Moving old Dumbo, or buying a new Dumbo?

[boufa]

I am sure that this has been discussed before, but I could not find a conclusive answer... (lots of guesses, but someone has to be inside enough to know the actual answer)

Is the new Dumbo attraction 100% new, or 50% new. I know its going to be a dual dumbo. People seem to be assuming that they are going to relocate the physical machine that is the dumbo ride over to a new location.

Is it possible that they are getting 2 new dumbo machines (so that they are identical) and then scrapping, or storing the "old" dumbo?

I realize that it might be seen as a waste of money, but it would make sense, depending on how old "old" dumbo is. Might be a good time to have brand new machines on what is one of the most popular rides in the parks. This would also mean that "old" dumbo would not have to be closed until new dumbo is opened.. though I doubt that would be the only reason to buy a new one.

 

[peterpanic74]

50% new...according to the Imagineer I was talking to at the Carousel of Projects. The current Dumbo will be moved, and the second one will be new.

 

[Neverland]

I think I remember hearing it's half new. I want to say that I heard they'll open half of New Dumbo, so it's running, while they use a crane to move Old Dumbo. And all of New Dumbo will be open a week later.

 

[RSoxNo1]

50% new...according to the Imagineer I was talking to at the Carousel of Projects. The current Dumbo will be moved, and the second one will be new.

I asked the same question and got the same answer.

I can't access youtube from this computer, but it is the 4th video down in this post:
http://www.wdwfanboys.com/blog/tims-trip-report-8192011-part-3-d23-expo/

 

[danlb_2000]

I asked the same question and got the same answer.

I can't access youtube from this computer, but it is the 4th video down in this post:
http://www.wdwfanboys.com/blog/tims-trip-report-8192011-part-3-d23-expo/

The question asked of the imagineer in the video is, will there always be a dumbo open, and the answer is "That is the current goal. I'll say that is the goal, not the plan". Moving the existing one will take some time because they are adding elements to it and changing some of the paint colors, so it won't be an overnight move.

 

[JustInTime]

I have heard 2 new considering that they will be having water features. And the old Dumbo will be used for parts.


Could be off, but that is what I have heard.

 

[Rob562]

I have heard 2 new considering that they will be having water features. And the old Dumbo will be used for parts.


Could be off, but that is what I have heard.

Well, the water features are more a function of the base than the ride mechanism.

Plus, if I'm not mistaken, the current Dumbo *was* designed with a water feature in mind, because it was intended for Paris. But when it was installed in Florida the Utilidors underneath wouldn't allow it.

-Rob

 

[djkidkaz]

The only thing that has really bothered me in all the concept art for Dumbo was that one spinner was the original Dumbo and the other one has like an extra 6 Dumbos on it. I hope that when its all said and done that each spinner has the same amount of Dumbos attached to it. I know it sounds stupid, but I just think it needs to be symmetrical.

 

[startraveler]

Does anyone know if the new spinner will have ride cars with an easy transfer from a wheelchair or even a special car that takes wheelchairs like the flying carpets?

 

[pppapazo]

The only thing that has really bothered me in all the concept art for Dumbo was that one spinner was the original Dumbo and the other one has like an extra 6 Dumbos on it. I hope that when its all said and done that each spinner has the same amount of Dumbos attached to it. I know it sounds stupid, but I just think it needs to be symmetrical.

^ This.

 

[acr123]

To me it looks like the ride mechanism will stay the same. It will just get a new shell and new decorations. No more Timothy the Mouse on top....

 

[mp2bill]

To me it looks like the ride mechanism will stay the same. It will just get a new shell and new decorations. No more Timothy the Mouse on top....

Awwwwwww. I like Timothy the Mouse.

 

[danlb_2000]

The only thing that has really bothered me in all the concept art for Dumbo was that one spinner was the original Dumbo and the other one has like an extra 6 Dumbos on it. I hope that when its all said and done that each spinner has the same amount of Dumbos attached to it. I know it sounds stupid, but I just think it needs to be symmetrical.

I believe Lee (or one of the other insiders) mentioned at one point that despite what the concept art shows, both spinners would have the same number of Dumbo's on them.

