Difference between revisions of "Dumbo the Flying Elephant"
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{{Infobox Disney ride| | {{Infobox Disney ride| | ||
| image=Dumbonew.jpg | | image=Dumbonew.jpg | ||
| − | | caption='''Dumbo the Flying Elephant in | + | | caption='''Dumbo the Flying Elephant in its former location in Fantasyland.''' |
| land=Fantasyland (Storybook Circus) | | land=Fantasyland (Storybook Circus) | ||
| opened=October 1, 1971 | | opened=October 1, 1971 | ||
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==Attraction History== | ==Attraction History== | ||
| − | Dumbo the Flying Elephant began as an attraction for Disneyland, in the early 1950s. The | + | Dumbo the Flying Elephant began as an attraction for Disneyland, in the early 1950s. The ride is a "hub and spoke" style attraction based on the 1941 Disney movie Dumbo. Original designs for the attraction depicted guests riding in the "Pink Elephants" that Dumbo hallucinates in the movie (with the working title of the attraction being "10 Pink Elephants On Parade"). The Pink Elephants were initially chosen because while there were going to be ten ride vehicles on the attraction, there was only one Dumbo. Walt Disney however, did not want his guests riding in alcohol induced elephants, and he ordered the ride vehicles painted grey. The attraction's name was thus changed to Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and it opened in Disneyland in October of 1955. |
| − | Dumbo the Flying Elephant proved to be so popular in Disneyland, that it was an obvious choice for inclusion in Walt Disney World. A replica Dumbo was built, and the attraction was operational in time for opening day | + | Dumbo the Flying Elephant proved to be so popular in Disneyland, that it was an obvious choice for inclusion in Walt Disney World. A replica Dumbo was built, and the attraction was operational in time for opening day. The ride consisted of 10 Dumbos flying around Timothy the Mouse, who held a whip and stood on a disco ball. There were no major changes to the attraction until 1993, when the ride was closed for refurbishment. During the refurbishment, the ride mechanism was changed to make the attraction more kinetic, and six more Dumbo's were added in order to increase capacity. While the ride was closed, Timothy the Mouse's whip was removed and replaced with Dumbo's "magic feather". Furthermore, the disco ball that the mouse stood on was replaced with a small hot air balloon. The final change to the attraction during the refurbishment involved moving the queue away from the carousel, to give guests some cover from the sun. |
===Relocation and Expansion=== | ===Relocation and Expansion=== | ||
| − | In 2009, Disney announced that Dumbo the Flying Elephant would be moved to the Storybook Circus expansion of Fantasyland. The attraction closed January 9 2012, after which it was moved to | + | In 2009, Disney announced that Dumbo the Flying Elephant would be moved to the Storybook Circus expansion of Fantasyland. The attraction closed January 9 2012, after which it was moved to its new location. As part of the Storybook Circus expansion, Disney announced that the new Dumbo attraction would actually feature two carousels, which would increase capacity and lower wait times. |
| − | When Storybook Circus began soft openings on March 12 2012, one of the two Dumbo carousels was operational. Dumbo the Flying Elephant featured an all new look | + | When Storybook Circus began soft openings on March 12 2012, one of the two Dumbo carousels was operational. Dumbo the Flying Elephant now featured an all new look which included: a new color scheme (of red, blue and gold), a new soundtrack, and panels at the base of the attraction that depict various scenes from the movie. The refurbished Dumbo attraction also included water features at foot of the carousel (similar to the Dumbo attractions at other Disney parks) which light up in a variety of colors at night. On June 22 2013, the second Dumbo carousel opened to guests. Although nearly identical to the first, the second Dumbo spins counterclockwise to the other one. |
===Interactive Queue=== | ===Interactive Queue=== | ||
| − | As part of Dumbo the Flying Elephant's relocation, the attraction was given a "next generation" queue. The new queue allows guests to enter a big top, which houses a large playground based on the clown scene from the movie. When guests enter the tent they are given a card with a letter on it. When it is their turn to ride, a cast member calls them back to the entrance and they board the attraction. | + | As part of Dumbo the Flying Elephant's relocation, the attraction was given a "next generation" queue. The new queue allows guests to enter a big top, which houses a large playground based on the clown scene from the movie. When guests enter the tent they are given a card with a letter on it. When it is their turn to ride, a cast member calls them back to the entrance (by letter) and they board the attraction. |
==Attraction Plot== | ==Attraction Plot== | ||
| − | Dumbo the Flying Elephant allows guests to board a Dumbo ride vehicle, and fly high above Fantasyland. The ride is hub and spoke attraction, with the Dumbo's extending from a | + | Dumbo the Flying Elephant allows guests to board a Dumbo ride vehicle, and fly high above Fantasyland. The ride is hub and spoke attraction, with the Dumbo's extending from a central hot air balloon. A joystick in the middle of the ride vehicle allows guests to move their elephant up or down. Dumbo lasts for approximately 1 minute and 30 seconds, before the elephants descend back to the ground. |
[[Image:Dumboconcept.jpg|thumb|Concept art for the Storybook Circus expansion, featuring the new Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction.]] | [[Image:Dumboconcept.jpg|thumb|Concept art for the Storybook Circus expansion, featuring the new Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction.]] | ||
