Lately, my attraction blogs have been lengthy affairs about “E” ticket rides. These have been two-part articles that explore the history and details of some of our favorite attractions at Disney World.
Today’s blog will be no different, except there isn’t nearly as much to talk about when discussing Dumbo. You see, the beauty of this ride is in its simplicity. If you’re young, you really believe you’re flying with your elephant-friend above the clouds. And if you’re an adult, a smile will find its way to your face and your inner child will escape for a few moments. And there probably isn’t anything grander at the Magic Kingdom than taking your child on their very first Dumbo ride and watching their excitement.
I know I usually start these history lessons at Disneyland. And I will get there eventually. But before I do, we must travel back to 1940 and take a look at the movie Fantasia. You see, as much as we think of this film as a classic today, it wasn’t all that well received during its first release. The critics gave it mixed reviews and audiences were looking for another Snow White and Pinocchio. Fantasia, having no storyline or real dialogue, left moviegoers confused and it failed to make a profit during its initial distribution. Couple this with the fact that the Studio was still reeling from an earlier strike and a World War on the other side of the Atlantic was cutting into the company’s foreign profits, it’s easy to understand why Disney was strapped for money after Fantasia’s failure. But if it wasn’t for this failure, we might not have a Dumbo attraction today.
In order to recoup his loses, Walt desperately needed to make a cheap movie and Dumbo was the ticket. Based on a recently published book, the story was uncomplicated and its circus theme lent itself to simple animation. In the end, the movie was only 63½ minutes long and cost $812,000. When you compare this to Snow White at $1,488,423, Pinocchio at $2,289,247 and Fantasia at $2,280,000, Dumbo was a real bargain. And luckily for Walt and his company, the movie was a huge success. Today, Dumbo is considered one of Walt Disney’s finest films.
Flash forward to Disneyland, 1954/5. As wonderful and innovative as Walt’s new park was, most of the Fantasyland attractions were simple carnival rides. Dark rides had been around for years and there was nothing new about a merry-go-round. But the Imagineers brought these tired rides to life by theming them to Walt’s classic films. And Dumbo was another good example of taking a simple spinning ride and making it magical.
Originally, the ride was to be called “Ten Pink Elephants on Parade.” Taking its cue from the inebriated and somewhat hallucinatory segment of the movie, the ride was originally installed with ten pink elephants. In addition, their ears were supposed to flap – an effect that was never realized. But given the no-alcohol policy in the park, it was decided that recreating visions brought on by a drinking binge was inappropriate and the pachyderms were given a new coat of gray paint and Dumbo debuted almost a full month after Disneyland’s initial opening.
Dumbo was an instant success at Disneyland and it was an easy choice to be included in the new park that Disney would be building in Florida. However, in the early years, the attraction was far less elaborate and the pistons that raised and lowered Dumbo were plainly visible. In addition, the attraction only had ten elephants compared to the sixteen that fly today.
The queue for Dumbo uses a simple switchback design. Fortunately, much of it is covered to protect guests from the sun and rain. Within the queue are several simple diversions. A clown-face mirror and a mix-and-match clown body can help little ones pass the time in what can be a very long line.
As always, I will ask you to pay attention to the details of this ride. Although all the elephants are gray, their hats, collars, and saddle blankets come in a rainbow of colors. Also pay attention to the ride mechanism. Gone are the pistons to be replaced with intricate gears and spinning pinwheels and chipmunks. Overhead, Mr. Stork can be seen delivering Dumbo to Mrs. Jumbo.
Surrounding the attraction are elephant topiary and lampposts featuring the matronly pachyderms performing a circus stunt.
Keeping everything running smoothly is Timothy the Mouse who stands above it all and choreographs the merriment. It’s interesting to note that at the Magic Kingdom in Florida, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland, Timothy carries Dumbo’s magic feather. But at Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland he holds a whip.
Of all the rides at the Magic Kingdom, I think Dumbo offers some of the best opportunities to capture some artistic photographs.
Pictures of your little ones aren’t always easy to achieve from the ground so Disney has set up a photo opportunity nearby where you can take all the time you need to pose the perfect picture.
Here are a couple of shots of me getting ready for takeoff and soaring over Fantasyland.
