Disneyland's Flying Dumbo fireworks effect

The new Flying Dumbo effect, which will feature in Disneyland's new Magical fireworks program, will be created by a human and not a machine, reports the LA Times. Longtime Disney collaborator and master puppeteer Michael Curry was charged with the creation of the flying Dumbo suit, and initially had trouble trying to recreate the natural movements of the iconic elephant — including simultaneous head, ear, and leg movements — while still being able to keep control. The final solution, made from lightweight aluminum and carbon fiber, has the he puppeteer manipulating both ears with one hand and the head and trunk with the other hand, while his/her legs operate Dumbo’s front legs. Finally, the Curry's team had to get the suit to look correctly against the dark night sky when lit by a spotlight, which it did by painting the body green and the head pink, a combination that looks unnatural in the daytime but closely imitates the look of the animated pachyderm during the performance. “I was almost in tears at how good it looks,” Curry said. The new Magical show is officially set to open on June 12 as part of Disneyland's Summer Nightastic promotion, but will make an unofficial debut tonight, with a separate report suggesting additional soft opening previews on June 5, 6, and 8. A similar effect featuring a flying Tinkerbell has long been a staple of Disney's nighttime shows around the world.