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* President Harry Truman refused to ride Dumbo the Flying Elephant in Disneyland, due to the fact that the elephant is the mascot for the Republican Party. | * President Harry Truman refused to ride Dumbo the Flying Elephant in Disneyland, due to the fact that the elephant is the mascot for the Republican Party. | ||
| − | * Before the attraction closed in January 2012, a ride vehicle was placed just outside the attraction. This allowed guests to board the | + | * Before the attraction closed in January 2012, a ride vehicle was placed just outside the attraction. This allowed guests to board the vehicle and take pictures, without having to wait in line. |
* Chris Edgerly voices Timothy the Mouse on Dumbo the Flying Elephant. | * Chris Edgerly voices Timothy the Mouse on Dumbo the Flying Elephant. | ||
Revision as of 21:11, 23 February 2014
Dumbo the Flying Elephant is an attraction located in Fantasyland
| Dumbo the Flying Elephant | |
| |
| Dumbo the Flying Elephant in its former location in Fantasyland. | |
| Magic Kingdom | |
| Land | Fantasyland (Storybook Circus) |
|---|---|
| Attraction type | Hub and Spoke |
| Opening date | October 1, 1971 |
| Closing date | January 9, 2012 |
| Vehicle capacity | 2-3 |
| Number of vehicles | 16 |
| Ride duration | 1:30 minutes |
| Will Reopen | March 12, 2012 (expected) |
| Based on | Disney's Dumbo |
|
| |
Contents
Attraction History
Dumbo the Flying Elephant began as an attraction for Disneyland, in the early 1950s. The ride is a "hub and spoke" style attraction based on the 1941 Disney movie Dumbo. Original designs for the attraction depicted guests riding in the "Pink Elephants" that Dumbo hallucinates in the movie (with the working title of the attraction being "10 Pink Elephants On Parade"). The Pink Elephants were initially chosen because while there were going to be ten ride vehicles on the attraction, there was only one Dumbo. Walt Disney however, did not want his guests riding in alcohol induced elephants, and he ordered the ride vehicles painted grey. The attraction's name was thus changed to Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and it opened in Disneyland in October of 1955.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant proved to be so popular in Disneyland, that it was an obvious choice for inclusion in Walt Disney World. A replica Dumbo was built, and the attraction was operational in time for opening day. The ride consisted of 10 Dumbos flying around Timothy the Mouse, who held a whip and stood on a disco ball. There were no major changes to the attraction until 1993, when the ride was closed for refurbishment. During the refurbishment, the ride mechanism was changed to make the attraction more kinetic, and six more Dumbo's were added in order to increase capacity. While the ride was closed, Timothy the Mouse's whip was removed and replaced with Dumbo's "magic feather". Furthermore, the disco ball that the mouse stood on was replaced with a small hot air balloon. The final change to the attraction during the refurbishment involved moving the queue away from the carousel, to give guests some cover from the sun.
Relocation and Expansion
In 2009, Disney announced that Dumbo the Flying Elephant would be moved to the Storybook Circus expansion of Fantasyland. The attraction closed January 9 2012, after which it was moved to its new location. As part of the Storybook Circus expansion, Disney announced that the new Dumbo attraction would actually feature two carousels, which would increase capacity and lower wait times.
When Storybook Circus began soft openings on March 12 2012, one of the two Dumbo carousels was operational. Dumbo the Flying Elephant now featured an all new look which included: a new color scheme (of red, blue and gold), a new soundtrack, and panels at the base of the attraction that depict various scenes from the movie. The refurbished Dumbo attraction also included water features at foot of the carousel (similar to the Dumbo attractions at other Disney parks) which light up in a variety of colors at night. On June 22 2013, the second Dumbo carousel opened to guests. Although nearly identical to the first, the second Dumbo spins counterclockwise to the other one.
Interactive Queue
As part of Dumbo the Flying Elephant's relocation, the attraction was given a "next generation" queue. The new queue allows guests to enter a big top, which houses a large playground based on the clown scene from the movie. When guests enter the tent they are given a card with a letter on it. When it is their turn to ride, a cast member calls them back to the entrance (by letter) and they board the attraction.
Attraction Plot
Dumbo the Flying Elephant allows guests to board a Dumbo ride vehicle, and fly high above Fantasyland. The ride is hub and spoke attraction, with the Dumbo's extending from a central hot air balloon. A joystick in the middle of the ride vehicle allows guests to move their elephant up or down. Dumbo lasts for approximately 1 minute and 30 seconds, before the elephants descend back to the ground.
See the Attraction!
Fun Facts and Trivia
- President Harry Truman refused to ride Dumbo the Flying Elephant in Disneyland, due to the fact that the elephant is the mascot for the Republican Party.
- Before the attraction closed in January 2012, a ride vehicle was placed just outside the attraction. This allowed guests to board the vehicle and take pictures, without having to wait in line.
- Chris Edgerly voices Timothy the Mouse on Dumbo the Flying Elephant.
- During the attraction's relocation, the statue of Timothy the Mouse that once stood at the center of the original Dumbo ride was moved to the new attraction's marquee.
References
http://allears.net/dlr/tp/dl/dumbo.htm
http://themeparks.about.com/od/disneyparks/a/MKFantasylandExp.htm