As you may have heard, Fantasyland is receiving a major expansion. Mickey’s Toontown Fair will be razed next year and the land that once was occupied by the “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” attraction will be used to add a new Little Mermaid attraction, create princess meet-and-greet locations, and build a new restaurant based on “Beauty and the Beast.” As part of this expansion, two Dumbo rides will be built in what is now Toontown Fair. In addition, the queue will be housed in a big-top tent and will feature interactive entertainment to keep the kids occupied. Disney has said that the current Dumbo attraction will remain open until this newer version is complete.
Also, the “Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm” is rumored to be receiving a new circus theme, linking it to Dumbo. No firm dates have been announced, but individual sections of this expansion are slated to open in 2012 and 2013. Here are a few concept pictures for the new Dumbo attraction.
If you have little ones, Dumbo is a must-see attraction. I strongly suggest making Dumbo (and Peter Pan) one of your first stops in the morning. Long lines ensue shortly after opening and 40 minutes is a long time to wait for a minute and a half ride. There is no age limit for Dumbo, but younger children must be seated on the inside of the vehicle.
And don’t bypass this ride just because you don’t have kids with you. I don’t have any children yet I have ridden this attraction at all five Magic Kingdoms around the world – and will continue to do so in the future. As I said at the beginning of this article, the beauty of this ride is in its simplicity.
I have created a short video of Dumbo the Flying Elephant for enjoyment. Have fun!
great for this article
very usefull, thanks you
Jack, your post made me smile. I loved you face on the ride, pure pleasure. It is funny how after reading the post and then watching the video, my heart beat a little more quickly and I got excited to be back in Walt Disney World. Thank you for another fabulous one!
It was very interesting for me to read the post. Thanx for it. I like such topics and anything that is connected to this matter. I definitely want to read more soon. BTW, pretty nice design you have here, but don’t you think it should be changed every few months?
Kate Pingtown
Thanks for sharing!! It was a quick Disney fix that brought a smile to my face! I am glad to hear that I am not the only adult who likes to ride Dumbo.
Another great video, Jack! It’s funny b/c Dumbo is such a simplistic ride but it’s part of the whole magical experience of the MK. You just have to ride it and it feels so much better than any other similar ride elsewhere in the world. Thanks for sharing your lovely pictures and your fun video 🙂
Dumbo is a classic. I remember riding all the time as lil kid with my DAD. He rode everything in Fantasyland with me Dumbo and the Carousel being his Favorties. Going into Fantasyland now, is like a Flashback of being a lil girl on my dads shoulders. I love the movie Dumbo and the ride is a classic. I just feel i’m tooo big to ride it since i don’t have kids yet.
Will always be one of my favorites, no matter how old I get! I think it was one of my first rides when I went to WDW in the early 80’s. Now every time we go my DD, who is now 10, insists on a ride on Dumbo!
great post as usual!
Thanks for the update on the Toontown Expansion, etc. I love this ride and ride it often “sans kids”. I feel guilty (sometimes) that I’m taking a ride away from a kid because the line is always long, but it is just “too magical” for me to pass it up! Great article and video.
I think it’s a good idea to have two Dumbo rides, since the line is always so long. I’m sorry to see Toontown Fair go, though. I like the imagination and hands-on fun in the Mickey and Minnie’s houses.
When they say interactive activities will be in the Dumbo line for kids, I hope they don’t mean computer or video game style activities. Kids get enough of that stuff at home! It would be nice if they mean something interactive like music or at least a video that kids can watch WITH their family/friends while they’re on line.
Jack,
Thanks for all your memories of the wonderful Dumbo ride. Dumbo has always been my favorite character and that ride is something magical. It now holds even more of my heart. My now husband proposed to me on the Dumbo ride (we were in the purple Dumbo).
Do we know if any of the old bits and pieces of the original Dumbo ride will be included in the new attraction?
Thanks!
Jack’s Answer:
I’ve heard rumors that Disney will build a completely new Dumbo in the new location. Once it’s completed, then the original Dumbo will be dismantled and moved to sit alongside the new one. But this is just a rumor. I don’t have any facts to support this.
Hi Jack!
Your videos are always of amazing quality and this one is just outstanding! It is better than anything that even Disney puts out. Thanks…I really enjoyed it.
When it comes to all the concept drawings that I’ve seen over these last months I am confused as to where exactly it’s going to be located. They make it sound as if it’s going to be in the spot currently occupied by the Judges Tent. But the concept drawings show it next to Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm, which is on the other side of the street.
Anyway…once again, Great blog. Enjoyed it immensely.
