Dumbo

**Dumbo** or real-name **Jumbo Jr.** is a character from the Disney film *Dumbo* (1941).

## History

### Film

Jumbo Jr. was an Asian elephant born to the Florida circus-elephant, "Mrs. Jumbo" in 1941. However, Jumbo Jr. was born with a mutation resulting in oversized ears. Due to these ears he was given the derogatory nickname of, "Dumbo" (a portmanteau of, "Jumbo" and, "Dumb") while also being treated like a freak. When one boy at a circus performance began tugging on Dumbo's ears to mock them, Mrs. Jumbo spanked the boy with her trunk to protect her baby only to be deemed a, "Mad elephant" and imprisoned by the ringmaster.

Alone, the infant would find itself in the care of a circus-mouse known as Timothy Mouse and after the two accidentally drank a large amount of liquor dunked in their water by abusive clowns, the two woke up from their stupor in a tree. Eventually the two were able to piece together that Dumbo's abnormal ears were able to function as pseudo-wings which allowed him to fly. Using this newfound skill, Dumbo was able to become the star of the circus which lead to him being treated well while Mrs. Jumbo was given her freedom.

### Disney Parks

Jumbo Jr. was an Asian elephant born to the Florida circus-elephant, "Mrs. Jumbo" in 1941. However, Jumbo Jr. was born with a mutation resulting in oversized ears. Due to these ears he was given the derogatory nickname of, "Dumbo" (a portmanteau of, "Jumbo" and, "Dumb") while also being treated like a freak. When one boy at a circus performance began tugging on Dumbo's ears to mock them, Mrs. Jumbo spanked the boy with her trunk to protect her baby only to be deemed a, "Mad elephant" and imprisoned by the ringmaster.

Alone, the infant would find itself in the care of a circus-mouse known as Timothy Mouse and after the two accidentally drank a large amount of liquor dunked in their water by abusive clowns, the two woke up from their stupor in a tree. Eventually the two were able to piece together that Dumbo's abnormal ears were able to function as pseudo-wings which allowed him to fly. Using this newfound skill, Dumbo was able to become the star of the circus which lead to him being treated well while Mrs. Jumbo was given her freedom.

Following their newfound success Timothy Mouse and Dumbo would go on to work in Hollywood, California where they acquired a contract with the Walt Disney Company. In 1947, Dumbo's contracted was leased by Disney to the cartoon-maker R.K. Maroon of *Maroon Cartoons*. Not long after this, R.K. Maroon was murdered by the villainous Judge Doom who presided over the cartoon colony of Toontown where Dumbo and Timothy where presumably staying.

Along with several residents of Toontown and circus affiliates Timothy Mouse and Casey Jr., Dumbo became the star of the travelling, "Storybook Circus". This circus would go on to set up shop in Carolwood Park where Dumbo performed with a multitude of other flying elephants. Timothy Mouse served as trainer for these new elephants though he was known to have enlisted more help via the *Disneyland Casting Agency*.

## Appearances and allusions

### Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Dumbo's likeness is used for the ride-vehicles of this Fantasyland attraction where he also serves as the ride's namesake. The ride is themed to being a circus performance where they can ride on the back of Dumbo and/or his fellow flying elephants.

### Fantasmic!

Dumbo briefly appears in the, "Pink Elephants" segment of this nighttime show as part of Mickey Mouse's dream.

### Main Street Cinema

There is an advert in the Disneyland Casting Agency's posting which reads, "*Must work with flying elephants. Trained in the magic feather technique. Send resume to: T.M. at our Florida office*".

### Mickey Mouse Revue

Dumbo and Timothy Mouse appeared in this attraction, playing a tuba as part of Mickey Mouse's orchestra.

### Pixar Pier

The game *Dumbo Bucket Brigade* in Pixar Pier has guests save the likeness of Dumbo from clowns.

### Roger Rabbit's Toontown Spin

There is a bulletin-board in the streets of Toontown posted by Dumbo, asking for help in finding his magic feather. Dumbo and Timothy Mouse are affiliated with operating out of the *Walt Disney Studio* in Hollywood while another posting identifies the attraction as occurring in late 1947-1948.

### Storybook Circus

Posters advertising the performances of Dumbo and rides on the back of flying elephants decorate this area of Fantasyland.

## Connections

### AbracadaBar

Dumbo's, "Magic" crow's feather is located on a shelf in this bar next to a fez belonging to the *Society of Explorers and Adventurers*.

### Carolwood Pacific Railroad

The Storybook Circus is identified as being set up in Carolwood Park and features the logo for the CPR as the park's logo.

### Discovery Bay

A Dumbo's Circus expansion of Fantasyland was planned in correlation with the development of the Disneyland, "Land" Discovery Bay. It would have been connected to Discovery Bay via a Skyway inspired attraction known as, "*Professor Marvel's Balloon Descent*". This attraction would have been themed to hot-air balloons run by a presumably *Wizard of Oz* inspired individual known as Prof. Marvel.

#### Journey Into Imagination

Professor Marvel was later adapted into the Dreamfinder for the attraction Journey Into Imagination. An early version of Figment would have also appeared in Discovery Bay in another Professor Marvel attraction.

### Skipper Canteen

In the library of the *Jungle Navigation Co. Skipper Canteen* is a book titled, "Pink Elephants and other rarities" by Lopez alluding to Dumbo's drunken hallucination of pink elephants.

## References

1. ↑ http://www.mainstgazette.com/2016/07/now-casting.html
2. ↑ https://www.flickr.com/photos/23879054@N00/3114378982
3. ↑ https://blogmickey.com/2016/07/photos-video-abracadabar-review/
4. ↑ https://dadsguidetowdw.com/storybook-circus