20,000 Leagues under the sea didn't
quite stand the test of time as well as The Mansion and Pirates did as far
as technical innovation goes, but couldn't they have just upgraded it?
And do we really need a Little Mermaid attraction?
I've also noticed Disney's Scroogish attitude towards releasing the
classics that we grew up with as children. It seems that everyone has a
particular movie that they treasured in their childhood that's now harder
to find than an under $1 beverage in the Magic Kingdom. My childhood
Disney favorite was The Black Hole. Try finding that on video. My heart
broke a few years ago when I saw the once malevolant Maximillian robot,
which scared the bejeezus out of me when I first saw it on the silver
screen, strung up like a dead cat in one of the buildings on the MGM
lot.
And while we're at it, let's see a Black Hole ride in the Magic Kingdom.
Now that would rock. Think of what they could do with all of the new
advances. But now I'm getting megalomaniacal.
So what.
Bring back the classics!
HAIL TOAD!!!!!!
From: ruby1001@aol.com
Please save the TOAD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From: lemiz94@aol.com
I am in Charlotte,NC and went to Disneyworld in June for 2 weeks. I have
been every year for the past 8 years and i have taken my 4yr old daughter
for the past 3 years. I am originally from London and was brought up
reading Mr Toad adventures. I love that ride and when we enter the Magic
Kingdom, we always go to FantasyLand first and ride on Mr Toad, Peter Pan
and Snow White. I was so upset to hear that the Disney nasties are
closing the ride down. I have sent an e-mail to them in support of keeping
the ride open. Surely, they have space to open a Pooh Bear ride somewhere
else! I told them that DisneyWorld will never be the same when Toad has
gone. Thank you for informing us about this news.
From: Terry Mann <tmmann@students.wisc.edu>
I only wish I would have heard about this sooner...I would have been a
huge supporter!!!
From: Jeff Carey <jeffreycarey@usa.net>
So so sad to see JT go - I guess one more reason to go to Disneyland! Hey
if anyone videotapes the whole ride (including the naked woman side!), I
would love to have a copy (something I never got around to and now will
not have the chance to!).
I just got to say that Pooh ride better be incredible! If its just like
another "Pinocchio" (the last Fantasyland dark ride done at DL), I will be
very upset. The stock market is obviously already reacting!
From: Ted Rose <trose99@email.msn.com>
Disneyworld now, DisneyLAND later, if we don't stand UP !!!
From: Heather Molter <dsneyholic@aol.com>
I, too, am very disturbed by the demolition of Toad Hall.
From: Tim Sanders <tims@orlinter.com>
for the love of my brother donald , please save this ride!!!!!!!!
From: April <avril@udel.edu>
i did not visit your site for several months, and now i see the news that
mr. toad will indeed be closed. i am filled with regret because i was not
able to go on the ride at my last visit. i thought i would have the chance
on my honeymoon this october, but apparently not. i can only hope that
there is a last minute change of heart.
thank you so much for keeping the public informed about mr. toad. on my
last visit, i was vainly searching for the 20 000 leagues under the sea
ride with no clue that it was gone- a castmember informed me, and i stood
staring at the empty tracks with disbelief. i am afraid to see the changes
to the tiki room on my next visit. at this rate, the jungle cruise will be
revamped! maybe i am some sort of old-timer (i am 24), but i think these
attractions, however old and campy they have become, need to be preserved
to remind us that america has a past.
thanks again for your efforts.
From: Leslie N. Herschler <landj626@net999.com>
MR. TOAD'S WILD RIDE can never go. It has always been my favorite
Fantasyland ride. I also have several neighbors who love it. I especially
love Mr. Winkels bar.
First Disneyworld and then Disneyland! (Disney is on record as saying that
they will NOT remove Disneyland's Toad Ride-for the new Pooh ride they are
thinking about)...
Mr. Toad is the ONLY ride I like in Fantasyland. SAVE MR. TOAD, RATTY, et
al.
From: James Froehlich <jfroehl768@aol.com>
If you're gonna get rid of a ride in Fantasyland, make it Peter Pan's
Flight, the ride is a BORE!
From: Kate Betton <paneuro@nh.ultranet.com>
Everytime I go to Disney World, something else has been lost: the magic
shop, the penny arcade, Horizons, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,
Dreamflight... not to mention the sickly- saccarine PC bastardization of
Pirates of the Caribbean. Walt Disney World has always been fun but now
with its rampant materialism (how many rides empty into shops now?) it's
almost impossible to not see Mickey as the corporation symbol he is. Mr.
Toad's Wild ride is the last straw. Mr. Toad is a traditional staple of
the Disney experience. Unfortunately, his ride doesn't empty into a
store full of overpriced items small children will beg their parents for.
Disney needs to hire some creative Imagineers instead of corporate
savages.
From: Laura Rivas <savirel@aol.com>
I was fortunate enough to ride with Mr. Toad this summer but I hope it's
not the last time!...
I know many fellow Disney cast members that are just as upset about this
conspiracy...
From: B. McClure <opus3434@aol.com>
Hello Miami Canes! I knew it would take a group from my alma matter to
try and save Senior Toad. Lets do all we can. According to todays Detroit
Free Press [you are getting a lot of coverage] the ride is comical,
however it ends in Hell with Devils. Well it doesn't take rocket science
to see who is doing all the complaining! And this religious group was out
to boycott Disney early this year. So, I think Disney is caving in. When
we visited the park in '91 the line was so long for this ride, you would
not believe! So Michael Eisner, are you listening? Please save the Toad
for the rest of the Toad lovers out there.
From: Caryl Multz <caryl@dmk.org>
The reason I got interested in this at all, was because I had a dream
about Mr. Toad's Wild Ride the other night (for no apparent reason,
because it was the furthest thing from my mind). Then I get in my car to
drive to work the next morning, and they start talking about "the
cause"...first I ever heard of it.
Pretty bizarre, huh?
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride has always been a favorite, but I've never been to
Florida...only Anaheim...
From: preturb@aol.com
I think you did a wonderful job letting people know what Disney was doing
to Mr. Toad. While I am not as big a fan of the ride as you are, I am
angry that Disney is ripping out the ride and replacing it with Pooh. For
the life of me, I never understood why Disney never updated Toad to make
it more like the version in California!! However, I did love riding Mr.
Toad's Wild Ride, and always went on it when I visited WDW.
What makes me so mad is that we know the real reason a Pooh ride is not
built from scratch---Disney is cheap, and they want an attraction to open
in 1999 to help compete with Universal's Islands of Adventure (Interesting
how Disney "adds" attractions).
Disney seems to love trumpeting the fact that so much is coming in 1999.
Big freakin' deal-----they should have started adding more attractions 10
years ago. Hopefully Islands of Adventure will be a big hit and people
will realize that Disney is short-changing its customers. I can't believe
I am saying this about Disney, but these days I feel like Busch Gardens
does a better job operating a theme park.
Again, I think you did a great thing sticking up for Mr. Toad (GREAT SITE,
by the way!). Unfortunately, it seems like Disney just wants to sell the
world more Pooh plush.
From: Yearly Passholder for Now <byron19@aol.com>
I think that if they close the toad it will break a lot of hearts of young
and old. It's been there forever and should stay there till the end. Keep
the toad alive!
From: Sarah Strate <smile5336@juno.com>
Hi, my name is Sarah. I'm 12 years old. On the September edition of the
Tampa Tribune, I discovered Mr. Toad's Wild Ride was closing. I first
went to Disney world when I was about three years old. So of course my
favorite rides were in Fantasyland. So this ride means alot to me and
everyone I know. I want to go to the Magic Kingdom and support you, but my
family doesn't have enough money.
From: Rick Mattos <spiderrose@aol.com>
You've gotta save Toad's Ride. Where else can you commit felony auto
theft, go to hell, and call it good family fun.
From: Kristin Ginalick <ginalick@fleishman.com>
Mr. Toad has always been one of my favorites.
From: Paul Rodriguez <mppr@ix.netcom.com>
I am terribly upset about this, but take some small solace from the fact
that Toad will still live in Anaheim.
Why do I love Mr. Toad's Wild Ride? You drive around in a car, breaking
the law and wreaking havoc. Then you die and go to hell. I should have
known that today's Disney would never let this stay in favor of their
bland Pooh. Of course they prefer the bear to the Toad (not that I don't
like Winnie, he's just been co-opted).
Hail Eris! Hail Discordia! Hail Toad!
From: Robert Perret <parrot5@prodigy.net>
I have just pulled the sad news off the AP wire. Even out in Colorado, I
can feel the devastating loss of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, without a doubt the
best ride at Disneyworld and Disney's coolest property. I am sorry your
obviously great efforts didn't pan out. Know that there are others out
there who feel the same shock and indignation. Mr. Toad's fate may be
sealed, but I want to count myself among the people who protested this
grievous mistake.
From: Heather Ferson <i_am_pooh_bear@yahoo.com>
I knew I was in trouble when I spent my last few hours in MK crying my
eyes out because I was having such a lousy time -- I had brought my fiance
there, for his FIRST TIME at Disney World. Cramped, dirty, materialistic.
No magic for me. Even less for him -- although my nick-name is Pooh, and I
would LOVE to see a Pooh ride someday, I agree -- try ADDING and IMPROVING
-- not shoving, stuffing and DESTROYING, Disney!
From: Don Sanders <donds98@aol.com>
My first job ever was working at Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. It was always one
of the most popular rides at WDW. I can't believe that they would even
consider closing it down. I understood 20,000 Leagues, but this is just
wrong.
Anyone who loved this ride as a kid (or an adult) owes it to all those other
kids to save this ride.
From: Cory Edwards <tonkatron@aol.com>
I just heard about Toad's ride getting the axe, and I fear I am too late
to help! Anyone who reads this: If this famous and fun ride is as
nostalgic to you as it is to me, you'll petition keeping it, at this
groovy website! They can't take this ride away from us. They musn't,
they shan't! Even if Disney is a dictatorship, they have to listen to the
people! If I can't take my kids to Disneyworld someday and watch them
crash through a library in a Model T, hit that oncoming train in that dark
tunnel and then go to Hell, what kind of world will this be??
What's next, It's a Small World? The Pirates Of The Carribean? Why not
burn down the Statue Of Liberty while you're at it?? The line must be
drawn here. Save the Mr. Toad ride! If this is trivial and stupid to you,
then fine, YOU'RE stupid. Be a serious adult... see if I care. But I think
the Mouse would want it this way.
From: Lorna and CJ <canders3@san.rr.com>
As my friend and I were purusing the important tidbits of information on
the Information Hwy, we were stopped dead in our tracks by the MOST
unsettling news of Mr. Toads impending demise. A trip to "Dizzy Land" is
never complete without stopping at this wonderful arena. It is one of
lifes sweet memories for it harks back to a place of innocence long
forgotten. Or lets put it another way. In the beginning God created earth
and Disney created Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. We last visited Disneyland in
March and yes we did "The Ride". You can keep "Honey I Shrunk the
Audience". We waited an hour with our 3 d glasses clutched in our hot
little hands, only to be told they were having "techinical difficulties:"
We never saw it..... Then we waited another hour only to be told the new
"Rocket Ride" was not working right either. But our favorite toad ride
chugged faithfully on. If the length of the wait is indicative of the
popularity of the ride then you have a real winner in this ride. The next
time that we are headed for Disneyland, (will there be a "next time
without this to look forward to?) I want to be able to say to my
daughter..."I'll meet you at Mr. Toads Wild Ride in an hour".
KEEP THE TOAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
p.s. Whats next? Pirates of the Carribean? Lorna and CJ
From: sweetp9883@aol.com
don't close mr. toad's wild ride...that's one of my favorites! if you are
gonna make the winnie the pooh ride, place it somewhere else! don't
destroy the classics! =(
From: Kasey Cook <guaranteedloan@alend.com>
This ride has been a tradition in my family for as long as I can remember.
My mother rode it as a child, and still does to this day. I have been
riding this ride since birth, and so has my son. I want him to be able to
take his children on this ride in the future. Mr. Toads Wild Ride is
always the first ride we go on at the beginning of the day, and the last
one. Mr. Toads Wild Ride is not just a ride, it is a memory from
childhood. There doesn't seem to be many places that you can go back to
and remember your childhood anymore. Everyone wants to build malls over
playgrounds and such. Taking away Mr. Toads Wild Ride will be destroying
part of my history, and the histories of so many other people. If
Disneyland needs to get rid of a ride why don't they start with their
newest ride, Roger Rabbit? That is the worst ride I have ever been on.
It is completely pointless, it jerks you in every direction, and
Disneyland will end up closing it anyway because of law suits from
injuries (just like they did with Autopia).
Please I beg of you don't get rid of Mr. Toads Wild Ride.
From: jackal8529@aol.com
I think it really sucks that they are closing Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. That
was like the best ride in the whole park. It got you away from all of the
smiley, happy crap for once. If they close that Ride, I'll never go to
Disney again (or at least nearly as much).
From: Tim Hallisay <tim@sourcefile.com>
I must express my regret and remorse. I have never been to DisneyWorld, I
am a California guy, and the Land is where I go. But Mr. Toad is an icon.
