As part of today's Cinderellabration, a traveling circus has pitched its tents in the village square. Circuses have a long tradition in Europe, but this one actually hails from the New World (with winter quarters in Florida, according to the film). It's the world-renowned Dumbo's Circus, featuring everyone's favorite flying elephant!
The centerpiece of the circus (and the attraction) is an elaborate golden calliope covered in fanciful gears, pinwheels and other mechanisms. Carvings and details on the calliope recall the artistry of the circus wagons of old and include elements from the Dumbo story.
More story details can be found on the finials atop the lampposts in the area, where pyramid piles of ponderous pachyderms perch precariously on the poles. (Sorry. Couldn't resist my inner Ringmaster.)
Overseeing the entire show is none other than Dumbo's #1 pal, the one who always believed in him, Timothy Q. Mouse. Timothy is in full circus costume and carrying the so-called "magic" feather, but Dumbo knows he doesn't need that anymore. He has all the confidence he needs to spread his ears and soar.
Flying high above the circus grounds, we spot the sideshow tent and one of the wild animal wagons (with a pair of monkeys on top). This location, a relatively new Disney Vacation Club kiosk, fits right in with the Big Top motif. Even the ad copy on the posters inside the tent does its part to help tell the story.
Of course, the circus never stays in one place for long, and Dumbo's Circus is preparing to pull up stakes. As part of the Magic Kingdom Fantasyland expansion, opening in 2012, Dumbo will soon have a new home in a part of the park now occupied by Mickey's Toontown Fair. Guests visiting the attraction will step into the Big Top for an interactive circus experience before taking off with the flying elephant, and with double the capacity, many more people will be able to enjoy this quintessential Disney attraction than ever before.
No comments:
Post a Comment