When you think of Disneyland in the 1980s, you might picture Main Street, the fireworks, or the latest parade. But for teenagers like me, there was something brand new that felt completely different from anything else in the park: Videopolis.

Videopolis was Disneyland’s answer to the MTV generation — a neon-colored dance club tucked into Fantasyland with loud music, video screens, and a massive dance floor. It was the place to be if you were a teen in Southern California, and it felt like Disney was stepping into our world for the first time.

It wasn’t just a dance floor, either. Live concerts by rising stars like Debbie Gibson and Janet Jackson filled the stage, along with other popular acts of the decade. For teens, it felt like a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see music idols right inside Disneyland.

For my family, though, Videopolis wasn’t just another spot in the park. My cousin Cindy worked at Disneyland from 1986 through 1990, right during the Totally Minnie era. She was a drummer in the Totally Minnie parade — not just marching along, but really performing. I still love thinking about her keeping the beat while Minnie Mouse stepped into her own spotlight as a pop icon. That parade and the Videopolis energy were completely tied together, giving Disneyland a fresh, youthful vibe that matched the times.

Two Generations, One Space
What makes me smile now is how the same corner of Fantasyland created magical experiences for two different generations in my family.

For us as teenagers in the 1980s, Videopolis was about music, movement, and feeling like Disney understood our world — and even bringing in the pop stars we idolized.

For my daughter in the 1990s, that same venue became a storybook stage, where fairy tales unfolded in front of her eyes.

That’s the wonder of Disneyland nostalgia — even when attractions change, the magic remains. Videopolis may have disappeared, but its transformation into the Fantasyland Theater gave my family another lasting memory. From my cousin’s drumbeats in the Totally Minnie parade, to Debbie Gibson singing live, to my daughter’s wide-eyed joy at Beauty and the Beast, that little corner of Disneyland has held decades of our stories.

Here’s a corner of Fantasyland that never called to me as a child.

While I spun in elephants, floated through Neverland skies, and braved the Wicked Queen’s forest, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was simply… there. A funny little façade tucked beside the Mad Hatter shop, more curious than compelling. I wasn’t drawn to it like I was to Snow White, Dumbo, or Peter Pan. I don’t recall waiting in line with my parents or rushing to board a motorcar. My earliest memories simply skipped Toad Hall.

But something changed.

In recent years — maybe with age, or maybe with intention — I’ve grown to love the charm of this delightfully unhinged attraction. I admire its unapologetic absurdity, its bold storytelling, and the way it refuses to slow down, even for a moment.

💚 Discovering Mr. Toad Again
The last time I visited Disneyland, I hopped into a motorcar with my brother I used the Disney app to capture a ridiculous video short of me mid-ride. (It’s posted [here] if you'd like a laugh!)

Though I don’t have vintage snapshots inside the vehicle or with my parents at this attraction, I do have that video. And laughter. And that counts for something special. I’ve come to see Mr. Toad not as an old ride I missed — but as a newfound favorite I finally met.

📰 The Tabloid of Toad Hall
There’s something delightful about the ride’s premise:
A wealthy amphibian playboy, obsessed with speed, goes joyriding in a stolen car and lands himself in court... and eventually in hell.
It’s so absurd, it becomes genius.

Mr. Toad was there opening day Juy 17,1955. One of my favorite visuals tied to this story is a fictional newspaper headline that reads:
“TOAD ARRESTED”
“Speed Mania” Lands Wealthy Playboy in Toils of the Law”

🐇 Up Next: The Hall Above Wonderland
What many guests don’t realize is that Toad Hall is perched directly above Alice in Wonderland — the two attractions share a building and a bit of quiet Fantasyland magic. While Mr. Toad barrels into mayhem, Alice descends into a dream.
And that — the madcap upstairs/downstairs pairing — deserves its own moment.

So in Part 2, I’ll take you through my lifelong connection to Alice in Wonderland, my favorite spots in the queue, and why I believe these two rides — wild and whimsical — belong side-by-side.

🎩 A Toad Worth Honoring
No childhood memory? That’s okay.
Some characters you grow up with. Others you grow into.
Mr. Toad is the kind of friend you don’t realize you need until he swerves into your lane — monocle askew, arms wide open, ready to take the wheel… and then crash it.

Happy 70th, Toad. You’re one of a kind.

Tucked away in a quaint corner of Fantasyland, this fairytale eatery straight out of the enchanted countryside in Beauty and the Beast offers casual French cuisine. Serving  breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can enjoy magnifique quick-service meals that transport you to Belle’s provincial village.

Tame your inner beast with a juicy burger served with a side of potato bites or mandarin oranges or indulge in an artisanal pepperoni flatbread. Then, toast your good fortune with specialty beverages to match the season.

Veggie lovers looking for a healthy alternative can dig into the Salade du Jardin, Petales de Pepperoni Flatbread or the Candelabra's Flaming Burger. And little ones can quell rumbling tummies with a kid-friendly burger or chicken tenders.

Typically open 8:30 AM to 12:00 AM (or at park closing).
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Try THE GREY STUFF - it's delicious!

Grey Stuff Gâteau $6.29
Cookies and Cream Mousse and Red Velvet Cake with a Raspberry Center.

When we dined, they had the green stuff for St. Patricks. Green whipped frosting, mint chocolate cake.

Adjacent to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is the Enchanted Chamber located inside Fantasyland. A collection of gowns, tiaras and sashes fit for a princess as well as prince costumes can be purchased.