The only Disney ride the lands you in Hell. What a bunch of finks.
However, I encourage you to make a pilgrimage to the original Happiest
Place on Earth, where Mr. Toads lives and breathes! Although they recently
killed the PeopleMover (I haven't seen it yet), most of the integrity is
still there (Aside from Eisner).
Long Live Mr. Toad
From: Jerry Edmonston <jerry@ajaxbuilding.com>
J. Thaddeus Toad is an icon! The ride itself is a classic. You don't do
away with such history . . . you preserve it! Since Disney doesn't have a
Smithsonian museum, you move the ride to the American pavilion in EPCOT.
My son is 4 months old and there are many near-extinct species he'll never
see . . . the least we can do is save the endangered Toad.
Relocate the Toad! Relocate the Toad! Relocate the Toad!
From: Monte Rhodes <mrhodes@promus.com>
PLEASE tell me this didn't happen? That the destruction of Mr. Toad's
Wild Ride is a bad joke or dream?!?!? I went searching for internet sites
about Disney World because I am going there in mid-October for the first
time in YEARS...since I was 13 or so. Anyway, as excited as I am about
all the new technologically advanced rides, I was still excited about
MTWR.
From: stick029@aol.com
This really is the pits. When we were at the magic kingdom in June, we
rode the rides in the little kid section with my son and nieces, the
oldest who was 8. It's A Small World is the cheesiest, most boring ride
and so politically incorrect it is a nightmare. Then we rode Mr. Toad on
our way out. I swear I have never laughed as much as I did then. It was
the best ride in the whole park! The girls screamed like crazy when we
almost ran into the train. I'm a Winnie the Pooh fan, but I don't think I
could ride that ride knowing that it killed Mr. Toad to get there. Kill
It's a Small World. That's all I have to say.
From: Scott Randall <srandall@inreach.com>
I happened across an article about Disney's discussion to go ahead with
the retiring of Mr. Toad and thought I'd remind you of some other worth
saving rides that disappeared. http://www.mcs.net/~werner/yester.html
I think its wrong to retire any of their rides. They should expand if
necessary. I loved America sings but oh well.
Sorry you didn't win.
From: E.S. Park <xcedrinod@yahoo.com>
Just wanted to write in support of what you all are doing. I really don't
have any nostalgic reason for supporting the cause, but one of my fondest
memories of Disney Amusement Parks is a few years back when I went home to
L.A. with a couple friends from college and spent the day at Disneyland.
The fireworks show was about to start, so while everyone was moving toward
the Magic Kingdom, we went on Toad (my first time) maybe 10 or so times in
a row - hop off, stand in line for a few seconds, hop back on. It became
silly - towards the end we were chucking pennies at each other - trying to
time our throws to take advantage of the doors to the next or previous
ride segment, so the victim couldn't get you back immediately and the
attacker could dig around for more change. I got caught with a nickel
right in the side of the head as I burst through what I guess are the
fiery gates to hell. We staggered out, exhilarated, to see the firework
show...and that's when the acid kicked in.
From: Sue Rice <surice@sover.net>
I laughed and cried at the same time reading your detailed journey to Mr.
Toad's Wild Ride in Orlando. Back in 1966 we took our four children, then
age 8, 6, 4 and 1 year to Disneyland in Anaheim. We were on our way to
South Korea to work there for four years. Well, after Disneyland, our
third son Mark; all he talked about for four years was Mr. Toad's Wild
Ride. We've kind of laughed about it as a family and wondered what he
liked about it. He always wanted to work at Disneyland, he always said.
He never got his wish, but it sure brought laughter and tears to my
children as they read the e-mail I sent to each one of them of the demise
of the ride.
From: Jason Ashley <jasona@warwick.net>
Here's what I wrote to Disney:
I can't believe you would close Mr. Toad's Wild Ride! That ride is
AWESOME!!! I'm 31 years old and I would dearly love to introduce this
wonderful ride to my children someday. It is SO much fun and a landmark to
my childhood. What's next?? Pirates of the Carribean? The Haunted Mansion?
There is NO ride that can replace Mr. Toad's no matter how cool the
technology or how popular the subject matter. Mr. Toad is one of the
handful of rides you tell first-timers that they MUST go on. I am so
shocked and saddened at this turn of events that my faith in Disney is
severely curtailed. That Disney could do such a thing is reprehensible.
Has Mr. Eisner even ridden on Mr. Toad's?? You're cutting out a piece of
my childhood I dearly wanted to share with my kids. Please, please,
PLEASE, reconsider killing Mr. Toad.
From: Jonnie Weber <jonniewf@earthlink.net>
I accidentally heard of the possibility that Mr. Toads Wild Ride might be
ending.
Well, I've got to tell you that I have always had a secret passion for
this ride. I am a second generation Californian and was 18 before I ever
went to Disneyland the first time. I now have 6 children and would be
very disappointed to see this ride go the way of Captain EO.
It's not that I think it's the last bastion for any worn out values or a
symbol of my youth. It's just that it's a great ride. I'm serious,
everytime I go I insist on riding it and everyone I know feels the same
way. It's like Disneyland's best kept secret.
From: clue76@aol.com
outstanding site, and great cause, just wish i heard about it
sooner...
save the toad!
From: Susan K. Wadas <swingkid@npcc.net>
If you had to take away the sub ride....and nothing is there right now
(Ariel's Grotto) why not fill in all that water with cement and place Pooh
over there?!? It was bad enough to take away The Mickey Mouse Review
(where the Lion King Show is at)....which was so much better than the Lion
King show... I guess I'll start the plead to not take away Peter Pan's
Flight next. Oh, by the way, I'm 25.
Have you heard the saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it?!" hint hint
From: A Disney Employee <address withheld by request>
I am ashamed to say I work for the company that is getting rid of Mr.
Toad! As much as I love Pooh, they need to find another home for him and
let Toad Hall stand - SAVE THE TOAD!!!!
From: Art Thomas <artt078@aol.com>
This is one of my favorite rides in the entire Magic Kingdom. I visit the
park at least once a year, from Cleveland OH and I always get at least one
ride on each of the two versions of the ride. I for one would be very sad
if the ride were to be replaced. I do support a Pooh ride, after all, he
is a more loveable character, but not at the expense of this great
attraction.
From: jncdiebolt@aol.com
I am an ex cast member of Disneyland. I have been a BIG sponsor and
advocate for the Disney Corporation for many years. As a patron and stock
holder of Disney I was shocked and angered when I heard that Disney World
was closing Mr. Toads. I'm not sure about Disney World, but at Disneyland,
Mr. Toad is still a major attraction with thousands of guests going
through the attraction daily. Here in California, Disneyland is revamping
Tomorrowland. They have completely redone Tomorrowland and they are
removing the Submarine ride. Walt always said that Disneyland will never
be completed, it will be changing and growing. I agree that Mr. Toad
should be saved and new attractions be placed elsewhere, especially in
Disney World where you have room to grow and expand.
From: Christina Petti <whyteach@aol.com>
I am writing in response to the closing of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Please do
not close this ride. It has been a favorite of my family for years. The
first time I went to Disney was when I was 8. I am now 24 years old and
have gone with my family almost every year since then. This ride was one
of the first that we went on. It would be a shame to get ride of such a
classic ride. What is Disney without this ride?
I know that when I have children of my own, one of the first places I will
take them for vacation will be to Disney World. I want them to see the
same wonderful things that I did when I went to that park and that
includes Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. So, on behalf of all the young and young at
heart who have not yet got to experience Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, please keep
it at Disney World.
Thank you for your time!!!!!
From: xxjtsxx@aol.com
i also think mr toad's wild ride is a very good ride and they should never
take it out cuz alot of people like it.
From: Kristy and Aaron Blanton <jack3116@aol.com>
The class of 96 from North Ft. Myers made our annual Grad Nite trip to
Disney. This was the first time since being young children that we'd
actaully had gotten the chance to get away and go. This time, without our
families and with all of our friends. I remember the first ride that my
group of friends hit, Mr. Toads Wild Ride. I never had so much fun acting
like a young child again! Then this past February I got married to my
best friend who had also been part of our senior fun. We decided to go to
disney as a small, inexpensive Honeymoon. The first ride we hit, again,
Mr. Toads Wild Ride. I have many very good memories from the whole park,
but that ride means something special to my husband and I. Please don't
take that away from us. Pooh does deserve to be there also, but couldn't
you find his own home instead of taking someone else's?
Thank you for taking your time to read this and please, give it some
serious thought. Many people and young children could be affected by your
decision to take away this fantastic ride.
From: Lynn Harrison <harrison@dsp.com>
Before I got to this section of your web site I had sent the attached
email to Walt Disney World.
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is a personal favorite from childhood. It gives a
loving look at the book that inspired it, and encourages children to
read.
However, I realize Winnie-the-Pooh and friends is more lucrative and will
enhance profits. It is sad that greed and arrogance are always the
motivators behind the decisions of every business enterprise.
Disney, since Eisner, has consistently sacrificed the nostalgia and love
that people have for favorites from the past, for the enhancement of
corporate profitability. It is so important to continuously grow the
price of per share stock.
I loved Disneyland, and the Disney aura as a child. My outlook now is one
of cynicism and disgust.
Why doesn't Mr. Eisner just build his own ride so that he can roll around
admiring his own glory?
Well, onward to cashing in at Disney. I'm sure that all of your future
decisions will also be influenced by greed and arrogance. And all of us
will just have to live with it.
From: Kristina J. Hill <kjhill@sai2000.com>
Just a brief thanks for all your efforts in trying to save Mr. Toad's Wild
Ride. As a child I would frequently visit my grandmother in Florida, and
without fail we would go to Disney! Back then and now as an adult Mr.
Toad's Wild Ride has always been one of my favorites. It would always
bring a smile. I would laugh from the moment we entered the door till the
time we exited the ride. It may not be the most technologically advanced
ride in the park but it sure is a goodie. It just a shame Disney does not
see what a gem the have. It's definitely an oldie but a goodie. Too bad
Disney is driven by the need to make more money (Not that they are not
making a fortune as it is.), instead of the enjoyment and benefit of this
historical ride! September 7, 1998 will be a sad day for all of us who
have experienced and enjoyed Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. Thanks again for all
of your time and effort. It was definitely deserved. It's just a shame
Eisner doesn't realize a good thing when he sees one. Then again the only
thing he sees are $$$$!!!
From: Tamarra Kolbe <krasnodar5@aol.com>
My son is 7 years old. Every year when we go to Disneyland and/or
Disneyworld the First ride we have to go on is Mr Toad. The Last ride we
ride before we leave is Mr Toad and at least 10 times in between we ride
Mr Toad. My son will be broken hearted if they remove this ride. They have
rides for little kids and rides for adults but the 5-10 year olds love Mr
Toad. So do the adults who have fond memories and still enjoy seeing the
little devils and being almost run over by the train. I can't believe that
Disney doesn't see the line that we stand in every time we want to ride Mr
Toad. We usually go during non-peak times and that line is always packed.
Part of Disney's magic is re-living your childhood each time you return.
Pretty soon there won't be anything to remember because it will all be new
and improved.
Please reconsider.
From: Luis Alberto Rodriguez <merc.lar@usa.net>
I'm sorry to know about the imminent demise of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. As a
visitor to WDW for more than twenty years, I find a very sad fact that
Disney seems to be trading tradition for bottom line revenues. I'm afraid
that I won't be able to be at WDW during the Ride's last day (I live in
Venezuela, so it would be a litlle bit hard for me to visit).
Nevertheless, my heart will be with all the true Disney (and Toad's) fans
that day.
From: Mrs. James Leitzel <leitzel@infinet.com>
I just found out this morning on a local radio show that those corporate
villians who want us parents to buy, buy, buy, vacation, vacation, and buy
more at their parks are closing a staple of my childhood on Labor Day this
year. This is most unfortunate for my daughter who is recieving a trip to
the most unmagical kingdom as a birthday present this year; she now won't
be able to ride on something that is probably more wonderful than Space
Mountain. My condolences to all that fought this fight.
From: nyprncess@aol.com
It will be a sad day if we lose the Mr Toad....
Save the toad.
From: Rowe Ray <rowe@itouch.net>
Please don't take the Toad! Mr. Toad Rules!! I can still see my daughters
faces the first time they rode Mr. Toads Wild Ride. They were 6 and 9
years of age at the time. Now they are in high school and college and I
don't know how to break the news to them. We need Toad-he made us laugh.
Toad is a family favorite and the long lines prove that we are not the
only family upset over this Toad vs. Pooh thing. Please make it go
away...Put Pooh somewhere else.
From: Shari Gulley <sgulley@washsports.com>
I am 27 years old and have been to Disney World every year since I was
walking. The one ride that I must go on every time is this one. It is my
strongest memory of the theme park. It's not just for the kids but for
adults who have grown up attending the park all their lives. I hope
Eisner or whoever is in charge makes the right decision of NOT destroying
this favorite and very memorable pastime. Please reconsider!!!!!!
