Birt Family Focus

Dumbo The Flying Elephant -- 1/22/02

Couldn't sleep so I decided to write. Today's focus is on Dumbo The Flying Elephant.

Now this is a kiddie ride, pure and simple. It is one of the cutest rides I've ever seen, though. How many of us think of that picture we have of us or our kids at 3,4,or 5 "driving" Dumbo up into the sky, and get a little teary eyed? I know I do. I'm not sure if it's nostalgia or sweetness over kill, but teary-eyed I get, anyhow. ;-)

The little plump elephant with the feather in his trunk is and always will be one of the most familiar sites to all of us post war boomers. Second, most probably, only to Mickey Mouse. It is one of the first Disney movies I actually remember seeing on Disney's Wonderful World of Color. It came out during WWII (1941, I believe) to theaters and has remained a family favorite ever since.

The ride it spawned, though very simple, is a big favorite. The queue lines are among the longest in the park...and the hottest! If you are going to take junior (and you must lest someone figure out you are just indulging your inner child) to ride this, make SURE you have water and, preferably, a hat with you in the line. It would really put a crimp in your enjoyment of the ride if you keel over from heat stroke before your turn arrives.

Most kids over about 7 or 8 are not interested in riding this, so if you don't have one younger, you may need to borrow. ;-) Of course, you can square your shoulders, smile, and cheerfully ignore the funny looks all the adults around give you and proudly ride, whooping and hollering while flying your special little magic elephant!

Watch the hot air balloon in the center. Now and then the top of it will pop open and none other than Timothy Mouse- Dumbo's fellow party animal (well, what do YOU call it when someone goes out for the evening and wakes up in a tree?) will emerge. My favorite thing to do with this ride is to sit under the shade of the tree garden in the center of this concourse and watch the kiddies and grownups do Dumbo. It's just as much fun as riding, and there's no line. ;-)

Until next week-don't drop your feathers!