You’ve just arrived at WDW’s Magic Kingdom, and the first thing on your list is to head to Dumbo so that you (or your child) can have that iconic Disney World experience. You make a beeline down Main Street, pass Cinderella Castle, and arrive at Fantasyland. But, where’s Dumbo? The spinner isn’t where it’s always been since the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971. Well, as you may (or may not have) heard, big changes have been coming to Disney World’s Fantasyland, and that includes a few major changes to Dumbo. For an overview of all that’s different in the world of the flying elephant, continue reading our Guide to the Changes at Disney World’s Dumbo.

New Location

Dumbo the Flying Elephant is no longer adjacent to Prince Charming Regal Carrousel (formerly known as Cinderella’s Golden Carrousel). The attraction has been moved to Storybook Circus, the portion of the Fantasyland Expansion which has replaced Mickey’s Toontown Fair. If you’re facing Prince Charming Regal Carrousel from Cinderella Castle, hang a right and continue walking toward the back right portion of the park. Here you’ll find the new location of Dumbo, as well as the Barnstormer, Casey Jr. Splash Zone, and the Fantasyland Train Station.

Dueling Dumbos

Dumbo Ride
Once you arrive at Dumbo, you’ll notice the biggest change. There are two Dumbos! One of the biggest issues with Dumbo was that it had a notoriously low capacity, which meant long lines for a relatively short ride. Disney is trying to alleviate that issue by adding a second spinner, which should double the capacity for the ride. Each spinner now flies over fountains and water, which is colorfully lit at night. This makes Dumbo a great attraction to just look at during the evenings at Magic Kingdom.

It should be noted that there aren’t two lines for the two Dumbos. The Dumbo queue will feed guests into both spinners. Speaking of that queue…

Indoor Interactive Queue

Dumbo Indoor Queue
Dumbo now has an indoor interactive queue, which essentially acts as a play area for younger guests. With a cute big top theme, the indoor queue provides a playground for kids to play in. Families who go into the interactive queue will receive a beeper which will light up and buzz when it’s their turn to board the ride (much like the beeper system you’ll find at many popular restaurants). The indoor queue is optional, and will be a godsend for parents who have children who get very fidgety and impatient while waiting in line. However, there doesn’t seem to be a huge draw for teens and older guests besides the air conditioning.

Fastpass

The last big change to Dumbo is the addition of Fastpass. Disney World’s Fastpass system is now available for Dumbo, however the distribution is over by Mickey’s PhilharMagic (near where the Winnie the Pooh Fastpass distribution is). It’s unclear whether this is a temporary location while the rest of the construction at Fantasyland continues, or if this will be the permanent home of the Flying Elephant’s Fastpass.

That wraps up all the changes at Dumbo. The ride itself remains the same classic attraction that has been at Walt Disney World for over forty years, but these additions will hopefully enhance the experience for the next forty years and beyond.

What do you think of the changes at Dumbo? Let me know on Twitter or Facebook, or email me at [email protected].