Disney testing flying dragon for possible use in Avatarland

[YankeePrincess]

Before everyone gets too excited, note the author points out there's virtually no chance this will be something guests could ride on--much more likely a show element. And assuming that's the case, I'm still meh on the whole Avatar idea.

Totally agree.

 

[MelissathePooh]

Yeah - given the level of contrived dribble that was the movie Avatar, the idea of Avatarland just makes me cringe. I tend to see a flying dragon as a recipe for potential disaster if there was a malfuntion.

ugh...

 

[larryz]

A couple of issues.

As an ultralight the best it could do is a fly by and I'm sure there are FAA regs on how close you can fly to the ground particularly over a stadium with 6,000 people (500 feet ).

So the only way it could work is to hang it from a crane on wires and if you do that why make it an ultralight in the first place.

If you look at an overhead shot of the stadium (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...M_nT7vrA-WU2gWW35HaCQ&ved=0CFoQ9QEwAA&dur=852) you can see there's a path the dragon could fly without taking it over the audience. Not that I'd try it, but depending on winds, it could certainly approach and fly by slightly above and on the parking lot side without flying over the crowd.

 

[chartle]

If you look at an overhead shot of the stadium (http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...M_nT7vrA-WU2gWW35HaCQ&ved=0CFoQ9QEwAA&dur=852) you can see there's a path the dragon could fly without taking it over the audience. Not that I'd try it, but depending on winds, it could certainly approach and fly by slightly above and on the parking lot side without flying over the crowd.

It can certainly fly over but for what effect and how close.

Some have brought up Mickey fighting this dragoon. But it would be more like hey I think I see something over there.

Even if it could get close the timing would be horrendous. WDW shows are timed to the tenth of a second. I little head wind and Mickey is starting to tell jokes and tap dance keeping everyone entertained.

Though I could see this dragoon flying over Avatar land as part of a parade or open air show.

Yea thats whats going to happen.

 

[LMN]

OK....while I think the flying dragon is way cool, I have no interest in Avatarland. I am puzzled as to why Disney would even consider doing a project of this size given its appeal is not that broad.

My point, though, is to say what a COOL job these Imagineers have! "What did you do today, honey?" Imagineer: "Not much...just flew mechanical dragons around for a while." They must pinch themselves every day to not only have those cool jobs, but also get paid to do them!

 

[tiki23]

I love the whole flying dragon thing...very cool. Who knows in which way this might eventually be utilized, but it's pretty exciting to think about it.

As for Avatar.. it was the biggest grossing movie of all time, so I'm sure there are at least some people out there who will like Avatar Land. Not many of them seem to be here on the Dis though, lol.

My family and most of our friends are on the "like" list and are really looking forward to the completion of the Disney area and the upcoming films.

 

[PrincessCastMember]

Here's a fun fact you may not have known...

When DAK was being created, the intention was to have the park divided into three categories, animals of the past, animals of the present, and animals of fantasy (kind of relating back to the sign at Magic Kingdom where you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy).

You can see how this was realized partially with Dinoland and the rest of the park. In fact, the ticket booths also displays three animals on the top of their booths: a dinosaur, a monkey (I think) and a unicorn (I think). The parking lot is also divided up into animal sections of these three areas.

Now, you may have known that... but did you know the popular Dualing Dragons rollercoaster at Universal Studios was originally meant for the fantasy portion of DAK? Universal heard word that Disney was putting the fantasy portion of the park on the back burner and took that opportunity to snatch up Dualing Dragons. Very similar to Harry Potter for DHS.

 

[Robo]

the ticket booths also displays three animals on the top of their booths: a dinosaur, a monkey (I think) and a unicorn (I think).

The fanciful animal in the center of the DAK logo is a Dragon.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

The fanciful animal in the center of the DAK logo is a Dragon.

OK...... ROBO.....I do like that....ahhh....adjusted logo!


AKK

 

[Suellen]

Ugh! Cool dragon - but Avatarland? No thank you!