This is/was my absolute favorite ride of all time:(
From: Kerry <kaspeckman@aol.com>
I was very sorry to hear about Mr. Toad being squashed by Disney. If they
want to get rid of a worthless attraction, do the world a favor and blow
up "It's a Small World"... and yet I digress.
From: Dale Demetropoulos <moondoggie@zebra.net>
It may be a little too late for this but I'll do anything I can to help.
Darn Disney, that is one of the classiest rides in the park. I've loved it
ever since they put it in Disneyland in LA (I understand it's
staying....). Too bad about this, I'll mail the cards if it will help.
I emailed Disney but I'm afraid it's too little, too late. I do wish I had
known about this sooner, I wish there was more I could do. I'm so
disappointed in Disney, damn, money seems to motivate every decision made
on this planet of ours. They are riding on the wave of Pooh popularity
right now, but it won't last. Mr. Toad has withstood time. At least the
theme at Disneyland will stay, however disappointing that it's being
removed at Disney World. I'm afraid Walt is rolling over in his grave
again, but he's been doing a lot of that lately. Best of luck in your
endeavors.
From: Meg Musselman <megm@gate.net>
They are trying to kill the Toad ride, we can't let this happen.
Save Mr. Toad.
From: Mitch & Allen Jordan <mrj17@aol.com>
We don't think they should tear down one of the best rides and also one of
the oldest ones.
Disney is really starting to piss me off! Over the last few years they
have decided to close or change some of the best attractions in there
parks. Such as Mr. Toads Wild Ride and Horizons also they are now talking
about sending SpectroMagic to Disneyland. Walt bought all that land in
Florida for a purpose! With all that excess land down there I am sure
they can find room for a stupid Pooh ride somewhere else besides in Toad
Hall. Another thing that ticks me off is that maintenance and cleanliness
seem to be unimportant to the WDW cast members lately because the last
time I went down there the parks were not nearly as clean as they used to
be. If someone at Disney sees this "WAKE UP!" if you don't do
something soon you're going to lose more people to the Universal parks.
Please stop this before it gets worse.
From: <benyea@aol.com>
That really sucks I loved that ride.
From: Danielle Bell <jdbell@innova.net>
It's a basic understanding in this world of ours that time marches on, and
as time goes, technology advances, sometimes slowly, and sometimes
quickly! But, where would we be in this world if we threw out all the old
technology in place of the new?!?! When tapes came out did records become
obsolete? No, I still have records of my own! When cd's came out, have
tapes become obsolete?! No..tapes are still available everywhere you can
find cd's pretty much! When something is built or created it is
automatically assumed that someone is going to come along and update it or
buiild it better, but, it is never replaced completely!! The same works
with Toad Hall! Toad Hall is a staple of the Magic Kingdom, it's a vital
part of it, like cutting off an arm or a leg. True, Pooh needs to be
given the recognition he deserves, but at the expense of Mr. Toad?!?!
That's not right folks, not right at all!! Especially with the fan
support that this decision has awakened! Do you have any idea how many
people are boycotting WDW in favour of Disneyland now?!?! Just cause
Disneyland is keeping Toad Hall!! It's a pretty simple thing
really...keep Toad Hall...and simply put Pooh elsewhere!! Why can't that
be done?! You can't tell me that on that HUGE expanse of land there isn't
any room left for a simple little Winnie the Pooh ride?!? Come on, think
about it!!! So, why don't you start listening to what the people are
saying, instead of worrying about your pocketbook for once!!! In the long
run it'd probably cost you more to tear down Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and then
rebuild Pooh, instead of leaving Toad be and creating a new Pooh!
Anyways...the point is, the public wants Toad kept........and let's face
reality...where would you be without the public backing you?!?!?!?!?!?!?
From: Sue Kniffen <reginajoan@aol.com>
Taking away Mr. Toad is like taking away part of my childhood memories!!!
From: Mike Wingard <wingard@connect-me.net>
I totally agree with your web site. I have rode the attraction since I
was a kid. I have made about 15 trips to Disney World in my
lifetime.......and I live in Pennsylvania. I would hate to see that ride
go, especially to a Winnie the Pooh ride. Same with Horizons. Two great
attractions that may be lost forever. Disney has so much land in FL, why
don't they just extend the parks a bit?
Thanks for all that you have done to try to save this classic attraction.
Eisner is a f@%%*t.
From: Scott Greenleaf <strngcrgonyc@earthlink.net>
I just got your final update in my e-mail today. I just wanted to say
thank you. You have done a terrific job. While we didn't win, We, thanks
to YOU, fought the good fight. With out your help, Toad would've gone with
out anyone noticing. We all would have gone back, and Toad simply wouldn't
have been there. Thanks to you, all of us had the chance to relive a bit
of our childhood. Even if I couldn't fly in from New York like I really
wanted to. In my mind's eye though, I was with you and everybody there. In
the end, we may have lost, but we did one thing. WE SHOWED WHERE THE TRUE
SPIRIT OF WALT DISNEY WENT!!! I don't think Walt would be very happy with
what they've done. If there is an afterlife, I think he would have been
cheering for us. Maybe he has a little something planned for EISNER!!!
Some cute devils perhaps? Anyway, I won't ever go back to Disney World,
what would be the point?
AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR LETTING THE WORLD KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING. THANK YOU
FOR LETTING ALL OF US TRY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE
TIME AND EFFORT YOU PUT INTO THIS WORHTY CAUSE. TOADIES OF THE WORLD
SALUTE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHEN
YOU'RE FEELING DOWN, REMEMBER..... A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT YOUR
CAUSE WAS RIGHT. NOT MANY PEOPLE GET THAT IN LIFE. YOU'RE NOT ALONE,
DEFINATELY NOT ALONE.
MR TOAD IS DEAD, LONG LIVE TOAD!!!!!!!!!!!
From: Christian Le Fort <address withheld by request>
I am extremely upset to learn of the demise of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and
should like to express my dismay to the Disney executives.
I have also informed several friends of Toad's demise, and they were
equally upset. Keep up the fight; it's worth it.
From: aljoel1050@aol.com
AFTER FINDING OUT LAST NIGHT THAT THE RUMORS OF TEARING DOWN MY FAVORITE
RIDE OF ALL TIME WAS TRUE, I WAS AS SHOCKED. I WOKE UP THIS MORNING
THINKING IT WAS ALL A NIGHTMARE, BUT IT WAS TRUE. EISNER REALLY IS OUT OF
HIS MIND!! IT'S HARD TO DESCRIBE MY LOVE FOR THAT RIDE. MR. TOAD HAS HELD
SOME GOOD MEMORIES FOR ME. MEMORIES DATING ALL THE WAY BACK TILL I WAS 4!
IM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT DISNEY IS TEARING IT DOWN FOR POOH BEAR. DON'T
GET ME WRONG I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE RIDE IF THERE ARE ELEPHANTS AND
WEASLES IN IT, BUT WHY TEAR DOWN HISTORY? ITS ALWAYSBEEN MY FAV AS A KID.
IN FACT, PSYCHOLOGICALLY I THINK THAT RIDE INSPIRED ME TO BECOME A
CARTOONIST, WITH ITS OFFBEAT HUMOR AND ALL.
I WISH MICHAEL EISNER COULD SEE WHAT A BIG MISTAKE HE'S MAKING. OTHER
THAN KEEPING ONE OF MY FAV CHILDHOOD MOVIES LOCKED IN THE VAULTS FOR 13
YEARS (THE BLACK CAULDRON), NOW HE MAKES HIS SECOND BIGGEST MISTAKE. I
THOUGHT THERE WAS ENOUGH ROOM IN THE MAGIC KINGDOM FOR ALL THE IDEAS? BUT
FROM NOW ON IM NOT GOING TO ENJOY DISNEY AS MUCH AS I USED TOO NOW THAT
TOAD HALL IS NO LONGER IN EXISTENCE.
From: Angela Morgan <amorgan_70@hotmail.com>
I can't believe they want to wreck an historic ride. Would they wreck the
teacup No! Each morning when I take a shower I see Mr. Toad and he makes
me happy and want to get out and the face the day. You see I made a
shower curtain out of some fabric I found and it's called Mr. Toad getting
dressed. I love it and I love him. Don't get rid of him. We're losing
enough of our history and values through the demolition of old buildings
and technology families.
From: Lisa de SchroderKat <schroderka@aol.com>
Do you know if they plan the same demise for Mr. Toad at Disneyland in
California??? Please say NO!!! Save that Mr. Toad, too!!!
From: Amy E. Lagerberg <amy.lagerberg@celebration.fl.us>
Tonight's the night, and I'm in tears. Why take the only good ride in
fantasy land away? Because of a stupid, fat bear, that's why. First Take
Flight, and now Mr. Toad. What's next, the tea cups, Dumbo???
From: Carissa <princesspepper@webtv.net>
I just wanted to say I've been watching this whole situation with Toad.
Your campaign was really impressive. I'm sorry that it didn't work- but
in principle it did- you had a great campaign and I'm sure it caught their
eye. The fact that they're doing it anyway is terrible. (Guilty!) Pooh
may be the current trend but its certainly sad they'd replace a good
classic character. Nothing against Pooh which I actually like, but the
Toad ride is totally unique and based on an interesting vintage Disney
movie. (Vroom vroom!) I remember my shock at how cool it was the first
time I went on it. I was in hell! = ) If I lived in Florida or near
(college student in LA) I would have gone to those Toad Ins. On Labor
Day I'll go pay my last respects to the Subs. I'll miss them, but
hopefully the replacement will be alright. But even though I can't get
down there, it also bugs me they're taking out Toad. It's one of the most
imaginative rides- and I am thankful Disneyland's is intact. Obviously
you really cared about the ride, so I hope you have time to visit ours
when you feel the loss. What a dissapointing year for Disney parks.
Anyhow, just wanted to let you know I really respect the effort you made.
You drew tears really. You may have lost, but you played the game very
very well, much better than them. Have a good day.
From: Amanda Kelly <amandakelly@adelphia.net>
IT'S MURDER! KEEP MR. TOAD ALIVE!
WE WANT MR. TOADS RIDE TO LIVE!!!!! WE WON'T RIDE ON "THE MANY ADVENTURES
OF POOH"!!!
From: Aileen <aileen@cyberconnect.com>
...and to think that my parents were at the MK on 9/4 and didn't even ride!
I -knew- there was a reason I didn't like those people... <g>
Many thanks for your dilligent efforts toward my fave ride...
From: Mr. and Mrs. Karl A. Johnson and Family <akewlmom@aol.com>
I am writing this letter w/ great sorrow. I cannot believe that Disney is
considering closing Mr. Toads Wild Ride. I would like to share w/ all
those interested why Mr. Toad is such a big deal to my family and I.
You see, my first trip to Disney was not as a child, but rather as an
adult. I was married in 1986, and my husband could have taken me anywhere
but I choose Disney. From the first moment I told him my wishes, all I
heard about was "MR. TOAD" I had no idea who or what it was..all I knew
was that from the time my husband was a boy on his first trip to Disney,
it was his favorite ride. So after many months of planning, and traveling
down by plane and his nonstop chatter about the illustrious Toad, I
finally got to see and experience it. You see, it was July so I'm sure
you understand about the heat factor, we stood in line for 2 hrs
(unpopular ride, huh?) for what was to be the silliest 3 min. of our
life. Just to see the look of sheer joy and amazement in his face was
worth all the waiting in the world. It was great, not only because it was
fun, but because he enjoyed it so much even as an adult man, and to share
that kind of joy w/ your new husband was wonderous for me.
Every time we hear of someone planning a trip to Disney, we look at each
other and squeal, "Mr. Toad!!!" It's as if we are going ourselves or
experiencing all over again. We have made several trips back to Disney,
now w/ our 2 daughters in tow. We explain the story of Mommy and Daddy
and they can't wait to ride it. Now we have the memories of not only us
but our children experiencing the same joy we did. I was hoping that on
our 50th wedding anniversary to mark it by taking our "famous ride" with
our beloved friend again, but maybe w/ a grandchild or 2 on our knee,
however it looks to be that that will only be a dream not come true. I
dare not even tell my daughters that their friend wont be there anymore
for fear of what kind of response I will get, I am sure much crying and
sorrow will be shed. It's very sad to me that new parents of today and
tomorrow will not have the pleasant memories that we once had..Disney used
to be the type of place you could re-live your childhood memories,
however, if they remove older rides how is one supposed to do that?! I
guess their idea is, "mo' money, mo' money, Mo' money!" But why? I am
sure Disney is not hurting in that department and how is taking Mr. Toad
going to improve revenue? I am sure there are sadder stories than ours
but it's none the less important. I can't say I won't return to Disney,
however I will not be having the "wild" time I once had and I am sure, a
tear or 2 will be shed by all. Thank you for this forum for us toad
lovers to express our sorrow/regret of the eminent doom of a friend...
From: brandymcr@aol.com
Mr. Toads Ride is a great loss to the memories of those who enjoyed it as
a child. In addition, when recently vising the park with two little girls
ages 5 and 6. The smallest could not ride a lot and when we got to Mr.
