PHOTOS - Inside the interactive indoor queue set to open in July at Dumbo

[Animaniac93-98]

Ok, so for those of you that don't like this queue or feel it doesn't engage the whole family... what would you want!?!

My idea would be to create an animated circus of some kind. One of Disney's isdeas for Disneyland in the 70s was a circus which would have featured, among other things, AA versions of fantastical Disney creatures (like Pete's Dragon). My version would take those characters and add to them a series of "acts" much like the ones shown in artwok around SC now, with other characters like Goofy and Humphrey, plus other Dumbo ones. These characters and acts could be done in a number of ways, including the "living character" types. They could take various circus standards and cliches and find new ways to parody and liven them up. More static exhibits (think silly sideshow stuff) with more limited tech and interaction could be placed between the "rings", to entertain those too far away from the performers/characters.

Becuase Dumbo loads at slow intervals you could time the loops or acts to be long enough to seem more complete and to include multiple gags. Having live "performers" (behind the scenes) would also add variety to those who may have to see them more than once.

Just an idea I had thinking about this. :wave: BTW, I like everything about the new Dumbo in concept and design outside, I just think the inside could have been done better.

 

[danlb_2000]

That was my impression too. There was this:

"The sound of the calliope will lead you to the brand new Storybook Circus and not one but two circling carousels of airborne pachyderms on Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Before taking to the skies on this Fantasyland favorite, you can experience an array of fun-filled family games and interactive wonders for kids of all ages inside the Big Top."

See http://www.disneywebcontent.com/dcc/1722/b5fd3ce00f157310VgnVCM100000d864a8c0RCRD/

Maybe they've dropped the "array of fun-filled family games," but maybe they haven't.

Exactly! A couple people have said that adults will have to just sit an watch their kids play, but there is no way of telling from these pictures if there are activities that adults and kids can do together or not.

 

[talonstruck]

I think this looks pretty cool. My guess it is probably air conditioned as well.

 

[Atomicmickey]

edwardtc FTW.

My kids are getting older, but I completely applaud this addition. When they were younger, after riding on a few attractions, they really wanted to just play. To be kids. They want to run, climb, jump, that sort of thing. They don't want to stand and watch AA's.

Now, for my taste, this is going to be noisy, like Pooh's queue. But my kids loved Pooh's queue. Oh, my head . . . but it's not about me.

Doesn't look crappy to me at all. Looks appealing to a young kid, and understandably durable-looking. I wouldn't want to have to maintain/clean this, but there's no way around that.

 

[hpyhnt 1000]

For reference, here is my original post:

Hmmm...first impression isn't all that great. As already stated, looks like nothing more than your typical mall playground. Apart from the waiting benches, I didn't see anything in those pics that would appeal to anyone over the age of five.

And I hope there is some sound absorbing material in the ceiling or that tent, when filled with screaming children, is going to make Pooh's queue seem downright serene.

And this was a response to that post:

Regarding the bold part...who cares???? Do you have children age 5 and under? If not, your vote really doesn't count. Honestly. You are not the target demographic for this ride and/or queue system.

I've underlined what was originally bolded in my original quote. There was a lot to this quote that I could counter argue, but I'm responding specifically to what was addressed to me. No, I do not have children under five, but the blurb on the Disney Parks Blog specifically referenced experiences for "kids of all ages," as I've have copied below:

I agree with this whole heartedly. It'll pass the time for the little ones, but do so in a minimal way. :shrug: Eh.

I'll tell you what I had in mind... And honestly, I don't know where it came from... Maybe from a description long ago or something... But I pictured games that kids could play, similar to what you would find in traveling circusus or on a boardwalk (like at DCA). Things like a ring-toss. Basketball shot. Softball toss. Water gun in a clown's mouth. That sort of thing. A big room with a carnival/midway kind of feel. Games that normally you might have to pay for, but were just here for fun. No prizes.

Those obviously would appeal to the slightly older kids, so I could see an area of the big top set aside for the toddlers, as seen in the pictures. But someone said they thought it looked like their local mall, which is exactly the same thought I had when I saw it. But it is what it is.

I pictured buzzers. Lights. Sounds. Props with movement. Extreme over-stimulation.