 

[Tara]

Oh wow!! Someone in WDI told me in February to be on the lookout for a flying dragon this summer but I didn't know if it would really come to pass!

 

[DeaverTex]

One more time It's not an Avatar related dragon. Those had four wings, pterosaur-like crests on their heads, and very different anatomy in general. This is a fantasy dragon.

 

[CandleontheWater]

A couple of issues.

As an ultralight the best it could do is a fly by and I'm sure there are FAA regs on how close you can fly to the ground particularly over a stadium with 6,000 people (500 feet ).

So the only way it could work is to hang it from a crane on wires and if you do that why make it an ultralight in the first place.

It can certainly fly over but for what effect and how close.

Some have brought up Mickey fighting this dragoon. But it would be more like hey I think I see something over there.

Even if it could get close the timing would be horrendous. WDW shows are timed to the tenth of a second. I little head wind and Mickey is starting to tell jokes and tap dance keeping everyone entertained.

Though I could see this dragoon flying over Avatar land as part of a parade or open air show. Maybe in formation like a an meetable M&G.

Yea thats whats going to happen.

You guys might not realize this, but ultralights have been successfully used in Disney shows before. Remember "Surprise in the Skies" it was in Epcot, they used ultralights and they flew over people and the park as part of a daytime show on WS lagoon. They definitely flew low enough to be seen and to be an integral part of the show.

There also were no problems choreographing them into the show, and that was back in the 90s, I'm sure technology for ultralights has progressed since them, and that they are even easier to use now.

 

[Tara]

Oh, and maybe this is related to AK, but I am pretty sure the person I talked to said to look out for it "over Magic Kingdom."

 

[chartle]

You guys might not realize this, but ultralights have been successfully used in Disney shows before. Remember "Surprise in the Skies" it was in Epcot, they used ultralights and they flew over people and the park as part of a daytime show on WS lagoon. They definitely flew low enough to be seen and to be an integral part of the show.

There also were no problems choreographing them into the show, and that was back in the 90s, I'm sure technology for ultralights has progressed since them, and that they are even easier to use now.

I didn't say they couldn't use them in a show just they couldn't use them in a show like F!. I pulled up a youtube of Surprise in the Skies and its no where near as choreographed as F! so there would be very little interaction with the show.

But now that I think about it, it could be used at night and if the dragon was lit up the para-sail could be dark and look like it was flying.

 

[chartle]

OK....while I think the flying dragon is way cool, I have no interest in Avatarland. I am puzzled as to why Disney would even consider doing a project of this size given its appeal is not that broad.

It must have appealed to someone to make over 2.7 billion dollars, get a best picture nomination and a slew of other awards.

Don't forget there are 2 sequels in the works.

 

[jason10mm]

Come on guys, this thing breathes fire!

It is DEFINITELY the next step in line enforcement

"Hey look, no CMs around, lets hop the rope and skip this Brazilian scooter tour group!"

"Watch out, up in the sky!"

WHOOSH!

"Fire, fire!"

 

[chartle]

Oh, and maybe this is related to AK, but I am pretty sure the person I talked to said to look out for it "over Magic Kingdom."

I'm wondering any Disney Dragon movies in the works?

 

[mom2rtk]

OK....while I think the flying dragon is way cool, I have no interest in Avatarland. I am puzzled as to why Disney would even consider doing a project of this size given its appeal is not that broad.

My point, though, is to say what a COOL job these Imagineers have! "What did you do today, honey?" Imagineer: "Not much...just flew mechanical dragons around for a while." They must pinch themselves every day to not only have those cool jobs, but also get paid to do them!

I'm guessing the are trying to broaden their marketing base with this, maybe increase their appeal to the teen and young adult set. It's a risk though. I'm right there with you having no desire whatsoever to see it.

 

[Reddog1134]

One of the very reliable rumormongers on another board said the dragon is NOT Avatar related and is possibly part of a nighttime show (but specifically said "not Fantasmic").