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Attraction Checklist

Attraction Checklist

Written by: Saturday Morning Media
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Ride along on one Disney fan's quest to ride and review every attraction at the Disney Theme Parks. Hosted by Grant Baciocco, Jim Henson Company puppeteer and creator of The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd.©2016-2021 Saturday Morning Media/Grant Baciocco Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • 164 - Dumbo The Flying Elephant - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World
    Jan 5 2026

    http://www.attractionchecklist.com -

    Do you believe that elephants can fly? Well you will. Because today we head to Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World to ride the Dumbo the flying elephant attraction on this episode of Attraction Checklist.

    Attraction audio recorded on May 21, 2025.

    TRANSCRIPT:

    Welcome to Attraction Checklist.

    This episode we're off to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom to ride Dumbo the Flying Elephant.

    The Walt Disney World website describes this attraction saying: Soar high in the sky-and see an elephant fly-on a whimsical flight aboard Dumbo.

    There are no age or height requirements or a thrill level listed for this attraction.

    Before we grab our magic feathers and soar to the skies, here are five fast facts about Dumbo the Flying Elephant at Magic Kingdom.

    1. Dumbo the Flying Elephant was a Magic Kingdom opening day attraction, opening with the park on October 1, 1971

    2. When the attraction originally opened, there were only 10 elephant ride vehicles. 6 more were added in 1993, when the attraction got a completely new ride mechanism.

    3. On opening day in 1971, the attraction was missing two important elements. First, Timothy the Mouse was not in his position atop the 'disco ball' on the center spire of the attraction, and the elephant ride vehicles weren't wearing hats! The ride vehicles were updated shortly after opening and Timothy made his debut in 1972.

    4. In 2011, Fantasyland went under construction and as part of it, the Dumbo attraction was relocated and updated with a entire second carousel and an interactive queue.

    5. The second carousel was build to spin clockwise from the original version.

    The attraction audio recorded for this episode is available exclusively to the Saturday Morning Media Patron Patron. Support the show and get fun Bonus content over at http://www.patreon.com/saturdaymorningmedia

    Episode edited by Stephen Staver

    FOLLOW US
    https://www.instagram.com/attractionchecklist/
    https://www.facebook.com/attractionchecklist
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/saturday-morning-media
    http://www.youtube.com/user/SaturdayMorningMedia?sub_confirmation=1

    FOLLOW GRANT
    http://www.MrGrant.com
    https://instagram.com/throwingtoasters/

    SOURCES:

    https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/magic-kingdom/dumbo-the-flying-elephant/

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumbo_the_Flying_Elephant

    Show ©2026 Saturday Morning Media/Grant Baciocco

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    16 mins
  • 163 - The Barnstormer - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World
    Oct 27 2025

    http://www.attractionchecklist.com -

    It's time to take a daring airplane ride with Goofy as we head to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World to ride The Barnstormer on this episode of Attraction Checklist. Attraction audio recorded on May 21, 2025.

    TRANSCRIPT:

    Welcome to Attraction Checklist.

    This episode we visit Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom to ride The Barnstormer.

    The Walt Disney World website describes this attraction saying: Take flight above Storybook Circus with Goofy in a homemade stunt airplane for a thrilling junior roller coaster ride.

    Guests must be 35" or taller to ride this attraction.

    Before we take-off, here are five fast facts about The Barnstormer.

    1. The Barnstormer is located in the Storybook Circus section of Fantasyland at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom. The spot where the coaster is now used to belong to Grandma Duck's petting farm which was a petting zoo and home to the famous cow Minnie Moo.

    2. The Barnstormer opened officially on October 1, 1996 in the renamed Toontown Fair section of Fantasyland. The story of the attraction was that Goofy was running a flight school on his farm. The ride's full name was The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm.

    3. The attraction closed on February 12, 2011 as part of the Fantasyland expansion at Magic Kingdom.

    4. The ride reopened on March 12, 2012 as part of Fantasyland's Storybook Circus. The name was tweaked The Barnstormer featuring Goofy as The Great Goofini.