Jack’s Answer:
You were confused for a reason. Some unauthorized blueprints were circulated before Disney made an official announcement. On these prints, Dumbo was to be located approximately where the Judges Tents now sit. But that’s what happens when information is leaked. Wrong information is disseminated. Pixie Hollow will sit near the Judges Tents and extent north. Dumbo will sit to the west of Barnstormer. Currently, there is an outdoor shop and face-painting area in this area where Dumbo will end up. I hope that clears things up.
Hey Jack,
Thanks for this simple blog about a classic attraction! Out of all the times I went to WDW as a child, I have no memory of ever being on this ride. I think I need to go make one and be a kid again on Dumbo!
Thanks for including drawings of the Fantasyland expansion as well. That circus-area should be cool once it’s done.
And, great video as usual! I loved the beginning. Hilarious! Is that your voice we hear?
-Kirstin
Jack’s Answer:
Yes, that is my voice you here.
I LOVE Dumbo. My father used to sing “Baby Mine” to me as an infant and it was my favorite movie as a kid. I remember my dad waiting on line to ride with me, and once my teenage sister agreed to wait with me, too. She didn’t smile much so as not to break the teenage Code of Honor, but I get the feeling she enjoyed it a little bit, too. Ah…memories
Jack,
As I understand, The attraction has to be moved because the area would not support a second ride. There utilidors running underneath and the weight would be too much. Just a fun fact for the gang.
Jack’s Comment:
I’ve heard the rumor for years that the Magic Kingdom Dumbo did not have a water feature because the utilidors could not support the extra weight. I have no idea if this is true or not. But I don’t think weight has anything to do with Dumbo being moved. The Imagineers want to create a “Circus Land” and include a remodeled Barnstormer and train station with this theme. I think that’s the real reason Dumbo is being moved.
Thanks for the informative article! So, with the construction/razing of Toontown,what will be happening w/ Mickey & Minnie’s houses?? They should move them to a different part of the park, not get rid of them entirely. I have such fun memories of walking through their houses and then out back into the garden area. So sad……
Jack’s Comment:
There really isn’t anyplace to move Mickey and Minnie’s houses. However, Exposition Hall is getting a makeover to include a meet-and-greet area. I suspect we’ll see vestiges of their homes in this new location.
Great article! I love reading about the history of the rides. It is always the first and last ride that we do at the park. Not sure if someone else already said it, but there is another difference between the rides at Disneyland & WDW…water! There is water in the “moat” under the elephants at Disneyland, but the “moat” uder the elephants at WDW is dry. I can only hope to go to the other Disney parks in the future and find the little differences there too:)
Jack’s Comment:
You’re right. The Disney World Dumbo is missing water — as is the Tokyo version. But the Dumbos at Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland and Disneyland Paris all have a water feature. I’m hoping that the new Dumbo will have water as it does add a special something.
My three-year-old daughter and husband boarded Dumbo last year at the beginning of Wishes and enjoyed the fireworks from the ride. I couldn’t believe that the timing worked out the way it did as I watched from the ground. At first I was worried that my daughter would be scared being up in the air during the fireworks. But they both pointed and laughed and I watched with tears in my eyes. I could here her squeals and laughter from the ground. It will probably always be one of our favorite Disney memories.
The Dumbo ride saved my family’s first WDW vacation. My daughter was terrified by Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and only Dumbo could bring her back from the edge. Having Toad gone and Dumbo moved and re-imagineered, will erase all but the memory of that wonderful day!
Jack, Dumbo will always be a Magic Kingdom Classic. It’s one of those attractions you ride each time you visit, no matter how many times you’ve done it in the past. I love to look around Fantasyland as I’m riding, and just take it all in. I will miss it when it is replaced by the bigger version. But, that being said, I’m still looking forward to the new one.
Jack,
Thank you for posting another interesting blog! I first rode Dumbo on my third birthday with my father. My parents still have the picture. I then rode Dumbo many times in my childhood, but for whatever reason never rode it in my teens or early adulthood. The past few times I have been back I have ridden it with my young children and have found it just as exciting as before. When my children grow up, I will continue to ride Dumbo. I am looking forward to riding it after the expansion. The only negative thing I could say about Dumbo would be what my four-year-old said last month, “That ride was too short!”
Just curious- what’s up with the little colored discs the riders are given near the end of the queue, and which are then placed on the elephant’s ears prior to take-off?
