Although it was originally released on October 23, 1941 in New York, Disney’s Dumbo made its United States premiere on October 31 of that year. This year marks the film’s 85th anniversary, so we’ve got eight facts about the Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride that every Disney fan must know.
Dumbo Isn’t A Disneyland OG
Despite being a Disney Parks staple, many may be surprised to learn that Disneyland’s Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride was not an opening-day attraction. Instead, the ride opened on August 16, 1955, nearly a month after Disneyland’s grand opening.
Magic Kingdom’s Missing Mouse
When Dumbo the Flying Elephant opened with Magic Kingdom in 1971, it was missing a beloved character. Unlike its predecessor in Disneyland, Magic Kingdom’s Dumbo ride did not feature Timothy Q. Mouse in the center. Dumbo’s notable sidekick was later added to the ride in 1972.
Dumbo Was Almost Pink
While the beloved character has always been known as a gray elephant, that almost wasn’t the case for the original Disneyland ride. The ride’s initial title was “10 Pink Elephants On Parade,” inspired by the film’s drunken hallucination scene. The ride vehicles were eventually changed to gray in order to not have the ride associated with alcohol, per Walt Disney’s request.
The Lesser-Known Photo Opportunity
We’ve all seen them; those classic Disney photos and videos of guests riding Dumbo the Flying Elephant. But what many don’t know is that there’s an easier way to capture the magic of riding Dumbo.
Located directly behind the ride in Fantasyland at Disneyland, you’ll find a lesser-known photo op. A standalone Dumbo ride vehicle sits for guests to snap a picture in, offering the perfect opportunity to get that must-take Disney keepsake.
One Dumbo Vehicle’s Full House
If you ever wondered what happened to the original Dumbo ride vehicles, John Stamos has some answers!
The actor, musician, and lifelong Disney fan has shared several photos of himself, friends, and family sitting in his very own original Dumbo ride vehicle. The vehicle, featuring Dumbo wearing a yellow hat, is stationed in Stamos’ home as part of his large Disney collection.
The Almost-Forgotten Circus
Not long after opening in Disneyland, the ride was set to be expanded into a land, renamed to “Dumbo’s Circusland,” according to Main Street’s “Disneyland Presents a Preview of Coming Attractions.” The circus-themed land was later scrapped, but eventually brought to life in 2012 in Walt Disney World with the opening of Magic Kingdom’s Storybook Circus.
Is This Just Fantasy?
If you’re taking a trip to Shanghai Disneyland and looking for Dumbo the Flying Elephant, you won’t find the ride in Fantasyland. Unlike every other Disney Park, Shanghai Disneyland is the only park to have the ride placed in a different land: Gardens of Imagination.
Dumbo Can Be Found Flying In All 6 Disney Parks
Not only can the Dumbo ride be found in all six Disney Parks across the globe, it’s also the only Disney ride featured in all six resort parks. Let’s hope Disneyland Abu Dhabi carries on this tradition!
The post 8 Facts About the Dumbo Ride for Dumbo’s 85th Anniversary first appeared on The DIS.