    5. As you enter the attraction, turn and look at the back of the entrance sign. You'll see a set of red painted letters all jumbled up. When put together, these spell out Wiseacre Farm as a tribute to the previous attraction.

    Let's now ride the epic attraction that it The Barnstormer. Squeezing into the car with me is John B. deHaas and after we ride we'll give you our thoughts on this attraction. This is a binaural recording so if you have headphone, put them on now as we ride The Barnstormer at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.

    The attraction audio recorded for this episode is available exclusively to the Saturday Morning Media Patron Patron. Support the show and get fun Bonus content over at http://www.patreon.com/saturdaymorningmedia

    Episode edited by Stephen Staver

    FOLLOW US
    https://www.instagram.com/attractionchecklist/
    https://www.facebook.com/attractionchecklist
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/saturday-morning-media
    http://www.youtube.com/user/SaturdayMorningMedia?sub_confirmation=1

    FOLLOW GRANT
    http://www.MrGrant.com
    https://instagram.com/throwingtoasters/

    SOURCES:

    https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/magic-kingdom/barnstormer-starring-great-goofini/

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Barnstormer

    Show ©2025 Saturday Morning Media/Grant Baciocco

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    10 mins
  • 162 - Tom Sawyer Island - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World
    Sep 8 2025

    http://www.attractionchecklist.com -

    In July 2025, Tom Sawyer Island in Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom closed for good. Let's take one last walk around the Island before the memory fades on this episode of Attraction Checklist.

    Attraction audio recorded on May 21, 2025.

    TRANSCRIPT:

    This episode we're off to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom to take a stroll around Tom Sawyer Island.

    The Walt Disney World guide map described this attraction saying: Brave this Mark Twain-inspired hideaway.

    There are no age or height requirements or a thrill level listed for this attraction.

    Before we board a raft, here are five fast facts about Tom Sawyer Island at Magic Kingdom.

    1. Tom Sawyer island opened at Magic Kingdom on May 20, 1973.

    2. The Fort on the Island, Fort Langhorn, was originally called Fort Samuel Clemens, but the name was changed in 1996 in a moment of synergy with the Walt Disney Pictures film Tom & Huck.

    3. The barn on the island used to have an effect that made it seem like it was on fire. Viewed primarily from the riverboat, this effect was ended in 2005.

    4. In August 2024, Disney announced that Tom Sawyer Island would be closing to make way for a new Frontierland expansion themed to the Pixar movie Cars.

    5. Tom Sawyer Island official closed on July 7, 2025. Bringing the 52 year life of Tom Sawyer Island to a close.

    Let's go explore Tom Sawyer Island. Along for the adventure, the Huck to my Tom, is John B. deHaas and after we check out the attraction we'll give you our thoughts on it. This is a binaural recording so if you have headphones, put them on now as we visit Magic Kingdom's Tom Sawyer Island for the very last time.

    The attraction audio recorded for this episode is available exclusively to the Saturday Morning Media Patron Patron. Support the show and get fun Bonus content over at http://www.patreon.com/saturdaymorningmedia

    Episode edited by Stephen Staver

    FOLLOW US
    https://www.instagram.com/attractionchecklist/
    https://www.facebook.com/attractionchecklist
    https://www.linkedin.com/company/saturday-morning-media
    http://www.youtube.com/user/SaturdayMorningMedia?sub_confirmation=1

    FOLLOW GRANT
    http://www.MrGrant.com
    https://instagram.com/throwingtoasters/

    SOURCES:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Sawyer_Island

    https://blogmickey.com/2025/06/rivers-america-tom-sawyer-island-closing-date/

    https://www.disneylists.com/2024/07/9-facts-secrets-tom-sawyer-island-2-2/

    Show ©2025 Saturday Morning Media/Grant Baciocco

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    40 mins
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