Toad's Wild Ride...I could not get them off. They road several times and
asked to read the story. These kind of classics are a shame to erase.
Good for you to start this campaign although, we all know Disney will do
whatever they want!
From: D. Clarke <dclarke@staffnet.com>
Just heard the bad news. Save the Toad!!! With the millions that Disney
has it would be good Public Relations payoff to save the toad. Don't cut
into the hearts of millions. Pooh is OK, he can go some where else. Then
both can be enjoyed by all.
From: Sue Carney <name@host.k12.vt.us>
Please, please, please save Mr. Toad. My family went to Disney World in
1986 and 1989, and the ONE ride that we all agreed was the BEST, was MR.
TOAD'S WILD RIDE!!!! I love Winnie-the-Pooh, but find a place for that
other than our favorite ride- THE TOAD!!!!!
From: Marcus Douglas <mdouglas@auanet.org>
Please let me help you save The Ride. It's the best memory I have of
visiting DisneyWorld as a kid.
PS - I saw your website on CNN.com so I guess you're getting pretty good
exposure. It's just too bad that it was in conjunction with an article
about shutting down the ride . . .
From: Stacia Chesney <stacia_chesney@yahoo.com>
My mother loved that ride and i would like to show her those postcards.
From: Ed Downs <phillyboy21@webtv.net>
I congratulate you on your efforts. This is truely a horrible thing!!!
The only way this would be worse is to get rid of "It's a Small World"
I will do my best to help the cause...
From: gt32944@pegasus.cc.ucf.edu
Save Mr. Toad!
The only requirement in going to Disney World that I had was that Mr. Toad
must be ridden! Don't get me wrong, I love Pooh, but Mr. Toad is
irreplaceable.
From: Timothy Savas <hebgb@totcon.com>
Thanks for your concern in this matter!
From: Ronald Shockey <shoxrox5@pcpartner.net>
We would have helped sooner!
Save Mr. Toad!
From: Robin <robinb@mailbag.com>
I'll really miss the little amphibian.
From: Kathleen Hinrichs <twistedfunkdonuts@yahoo.com>
I wanna help save Toad.
I'd like to buy a t-shirt to save Mr. Toad. I can't say that I'm a huge
fan of the ride, rather, I hate Disney. Well, 'hate' is a strong word, I
just extremely dislike their management practices and totalitarian control
over central Florida enough to write my thesis on it. Celebration, FL
gives me the heebie jeebies.
Oh yeah, I also live in DC. Just think of all those legislators smiling
appreciatively at the sight of Save Mr. Toad stretched across my
Lewinskys. The seed will be planted as they lay sprawled on the ground,
gasping, "Toads....toads....toads...," the movement will spread. A little
congressional action if we're lucky, who doesn't love a little government
interference in commerce? Heh.
From: Amanda Mauser <adm42886@aol.com>
Poor Mr. Toad. He was so cool. I only went on it once and I'm still a kid.
I wish I could ride it more, Much more. But, if they ever close down
Pirates of the Carribean, thats it. I loved that one. Since I was a baby.
YO HO YO HO a pirates life for me!! If they close that, Disney wont be
worth going to!! Forget stupid Pooh. TOAD POWER!!!!
From: Jonathan Blaskey <agreedupon@aol.com>
You are doing a great thing.
From: Cara McFall <crazychic4@aol.com>
Mr Toad's been there since I can remember! It's one of my fav. rides there
they can't make it into the happy 100 acre woods!!
From: Deirdre <csrdar@vmmc.org>
Those JERKS!
Boy, I wish I'd known about your site before today. I also wish I'd read
the sad news before today-- had no clue Mr. Toad was in danger until I
read E!Online news this afternoon that it was official. I wish I'd known,
I could have helped you out...it's one of my favorites and my husband's
favorite. I called him at work & told him the sad news and it broke his
heart! Mine too. We rode it 3 times on our anniversary in 1995 and (thank
God) got lots of pictures. It even made it into our wedding video. My
husband's been on it many other times. I also would have scraped the $
together to go fly down and see it one more time. They BETTER NOT touch
the Enchanted Tiki Room or things will get ugly! I'm pissed off enough
about "updating" Tomorrowland & getting rid of all the cool space-age
stuff. I don't even wanna know what it looks like now. God, how
depressing. Well, I'm gonna go home and cry now. Poor Mr. Toad. Shame on
them! Let me know if there's anything else that you think people can do
to help, or at least make them feel horribly guilty.
From: Alisa Johnson <alisaj22@aol.com>
HOW COULD ANYONE GET RID OF MR. TOADS WILD RIDE.
IT IS A CLASSIC AND I AM IN COMPLETE SHOCK THAT ANYONE WOULDN'T THINK SO.
HELL, I WENT OUT AND BOUGHT THE MOVIE AS SOON AS IT CAME OUT ON VIDEO. MY
FRIENDS AND FAMILY ALL LOVE THE MOVIE AS WELL AS THE RIDE.
DISNEYWORLD IS WHERE I AM PLANNING TO HONEYMOON IN MAY OF 99. I WAS TELLING
MY FIANCE ALL ABOUT THE RIDES BECAUSE HE HAS NEVER BEEN THERE.
I WAS ALSO TELLING HIM ABOUT MR. TOADS RIDE AND HOW MUCH I LOVED IT. AFTER
ALL IT WAS MY FAVORITE AS A CHILD. HE SAID HE COULDN'T WAIT TO GO ON IT
WITH ME AND NOW HE WON'T GET A CHANCE TO.
WHAT CHILD DOESN'T LOVE MR. TOAD AND HIS MOTOR CAR.
DON'T CLOSE IT DOWN. I WILL HAVE EVERYONE I KNOW WRITE AND SAY THE SAME
THING.
From: Freya E. Harris <cybercat@mindspring.com>
Alas, I learned about your glorious cause too late to save the Toad.
However, I wonder if there is still some way to salvage Mr. Toad's Wild
Ride - perhaps it can be rebuilt in another area of the park, or even at
another Disney attraction.
A Winnie The Pooh Ride? BAAAAAAAARRRRRRFF!
From: Sarah Morse <davekathan@worldnet.att.net>
I had no idea that this was the latest scheme of the evil Disney Company.
We love that ride. Just the right amount of scareness for young children
and not to stupid for the grown-ups. What is Disney even thinking about?
From: cbhash@aol.com
First they kick the hookers out of Time Square, now this? When will it
all end? SAVE THE TOAD!!!!!!!!
From: Chris Cartusciello <ccartusc@peri.com>
Came across your site after hearing about it on the radio this morning in
New York. This is a travesty. I'll be going to Disney in October and will
be very distressed to see Mr. Toad's Wild Ride closed.
From: Tim Eckery <ceckery@aol.com>
mister toad's wild ride is a part of my childhood, i grew up with that ride,
why does disney have to murder such a awesome ride, disney are
killers!!!!
why god why
why do they have to destroy mr toad to build winnie the pooh
why can't they leave it the way it is, the way god intended it
mister toad rules!!!!!!!!!!
From: Carrie T <cehohol@students.wisc.edu>
Thanks for letting all of us crazy Disney fans know what is really going
on. I had no idea that this was in the works until a couple days ago. I
would have paid more attention the last time I was on the ride in March.
From: Chris Henry & Todd Gibbons <ceprod@mediaone.com>
The toad must survive and thrive and stay alive for the rest of our lives!
From: A Cast Member <gfy4dsny@aol.com>
I just wanted to let you know that i support you 100% i will be there with
you on labor day to say good-by to toad but i will not be there as a guest
of the park but as a cast member.
From: Melissa <address withheld by request>
I just stumbled upon your site through a Disney World fan page. I had
absolutely no idea any of this was going on, and I am frankly stunned.
Disney has enough money to open new attractions without closing old ones.
I am glad that I had the opportunity to experience a piece of history
(i.e. the Mr. Toad Wild Ride). I believe it is really important in these
times to preserve history as much as possible. That ride was a part of
Disney's illustrious history. I can't believe they closed it.
I also read that comment from one of the Disney people that people get
emotionally attached to the park. HELLO! If people didn't get attached to
the park, then no one would go, and no one at Disney would have a job.
This is really sad to know. I guess I've been out of the loop. I *just*
found out that the Electric Parade was off the circuit for a long
time.
I guess it was costing Disney too much money to please and entertain its
patrons.
From: Alison Barges <abarges@brooks-tech.com>
I love Mr. Toad's Wild Ride! I'll be so upset if we lose the ride!
From: Andrew Blackwood <ablackwood@email.msn.com>
Oh my!... I had heard that Disney was going to be closing down Mr. Toad's
Wild Ride, and stumbled upon this website this morning ... am I too
late?
Anyway, I am very supportive of this cause and would like to get a shirt to
help spread the word (however belated the word may be).
From: Jim Drum <sjdrum@erols.com>
I think what you are doing is great.
From: James <stlinquir@aol.com>
Sorry to hear about the toad ride, I loved it.
From: Bill Affeldt <baffeldt@execpc.com>
Keep up the fight--rage against the dying of the toad.
Thanks for taking up the cause!
From: Glenn Dowling <doejj01@usafa.af.mil>
This shirt kicks ass and I can't believe Disney would shut down this
ride! Keep up the good work.
From: John Parry <john@parry.com>
KEEP UP THE GREAT SITE!
We LOVE Mr. Toads Wild Ride too!
Let's save the Toad!!!!
From: Lee Rettig <kyntkkya@byelectric.com>
IT WAS MY FAVORITE RIDE WHEN I WAS AT DISNEYWORLD AS A TEEN IN 1980.
LONG LIVE MR. TOAD
From: megachan@aol.com
SAVE MR.TOAD!
Its my favorite ride and its really sad that there taking him away and
Disney is a bunch of F#@*ERS!
From: Scott Keys <mudd@koyote.com>
My wife and I went to Disney World on our honeymoon 11 years ago and it
was her favorite ride.
From: M. Gilles <mgilles998@aol.com>
Are you doing this by yourself? We are all for it. Toad is one our (my
husband, our 8 year old and I) favorite rides.
From: Jon Sauter <parrott@metrolink.net>
It sucks, but I read today that the Toad is gonna die...I have to say it
was one of the 2 best rides at the park...it was followed by 20000 Leagues
Under the Sea...(which they killed to..to have a "meet the character"
spot)
From: Bobbie Davis <pathda@gateway.net>
I can't believe they're killing Mr. Toad. My unborn children will never
know the pleasure:(
From: Raymond Kerollis <raykerollis@rocketmail.com>
I believe you are doing the world a great service by saving the best late
night ride that Disney has to offer. You are a true hero. FIGHT ON AND
WIN OR DIE TRYING!
From: Christine Colavecchio <prkchop@aol.com>
Thanks for all your work- it really is THE ride at disney. It's a total
childhood memory, as well as being one of the first rides I still go to
when I'm there.
From: Judith <tasso@ameritech.net>
Found out about this debacle this morning on the WGN morning show we are
appalled!
From: Blanca Anderson <lucynoise@webtv.net>
They can't take out Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.
From: Julie Goldstein <goldy@ptd.net>
MR.TOAD SHOULD BE SAVED!!!!!!
I am VERY, VERY upset about this news that they are taking away Mr. Toad's
Wild Ride, it is a great ride!! Thanks!! And you have my support!! I hope
it gets saved!!
From: Scott Leslie <sleslie1@aol.com>
I'm really sad to see Toad go, and I've expressed it to Disney, and I'd
just like to let you know that I will put a huge campaign on my web site
to save Toad and visit your site. Lets hope we can make that light at the
end of the tunnel derail and let us go see Satan for many years to come.
From: Amy & John <aimless@etcrier.net>
It's not the same place without the wild ride.
From: Chris <cybergosh@aol.com>
I can't believe Toad is actually leaving. :o(
From: Greg Bevier <bevierg@hotmail.com>
The Walt Disney Company's recent bastardization of the Magic Kingdom has
forced me to make a tough decision. By removing Mr. Toad's Wild Ride,
"updating" the Enchanted Tiki Bird Room, and even have removed "The Walt
Disney Story" (cruelly ironic) I regret that I will not be traveling to
Walt Disney World ever again. The current heads of Disney have shown a
complete lack of touch with the Disney's past by removing or changing some
of WDW's most popular attractions. Unfortunately, this lack of vision has
seemed to carry over from their film making department, where the films
have steadily decreased in entertainment value and have achieved an
"animation by numbers" atmosphere.
I'm sure those at Disney will say they can live without me. Fine. I'm
POSITIVE I can live without them.
From: Mary Ortiz <mortiz@ch2m.com>
I would HATE to see him go...I love Mr. Toad's Wild ride...Fantasyland
just wouldn't be the same without him!!!
From: Mike Howland <mmhowland@aol.com>
Well, It sucks that Toad is closing but man did you do one hell of a job.
