Disney testing flying dragon for possible use in Avatarland

[disneychic]

I guess I'm the only one who doesn't want that thing flying over my head!

 

[SueM in MN]

I would be worried that it wouldn't match up correctly with my ponytail.

LOL

It would be awesome if multiple flying dragons became a permanent fixture in the skies of animal kingdom. Especially if they could somehow hide the non-dragon parts from below so it looked like real dragon!

It wouldn't be a ride, but it would be a magical mood setter!

 

[CandleontheWater]

In this article, the Disney spokesperson specifically mentioned the Disney Parks, so its going somewhere in the Parks universe. Fingers crossed for WDW, I think it looks awesome! It would be very cool as part of a nighttime show, dragons breathing fire flying overhead- awesome!

Link to article

 

[mattsdragon]

The giant parachute and the other equipment doesn't make it look to Avatarish.

I'd honestly rather see them just do Beastly Kingdom than Pandora. Count me in the group that really doesn't care for James Cameron or his self-indulgent movies.

 

[newdeal]

the chute kills the magic on this one. after dark usage may be able to hide it but likely the control isn't adequate to use in close proximity to guests as would be required for fantasmic. A flying dragon is cool but one that has a parachute is not

 

[nooneshome]

The only thing worse than Avatar is Cameron's huge ego. I wish they would take all that money and update a bunch of rides and shows. A new Soarin show, redo the Indy show maybe give us the ride or how about replacing Stitch.

 

[hollygolitely93]

Looks like the avatar dragons to me. Very cool...parachute or not...a flying fire-breating dragon above your head or in a show is cool. I am warming up to Avatar land...

 

[KellyNY]

While it is definitely cool, I do not remember dragons in Avatar, unless they will be in Avatar 2. To me it looks more like dragons from Harry Potter or How to Train Your Dragon. Any chance it actually Universal project and not Disney, after all Disney is silent on this.

BTW, every creature on Pandora had 6 legs, this one does not.

 

[Disfamily0405]

I don't see much similarity between the dragon in the article and the Banshee (flying mounts from Avatar). The dragon from the article looks more like a traditional dragon from european legend. I don't adore Avatar (was good but not life changing) don't think Avatarland is a good idea for Disney, would enjoy a more generalized fantastical creatures such as dragons, unicorns, Griffyons and the like (though I guess that would look too much like HP)...do love me some dragons though, so can't wait to see how they use this if it is Disney's
(below are pictures I used to compare the dragon from the article with the Banshee from Avatar)

 

[GreenCntryGirl]

I'm really surprised. I seriously thought I was the only person who did not want AvatarLand. Nice to see I'm not alone.

 

[larryz]

I guess I'm the only one who doesn't want that thing flying over my head!

It's ok -- I'm sure it's "park trained."

 

[larryz]

the chute kills the magic on this one. after dark usage may be able to hide it but likely the control isn't adequate to use in close proximity to guests as would be required for fantasmic. A flying dragon is cool but one that has a parachute is not

It's a parafoil, not used to slow the descent, but to provide lift.

And they're very controllable. People have been using them in ultralight aircraft for years.

 

[Jennasis]

The "dragons" in Avatar didn't breathe fire.

 

[larryz]

The "dragons" in Avatar didn't breathe fire.

Which is why I'm guessing they're possibly for use in the F! show...

 

[mousireid]

I wish it was toothless! Now there's a dragon I'd go gaga for - how could you not resist that wee face...awww.
Any dragon is a good dragon though!
Doesn't LOOK like an avatar dragon however, although avatar would still attract my family, weird and wonderful creatues from another planet tend to do that.
BUT, when I look at THAT particular picture I gotta say with all the technology surely better can be done?

 

[Micca]

I think they should look like lovebugs.

 

[DeaverTex]

Regarding the rather industrial appearance of this dragon, I'd think that was entirely because this is a test bed. It looks like a standard ultralight with a dragon built onto it. That makes sense for a test because the idea is to see how it handles, whether it's sufficiently maneuverable, etc. If things work out, then a clear parasail, made of low refraction index material, would make the "wing" a LOT harder to see, and I'd be willing to bet that the propeller guard could also be less obvious. Think Lucite or something similar.

Has anyone come up with a Disney dragon that might have provided the prototype for the body, though? I'm no Disney movie expert, so I'm not even gonna try.

 

[chartle]

Of course, I'm still wishing Magic Kingdom would add the Tangled flying lanterns to their evening entertainment...not just the MMY projection but ACTUAL floating lanterns. I mean, if they can make a flying dragon...

Two issues:

• Those lanterns are held aloft by hot air, hot air generated by burning something also they are made of paper.
  
• If they made them like balloons, Disney doesn't do balloon releases anymore.

 

[sdzman]

Drones over WDW.....Holy Wow!

 

[chartle]

Which is why I'm guessing they're possibly for use in the F! show...

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.