At a glance
The Paris version of Dumbo the Flying Elephant was designed especially for this park, with more detail and the number of elephants raised to sixteen, compared with ten on the original California ride. This upgraded version was later copied in nearly every other Disney park in the world. Today, only Tokyo Disneyland still has the older ten-elephant version.
The ride is based on the animated movie Dumbo, released in 1941, and works on the same principle as classic airplane spinner rides. The sixteen Dumbo-shaped ride vehicles sit on jointed arms that turn around a central pole, topped by Timothy Q. Mouse balancing on a small hot air balloon and holding up the famous feather. Each elephant seats two riders and can go up or down with the joystick in front of the seats, which drives a hydraulic jack. A ride lasts about one minute and thirty seconds.
A funny bit of history: early plans had the ride built around the Pink Elephants on Parade scene, but Walt Disney said no to an attraction based on a drunken hallucination. Then in 1957, Harry Truman, by then a former US president, wouldn’t get on Dumbo when he toured Disneyland, because the elephant stands for the Republican Party! These days, go for a spin once night falls: you’ll get one of the prettiest views over Fantasyland and the castle all lit up.
Fantasyland’s most popular flying ride. Elephants on jointed arms that each rider raises and lowers above a setting of feathers and fountains. The thrills are very gentle, and young kids adore it. The wait builds up quickly because capacity is low, so it’s best to get there early.
History
Opened on April 12, 1992 along with the park, Dumbo the Flying Elephant is the Disneyland Paris version of a ride that has been at Disneyland Anaheim since it opened in 1955, then came to Orlando’s Magic Kingdom (1971), Tokyo Disneyland (1983), Hong Kong Disneyland (2005), and Shanghai Disneyland (2016). It draws on the movie Dumbo (1941).
Technical specs
- Duration
- 1 min 30
- Opened
- 1992
- Type Classic spinner ride
- Opening date April 12, 1992
- Duration 1 min 30 s
- Number of elephants 16
- Design Walt Disney Imagineering
- Manufacturer Zamperla
- Inspiration Dumbo the Flying Elephant (Disneyland California 1955)
Theme & world
Levels & accessibility
- Fear level none
- Thrill level low
- Emotional impact moderate
- Perceived wait moderate
- Height requirement None (open to everyone)
- Recommended age all ages
- Wheelchair access must transfer from wheelchair
- Pregnant visitors OK to ride
Premier Access, Single Rider, PhotoPass
Not offered on this ride.
This ride has no Single Rider line. If you want to cut your wait, rely on Premier Access or get there at park opening.
No PhotoPass on this ride.
Usually open during this early slot before the park opens to the public, mainly for Disney hotel guests and Disneyland Pass Gold holders. A good time to ride it with a shorter wait.
Who it’s made for
Pros and cons
The highlights
- One of the park’s iconic rides
- You control Dumbo’s height
- View over Fantasyland
The downsides
- Line is often long
- Short ride
- Not much fun for teens
My verdict
Dumbo the Flying Elephant means 16 Dumbo elephants circling a golden pole, each one raised and lowered by its riders with a joystick. The ride lasts 1 min 30 s, has no height requirement, and has been an all-time Disney park classic since 1955. It’s the Fantasyland icon that shows up in everyone’s childhood memories.
I find it prettier after dark, when the whole ride lights up against the glowing castle. A detail that makes it even sweeter: once you’re up in the air, look for Timothy Q. Mouse with his famous feather, perched on the little hot air balloon in the center of the ride. The line is often way out of proportion to how long the ride lasts, so go at park opening or during the parade to skip the wait.
Best time to go
Based on this ride’s wait time history, updated every day.
Map & getting there
Dumbo the Flying Elephant is in the middle of Fantasyland, close to Meet Mickey Mouse and Alice’s Curious Labyrinth.
Your questions about this ride
01 How can you avoid long lines for the most popular rides?
To skip long lines at Disneyland Paris, I mix several strategies. First, Single Rider is free and really speeds things up on the rides that offer it, including Crush’s Coaster, Flight Force, Ratatouille, and Spider-Man, as long as you don’t mind boarding apart from your group. Next, Disney Premier Access is a paid service that guarantees you priority entry on the headline rides. If you’re staying at a Disney hotel, Extra Magic Time lets you into the park before official opening, and that’s the best time to ride the popular attractions back to back without waiting. Last, heading to the busiest rides during a parade or a big show empties the lines dramatically.
02 Are the wait times posted in the park accurate?
Yes, the wait times shown in the app or on the park’s screens are generally accurate. They’re often equal to or slightly longer than the real wait, which helps you plan your day better.
03 How can I find out if a ride will be under refurbishment during my vacation?
Disneyland Paris posts the list of rides closed for refurbishment on its official website several weeks ahead of time. Since the parks are open year-round, maintenance crews sometimes work on days the park is open, which leads to temporary closures. My tip: check this calendar (or the one on my blog) before you book, especially if there’s one particular ride you really care about.
04 Which rides might scare young kids?
Several rides at Disneyland Paris can be a bit much for young kids, even with no height requirement. Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains, in Fantasyland, has dark scenes with the witch that can catch them off guard. Les Voyages de Pinocchio also has some unsettling moments. La Tanière du Dragon, beneath Sleeping Beauty Castle, is home to a very impressive animatronic dragon. Phantom Manor, in Frontierland, leans into its ghostly mood and stays pretty intense for little ones. Pirates of the Caribbean switches between cheerful scenes and darker ones. I recommend watching how your child reacts before you board.
05 How far ahead does Disneyland Paris announce ride closures?
Disneyland Paris shares its list of ride closures about 2 to 3 months ahead. For major rides, the park lets guests know about planned construction at least two months before it starts. I recommend checking the official calendar (or my dedicated page) a few weeks before your visit, since dates can change. That way you won’t get the nasty surprise of finding out on the spot that your favorite ride is closed for refurbishment.
