The official Disneyland website used to include this bit of historic trivia about Dumbo the Flying Elephant: When the Dumbo ride first opened, it was located on the west side of Fantasyland.
Model of Fantasyland of 1955 in The First 50 Magical Years exhibit So the pink elephants became gray and the one and only Dumbo became ten.” The book goes on to speculate, “Somewhere along the way, no doubt, Walt decided he’d rather have everyone riding the real Dumbo, not an alcohol-induced hallucination. The finest Disneyland history book, Disneyland: The Nickel Tour, by Bruce Gordon and David Mumford (Camphor Tree Publishers, 1995), provides an explanation: “Just as there is only one Mickey Mouse, there can be only one Dumbo, right?īecause this ride would have ten flying elephants, they would be the “Pink Elephants on Parade” from Dumbo’s intoxicated nightmare in the movie.“ The attraction was quickly reworked and managed to open August 16, 1955.Īrtwork in The First 50 Magical Years exhibit shows pink elephants.Įarly artwork showed pink elephants, not the familiar gray pachyderms. They weighed 700 pounds apiece-which is light for an elephant, but heavy for a flying elephant. The first batch of fiberglass elephants arrived about three weeks before the opening. Photo by Frank Taylor, courtesy of Chris TaylorĮach Dumbo wears a different color cap, but the elephants themselves are always gray, just like in the movie.ĭumbo Flying Elephants-also known as Dumbo the Flying Elephant or simply Dumbo-was supposed to be one of the attractions ready for Disneyland’s invitation-only opening on Jand for the public opening the next day. To be honest, the mechanisms never worked properly, so the ears on each Dumbo are stationary.īut that’s okay, because these elephants fly anyway.Īs you visit the park in different years, you’ll see different color schemes on the loading platform.Įventually, the ears became integral parts of the elephant, not inoperative hinged appendages.Įach elephant holds two guests-or three guests if some of them are small enough.
The ears are supposed to move up and down. Hinged ears, close-up from the first photo It’s located in a dead-end corner of Yester-Fantasyland, right in front of the Fantasyland Theatre, near the Pirate Ship Restaurant. This ride is inspired by Walt Disney’s 1941 animated feature, Dumbo. Sure, you’ll still find a Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride at Disneyland-but the original Dumbo Flying Elephants ride is in Yesterland. Here is where we usually ask for your feedback and opinion of the ride.Photo by Charles R. It’s the perfect example of something not really that great but with Walt’s pixie dust sprinkled over it becomes utterly magical! Have Your Say
We still think this is the most quintessentially Disney ride in the Park and an absolute must-ride. Reading this review it sounds pretty negative, but it is not meant to be that’s just the reality. It is everything you want from a Disney Ride and we absolutely love it! The Detailing in the ride is just superb and we really feel you have not been to Disneyland without riding Dumbo! Dumbo is in no way the best example of an ariel carousal out there from a technical viewpoint, and while we tend to veer away from most rides of these types, shunned as boring kid’s rides, we would defend Dumbo to the Death!
It takes something so pure and simple and turns it into something really magical, something that delights people of all ages. There is just something so Disney about the Ride. But the up and down motion is fun to play about with and kids love the fact they are in control of the ride.
#Dumbo the flying elephant full#
The ride is pretty slow and even at full height, it is not exactly frightening. As the Ride begins to spin you simply control the ride vehicle height up or down with the joystick. Once in your Dumbo, Timothy Q Mouse provides a safety briefing before using his “Magic” Feather to start the ride and get the Elephants flying. The Ride experience is really very basic but appeals to all ages.
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