Jack’s Answer:
The color coded disks (green and yellow) guests are given when riding Dumbo serve two purposes. First, it helps the cast member control the crowd. There are sixteen Dumbos and sixteen disks of each color. As a party enters the holding area, the cast member will ask how many people will be riding. Each group of one, two, or three people is given a disk. Once the cast member gives out all sixteen disks, he or she knows to stop allowing people into that holding area as the next ride is full.
The second reason for the disk is to stop people from riding twice in a row. Each time Dumbo runs, the colored disk is alternated — green one ride, yellow the next. Since loading and unloading takes place at the same time, it would be very easy for someone to get out of one Dumbo, then take a seat in another. But since you must present the proper color disk before you can ride, cheaters are deterred.
I decided once to ride Dumbo first thing in the morning, after the rope drop at Cinderella’s castle. Being a 40 something man, I was nearly trampled by the kids doing the ‘Dumbo dash’! Kids LOVE this ride. Needless to say, I’ll let them enjoy it first thing in the morning and I’ll enjoy it later in the day from now on lol. I do love the simplicity of it, and always take a few photographs when I’m there of Dumbo.
Jack,
I’ve always enjoyed the “kiddie” rides–they bring back so many good memories and are just plain fun! Dumbo is no exception. I can remember (many, many years ago) when a very scared young boy finally got up the courage to ride Dumbo with his Mom. Loved it then, and love it now. But, after all, that’s what makes Disney parks special–the memories. I’m so glad Walt wanted a place where families could enjoy the rides and shows together. There are lots of places that offer thrill rides and shows, but none like the experience of a Disney theme park.
Thanks for another great walk down Disney memory lane; I look forward to them.
Neil
In the 3 times I had gone to WDW as a child, I never got the chance to ride Dumbo. When taking my own kids for their first 2 trips (June 1997 & January 2010), I finally got to ride….and I must say that my kids love this ride (even my son who is now 12!). I, on the other hand, did not….but only because for some reason, although I can handle & love the teacups, going in circles above the ground really threw my head for a spin (DH wouldn’t even ride at all…and has a “lovely” picture of my daughter & I with me holding onto Dumbo for dear life! lol). I still managed to ride it several times for my kids though. If we get a chance to go back, I’m sure we’ll all be glad of the expanded Dumbo ride for a hopefully shorter wait. 🙂
Hi Jack,
I enjoyed your blog as usual. Just wanted to comment…Is it just me, or has WDW been on a refurb/construction tear of late? Even before the Fantasyland upgrade was announced, it seemed like in so many of the photos I saw posted online, areas all over the World were shrouded in those canvas coverings or blocked by construction walls (not to mention large-scale projects like BLT!). Have you found that it’s a little distracting to tour the parks because of this these days? It must be somewhat disappointing for visitors to squeeze by these areas or take photos and have these walls/coverings in their once-in-a-lifetime vacation photos. On the other hand, the upside is a whole boatload of improvements, right? I haven’t been able to visit in a while. I suppose I can console myself with the fact that when I go back, the place will be “new and improved”!
Jack’s Comment:
It’s always disappointing when visiting a Disney park and a particular attraction or location is closed for rehab. But this is a fact of life that is necessary to keep the place looking good. You’re right, it is discouraging when you’re trying to take the perfect picture and there is a construction wall in the way. This isn’t an issue for me since I live here and can easily come back another day. But I endure the same frustration when I visit a foreign park and must contend with a rehab.
I don’t think there are any more construction walls than usual. All of the shops, restaurants, and attractions receive schedule maintenance. In many cases, Disney tries to do this work at slower times to inconvenience as few people as possible. But since over 16 million guests visit the Magic Kingdom each year, someone is going to have to see the construction walls. And I will give Disney some credit. They have started covering many of the buildings in canvas that has a picture of the underneath structure, thus softening the jarring effect.
I remember being a kid and reading Dumbo books while listening to the record. (Vinyl) My daughter also loved Dumbo, and now my youngest loves to ride the “elephink” that is outside our local grocery store. This is always a must do for our family when we visit The World. Thanks for the video and thanks for all your blogs, Jack! Great job as always.
Loved your pictures, especially the one with the sun and sky in the background of Timothy the mouse! and your video was quite wonderful to watch, and so with this I make the promise of riding Dumbo for the first time at the ripe ole age of 41 on my WDW trip in December!!
How nostalgic! Dumbo was our family’s first ever Disney ride back in 1994, Disneyland Paris was the park. We had arrived at Camp Davey Crockett at about 4 o’clock in the afternoon on a Bank Holiday Monday, threw our luggage inside the log cabin and made a mad dash to the Theme Park to catch as many rides as we could in last few hours of the day. Fantastic! Our kids (now with kids of their own) loved every minute, and so did we!
