Disneyland’s Dumbo ride down for refurbishment. But why?

Earlier this month, the Disney Parks Blog announced that Disneyland’s classic attraction Dumbo the Flying Elephant was going down for refurbishment beginning on January 8th.

According to Disney, the attraction is simply being given a facelift…

Dumbo the Flying Elephant also will close temporarily beginning Jan. 8 to move the location of its queue and erect a new shade structure. The attraction will also be up to its “ears” in fresh paint! Main Street, U.S.A., vehicles and Dumbo the Flying Elephant will reopen in late winter and early spring, respectively.

Now the O.C. Register has more details about the refurbishment.

The lines to board the attraction are being relocated to a lesser used area behind the main walkway, which will “help us improve the flow around that area,” said Jim Slagle, director of facilities for Disneyland. Meanwhile, wooden barriers cover the work underway. January is a typical refurbishment season when the parks close rides for repairs and updates.

“You’ll see a generally refreshed area with planters and concrete,” Slagle said. “I think we’ll have some nice surprises when you come to visit.”

The shade is a much needed improvement, if I may say so. The SoCal sun can be absolutely brutal in the summer, and it a change that’s long overdue.

There’s no word yet on what date we can expect Dumbo to fly again, other than sometime in the spring.