Dumbo is the Best Ride: Change My Mind
Located in the Storybook Circus section of New Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom is Dumbo the Flying Elephant. This classic opening day attraction is practically required to ride on every Disney vacation for the obligatory pictures!
There have been some major changes to the attraction since it opened in 1971. For one, it was moved to this new section of Magic Kingdom in 2014, and also given a twin Dumbo ride!
It may be a simple attraction, but it is so popular that Disney made a second ride to accommodate guests!
These dueling Dumbos have also been given a brand new, fully enclosed (and air conditioned) queue, but more on that later!
The Ride
Dumbo the Flying Elephant is the ultimate family-friendly outdoor ride! There is no height-requirement, and even pregnant women and infants can ride.
Though they look small, the ride vehicle is pretty roomy. It can comfortably fit 1 adult and 1 child, but it is not large enough to fit 2 adults.
Photo: Disney
It goes without saying that 2 children can fit in one vehicle, but this is a good time to remember Disney’s ride policy with children. A child must be at least 14 to ride with a child 7 or older, but an adult 18 or older must be sitting with a child 6 or younger.
Once in the Dumbo of your choice, you will rise up slowly and the ride will rotate. A lever is inside each Dumbo to operate your flight up and and down. All motions are slow and measured so there is very little risk of motion sickness.
Photo: Disney
Looking at the rides you might just notice the Dumbo ride vehicles with the different colored hats, but when you look closer they are part of a large Dumbo fountain that tells the story of the classic movie. Our favorite part are the full busts of Mrs. Jumbo, Dumbo’s momma.
A small child pointed out one very important thing missing on this ride, however… The magic feather!! No Dumbo is carrying the magic feather!
Photo: Disney
The Wait
No one wants to wait in line, that’s why Disney put in the second Dumbo. Disney also wanted to make waiting more comfortable with an indoor queue with air conditioning, but it didn’t stop there…
When you visit Dumbo the Flying Elephant you will actually WANT to wait in line!
The queue area for Dumbo the Flying Elephant has the most epic playground on Disney property. This room is imagineered to be a part of the Dumbo story in the chaotic circus scenes where the clowns are firemen.
What’s that mean for kids? Well, there are huge structures for climbing, tunnels, trucks to play in, plus fun sound effect toys like fireworks!
If the standby line is 15 minutes or less the Cast Members tell you to stay and play for as long as you like, and when you are ready to come up to them and go for your ride!
On busier days the Cast Members will hand you a buzzer and when it buzzes, it’s your turn to fly, but you don’t have to leave when that happens.
The Experience
Dumbo the Flying Elephant is an absolute must do for any family traveling to Magic Kingdom with children. This is the perfect place to visit when you hit that afternoon slump and it’s a million degrees.
The other reason why this queue is perfect is the part of Disney World that many parents don’t think about: Kids need to run!
With so many people in the parks at any given time, parents have every reason to be cautious with their kids and not let them stray from their site, but kids need to run those legs or they get crabby.
Dumbo’s play area is a great, safe place for the kids to run out all of their energy and cool off at the same time. Plus, there are benches for parents to sit in to cool off and relax as well.
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Feature Image: Disney
