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The first phase of Storybook Circus opened yesterday at the Magic Kingdom, offering visitors a first chance to ride a new version of a classic Disney attraction as part of the New Fantasyland expansion.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant is an iconic ride, but Walt Disney World guests have not been able to experience it since it closed in January to prepare for its new version within the Mickey’s Toontown Fair replacement area. The new Dumbo ride will ultimately feature two carousels for the first time ever, flying side-by-side in opposite directions, but for now only the newer of the two has opened with surprising details and eye-pleasing features.
Despite the fact that the big top tent housing an interactive queue is not open yet, those who showed up to see the first look at Storybook Circus were not disappointed by the new Dumbo. The wait time to ride was consistently 40 minutes long throughout the day, a time that will surely drop once both carousels and the enhanced queue debut in the coming months. But even prior to all that, the new Dumbo impresses with its ornate details, story panels, new soundtrack, and multi-colored water fountains that decorate its base.
Many fans have already compared the rainbow of bright LED lights and water features to a small-scale version of Disneyland’s World of Color show, and as such, the new Dumbo is definitely a spectacular sight at night. Take a look at the wonderful world of color that surrounds the classic spinning ride in the video below and a closer look at its details in the photos that follow.
Video: New Dumbo ride featuring multi-colored water fountains at night in Storybook Circus
For now, guests line up outside Dumbo until the colorful indoor big top queue opens in the coming months.
A "ticket window" marks the beginning of the queue. Note the feather on the clock at the top of the booth. It's been said that when the interactive queue opens, magic feathers will help guests know when it's time to ride.
A classic Dumbo sign has been given the Storybook Circus look.
The top of the new Dumbo carousel helps tell the story from the film. Get closer below.
The loading process remains the same as the old Dumbo for now, with tickets handed out in the queue to ensure everyone gets an elephant.
The new flying elephants are quite vibrant.
Though a simple ride, this classic is often a right of passage for many families eager to enjoy their kids' first trip on Dumbo.
The new location is currently surrounded by construction, but will eventually offer great views of a highly-detailed land.
Like the traditional Walt Disney World carousel tells the story of Cinderella through artwork panels, Dumbo now features a series of artwork that tells its story. Casey Jr's comin' down the track...
The storks fly over Florida.
Dumbo is delivered.
It's a circus life!
But all is not happy.
Pink elephants on parade.
Dumbo can fly!
A happy ending.
From the right side, the new Barnstormer can be seen reaching its peak in the distance, a new neighbor for Dumbo.
As the sun sets, Dumbo really shines with bright, color-changing LED lighting making the pool of water and its fountains glow.
The fountains themselves even offer an attractive pattern of water.
Another look at the colorful fountains.
The whole area lights up beautifully at night.
Those standing to the side just watching Dumbo go around will still enjoy the beautiful sight.
Colors from the fountain illuminate the underside of the passing pachyderms.
Throughout the ride, colors shift to the tune of the accompanying circus music.
A long-exposure shot of the whole ride at night showing pastel hues from the fountain.
The fountains can turn shades of orange and red, amongst many other colors.
The ride's finale offers a rainbow of colors circling its base.
From further away, the rainbow of colors clearly lights up the whole ride.
One more look at the colorful nighttime lighting.
The new Dumbo is less than halfway complete. The new carousel spins clockwise, a first for the Magic Kingdom attraction, but the old is currently being rebuilt next to it and will spin counter-clockwise. And long waits in the hot sun will be replaced by time spent inside the big top tent, exploring interactive features while waiting to be called to ride.
It’s all part of the impressively themed Storybook Circus that even now only open in part has fans eager to see what the rest of the area, followed by the rest of the New Fantasyland expansion, will offer in the coming months and years, all scheduled to finally be open by 2014. In the meantime, the circus is in town with a better-than-ever version of Dumbo once again flying high over the Magic Kingdom.
More photos from Dumbo and Storybook Circus:
This article is my favorite ever on this site — and that says A LOT! Wow. I feel like I am there! On behalf of all of us who can’t afford to go to WDW too often, THANK YOU for such great pictures and all the detail. I am going to show all these pictures to all of my friends and we will be talking about them all day no doubt. THANK YOU!
Thanks for the compliment! I’ve got an equally in-depth look at the rest of Storybook Circus coming up later today, so stay tuned.
Disney have done it again! The whole area looks beautiful, I can’t get over how vibrant the colours look. Thank you for the pictures and video.
Fabulous article. Wonderful pics. I really enjoyed it. The details on the ride and the lights and water are fabulous. Thanks for letting us see it.
This gets me so excited for our upcoming trip in October!! My will be 2 year old is going to have so much fun…so will mom and dad!!
They really did a amazing job re-inventing this ride! I especially love the Art panels that surround the base. Can we buy these as Art in the Park?
I really love the look of the new Dumbo, maybe an update is coming for it’s cousin in California.
Super excited about attending a Food Blogger Forum this weekend at Disney and taking my little toddlers on re-opened Dumbo ride!! Thank you for the exciting and beautiful pictures! We will definitely be riding in the evening after seeing this!