Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is a beloved dark ride located in Fantasyland at Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California. Based on Disney’s adaptation of The Wind in the Willows segment from the 1949 animated film The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, this attraction has been thrilling guests since opening day in 1955. With its chaotic twists and turns, endearingly odd theme, and classic Disney charm, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride stands the test of time as one of Fantasyland’s most iconic attractions.
Ride Details
Average Wait Times: Wait times for Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride can vary throughout the day and are influenced by factors such as the season, day of the week, and time of day. On average, visitors can expect to wait between 20 to 45 minutes during peak times.
Height Requirements: One of the charming aspects of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is its inclusivity. There is no height requirement, making it suitable for guests of all ages, including young children and families.
Single Rider: There is no single rider for this attraction.
Ride Duration: The ride lasts approximately three minutes, making it a brief yet thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Genie+ and Lightning Lane: Genie+ and Lightning Lane are currently not available for this attraction.
Rider Switch: Is available. This feature allows one adult to wait with the non-riding child while the rest of the party experiences the ride. After the first group has finished, the waiting adult and up to two additional guests can use the Rider Switch pass to skip the regular line.
Disability Access Services (DAS): The Disability Access Service (DAS) is available for individuals whose disabilities prevent them from waiting in a standard queue. Guests can request DAS at Guest Relations, allowing them to enjoy other areas of the park while awaiting their turn to experience Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.
Best Time to Ride: Early entry on Magic Morning or Extra Magic Hour days when Fantasyland is open for hotel guests and certain ticket holders. Lines are walk-on to 5 minutes early in the morning. Right at park open on regular days. Head there first before crowds build to ride in under 15 minutes. At the end of the night in the hour before park close when most guests have left Fantasyland. Lines are usually 15 minutes or under.
Ride Experience
The ride experience begins even before boarding, as guests wind through the queue located inside the fanciful facade modeled after Toad Hall. The line snakes through a cozy library, complete with books, candles, and a fireplace. Details like framed documents and wanted posters featuring Mr. Toad immerse you in the story even before the ride begins. Once seated in your two-person motorcar, you’re off on a wild and unpredictable ride.
The ride vehicles seem to have a mind of their own as they careen through various scenes, conveying the reckless, erratic nature of Mr. Toad himself. Along the journey, you’ll encounter characters like Ratty, Moley, MacBadger, and Winky as Toad gets into all sorts of mischief and misadventures. The ride remains faithful to the original story, bringing key scenes to life such as Toad’s disruption of a quiet English village, his theft of a Romani cart, and his reckless motorcar driving that ultimately lands him in court.
The attraction builds up speed as it nears the climax in the courthouse, ending with a dramatic crash into an oncoming train that sends riders to “heck” in a blaze of fire and explosions. Throughout the 2-minute adventure, riders are treated to detailed sets and audio-animatronic figures that lend an added dose of Disney magic. The ride feels refreshingly low-tech, retaining much of its original 1955 charm. It’s this quirky, oddball personality that makes Mr. Toad so endearing to longtime fans.
History and Design
Walt Disney first acquired the rights to The Wind in the Willows in 1949 as one of the segments in The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad film. When designing attractions for his new Disneyland Park, Walt chose to expand the Mr. Toad segment into a ride. He assigned Imagineer Ken Anderson to lead the project. The resulting attraction features a charming English Tudor-style facade modeled after Toad Hall from the film.
Just beyond the entrance, the queue takes guests through a cozy library scene straight out of the movie. Inside, the ride itself utilizes a vintage fleet of multi-colored motorcars that seat two riders each. The ride path and scenery were laid out to match the linear story structure of the film’s narrative. Throughout the experience, guests see audio-animatronic figures and elaborately detailed sets that bring the various scenes to life:
- The English village scene features Romani caravans, buildings, and townsfolk going about their business when Mr. Toad zips through and causes chaos in his motorcar.
- In the countryside, riders pass by Ratty and Moley’s riverbank home.
- The interior of Winky’s Pub provides a colorful glimpse into London’s nightlife.
- The streets of London depict shop fronts and double-decker buses as Toad recklessly drives by.
- Inside the courthouse, the judge, prosecutor, and witnesses are all represented by audio-animatronic figures.
- The climactic train crash sequence is achieved through lighting effects and physical scenery.
- The final hell scene is filled with fire and explosions as the ride comes to an abrupt end.
While some updates have been made over the years, including a full renovation in 1983, the ride’s original track layout and vintage charm remain intact. It stands as one of the few attractions that has operated continuously since Disneyland’s opening day.
Conclusion
For over 65 years, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride has been delighting Disneyland guests with its unique charm and story. It stands out among Fantasyland’s dark rides for taking riders along on a first-person reckless adventure, culminating in one of Disney’s most infamous ride endings. Fans of the movie, Disney history buffs, and theme park enthusiasts shouldn’t miss this classic attraction on their next visit. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride earns its reputation as one of Disneyland’s most beloved and iconic rides.
Location
Nearby Attractions
- King Arthur Carrousel
- Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Casey Jr. Circus Train
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