I'm so friggin pissed. I just called and asked for my $4000 dollars back
for my vacation in late september. When I they asked why, I told them two
reasons. A) The fact that Mr. Toad will be closed and that was my
favorite ride and B) the total lack of respect WDW gave it's valued
customers on this issue. After I said that, I was put on hold for a
second. Unbelievably enough, a manager got on the line and asked if I
would put that in writing. Apparently, he agreed with what I was saying
and wanted it in writing to show his superiors. I faxed it to him this
morning. Just wanted to let you know that your not the only one
boycotting WDW. And maybe if enough of us do it, THAT might make a
difference.
You really did a great job, you should be proud.
From: Mark Harvey <mharvey@bco.thegoodguys.com>
YES!!!!!
We must save Mr. Toad's Wild Ride!!!!!
I am absolutely disgusted! If the rumors are true, Disney plans on
closing Mr. Toad's Wild Ride on September 8th 1998 never to return as Mr.
Toad's Wild Ride. I am planning on visiting Disney World this January.
This will be my third trip to Disney World in three years. Being a
Californian, I have been to Disneyland at least once or twice a year (I am
29 years old). I have sent letters to protest this closure. I have
received postcards from an individual and passed them out to friends and
associates. All of them are aghast at what you plan to do. They have
mailed these postcards in. Not one of us has received any communication
from anyone within the Disney corporation. I imagine Disney believes it
can continue to do whatever it sees fit in the interest in capitalism.
You may not realize the power of the Internet and word of mouth. I have
been a "Disney addict" for many years. I plan my vacations to include
Disney parks. I know that just myself, my wife, and future kids may not
represent a large amount of money. I guess that Florida time share is
out. When Disneyland stopped the "Mickey's Halloween Treat" I called and
emailed Disney and I was responded to immediately. Why are these cries
falling on deaf ears? Are Mickey's ears deaf? I don't think this is the
impression Disney would want to give folks.
Please save Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. There is plenty of room in Florida for
Pooh and the Toad.
From: Mike <tazman4@tiac.net>
I am a LOOOOng time Mr. Toad fan. Was my favorite ride as a child and was
thrilled to introduce my son to the ride on our recent trip to Disney
World.
Thank you for caring!
From: Wendy Wilson <flamed56@aol.com>
Walt must be rolling in his grave watching these corporate pirates at
work.
From: Laura Henzler <wolfgirl69@yahoo.com>
That's my favorite ride at Disney and I will no longer go if they get rid
of it!
Screw Winnie the Pooh!! I hate him; always have. LONG LIVE MR.
TOAD!!!!!!
From: Mike Messinger <kgdarch@bestweb.net>
Thanks for all your hard work. Toad is a real historical treasure.
From: Jeff Dale <mo9joe25@hotmail.com>
I want to do my part to save one of the reasons why we trek down to
Orlando!!!
From: Ariana J. Benson <ingenhemma@aol.com>
THEY CANNOT SHUT DOWN THIS RIDE! I HAVE BEEN GOIN ON THAT RIDE EVER SINCE
I WAS 4 I MEAN THAT WAS ONLY 13 YEARS AGO BUT I MEAN I CAME HERE 4 TIMES A
YEAR AND THE WHOLE SUMMER SO I WOULD BE ON THAT RIDE ALL THE TIME! THEY
CANNOT DO THIS TO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THEY ARE NOT TAKIN THIS RIDE AWAY WITHOUT A FIGHT!!!! I CAN BE SNIPPY THEY
DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE GETTIN INTO!
From: Janine Pozar <cunmgm@earthlink.net>
Hey we want to SAVE TOAD!!!
The best thing about Mr Toad's Wild Ride is that at the end, every person
getting out of their car is smiling or laughing!!!!
From: Brandon Berg <bberg@flash.net>
I live in San Diego, and although I've never been to WDW, I've been to
Disney Land at least 15 times. (Hey I'm only 14) I would be crushed if
they tried to close a ride I have enjoyed since I was 3, even though I am
a big Winnie-the-Pooh fan.
From: disney6005@aol.com
I look forward to to doing my part to save a piece of Disney History!
Keep up the good work!!
From: Karen Paisant <k22480@aol.com>
I love Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and don't want to see it replaced.
From: Stephanie Smith <smsmith@falcon.cc.ukans.edu>
I love Mr. Toad! I don't understand why they cant build a lovely Pooh
ride where 20,000 Leagues used to be! Its just empty space right now!
From: Holly Huelsman <iluvmybr87@aol.com>
I hope everyone's efforts will help to save Mister Toads Wild Ride!
From: Elizabeth Slack <easlack@aol.com>
My family will do what we can to help save Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.
From: Charisse Bicknese <bicknese@ili.net>
Mr Toad's was one of my kids (7 & 8) favorite rides.
From: Glann Bartlett <blakkbart@aol.com>
I personally have never ridden the ride, but due to the tremendous support
on the internet I feel I should give it a try. My wife and I visited
Disneyland for the first time last year and somehow missed the ride
altogether. We are currently planning a trip to the Magic Kingdom in
Florida this fall. Hopefully it will not be too late. I am a new
supporter to the cause and plan to offer my full support. Thank You.
From: Katie Moeller <notoriusukaol.com>
I can't believe they are going to get rid of Mr. Toad! That ride
rules!!!!
From: S. Coharts <shiver@icehouse.net>
My family loves Mr. Toads Wild Ride and looks forward to it every time we
go there. Let them take out Storybook Land and put Pooh there.
From: Kim Larabee <imarec3@aol.com>
I believe that there is no such thing as too late! Majority is supposed
to rule!
Thanks! And keep a goin! Save Mr. TOAD!!!
From: Jane E. Iwasyszyn <jane.iwasyszyn@archongroup.com>
It's just a crime that they're taking this ride out! What's up with all
this Winnie the Pooh stuff anyway?!
From: Dawn Papula <dawn.papula@mci.com>
I'm shocked! This is the first I've heard of this! Thanks for putting the
website together, great idea. I wish I'd known earlier!
I WANT TO HELP SAVE MR.TOAD'S WILD RIDE!
From: Peyton Reed <peytonius@aol.com>
I live in LA and we still have it here, for the time being anyway. I
appreciate your efforts!
It is still my second favorite ride (Pirates of the Carribean, even with
the PC changes, is my #1) at Disneyland.
Mr. Toad rules!!
From: Paul Self <gemini@ufl.edu>
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is the best. I'm a 20 year old college junior and
it's one of the only reasons I have left to go to Disney. I'm sure my
friends will agree.
From: Sid Kopperl <banker@trianet.net>
SAVE THE TOAD........ it's my daughter's favorite ride !!!!!!!!
From: Emily Sigsby <glenn.sigsby@worldnet.att.net>
Oh my gosh! I've been going to Disney World with my family every year
since I was 6, and not once have we missed our favorite kids ride. I LOVE
MR. TOAD'S WILD RIDE!! Put Pooh somewhere else! Don't kill a legend for
a big bear in a small shirt! (no offense Pooh!) Disney World just won't
be the same without the satisfaction of knowing Mr. Toad's waiting to take
you on a wild ride!
From: Misty Bralver <mbralver@aol.com>
Save the Toad!
Down with Pooh, (well who doesn't love pooh, but come on he's everywhere)
From: gates@bright.net
I just can't believe they want to take my favorite ride out. I love that
ride. I am 28 and still enjoy the craziness through the streets. My
daughter has come to enjoy this ride just as much. Let me know what I can
do to help!!!!!!!!!!
From: Lorraine Manak <lolo@yahoo-inc.com>
Talk about childhood memories! What's wrong with something staying the
same?
Thanks for the effort.
From: Russell Rockefeller <pkolbuc@blueskyweb.com>
I want to help save Mr. Toad's Wild Ride!
I couldn't believe it when I found your site about Mr. Toad's wild ride.
I had no idea that Disney was ready to take a hatchet to another great
attraction.
This totally sucks. I will do everything on my end to make sure that we
get the letters through.
Losing 20 000 Leagues under the sea for Ariel's Grotto was bad enough!!!
From: A WDW Fan <name withheld by request>
When I was five years old my parents took me to WDW for the fist time, and
I cried when it was time to leave. But every couple of years our family
would make the trip from Michigan to Florida and see the "World" again. I
was ten when I created my own "Jungle Cruise" in a backyard stream, and
when I was in high school and I created film-loop ghosts for the local
Jaycees Haunted House similar to the ones in the Haunted Mansion. Over
the years I collected a library of books and magazines about Walt Disney,
the parks and imaginering. So I would say I have a very good knowledge of
the parks and the Disney corporation, and could hold my own in a
conversation with the most rabid "Disnoid."
With that said, I've known about your "Save Toad" campaign for a while
now, but was never very compelled to write Disney. That is until now
(which might be a little hypocritical for me - See below). After reading
your and other's posts to Disney newsgroups, and my own trip last summer
to the Magic Kingdom - I'm finally motivated to complain.
I am very concerned about Disney's slowly slipping quality, especially
declining park maintenance, constant rising prices and lack of inspired
new rides.
Last summer I was only able to visit MK for a day, but I felt that some of
the "magic" slipping. Granted, it was a very busy day, but most
everything seemed a bit dirty and grimy like it needed a good scrubbing.
There was vandalism in the queue for Splash Mountain. At the part where
you start to go "underground" someone with a black marker wrote their name
followed by "96" on the wall. I hope the 96 didn't mean the graffiti had
been there for a year. Also a chunk of a picture frame from one of the
character portraits was missing as if someone tried to pull it off the
wall, and the brass name plates to each picture were scratched up. I sure
hope they've cleaned all this up.
The food in the park is way over priced (like most other parks). I don't
understand why Disney cannot charge the same price for a meal that a
comparable restaurant outside the park would charge. At the park's
moderate priced restaurants everything is about $3 to $5 more expensive
then average. You can't help but get the unsettling feeling that you're
being gouged (and I'm not even going to get in the rising admission and
hotel prices).
Now a look at the individual lands. I know most of the stuff has been
discussed before, but here's what I'd like to change in the Magic Kingdom:
I hate the idea of the entire Main Street USA becoming one big plush
store. Was the Magic Shop really that unpopular? Gee, that was my
favorite store as a kid. I think they're making a big mistake by getting
rid of the unique shops. Main Street won't be special any more once it's
just like the Disney Store back home.
Fantasyland is in desperate need of a rehab. Tear down those cheap
carnival-like facades and replace it with the storybook architecture found
at Disneyland. Start adding rides instead of taking them out. Where's the
Alice in Wonderland or Pinocchio dark rides, or new dark rides based on
resent films like Beauty and the Beast? They have so much room why do the
need to replace Toad with Pooh? Give Toad a rehab, and build Pooh's "100
Acre Woods" at the back of Fantasyland. Finally, letting 20,000 Leagues
just sit there is a crime. Build the rumored Little Mermaid ride or
Atlantis attraction already!
Mickey's Toontown Fair is a joke. To be still using the "temporary" sets
for Mickey's birthday celebration is embarrassing. Open up the damn money
vault and build the REAL Toontown. Again, with all the room WDW has they
could make it much better then Disneyland's.
My last big pet peeve isn't in MK, but in Epcot's World Showcase. There
should be an attraction for each country, and make them dark rides - no
more movies. If Disney doesn't want to spend the money, there must be a
company in the host country that could sponsor a ride.
I think the biggest problem today is the execs who are now in charge of
Disney are not showmen, and do not have a spark of creativity to save
their life. These guys seem to focus on the bottom line alone, and
nothing else. Prices for admission keep going up and quality is going
down. I hate this modern business practice of charging as much as you can
for something until the consumer cries uncle. Naturally, all businesses
need to make a profit, but how about simply charging a fair price?
The quality of Disney used to be impeccable, but now it's far too easy to
see the little things slipping here and there. On the newsgroups, there
are those Disney fans who have found "religion" in Disney. They think
Disney can do nothing wrong, and if you dare complain you're some kind of
trouble maker. Frankly, I hate to complain. Complaining is no fun, but
it really hurts to see Disney slipping.
Anyway, all these little things are starting to add up. I hope when
Universal's Islands of Adventure opens it kicks Disney's butt, or at least
gives them a wake-up call. I'm looking forward to IOA, and the stuff I've
seen looks promising. If that Spider-Man ride is a good it's been hyped,
it should be amazing (no pun intended). I think the competition is the
only thing that could make Disney change today.
From: John J. Sluka <moosehead@mindspring.com>
The ride is awesome. That sucks they would even think of taking it down.
From: A Disney Employee <name withheld by request>
Keep up the good work. I used to work at Toad and it would be like losing
a child!
From: T. Stein <tbstein@gte.net>
Boy, my husband was quite upset when he found out they might get rid of
Mr. Toad!! I think it's the only Fantasyland ride that he even enjoys!!
From: Nicole L. Singleton <missbeasly@aol.com>
I recently visited your Toad website! I was heartbroken when I first heard
the news.
From: Robert Moris <rhmoris@snet.net>
What a travesty to rid the enjoyment of a child by changing and doing away
with the ride. As an adult I have always the ride and have the many
smiling faces of the children that saw it too. If you must do away with
the green man then move it. There is a lot of room in that area to build
a new site for it or for the one that is planned. A vistor of over 30
times and would hate to see it slashed for something new.