 

[NewfieFan]

I believe Lee (or one of the other insiders) mentioned at one point that despite what the concept art shows, both spinners would have the same number of Dumbo's on them.

Yes, I remember reading that as well! It was mentioned that one Dumbo looks to have more b/c it's trying to show motion in the concept art.

 

[Neverland]

Does anyone know if the new spinner will have ride cars with an easy transfer from a wheelchair or even a special car that takes wheelchairs like the flying carpets?

I have no idea, but I think they easily could, and they should. I believe the current Dumbo is grandfathered in and does not have to be wheelchair accessible, but the new Dumbo counts as a new ride and loses its seniority.

Honestly, I never even knew there was a wheelchair carpet until a few months ago. The fact that it can also be used as a regular carpet is very smart. I flipped my lid when I saw them remove the seats to let a guest in a wheelchair ride.

The carpets spinner was not made by Disney, though. To my knowledge, another company made it and sold it to Disney, who themed it. That's why the hydraulics are so terrifyingly and wonderfully loose in comparison to Dumbo. If you know how to work the carpets right, you'll never have to get a fastpass for Tower of Terror again.

 

[startraveler]

Yeah - when they transform the ride car everyone in line seems to be really intrigued. I think the spinner at AK Dinosaurland has a similar ride car. Haven't ridden that one though. Would love to ride Dumbo again. Last time a family member helped me on but was unable to get me out of it. We held up the ride and the CM couldn't help. Finally a woman in line who worked as an assistant in a special ed class helped. And the Dumbos began to fly again. That was in '97 -Just couldn't try it again. LOL. I'm also hoping for the Seven Dwarf's to have an easy transfer car. I know the cars won't be able to take wheelchairs. I may shut down another ride in a few weeks. I'm trying Snow White before they close it. Haven't gotten on it since 2001. LOL Wish they had an easy transfer car on that one like they do in Disneyland. Peter Pan and Pirates are a no go for me now. But they made one HM car "a little" easier and Jungle Cruise is now completely accessible. So I've gained back two that had been nixed. Can't complain, though, disney is the most accessible place to vacation. Thanks for the reply.

 

[modegreen]

Zamperla is the company that manufactured the "newer" Dumbo (that was indeed set to go to Paris). In all actuality, the ride mechanisms are very simple, and the outer "shell" of the ride (the decorative part) could conceivably be easier to change when they move the ride's location. Even though it's usually attributed to WDI, who did design the attraction, Zamperla also built Carpets, Triceretops Spin, DL's Dumbo and Astro Oribtor, etc. so they all have similar mechanisms.

Translation... the "New" Dumbo ride would probably be very mechanically similar to the "Old" Dumbo ride, so any other changes (fountains, paint, color schemes, decorative elements) could be implemented on both.

This goes the same with the cars, which are really just steel and fiberglass (and, um, seatbelts). I'm sure the older cars will have to be refurbished anyway, though I'm sure they have spares since it's such a marquee attraction. An ADA loading dock and special Dumbo car could be whipped up and added to both the new and old Dumbo rides, thereby keeping capacities and rides consistent as possible... also allowing one "side" to go down for refurbs/technical difficulties/loading delays without affecting the other side. I fully expect both Dumbos to look identical once the full attraction is open.

 

[PKD]

I believe Lee (or one of the other insiders) mentioned at one point that despite what the concept art shows, both spinners would have the same number of Dumbo's on them.

This is correct, both spinners are the same in design and features.

 

[MichWolv]

Does anyone know if the new spinner will have ride cars with an easy transfer from a wheelchair or even a special car that takes wheelchairs like the flying carpets?

Not what you asked, but I can confirm that the Little Mermaid ride at DCA has a special car (or more than one, maybe) that takes wheelchairs, so I'm sure that accomodation will exist in the WDW version as well.

 

[startraveler]

Thanks. I'm looking forward to the Little Mermaid Ride. Glad it will have a wheelchair car. Even though I like a little thrill, I really like a good dark ride with music, animatronics etc. that takes its time so I can see the detail. Nothing worse than standing in a long line to ride something that only lasts a couple of minutes. Now I'm wondering about the transfer to the Mine Train Ride, since it seems like a combo dark ride and mild thrill ride!