Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in Hell, plus the saucy jokes you can make about it

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At dinner one night in NY, someone mentioned going to a club called Toad's something or other in Richmond, VA. I asked if there were a wild ride there. He said no, then I asked if HE were the wild ride. 'Cuz I'm funny like that. Obviously I was thinking of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride at Disneyland. I learned later not everyone has heard of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride; turns out it closed in the 90's. I had no idea! I remember this ride scared me when I was younger, but couldn't put my finger on it. Well, Wikipedia offers one description that might hold a clue:

The cars then enter what is presumed to be dark prison cells before abruptly turning right and landing on railroad tracks. The vehicles bounce up and down on the tracks before colliding head-on with an oncoming train, whereafter they are sent to one of the ride's most famous scenes — the ending scene in "Hell." Created specifically for the ride by Disney Imagineers and not inspired by any scene in the movie or book, "Hell" features small devils who bounce up and down while a devilish Judge-looking Satan (who looks just like the prosecutor that previously appeared in the courtroom) points them to the left. The entire room is heated and all the little devils including Satan just laugh and mock you.

A ride that takes little kids into hell?? And not even as part of the book or movie, just something they dreamed up when making the ride??

Two things I love:

1. Referencing obscure, obsolete Disneyland rides when making lascivious comments. Come on, how often can you do that?

2. The thought of some exec at Disneyland signing off on a "fun" ride that, for no apparent reason, sends kids to hell. Gotta keep 'em on their toes somehow!

Here's a Disney memorial website (!) with pictures and brief description of the ride.

Photo from Boing Boing

Comments

Wayfaring Wanderer said…
Crazy.....I don't know if I just don't remember or if I missed that one....I was a wimpy kid, I couldn't go into the haunted house - AT ALL.....although I liked the roller coaster type rides?!?!

FYI- I put up a post with a link to vote for the 2 photos I have in the competition if you have time.....
Monday, March 10, 2008
Rebecca Foster said…
I'm a wimp too, hence it scared me. I guess most kids didn't care? Now it's a Winnie the Pooh ride. WIMPS.

Of course I have time, no problem, glad to do it. Good luck!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Anonymous said…
I LOVED that ride! I was so sad when I went to Disneyworld in 2001 and it was the Pooh ride!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Rebecca Foster said…
Princess: I am so glad you remember it. I thought I was the only one! Pooh, wow, kids today are going to be so wussy. Somehow I don't think they go to hell on the Pooh ride.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
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