From: Nick Frank <nicholas.frank@mci.com>
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is one of my favorite rides at Disney World. It was
truly a special moment when I could take my own son on this exciting
ride and share with him the fun that I had enjoyed as a child. It would be
a shame to see this ride get replaced, especially when there are other
rides more deserving of exile.
From: Stanley Kochan <kochan@nauticom.net>
I REALLY LIKE THE RIDE IT WILL BE SAD IF YOU TAKE IT DOWN I AM 8 YEARS OLD
From: Mark D. Bartels <mark1@inetnebr.com>
I would like to join the struggle to save Mr. Toad, (and also Mr. Rat, Mr.
Mole, and the good Mr. Badger). I love the series produced by the BBC that
has run from time to time on PBS.
Thank you for your time. I hope Mr. Toad and The Wind in the Willows live
for ever. The stories told in the book and the series are as good for
adults, (I myself am 43 years old), as they are for children. Long live
Mr. Toad!
From: Jo Bahr <bahr_joayn_and_stephen@msn.com>
NOOOOOOOOO! NOT MR.TOAD'S WILD RIDE!!!!!!!!
I'm 15 years old and I love Mr. Toad's Wild Ride! It affects kids of all
ages and I am living proof of that.
From: Marianne Perkins <marianne@computek.net>
My family loves Mr. Toad!
From: kliq4life@aol.com
I've been going to DL and DW every year since I was 5. Every single year I
make it a point to go on MTWR no matter what. I've missed parades, shows,
and other things to enjoy this ride. If disney got rid of this ride, it
would be like getting rid of Mickey! We have to stop it!
From: amy8559@aol.com
I love Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. I'm goin to WDW on monday with camp, and
that's all my friend's favorite ride. Well, one of them. I love that ride,
but I have never seen any movie about Mr. Toad. Therefore, I do want to
clarify something. When you are in the car at the end of the ride, a
train comes, and I do believe it runs you over. You go through doors, and
enter a room with flames and devils. Now, what Disney may be saying, is
that this scares little children. My friends and I believe that in this
ride, you die and go to hell, which a child should not be doin on any ride
in Disney. (I find it humorous, but...). Anyway, they don't have to tear
the entire ride down. Just renovate it or fix that part. And if they think
that it's outdated, then maybe they should redo it just like they did in
Disneyland.
If anyone has anything to say in response to my post, plese e-mail me.
Thank you.
From: Meredith Dunn <mere4pre@aol.com>
I have been coming to Walt Disney World since I was a child and I am now
24. I have always looked forward and still do look forward to riding this
ride even as an Adult.
If Walt Disney World tears this ride down then it will be the worst thing
they have done. It is wrong!!!! Children love that ride. Please think two
or even three times before doing something so drastic to us as well as the
cast members.
From: Douglas W. Houston <houston+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is a piece of American history. Would you tear down
Independence Hall or the Appomattox Courthouse? Would you set fire to
Ford's Theater or toss out the Liberty Bell? Please save the Toad.
And while we are on the subject...
The renovation of The Pirates of the Carribean is absurd. It found to not
be "pollitically correct", so Disney was forced to remove all the
drinking, barmaid-chasing, and fighting. Let us say you have a ship full
of pirates. Now take away all the alchohol, womanizing, looting,
pillaging, and cannonfire. Now what do you have? A boat full of perfect
gentlemen. How many pirates from history would go into a rich port
saying, "Jolly good show, ol' chaps! We're not going to pillage you, we
just want some crumpets and tea!" In fact, those political correctness
activists would probably take away the boat, too, claiming that trees
should not be cut down. Then all you have is a bunch of Disney employees
sitting on a rock waving to the passers-by. What kind of ride is that?
Certainly not one I would ride, nor one I would take my kids to learn
about pirates. In real life, pirates were dirty rotten scoundrels who
would rape and pillage rich new-world ports for their profit and pleasure.
They drank and fought. I am not saying I endorse those activities, I am
simply saying that those are the things that make them PIRATES. That's
part of our history, whether we like it or not. You can shield your
children from it, you can even pretend history was not like that, but you
cannot change history itself. What the pirates did is known fact and
truth. I personally vote for truth, justice, and the American way,
instead of lies, coverups, and the politically-correct way.
You may not approve of our world's past, but some of us believe history
is an important reminder of who we are, what mistakes we have made, and
that we must better our world.
Please preserve out heritage.
From: Mikael Romano <mromano@flash.net>
As a California native and Disneyland annual pass holder, I can relate
wholeheartedly to the plight of my Floridian brethren. After witnessing
the recent, brutal evisceration suffered by Disneyland's Tomorrowland,
it's clearer to me that true achievement is often lost in the name of
progress.
By all means, save Mr. Toad!!!
From: Pauly Boy <stackshort@aol.com>
NOT MR. TOAD!!!!!!
I think that if you destroy Mr. Toads Wild Ride, you destroy a peice of
Disney. For years Mr. Toads Wild ride has been a great family ride, and
now Winnie The Pooh thinks he can come a kick the toad's butt down???? I
say the heck with Pooh and live on Mr. Toad!!!!! Disney has more land then
they know what to do with......half of it isn't even in use!!!! Why can't
they put Pooh and his buds somewhere else????
From: Jennifer Tsang <jtsang@emerald.tufts.edu>
Disney should Save the Toad! I love pooh and all, but Toad is the MAN!
And for those of you skeptics, if the Toad ride breaks down once in a
while, big whoop. Let me tell you I've been trapped in that Stupid EPCOT
ride in the giant ball for at least 30 min and then had to walk down a
narrow flight of stairs in semi darkness. If anything they should get rid
of that, it's not even fun like Mr. Toad's Wild Ride! I am now inspired
to put your banner on my web page, so the 3 people who visit that will
help save toad!
From: Michelle Gameron <amgameron@snip.net>
Say it isn't so...no more Mr. Toad's Wild Ride????
From: Keri and Greg Hubbard <gkhubbard@uswest.net>
Of course we're interested in saving the greatest ride in the Magic
Kingdom, only shown up by the Mr. Toad ride in Disneyland, California
(Hell heats up there!)
From: Alexandra Bolusi <sweet22587@aol.com>
I am a Toad and Disney nut. I want to work for Disney Imagineering and I
am so against it. All Hail to Toad Hall.
I was at Disney 3 days ago and when my cousin rode it and I told him it
was his last ride. He cried. I found out Sept 7 is right. My last ride
was the best and I hope it is for you.
From: Valerie Moore <moorefam@mich.com>
I had no idea that mr. toad was in any danger. I was in disney for dance
competition this summer and everything seemed fine. I had to wait in line
for mr. toad...
Thank you for being concerned about the toad, it is one of my favorite
rides you guys are awesome.
From: pgm10@gateway.net
Personally I think none of the rides and attractions at Walt Disney World
should go. They are all classics in their own little way. I'm behind the
toad 100 percent.
From: dreamer10K@aol.com
SAVE MR. TOADS WILD RIDE!!!
From: Kevin Brubaker <brumeiser61@msn.com>
Why destroy a good thing just because of Pooh Bear?
From: i-am-lisa@webtv.net
My children are so young that they will never get a chance to ever ride on
A Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and I would hate for them to miss this
one too.
Save Mr. Toad!
From: Julie Peterson <juliep@islands.vi>
It was our first ride at Disney and the best way to start the Day. MR.
TOAD ROCKS!!!!!
From: Anonymous <address withheld by request>
BOTH MY GIRLFRIEND AND I ARE SEASON TICKET HOLDERS AND VISIT WDW TWICE A
MONTH (ON AVERAGE). I GREW UP IN LOS ANGELES AND VISITED DISNEYLAND
PROBABLY 50 TIMES WHEN I WAS A KID. I AM A DISNEY FREAK! NOBODY I KNOW
IS BIG OF A KID ABOUT DISNEY -- AND ANYONE WHO KNOWS ME AGREES. MTWR IS
IN MY TOP 5 FAVORITE RIDES IN BOTH PARKS. I AM OF THE BREED OF DISNEY
FOLLOWERS THAT KEEP DISNEY SO POPULAR (AND PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO
CORPORATE POCKETS). MY OPINION SHOULD CARRY THE MOST WEIGHT! DON'T CLOSE
TOAD! BIG MISTAKE -- WRONG MOVE! NO! NO! NO!
NOW, I LIKE POOH A WHOLE LOT. GREAT CHARACTERS AND GREAT STORIES. I FULLY
SUPPORT GIVING THEM A RIDE. BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF A CLASSIC LIKE TOAD!
WHY NOT JUST RIP DOWN THE FRIGGIN' CASTLE AND PUT A GIANT POOH INSTEAD! (I
AM KIDDING OF COURSE).
LEAVE TOAD ALONE. HE BELONGS. ALONG WITH THE SKYRIDE, HE BELONGS.
RIGHT-ON...
From: Junita Hood <tazzy@tm.net.my>
I rode that ride when I was 8. It was one of the first ride I rode when
was at DisneyWorld for the first time. I also love Winnie the Pooh, but
everybody must be fair Right!!
From: Wendel E. Spence <wetz@tampabay.rr.com>
I don't want to see Mr.Toad's Wild Ride go. They can put Pooh somewhere
else! Toad RULES!!
I started my own potition in school, but kids started forging signatures
of movie stars. I really want Mr.Toad to be saved. I am a teenager now,
but I still love it and I want my kids to enjoy it in the future. If there
is anything I can do to help, I will do it. I don't want to see one of my
all time favorite rides go away. I thank you and all the others who are
fighting to keep Mr. Toad alive!! Keep up the great work!!
From: Rachael Anderson <rachaelasl@aol.com>
I grew up in Florida, and can remember this ride as far back as when I was
four years old. What a shame to have to leave us!
I think what you are doing is WONDERFUL! I will support your cause in
every way possible!
From: Melanie Bryson <nonamelady@aol.com>
I am so disgusted with Disney taking away old attractions. I'm wondering
if they ruined the Tiki Room by upgrading it.
I'm glad to see your website fighting for this great cause!
From: Mike Petrizzo <boxerdemp@aol.com>
That is the coolest thing I've seen on the internet yet. Toad and his
unconventially short lines always made the... trip a little greener. Keep
followin' your ideas.
From: Anne Canavan <iamstormwind@infoave.net>
I Really think that Disney has lost their minds! I rode Mr. Toad's ide
for the first time when I was about three, and many many times after
that. But for Disney to say the ride is too scary...what about Snow
White? I don't remember that the old witch trying to drop a boulder on me
from above giving me very happy dreams.
I'm glad that someone is trying to save The Ride, and would suggest
putting Pooh in the Animal Kingdom where he belongs! ALL HAIL TOAD!!!!!
From: Paul Colarusso, Jr. <pauljr@taconic.net>
I think Mr. Toad should stay!
From: ccdig@aol.com
Save the Toad. This is my favorite ride.
From: Marcia Addison <maddison@infoave.net>
As a child I enjoyed Mr. Toad's Wild Ride quite a bit. (And as often as
possible.) I'll do what I can to help.
From: mah4546@aol.com
It's terrible that Disney would do such a thing, with all that space they
have! I have been to Disney more than 40 times since I was only 18 in
1981, and my eldest son, born in 1986, has been to Disney more than 30
times, and Toad is the ONLY ride that we have always ridden, every time.
We have just returned from visiting Disneyland Paris, it's just not the
same without the Toad. I really hope Disney doesn't do something this
stupid. I have put Save the Toad banners all over my site (although it's
not a Disney-realted site) and hope that Disney gets the message. KEEP UP
THE GREAT WORK!
From: Frank Garriel <fgarriel@adelphia.net>
SAVE TOAD!
From: Son of Toad <vortia@aol.com>
Dear Toad Hall,
They can't tear you down! Toad is one of the few Disney characters that
ISN'T cute, ISN'T fuzzy, and can't sing worth a damn! If you get rid of
Toad, you're stuck with the hundreds of bland, politically correct Disney
characters! The guys up top should be ashamed of what they're doing to
Walt's dream.
From: William MacIntyre <william.macintyre@stpete.honeywell.com>
what in God's name is wrong with those disney-folks?! they can't close
Mr. Toad - it's a favorite ride of so many people. what would a trip be
to the Magic Kingdom without taking a spin on a motorcar to nowhere
inparticular? pooh's good and all, but toad is a great ride. if disney
closes this ride, they might as well close pirates and haunted mansion
while they're at it.
From: Alex <d.bolusi@worldnet.att.net>
SAVE MR.TOAD. my sister who is 8 rode mr. toad once. now she is crying.
walt disney would not approve of this. SAVE TOAD HALL
From: Rich Mensch <mycroft_x@hotmail.com>
I have three children and have been to Disneyworld 5 times in the past 10
years. Each of them has had the experience of smashing into the train at
the end of the ride and loved it. Don't get me wrong. We all love Winnie
the Pooh, but if you have to sacrifice an exhibit to erect a Pooh
adventure, then throw the Tiki birds to the wolves. Back in 1988, I spent
a week there one day. Leave Mr. Toad alone.
