Originally Posted By Goofyernmost >>>Good question. It remains quite popular in DL, and is still mourned by longtime Magic Kingdom fans. I think replacing it in FL was the hope that Pooh would be a more "synergistic" addition (i.e., sell more Pooh merch), not because the ride itself was unpopular.<<< I agree that they probably thought that Pooh would be a more marketable commodity, but I doubt they would have closed down an attraction that had sufficient numbers to be looked at as non-expendable. I, for one, am one that has never even mildly sighed over the loss of Toad. To me, from the get go, was nothing more than a carnival fun house found at any roadside attraction. Nothing that, even from my first visit in 1983, I felt was worthy of a Disney dark ride. Off the shelf ride in my humble opinion. I guess we will just have to disagree on this one.
Originally Posted By Daannzzz I'm not so sure DCA's"Monsters Inc." ride can be enjoyed, or understood, without having seen the movie. I'd like to ride it sometime with a person who hasn't seen the movie. I think they'd find it pretty bewildering.""" The first time i Rode this I had not seen the movie. It was odd in that I wondered about some of it, in particular why the hell a Disney ride took place inside the men's room!!! But it was still fun and the ending was exciting with all the door even though I did not know what it meant.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt >>>Like the best Disney rides, Mr. Toad works (or worked, in WDW's case) because it didn't come with any prerequisites for fully enjoying it.<<< "You may be completely correct in that statement but it begs the question...If Mr. Toad worked why isn't it still there? Obviously it didn't work well enough." Note that Pooh replaced The Country Bears out here while it still remains in Florida, so we can probably assume that the popularity or lack thereof can sometimes be a regional thing.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>"You may be completely correct in that statement but it begs the question...If Mr. Toad worked why isn't it still there? Obviously it didn't work well enough.<<< It worked fine. Greed breaks things.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost True, but it only breaks things that they think they can get away with and whatever one that was would have the least popularity of the choices. And they had plenty of choices.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Of all the things that people get hung up on the removal of Mr Toad in WDW is probably the most surprising to me.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost >>>Note that Pooh replaced The Country Bears out here while it still remains in Florida, so we can probably assume that the popularity or lack thereof can sometimes be a regional thing.<<< That's very true. I have only been to DL once and I was immediately struck by how different the culture was there. It was almost cult like in my view. I noticed it most in the Tiki Room, but it was everywhere and quite obvious. DL is a repeat park. It has tons of locals that go again and again and again, several times a year or month or week. Nothing like WDW. WDW is more of a vacation destination and the motivation of guests is completely different. They are not as much into nostalgia, they don't enter a world of history and the mystique that Walt Disney, himself, actually tread on that same ground, massaged it and made it into what we have all come to find a rite of passage. The image that stuck with me the most was in the Tiki Room. Rows of people, linked arm in arm, swaying back in forth loudly singing "like the birdies sing" was at first endearing and then seemed a little freaky to me. I don't think I have ever witnessed anything close to that at WDW with the exception of one visit to Country Bears. That was annoying, however, because everyone was stomping their feet, clapping their hands and singing along to a degree that those that hadn't ever seen the show really couldn't hear the words of the songs or the dialog. I guess that they were having fun and that, after all, is the purpose of a Disney park. >>>Of all the things that people get hung up on the removal of Mr Toad in WDW is probably the most surprising to me.<<< I have to say...me too!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I really enjoyed Toad. I didn't slit my wrists or anything when it closed, but I was sorry to see it go. It had great sight gags and a sense of humor not found in the other WDW dark rides. I also liked how the doors opened and closed behind you as you entered the various areas, so your car was the only in the area... it was almost like YOU were the only one on the ride! Also like so many other things in the Disney parks, much of my affection for the ride was based on memories. The first time I took my kids to WDW my son was 14 and my daughter was 7. My son was at that age where he was WAY TOO COOL to enjoy anything at the MK. He went through the entire day acting bored and miserable... except at Toad. For whatever reason he really enjoyed Toad and it gave me a nice memory of the attraction.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Rows of people, linked arm in arm, swaying back in forth loudly singing "like the birdies sing" was at first endearing and then seemed a little freaky to me." I live out here, but don't get to DL very often. I find this sort of thing very bizarre. I remember meeting a woman waiting for the Electrical Parade years ago before the resort expansion and we started chatting it up. Somewhere along the way, she explained that she and her boyfriend were lifelong DL fans who had never been to WDW, and I asked her why. Her response was that she was “afraid” that she might like the place better than DL. That just made no sense to me. Later, during the parade, I looked over at her and she was sobbing like a little child. I thought it was sweet that she was so moved by the show, but kind of creeped out by it at the same time.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I think you were right to be creeped out. I can see getting a little misty eyed while watching the fireworks or WOC or something, maybe a little tear or two trickling down your cheek, but sobbing during the Electrical Parade? And telling a total stranger you're afraid you'd like something more than DL, so you're purposely staying away from it? Creepy.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Especially when there is little chance of that since the MK is not as good as DL. Fwiw, I have been known to have a tear or two at a Disney park, often as family memories come back to me or like when my son fought darth vader and darth maul and was super excited about it.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Being a major sap, I frequently get a little teary at WDW. Illuminations, American Adventure, Impressions de France, Hall of Presidents, when first entering "hallowed ground" and seeing the "Walt Disney World" arch over the roadway, etc. Can't say I've ever even come close to sobbing though...
Originally Posted By dshyates The closest I have come to sobbing is after sitting through a performance of Stitch's Supersonic Celebration.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>I can see getting a little misty eyed while watching the fireworks or WOC or something, maybe a little tear or two trickling down your cheek, but sobbing during the Electrical Parade? <<< Yeah, same here. It's a "moment". You've arrived. It's worth a bit of emotion, but not a whole blown breakdown.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I agree that it's a moment, the first time you see it. But if this lady has seen it over and over, which I suspect she has, then it gets a little creepy. I am, obviously, dead inside. I think parades are fun and interesting, but I cannot think of a single thing about them that would pull up emotion on that scale. Just can't!
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer I wouldn't call you "dead"... just on a different frequency. LOL.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer (Not a bad thing, or intended to be a insult... I think we are all on different frequencies)
Originally Posted By danyoung On my last Tiki visit in DL a couple months ago, I was sitting in the back row with a mom who was just freaking out about the whole show. At first it was a little bit charming as she sang along with the theme. But when she continued to sing along with the whole show, and sporadically raising her hands and exclaiming "OH THIS IS SO WONDERFUL!!", yeah, it got creepy real quick Everyone was nervously glancing at her - even her own family was kinda leaning away as if to say "she's not one of us!"
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Especially when there is little chance of that since the MK is not as good as DL." Yes, but WDW is much larger, has four theme parks, water parks etc. I think she was a bit intimidated by it all. Keep in mind that this was way back when WDW was Eisner's playground and the place was THE ultimate Disney experience.