Thanks Jack for yet again warming our hearts and bringing Disney closer, great job.
Great blog but I am very sad to know that Toontown Fair will be gone. My daughter was 3 the first time we took her to Disney and Toontown was one of her favoriteS. We also got to see Minnie Moo! Meghan will be 21 in June, and we will be in the World in May, and know that Toontown will definatly be a must now! Wish they could do the expansion and still keep Toontown Fair! Thanks for the great blogs, I always look forward to reading each and every one!
I never was a huge fan of the Dumbo ride until taking my 1 1/2 year old daughter there last summer and riding with her. It was her favorite ride of all. We even made it back a couple of months later and she couldn’t wait to ride!
As for those who say kids less than 3 are too young to remember, well my wife and I get asked almost daily if she can ride Dumbo.
Jack,
Once again, a great article.
I have been to WDW many times since the mid-eighties and yet I have never ridden Dumbo. (I know, how do you call yourself a Disney fanatic and have never ridden Dumbo?) Just in the last two years, I have been telling my wife that I wanted to ride Dumbo. Background: I married 6 years ago into an instant family after 52 years of bachelorhood. Well, last fall was my 4 year old granddaughter, Emily’s first trip to Disney and I thought I was going to enjoy riding Dumbo with her. Alas, it did not happen. As she, her father, and my wife got in line for Dumbo, I, the biggest Disney fan in the group, did the noble thing and went after fast-passes to Peter Pan to maximize Emily’s Disney experience. She and I will have to take a Dumbo ride together on the next trip.
Your concept pictures looked really nice. I like the idea of entering the Big Top as the queue to the “two ring” ride. Do you know if the tent will be real canvas or more like the current tent looking structures of Fantasyland? I think canvas would really look great but a hard structure would allow for insulation to create a more comfortable environment in the heat of summer.
I’m pretty sentimental when it comes to change at WDW so I think I am really going to miss Mickey’s Toontown Fair. I have grown to appreciate it much more after marrying and instantly having a five year old grandson who made his first trip with me when he was six. Now we have Emily as well. I knew Disney intended to keep Goofy’s Barnstormer which turned out to be Emily’s favorite ride. Are they keeping it “Goofy” as they re-theme it to fit the circus theme? BTW, Emily just missed the 40 inch mark to ride Splash Mountain, so I am looking forward to that on the next trip.
Hi Jack,
I was 40 when I first rode this fun and adorable ride and as you noted there are long lines sometimes but worth the wait. Thanks for this blog and video becaue I have always liked cute,little Dumbo!
Great article once again. This truly is a classic and a must do. And thank you for talking about the fantasyland expansion a little bit. I was worried the Barnstormer was leaving. But if it stays with just a new skin they will make my 4 year old daughter very excited. And again great job on the video. Thanks for making us smile.
I love the third photo in your artistic collection, with the silouette of Timothy against the sky. Beautiful. You’re right Jack, your inner child really lets loose for these 90 seconds. Lean back, let the wind blow your hair, and look around at the magic. It’s absolutely wonderful. You’re never too old for Dumbo 🙂
Thank you once again Jack for providing me with my ‘Disney fix’.
Love the video!
hey jack
WOW this really brought back memories from when I was young. Even though I am in college now I try my hardest to get to Dumbo but the line is always so long. Next time I visit in August I will make that my first stop just so I can experience it once again. can’t wait for your next blog and as always, keep up the great work.
I rode Dumbo for the first time with my 14 year old son this past December after many trips to WDW. Even though he was reluctant to ride at first, he enjoyed it as much (or more) than I did. Truly a classic ride that I am sorry we turned our backs on over previous trips. We are looking forward to the one in Disneyland come July! THANK YOU for the background to this very magical ride!
What a classic ride. Reading about it brought back great memories of the first time I rode it as a little girl.
I completely agree that this ride affords some of the most beautiful photo opportunities. I especially love your artistic photo with the purple-hatted Dumbo in front of Timothy the Mouse. Very nice work!
Ha ha ha! I love the beginning — very unexpected!! Nice video Jack!
I LOVE Dumbo! I can’t wait for the Fantasyland expansion. We’re taking a trip in November (our first Christmas-time visit) and I look forward to reading your blogs in the meantime. Thank you for bringing a little magic to our days!