From: Marc R. Duci <vrqc66b@prodigy.com>
MR. TOAD MUST STAY!!!!!
Disney can't be this evil, they are ruining the park by getting rid of
such a classic ride. MR. TOAD has to be one of Disney greatest rides no
doubt about that!! I really would love to take me fiance to Disney,
(she's never been) and ride on a classic I have got to enjoy since I was
just a kid. PLEASE SAVE MR. TOAD'S WILD RIDE!!!!!!
From: Maria Maisano <vrqc66e@prodigy.com>
My boyfriend and I, planning to get married soon, are planning to go to
Disney World for our Honey Moon, and I haven't ever been able to ride on
Mr. Toad, and it would mean so much to me and to him if we could go on
that ride together... It would be a shame if Disney destroyed it..
From: Darlene Hill <darhill@mindspring.com>
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is one of the best rides at WDW! It's a classic. I
have no problem with the folks at Disney opening up a Pooh ride, but I
don't believe for one second that in over 40 square miles of land, the
only place to put it is in place of Toad Hall. I love Toad! He's the
best! Everyone can relate to him, because everyone has been overcome by a
mania at sometime in their life!
From: Jeremy Freher <freher@nbnet.nb.ca>
Put the Pooh Ride somewhere else!!! I went to Disney first when I was 3
And I still like that ride and I will be going again when I will be 8
which is this Christmas. I have a New little brother and I want him to
see the Toad Ride. My sister likes the ride too.
From: Art <artvader@aol.com>
I think what you're doing is great, finally some one is speaking up.
P.S. Rumor has it they want to trash Figment at Epcot, that's alot of
crap. That purple dragon made that park what it is.
From: eriebear1@webtv.net
I really want to save this ride because it is my favorite.
From: Kim Grenemeier <kimi@binary.net>
Hey cool site....and I love that ride!
SAVE the toad!!
From: Tracy Jacobson <jakeinohio@aol.com>
That is one of my all time favorite rides!!
From: Joe <malibublue@earthlink.net>
Having just graduated from law school and living in Los Angeles for 3
years and being an annual passholder to Disneyland as well as visting WDW
yearly, I was shocked to learn of the plan to eliminate Toad at WDW - how
stupid. Eliminating Toad at Disneyland would not be possible. There is so
much room at WDW why dump Toad to make room for "progress." (A law should
be passed to save Mr. Toad, Walt Disney would not be pleased if Toad was
gone!!)
Keep up the great work!!
From: Hans Morgenstern <slocloud@netrox.net>
We want to send some cards to those dudes who want to lay waste to our
most treasured ride at Disney World.
Fight the power! Save the Toad!
[Addition]
I cried when I read you final Toad-In report. I'm just glad I sent in my
post cards to the evil suits of Disney and did my part. Your ending it
with the story on Figment's ride only reinforces the hypocrisy that is the
Disney Empire. Corporations, no matter what disguise they were, have no
heart! At least the book that inspired Mr. Toad's Wild Ride will never
disappear and that's what matters. Corporations may not have hearts, but
they also can't steal them from the real creators of the art they market
and mass produce...
Things could be worse. As long as you feel for Mr. Toad-- that you
express your feeligns the way you do-- that's what matters. You have
heart, and you accomplished so much because of it. Disney only shut down
a ride but you made people feel the value of its loss. You stripped the
'guise off these suits that put up these false fronts, cailming that they
care-- but we know what they really care about, and it has NOTHING to do
with the soul of Mr. Toad. You know more about the soul of Mr. Toad and
his Wild Ride, than any of those suits will ever comprehend. They'll
never be as rich and powerful as you, sir.
From: Pete Mrsich <mrsich_peter@imp-usa.com>
Hey, I just stumbled upon this travesty that Mr. Toad's wild Ride is being
closed down! I hope I'm not too late in trying to save this historic
amusement- after all, it's the only ride I'll go on (besides the Haunted
House) more than once!
From: Peter Roy <peteroy@email.msn.com>
SAVE THE TOADS.... @ WDW for my Honeymoon four weeks ago and made my new
wife, a Pooh fan, ride Mr. Toad...... Now I want to make sure my kids will
get to ride on it someday!
From: Rhett Bunch <rbunch1@bellsouth.net>
I can't believe they are thinking of shutting down that ride. that is the
favorite ride of everyone I know. Disney has been making many mistakes
lately, but this one is just asking for disaster. Who gives a s#*t about
Winnie the Poo anyway.
Some one needs to start a potition.
Thanks for trying to save Mr. Toad. We can't let them destroy him. He is
as much a part of Disney World as Micky Mouse!!!
From: Chelsea S. <leopardcat@aol.com>
Yes, I definitely think that you should try and save Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
at Disney, I recently went there with a friend and her and I hopped aboard
on the cute little carts and began our MRTWRA (Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Adveture)!!! And I personally will do anything within my power to try and
save this ride it was small, and short yet worth while and I enjoyed it as
did my friend. I want for my children to ride it in twenty years when I
take them back to it, it shall bring back wonderous memories and I would
like it preserved as would I'm sure many, many more, so if there is
anything, anything at all that I could ever do to help preserve the ride
then, tell me, and count me in!!!!!! Thank You
From: Brett <address withheld by request>
I noticed that you added some links to a couple save Horizons sites.
Thanks. I love both Toad and Horizons. It is such a shame those Disney
folks can't listen to the fans! Everyone wants Toad and Horizons!!! Keep
up the good work!!!
From: Greg and Raechel Wardlow <grgwardlow@aol.com>
I was at "The Ride" about an hour before the Toad-In on May 31st, and
after waiting about 15-20 minutes in line the unthinkable happened...the
ride broke! The cars would "bump" each other as they came out of the
hades scene to unload and the rubber mat from the front end of the
following car would get stuck in the rear end of the lead car. Literally
within seconds a "lead" was there with a maintenance guy to assess the
problem. Cameron was the lead's name, and he got the situation fixed
before the operator could finish his second "please stay in your car"
message. Great, right? Well, each and every car began doing it...Cameron
informed the crowd that it would take a few minutes to determine how long
the ride would be down. As he was telling us all this a second lead,
Stephanie, arrived and went to work on the problem. We were about twenty
people away from riding, but my wife wanted to catch the parade, so she
and my mother went to stake out a viewing spot. I stayed a few more
minutes and asked Cameron if this meant that The Ride would be getting a
thorough maintenance overhaul, wink wink, but all he said was the standard
spiel about "all Disney property being gone over each evening after park
closing." So I asked if this would effect the afternoon's Toad-In, and he
said "oh, you're one of those guys, we should have it going long before
then." That implied to me that they were expecting you, and that this was
possibly a common problem.
Anyway, I just wanted to report all this to you. We returned and the wait
was down to 10 minutes, so we rode both sides twice with the camcorder -
just in case we don't get back before something terrible happens - and had
a great time. My mother said "that was wonderful! They CAN'T close that
ride!" I second that emotion.
From: jnolan814@aol.com
It is "Toadally" incomprehensable that Mickey would "weasel" his way into
Toad Hall and do away with our wonderful toad. You can not "Badger" his
fans this way. Mickey is a coward and hides like a "Mole!" Are you a
mouse or are you a "Rat?"
From: Maru de la Garza <odelagza@sdm.net.mx>
Hi!!! My name is Maru de la Garza and I am from Monterrey, Mexico. The
last time I visited Walt Disney World, I had to return to the Magic
Kingdom the last day before leaving to visit Mr. Toad's Ride because I had
missed it 2 days before. Mr. Toad's ride is a classic and a tradition
that people of all ages love to visit. I think that a Winnie the Pooh
ride would suit much better in Toon Town. I would like to congratulate
the people who are trying to Save the Toad.
From: Barbara Dotzey <b.dotzey@worldnet.att.net>
The Magic Kingdom makes magic in many ways. First is its warmth in the
memories of the GREAT Disney Classics. The Toad is the one and only
character who has warmth under his craziness. How can the older children
leave him? Too cuddly pooh belongs in Toontown with other Disney
loveables. Thanks for listening. SAVE THE TOAD PLEASE!
From: nurse@carle.com
Please save the toad, it is part of Disney tradition to ride the wild
toad. Amongst those who frequent the world it is a favorite. Put a
Winnie the Pooh ride in Mickey's Toon Town. Thanks from several more fans.
From: imapoohgrl@aol.com
I WANNA SAVE MR. TOAD'S WILD RIDE ALTHOUGH I AM A POOH FANATIC. IT IS A
CLASSIC RIDE THAT THEY CAN'T TEAR DOWN!!
From: Eric Charlton <address withheld by request>
I've noticed your reports on RADP, and I too will miss Mr. Toad. It's one
of a few rides I remember from the first time I remember going to WDW, and
it's one I've always made a point of going on when at the Magic Kingdom
(which regrettably is pretty rare).
Keep up the fight.
From: Lisa D. Allison <ktflisa@juno.com>
We want to save Mr. Toad!!!!! We were just there in May and rode that
ride twice! We were unaware of the rallies or we would have joined
in.
From: saraanncan@aol.com
I love Mr. Toad's Wild Ride and I would love to help save it!! The shirt
is great too.
From: Kimberly LaBold <klabold@home.com>
I am an avid Disney World fan and whenever I get down there Mr. Toad is a
must see. When I heard they were thinking of closing the ride I was upset.
I'm glad to see someone is trying to save one of my favorite Disney rides.
I want this ride to be around in the future so that I can share it with my
daughter when she is old enough to remember it. Keep up the good work.
From: Janet Maloney <jmaloney@dolsun.dol.state.nj.us>
Save the toad ride; it's one of my favorites. Frankly they can do without
Pooh.
From: Jane Johnson <jjohnson@nfinity.com>
Thanks!!!! for all the work on SAVE THE TOAD, the web page and all.
Toad has a special place in my heart. For years I have tried to find some
Toad merchandise at WDW, to no avail. Disney, for some odd reason, has
missed a major marketing opportunity, this is hard to believe! Outside of
other attractions they have a shop with related merchandise (ie., Pirates
of the Carribean, Tower of Terror), and the world sadly lacks when small
children can't cuddle up at night to a stuffed Toad.
Except for Splash Mountain. I hoped to see more "Song of the South" type
merchandise in the store by that ride, and instead find MORE Pooh stuff!
Like I can't find Pooh merchandise crowding half of the Disney stores,
Sears, or anywhere. (sorry for the rant.) And now they want Pooh to crowd
out Toad. Sad.
Thanks again for your devotion to saving Mr. Toad, Moley, Ratty and the
bunch.
From: Lorinda Ballinger <lballinger@aol.com>
I want to let you know that I am so glad someone is doing something about
this.
From: Matthew Mongelli <thomcat1@erols.com>
My friends and I love Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. We believe it is terrible
what they are going to do.
From: Laurie Piestrup <piestrup@2xtreme.net>
I support saving Mr. Toad at WDW. I am from California, and whenever I go
to Disneyland it is one of the first rides I go on. I am already
disappointed in Fantasyland at WDW compared to Disneyland. This is one
ride that keeps Fantasyland enjoyable!!!
From: Mat Adams <mat@tellurian-vr.com>
Thanks for spearheading the movement to save our precious toad. My fiancee
and I have seemingly spent our entire lives at Disney. Everyone in my
family at one time or another has worked at Disney, my uncle was even the
now dreaded Pooh for 3 years at Disneyland. Let's just hope that Disney
remembers the customer and I'm sure the weekly protests show that the
toadies are a serious and influential group.
From: John A. Craft <craft@ncs-ssc.com>
Disney World is NOT about profit for most of us repeat visitors. I live
900 miles from Orlando, and I've managed to visit 9 times since 1975. I
don't go for NEW stuff, although some of it is nice, I go for the old
classics. Pirates, The Mansion, and YES, TOAD. What's next? Close
Pirates for the MULAN save China ride? NO! Yes these things are camp, I
LIKE CAMP, and I drive 900 miles for CAMP. That new Imagineering staff
better realize what we come for, and leave it there. They have enough
property to create a new LAND, stop replacing time tested favorites with
new un-tested ideas. I want my children have the SAME experience I once
had. Thank You, and SAVE THE TOAD.
From: Mr. & Mrs. Asher <brassman@primenet.com>
I would like to help save this ride I love this ride.
I will make sure to tell my friends to check out your web site and help
too.
From: thegoddes1@aol.com
Good luck with saving Mr. Toad, I'm behind you all the way :)
From: Wendy Darling <darlingn@westelcom.com>
I have been thinking. I remember what Disney World was in 1982, and then
in 1991. It was in it's original form. Like Walt would have wanted it.
Well, I thought about it. Eisner is a JERK. I think that Walt would be
spinning in his grave if he knew what Eisner was doing. It's not for the
people's entertainment or even education, it's about MONEY.
For example, they heard Universal was building a park and VOILA! MGM
Studios. Pleasure Island is an attempt to rip off Church Street Station,
ETC. I don't think that is what Walt would have wanted. That all has
everything to do with Mr. Toad closing. IT'S ABOUT MONEY. Not about fond
memories, family fun, or education it's about the commercialism of Walt
Disney's Original plan.
