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Did Disney World's Mr. Toad steal design elements from another popular Disney attraction?
On this episode of Distory with Kate & Kirk, we head back to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom to motor our way through Track A of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. But we don't get very far on this madcap adventure, since there are so many details to see in Toad's abode. We start by exploring some of the 3D sculptures and the meaning behind the portraiture in the grand hall before crashing our way into the trophy room. As we wind our way around this unique scene, we find some petticoat duelists, a prop unique to Rolly Crump, and a few animals we've seen before. We wind down this episode in the kitchen, discussing the deeper meaning of the staging of the room and learning a little bit about animation history inspired by a tipsy maid before we screech to a halt and save more of Track A for next week.
Join us LIVE on YouTube every Thursday at 10:30am Pacific/1:30pm Eastern for more Distory!
Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
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Kate's books on Amazon
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Mr. Toad moved to Florida for the opening of Walt Disney World... but he was never meant to be there.
In this episode of Distory, we hop on over to the Magic Kingdom and explore the history behind why Mr. Toad became part of (yet another) Fantasyland. Along the way, we discuss Rolly Crump (the lead Imagineer of this version) and hear his take on the design of the Magic Kingdom and life in general so that we can more fully understand his work within this iconic attraction. After a thorough look around the exterior and queue, including comparing it to the Disneyland versions both past and present, we find some long-lost WED documents, analyze some changing motorcar designs, and debate the design choices of the character flats on either side of the two tracks. We finally come to a screeching halt just before entering Toad Hall to allow plenty of time in future episodes to dig into every detail we can find that made this classic ride so delightfully weird and wonderful.
Join us LIVE on YouTube every Thursday at 10:30am Pacific/1:30pm Eastern for more Distory!
Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Distory T-shirts and Stickers
Kate’s Substack
Kate's books on Amazon
WalrusCarp T-shirts & Merch
MOWD app
Why does Mr. Toad end up in a very hot place at the end of his ride when he doesn't go there in the book or the movie?
In this episode of Distory, we wrap up the Disneyland part of our Mr. Toad's Wild Ride series exploring the history & Imagineering that created this classic Disney attraction. Along the way, we explore secrets in dark prison corners, find a connection to a few famous dark rides, meet a shirtless Disney director who defined an iconic character, and figure out why people are misremembering the 1955 version's train tunnel scene. Kirk finds a (possible) origin for the wiggly cow devils, Kate explains why there is a giant green dragon, and we escape our own fate in the hot place by debunking a popular rumor and explaining exactly why Imagineering chose to have the charming Mr. Toad end up in Hell.
Join us LIVE on YouTube every Thursday at 10:30am Pacific/1:30pm Eastern for more Distory!
Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Distory T-shirts and Stickers
Kate’s Substack
Kate's books on Amazon
WalrusCarp T-shirts & Merch
MOWD app
What subtle signs of judgment are often overlooked in Mr. Toad's London Square scene?
In this episode of Distory, we hop back in our motorcar to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride in Disneyland for a deep dive into the history and symbolism found in the London Square and Law Court scenes. Along the way, we hear some often-missed audio, discuss the origins of Lady Justice, and notice some signs that are telling a greater story than most guests realize. As we take a spin around the symbolic fountain, we spy some interesting characters in the window, disturb some angry workers, and hear an obscure Mary Poppins chimney sweep story. Kate sings a few songs, Kirk shares some disgusting and disturbing pie stories, and we end up "Guilty" with a barrister-turned-judge (and some foreshadowing most people miss in the Law Court).
Join us LIVE on YouTube every Thursday at 10:30am Pacific/1:30pm Eastern for more Distory!
Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Distory T-shirts and Stickers
Kate’s Substack
Kate's books on Amazon
WalrusCarp T-shirts & Merch
MOWD app
These three things do NOT belong inside Winky's Pub (but we kinda get why they're there.)
On this episode of Distory, we pause on our journey to nowhere in particular in Mr. Toad's Wild Ride to have a pint in the pub with Mr. Winky (or is it Winkie...or Winkey?). Before we drive right in and pull up to the bar, we discover Winky's full name (and what it means in context of English history). Kate discovers a disgusting and frightening reference just outside the pub, and Kirk gets frustrated by something that shouldn't exist once we roll on inside. We consult an expert to give us the history of hunting horns, Kate crams in a few (slightly related?) Disney history stories here and there, and Kirk's beer cicerone knowledge and BJCP Beer Judge certification get put to the test as we discuss the fascinating history of barrels, fermentation, and firkins. As we bid adieu to Mr. Winky, Kate shares one last story about can-can girls, their knees, and what Alice Davis said to Walt Disney to cover her tracks.
Join us LIVE on YouTube every Thursday at 10:30am Pacific/1:30pm Eastern for more Distory!
Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Distory T-shirts and Stickers
Kate’s Substack
Kate's books on Amazon
WalrusCarp T-shirts & Merch
MOWD app
There are a few things everyone seems to believe about the layout of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride--but none of them are true.
On this episode of Distory, we're merrily on our way to nowhere in particular
to understand the English countryside in Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride in a greater historical context. After we encounter a few bobbies (and discuss their manners and wardrobe), we dig deep into the context of Wind in the Willows and how it inspired the art we see for Ratty's House. As we fly around the corner toward the farmer and his sheep, Kate gets on her soapbox and debunks one of the biggest lies ever told about Mr. Toad. Kirk shares some portside foreshadowing, Kate explains why the Tower Bridge is included in this attraction, Kirk sings some AC/DC, and Kate gets nerdy with typography as this episode goes out with a bang.
Join us LIVE on YouTube most Thursdays at 10:30am Pacific/1:30pm Eastern for more Distory!
Kate’s Youtube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Distory T-shirts and Stickers
Kate’s Substack
Kate's books on Amazon
WalrusCarp T-shirts & Merch
MOWD app
Even if you’ve been on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride a thousand times, we guarantee you’ve missed at least one of these details.
In this episode of Distory, we slow down our motorcar to a snail’s pace to analyze all of the elements inside Toad Hall in Disneyland’s Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. After looking over the toadally fun bookshelf puns, we speed away into the attraction, pausing to look at the decorations, portraits, clocks, decor, art, and architecture that are telling more of a story than you might realize. Kirk takes us on a journey through medieval heraldry and armor, Kate points out a hidden Mickey and discusses a failed fireplace effect (and its replacement) and eventually , we roll to a stop in the dining room with a surprisingly dapper Moley and a nod to the old 1955 version of this attraction.
Join us LIVE on YouTube most Thursdays at 10:30am Pacific/1:30pm Eastern for more Distory!
Kate’s YouTube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Distory T-shirts and Stickers
Kate's books on Amazon
Kate’s Substack
WalrusCarp T-shirts & Merch
MOWD app
What do priest holes, artichokes, and old grape vines have to do with the current version of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride?
On this episode of Distory, we drive along down the road to the 1983 remodel of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride in Disneyland. Along the way, we take a detour to Storybookland Canal Boats, learn about the design influences of Toad Hall, and discover some details that many people miss in the newly designed facade. Kate takes us down some bizarre rabbit trails to talk about Tudor architecture, anodized aluminum chains, Tony Baxter’s house, and the history of turnstiles, and Kirk shares some untold stories about the history of New Fantasyland before we roll to a stop just past the Toad statue (that looks a little different than it used to).
Join us LIVE on YouTube most Thursdays at 10:30am Pacific/1:30pm Eastern for more Distory!
Kate’s YouTube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Distory T-shirts and Stickers
Kate’s Substack
Kate's books on Amazon
WalrusCarp T-shirts & Merch
MOWD app
With teetering tea trays, lazy signalmen, and dangerous rogue props, the first version of Disney's Mr. Toad was a wild ride, indeed.
In this episode of Distory, we continue merrily on our way to somewhere in particular, and that would be 1955 to take a ride on Disney’s original version of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. As we hop in a hot rod and speed our way through Toad Hall, we discover through some rare photos of this attraction that some scenes are similar to what we have today… and some are drastically different. Using old concept art from Bruce Bushman as a guide to our mania, we go down bumpy streets, break through walls, and discover a few quirky characters along the way. Kate talks about lamps and lanterns, Kirk discusses the importance of using all the senses in dark rides, and we both find ourselves in a very hot place in the end (and explain exactly why this bizarre ending is in a family-friendly attraction).
Join us LIVE on YouTube most Thursdays at 10:30am Pacific/1:30pm Eastern for more Distory!
Kate’s YouTube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Distory T-shirts and Stickers
Kate's books on Amazon
WalrusCarp T-shirts & Merch
Mr. Toad’s ending wasn’t always as shocking as the one we know today.
In this episode of Distory, we continue merrily on our way through this series featuring Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. We start off by highlighting Mr. Toad’s first pre-opening appearance in a 1954 Disneyland prospectus, before exploring a rare early Bruce Bushman “Motor Mania” concept that heavily influenced the original Mr. Toad. Kirk sings some Toad-themed AC/DC to describe the track mechanism, we both marvel at the scrappiness of Arrow development, and Kate talks about some (critical) things that didn’t go well when it came to installation and opening day.
Join us LIVE on YouTube most Thursdays at 10:30am Pacific/1:30pm Eastern for more Distory!
Kate’s YouTube: @disneycicerone
You can also find us on Instagram, Facebook, and at disneycicerone.com & walruscarp.com
View full video versions of each episode at Disney Cicerone's YouTube channel HERE OR on the Spotify version of our podcast.
Distory T-shirts and Stickers
Kate's books on Amazon
WalrusCarp T-shirts & Merch
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