That was my impression too. There was this:

"The sound of the calliope will lead you to the brand new Storybook Circus and not one but two circling carousels of airborne pachyderms on Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Before taking to the skies on this Fantasyland favorite, you can experience an array of fun-filled family games and interactive wonders for kids of all ages inside the Big Top."

See http://www.disneywebcontent.com/dcc/1722/b5fd3ce00f157310VgnVCM100000d864a8c0RCRD/

Maybe they've dropped the "array of fun-filled family games," but maybe they haven't.

THIS, x1000. Its not that some of us fancifully came up with high flying expectations (no pun intended). But when we keep hearing of this revolutionary queue with "fun filled family games" and "wonders for kids of all ages," forgive me if I expected the sneak preview photos to reveal more than just a plastic fire engine and a card board cutout of a burning building. Theming aside, there is nothing wrong with putting a big playground for kids in the queue. But then don't hype it up to be something "for kids of all ages" when it very clearly is not.

We're inside a big top tent; when I think of the circus, I think of games with darts and balloons and milk jugs, tick mirrors and magic acts. These pictures show nothing like that. Yes, they still have about a month to go and they may add something else so we will see, but as of right now, based on how this area has been described by Disney vs. the pictures that they have chosen to release, I stand by my initial post.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Because that's the part I disagree with.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you think that Walt wanted people to stand in switchbacks over this, right? I disagree. The attraction itself is what you are supposed to bond over, not the queue.

Seeing as the themed queue is a post-Walt creation, I don't think we have much that can be seen as precedent for his view regarding te evolution of queues. The post-Walt evolution of the queue has mostly been one of extending the attraction experience, not creating a disconnected one.

 

[Poirot4]

I'm also mystified by the negative snap judgments. The way I look at it is that this area replaced Mickey's Toon Town which was a very kid-centric area. In my opinion, in losing Toon Town, Disney wanted to ensure that they still had an area in the park devoted to young kids. Isn't Casey's water-play area essentially a replacement for Donald Duck's boat?

I think that so far Circusland far exceeds Toon Town in design and inspiration and they have rightly themed it to appeal to their target audience.

 

[The Braveheart]

Is this over reaction normal?

I have a 6 year old and a 3 year old. They will love it as it will give them an opportunity to be let of the leash so to speak. Getting two young kids round the parks in July can be stressfull. I see this as a perfect place for kids and parents to catch a short breather before riding (in my opinion) a world famous KIDS attraction.
New to the boards but really amazed at such a furore over two pictures. Surely you should wait until you see it for yourself???

 

[Tom]

My idea would be to create an animated circus of some kind. One of Disney's isdeas for Disneyland in the 70s was a circus which would have featured, among other things, AA versions of fantastical Disney creatures (like Pete's Dragon). My version would take those characters and add to them a series of "acts" much like the ones shown in artwok around SC now, with other characters like Goofy and Humphrey, plus other Dumbo ones. These characters and acts could be done in a number of ways, including the "living character" types. They could take various circus standards and cliches and find new ways to parody and liven them up. More static exhibits (think silly sideshow stuff) with more limited tech and interaction could be placed between the "rings", to entertain those too far away from the performers/characters.

Becuase Dumbo loads at slow intervals you could time the loops or acts to be long enough to seem more complete and to include multiple gags. Having live "performers" (behind the scenes) would also add variety to those who may have to see them more than once.

Just an idea I had thinking about this. :wave: BTW, I like everything about the new Dumbo in concept and design outside, I just think the inside could have been done better.

Very cool ideas...but you just created the world's most expensive queue :lol: Lots of payroll, lots of maintenance - for a B-ticket (granted, a very popular B-ticket).

Lots of ideas there that could have easily been an attraction of their own in Circus Land.

I believe the point of the new Dumbo queue was to simply provide a reprieve from a strict queue, and allow some fun and family interaction while waiting significantly shorter time to get on the ride than in the past.

I'm very anxious to see more photos or video, since we have no idea has been included in this area other than the very few things shown in the two photos.

 

[ImagineerDude]

I have mixed feelings about this. Dumbo has one of the craziest wait times in MK, except Peter Pan. I too was expecting touch screen or next-gen things like that. I like next-gen queues...there need to be more even though they are already brilliantly themed (it is yet another Disney Difference). It is a circus, should there be oversized iPads and new technology with its theme?