For example, I was VERY disappointed when I walked into a Disney Store and
found nothing but Recent Video release merchandise. Hardly ANY Mickey,
Mr. Toad, Snow White or any of the characters I have fond memories of.
Only Pooh, and Little Mermaid and 101 Dalmatians. Although 101 is one of
my favorite movies, I was hoping for something else.
Thanks for letting me vent. I have been speaking out more lately. Maybe
because they are trying to change the parks. It's just not the same. I
used to be a Disney collector and was SO ENCHANTED by Disney World until I
realized what Eisner is doing. I don't think Walt would approve.
From: Kathy Marcrum <mmarcrum@ix.netcom.com>
I am so glad to know that others feel about Mr. Toad as we do. It is one
of the greatest rides in Disneyland.
That is the one ride in the park I will not miss! I always notice, and
everyone in my group that has to stand in line with me, that it is the
longest line in Fantasyland!!
From: oshkat@aol.com
Mr. Toad has always been one of my favorites. It is the only ride that
makes me laugh. :-)
From: Craig Hoehne <cahaprilar@webtv.net>
"The name is Toad. Mr. Toad."
Damnit all! Toad rules. I ride it at least once every visit and sometimes
twice or more, and of course, I've rode both sides. I also drive on the
right side of the car. Natch!
From: Rob <trailr@tdbank.ca>
My daughter (4 yrs old) just rode the ride for her 1st time, I & my wife
have rode it many times before. I want Disney to preserve the Magic
Kingdom as it is by FAR the best park they have....all others pale in
comparison.
If Toad goes, what next, It's a Small World!? As fas as I know, the Magic
Kingdom is their busiest park overall..why toy with something that work's
well...for 25+ years at that!!! They got lots of real-estate to add new
things such as Pooh and others.
A BIG PART OF DISNEY'S FUTURE SUCCESS IS THE REPEAT BUSINESS IT RECEIVES
AS PARENTS TAKE THEIR CHILDREN TO EXPERIENCE WHAT THEY THEMSELVES DID
EARLIER!!!
I can't say the same for any other Disney park...not even close.
From: Linda <iluv2too@dol.net>
I would hate to see an "under construction" sign where Mr. Toad's Wild
Ride once was. We want to help stop the destruction.
From: Brian <wdwbds@aol.com>
I remember the first time me and my family went to Walt Disney World! My
sister was all of about 9 years old and had a hard time going on a plane
trip for the first time. Well, we finally got her on the plane and we
were off!! Towards the end of the evening we got in line to go onto Mr.
Toad's Wild Ride. Well, my sister had just enough excitement for one day
with the plane and the great feeling of being in Walt Disney World for the
first time. She also doesn't enjoy fast or "wild" rides, so she got just a
little bit nervous about Mr. Toad's "Wild" Ride and wet her pants right
there in line! It was the funniest thing that could have happened (Not for
her of course) but it has provided great and funny memories of our first
trip to Walt's World for the past eight years! Mr. Toad's Wild Ride MUST
be saved!!! It is our landmark at the Magic Kingdom!!! Please, please,
please!!! Save Mr. Toad's Wild Ride!! We love Pooh too, but put his ride
somewhere else in Fantasy Land!!
Save Toad Hall, PLEASE!!!!
From: fenop2@aol.com
Save Toad baby!
From: Stacy Coontz <scoontz@csgcomm.csg.org>
No, not Mr. Toad! I love Pooh and all (I was a Pooh child), but Mr.
Toad has been there all my life! Yikes!
From: Blase Theodore <atheodor@bellsouth.net>
You're one heck of a human being for doing this. Keep up the fight!
From: Erin Bogart <erbogart@aol.com>
My entire family has always loved Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, and we are very
upset to learn that it might be torn down.
From: Robert J. Suphan <mrsuphan@worldnet.att.net>
Mr. Toad had always been a favorite of our children. From their very
first times at the Magic Kingdom, they have enjoyed Mr. Toad, ridden on it
countless times, and always looked forward to it again.
As Annual Pass holders, we visit WDW three or four times a year. Even
though our children are now older, we still go on Mr. Toad a number of
times each visit. I would hate to think that its charm would not be
there in the future for other families.
From: Arnie Pelletier <broadwaystud@webtv.net>
MYSELF, LIKE MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE ENJOYED DISNEY WORLD MANY, MANY TIMES.
EACH TIME WE GO THERE WE LOOK FOR OUR FAVORITE RIDES. IT'S NICE TO CHANGE
THE PARK BY ADDING OTHER ATTRACTIONS BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR LONG
TIME FAVORITE RIDES. PLEASE DO NOT GET RID OF MR TOAD'S WILD RIDE. BRING
POOH ON, BUT GIVE HIM HIS OWN AREA.
From: Amy Vickery <vickery@argonet.co.uk>
Save Toad! (I hate Winnie the Pooh anyway- there's more merchandise on him
than on Mickey!)
From: Mark Bukowski <mjb97@webtv.net>
Toad has been my favorite ride since I first visited the park when I was
around 4. I'm 19 now and Toad is still my fav ride in the park. I think
of the ride as one of the big reasons that I continue to visit the park
and to take the memory of the ride away from myself and all the other fans
out there would be a crime. It would take away a part of my childhood and
would rob today's children from experiencing the ride. If Disney takes
the ride away today's young children and children in the future would
probably never even know what the Wind in the Willows is or recognize the
characters. Is that what Disney wants? To do away with classic stories
just to make way for what is popular today? Isn't Disney all about little
kid's happiness? And this is their way of settling that? Take away a ride
loved by so many and rob those who have never been to Disney the chance to
experience a classic. I know a Pooh ride would go over big but I know
they have other room for it. So Disney, don't make hypocrites out of
yourselves because if you follow through with this, it will be proven that
Disney is now all about money and nothing else, most of us already know
that but are hoping maybe its not true, I don't want to lose respect in
Disney, so keep the ride and find a new place for Pooh and make everyone
happy at the same time!
From: Glenn D. Miller <gkmsvcs@ix.netcom.com>
Losing Mr. Toad's Wild Ride would be a real shame.
From: Kirk Kettles <kirk.k@virgin.net>
All the Best with the Campaign From The People of Scotland.
I will be going to Disney in August this Year so hopefully I can join The
weekly protest one Sunday if they are still ongoing.
Keep The Faith,
We will fight like Warrior Poets
We will fight like Toads.
From: Bob LaFontaine <iswim@agate.net>
I hope Mr. Toad's ride survives.
From: Gigi Michaels <wmcc@cdsnet.net>
Save the Toad! I remember the first time I rode on Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
and make it an absolute must for every visit.
From: Jeffrey Lurie <jlurie1@aol.com>
Cool website and loved the airplane message over the Kingdom today.
From: A Celebration Resident <name withheld by request>
Awesome Website...Alot of fun to surf!
You make a good point about "the emotional attachment" comment...If the
Disney Company were to lose that emotional attachment then they would lose
more than a significant amount of business. Most people in the United
States have been to Disney once..without the emotional attachment there is
no reason to return. I believe that Mr. Toad's Wild Ride contributes to
that emotional attachment. I, like many others quoted, remember riding
the attraction back on my first visit and the fact that I return to it on
every subsequent visit. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride attracts all age groups
bringing out the child in each of us. The ride has become an integral
part of the Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland. To remove it would severly
damage the integrity of this original land in the original theme park at
Disney World. Simply put "IT IS A CLASSIC" I, like many others, propose
the building of a new site for the Pooh ride. - SAVE the TOAD!
From: Melissa Sumby <castor311@aol.com>
Toad rules!
From: trumpy13@aol.com
I think the Toad ride is a fun ride it should stay.
I think kids who do not get to see it will miss out on a good ride.
From: Amanda Baler <abaler@gte.net>
I couldn't believe it was true when I got to your site- Mr. Toad's Wild
Ride has been one of my favorite rides since I was a kid!!!
From: Jean Gibbons <jean@ncal.verio.com>
Excellent job on the Save Toad crusade! I wish the net had been around
when they closed "If You Had Wings."
From: Cheryl Rohe <crohe1@gl.umbc.edu>
Don't tear down this Disney classic!!! It gives Pooh people like myself a
bad name!! The classic Disney World rides are the greatest! They are
what made Disney World in the beginning and should be historical
landmarks! Save Toad!!!
From: Peter Stepniewicz <fudgie@writeme.com>
I just visited your websites, and I really admire the effort you are
putting out for the cause.
HAIL TOAD!
From: Jeff McDowell <send2jeff@usa.net>
My kids and I really love the ride and hope our feedback will help keep it
running. We also ride it when we visit Disneyland in California.
From: John Hurley <hntdhse@pacbell.net>
Everyone in my office is shocked and terrified of the behaivor of the "new
breed" of disney suits.
My friends and I went to Disneyland today wearing green armbands mourning
Mr. Toad, and amazingly every cast member that noticed them, knew exactly
what they meant!!!
So did some savvy park guests one of which was wearing his own save Mr.
Toad button!!
Thank you for doing your best to keep Toad open, I must say you succeeded
in showing the world that Disney lies just like any other bloodsucking big
business. Which stinks. I hope Disney won't get away with murder
again.
Today I feel like I did when I found out Santa wasn't real.
From: Anne Marie Paladino <brooklynap@aol.com>
Mr. Toad was my son's favorite ride when we first took him to WDW in 1986.
He is 14 now and STILL loves it. So does my 11 year old daughter.
Thanks.
From: Peter T. and Rebecca M. <pete73@mindspring.com>
My fiance and I live very close to Disney and have annual passes (meaning
we almost live there). We had no idea that Mr. Toad was in danger of
toadicide! Its probably our favourite ride in the Disney universe.
(Actually she's still asleep and doesn't know...why disturb her last
night of worry free sleep). We would both be proud and honored to go to a
"Toad In" and wear our bright green shirts.
Thank you for all you efforts.
From: Arelis <leosage@aol.com>
I want to help save Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.
From: Bran <scatha@flash.net>
Toad was always my favorite ride at WDW.
From: The Stone Family <rm401@bellsouth.net>
Every time my family and I go up to Disney we always go on Mr. Toad's Wild
Ride. It is one of our favorite rides in Disney! All 5 of us would be very
sad and hurt if you took away Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. I sincerely hope that
you do not close this ride and replace it with a newer one. If you take
away Mr. Toad's Wild Ride less people might come. Thousands of people love
it so please don't take it away from us!
From: Heather Buchieri <suzanne.rizer@gte.net>
I want to help save Toad!!
From: Scott Solomon <scootss@aol.com>
Went on it again this year and its still great! Disney should definitely
keep this ride! Pooh can go somewhere else....Maybe Animal Kingdom, I'm
sure Eisner knows they don't have any attractions there....
From: Steve Asaro <sasaro@hotmail.com>
Save Mr. Toad!!!
I fully support an attraction including Pooh and friends and another for
the Little Mermaid. But don't sacrifice Mr. Toad. I am a stockholder of
the Disney Company and have visited WDW over 50 times, Disneyland twice,
and Tokyo Disneyland 4 times. Tokyo doesn't have Mr. Toad and it's not the
same. It's the best thrill ride in Fantasyland for kids and adults alike.
I enjoyed it when I was 5 and still enjoy it over 20 years later.
Every Disney fan who has been to Tokyo Disneyland shares in the sorrow
when they visit the Mickey Mouse Review (formerly at WDW). Don't let us
feel this same sorrow for Mr. Toad! Put Pooh and friends elsewhere.
From: Traci Carlson <trasuley@pacbell.net>
I REALLY REALLY ENJOY RIDING THE WACKY RIDE WITH MY SISTER AND AM TOTALLY
BUMMED ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY WANT TO SHUT IT DOWN. WHAT'S THE NEXT RIDE
THEY ARE GOING TO SHUT DOWN? THE TEA CUPS? WHAT?
WHO DOES POOH THINK HE IS, THE TOAD MAN RULES, I LOVE THE RIDE, AND THE
BOOKS. IF DISNEY KILLS TOADMAN THEY KILL THE JOY AT THE PARK. A LIFE
WITH OUT MTWR IS LIKE A LIFE WITHOUT CHOCOLATE: UNBEARABLE, ALL YOU'D
HAVE WOULD BE CRANKBUTS THROUGHOUT D'WORLD. THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS
SITE AND ALL YOUR 411.
HEY HERE'S AN IDEA, GET RID OF IT'S A SMALL WORD RIDE. MILLIONS OF PEOPLE
WOULD LOVE DISNEY (ESPECIALLY OLDER SIBLINGS).
Now with more than 1150
submissions from Toad fans all over the world.
(Comments are not in chronological order. Not
even close.)
(Click here to read the first 500 Electronic Toad
Hall entries.)
(Click here to read the second 500 Electronic
Toad Hall entries.)
(Click here to read the most recent Electronic
Toad Hall entries.)
We are no longer accepting new comments.
Thanks to everyone who participated.
The views and opinions expressed on this page are strictly those of the
author. The contents and links have not been reviewed or approved by the
University of Miami.