 

[Flip83]

I think it looks awesome. Yes, it is focused toward young children and keeping them busy while waiting in line. Isn't that the point? Or do you adults need something to play with to keep your mind off waiting in line? I don't understand what people wanted here. If it was some screens and big light up buttons to push, you would be bashing that to death. Disney just cannot win, can they? i think the next queue area made should offer free ice cream bars, free sodas and characters that give everybody gift cards to the Emporium. I think that may be the only way it could keep everyone happy waiting in line. Right? Right? :hammer:

 

[MAF]

I expect that to be a huge cluster "F" with loud screaming children running everywhere. Sorry, but I would rather wait in a standard line TBH.

 

[Tom]

I expect that to be a huge cluster "F" with loud screaming children running everywhere. Sorry, but I would rather wait in a standard line TBH.

And what's incredible is that you have that right! You are completely welcome to skip Dumbo and enjoy other attractions with traditional queues :sohappy:

 

[wm49rs]

I expect that to be a huge cluster "F" with loud screaming children running everywhere. Sorry, but I would rather wait in a standard line TBH.

Well, considering this is your standard sentiment, perhaps not visiting WDW at all would be your best option....

 

[MAF]

And what's incredible is that you have that right! You are completely welcome to skip Dumbo and enjoy other attractions with traditional queues :sohappy:

Of course I am right. WDW is once again alienating a portion of their target audience. Walt created WDW for everyone, not just tiny children. Such a disaster...

 

[Knothead]

I hope the Pink Elephants make an appearance somewhere in there. They used to terrify me as a child, but as an adult I totally appreciate them on a whole different level.

 

[Tom]

Of course I am right. WDW is once again alienating a portion of their target audience. Walt created WDW for everyone, not just tiny children. Such a disaster...

WHOA! Let me edit my post and try again, with an attempt at shrinking your ego a bit:

And what's incredible is that you reserve that right! You are completely welcome to skip Dumbo and enjoy other attractions with traditional queues :sohappy:

And I'll probably regret asking this, but I just can't help it (it's like poking a stick at a snake)....but exactly which portion of their target audience are they alienating by creating a more guest-friendly queue?

I'm extremely interested to hear which mission-critical demographic will be crippling Disney's bottom line because they created a queue that doesn't involve 30" wide mazes of railings.

 

[bkgrim]

We will be there from July 2 to the 13 and hope this open. Please, everyone, remember, you said it was bad and you should skip this in protest. That way I can go and enjoy riding both sides of this ride with a big smile on my face. I will complain to myself that they raised ticket prices again but remember dirty ceder point in Ohio did the same with there prices this year. I still will have a great time in a magical place.

 

[Skibum1970]

First, who is the target reader of the Disney Blog? Is it die-hard fans or is it just general information? Second, if the indoor queue offends, we can use Fastpass and probably irritate a completely different group. Third, it is air-conditioned which probably feels nice when the outside temperature is 96 degrees with 90% relative humidity. Fourth, the queue building appears to be somewhat large (unsure of square footage) and those two pictures of an unfinished area show a small area. Fifth and echoing some other voices, I've been around my nephews when they were under five and around friends' children of that age. The simplest things occupy them forever. Two boys about five spent 10 -15 minutes working one of those sand-digging toys and just loved it. Will it be noisy in there? Probably but no more than IASW's queue or other switchback queues where people feel the need to talk very loudly to be heard over other loud people.

I just want to see the photos taken by guests during the trip reports or soft openings to get a better feel for what the queue contains. I never rode Dumbo before now but am curious to ride the new one with the water features and, yes, to experience the indoor queue. I am hopefully going to go in late November or early December and am hoping that everything, excepting the Mine Train coaster, is open and beautiful. The overall expansion looks great and seeing just two pictures that probably represent 25% of the total queue (at most) has not dampened that enthusiasm.

 

[AmongMadPeople]

And I'll probably regret asking this, but I just can't help it (it's like poking a stick at a snake)....but exactly which portion of their target audience are they alienating by creating a more guest-friendly queue for a ride on which two average sized adults cannot sit together?

I appropriately completed your question to underline the silliness of this.