Does The Dragon Still Breathe Fire?

[Disxuni]

Noticed the past few times I've been to the parks since getting my AP that the dragon is not breathing fire anymore. Or am I missing the timing? Is it just less frequent? If the dragon no longer does so, does anyone know when roughly when it stopped? The first time I was there for about as long as it typically is needed for the dragon to go off and there was nothing. Waited a few more minutes before leaving. I didn't want to stay long since it was busy and seemed to be in everyone's way (even if I was off to the side). Second and third time I was there for a little while, about a half hour, maybe a little more generally enjoying the whole area, but nothing.

 

[quesoboy88]

As far as I've heard, it's still breathing fire. I don't remember seeing any kind of news of it stopping. I know if winds are high or the weather's real bad they tend to not have it do it as much, so it could be a timing thing.

 

[schumigirl]

Breathed fire every day we visited this last 11 night trip. Saw it every day we visited in September too.

I know there are occasions that it doesn’t exude fire, but they are rare. You’ve simply been unlucky.

 

[Disxuni]

Thanks for letting me know you two. I was also wondering if it had to do with EE, but I would imagine with EE it would still be up as DA is the main attraction. All three days were considered "cold" days. One day was cloudy on and off. Rumored to rain, but never did. It could be the wind. It wasn't the most dramatic wind experience, but the days I went technically did have a little wind, but while it wasn't much it might have been enough.

 

[jmv5010]

I was just down from the 5th to the 8th and saw fire each day. It did seem more frequent on some days but it definitely still happens.

 

[Lashed34]

Saw it today, definitely still firing up.

 

[Sparkly]

Unlike the Festival Of Fantasy Maleficent dragon, the Gringotts one at least doesn't have to worry about setting unsuspecting guests on fire accidentally in unfavourable winds.

 

[Alynw]

Our last trip in October there were some folks getting frustrated with trying to get a picture of the fire and we were also waiting on the fire when the CM explained to the couple that there is no set time or actual schedule for the fire. But what she did say was that the more people gather the more upset it makes the dragon and it will start to rumble more and more until eventually it gets mad enough to spit fire. So even though the CM was trying to stay in character so to speak, she was basically saying it pretty much depends on how busy it is and how big the mass of people gets waiting to take a pic that plays a part in how often it spits fire. During our xmas trips, we've seen it spit fire almost every 30min or so but the amount of people at this time is just insane.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Our last trip in October there were some folks getting frustrated with trying to get a picture of the fire and we were also waiting on the fire when the CM explained to the couple that there is no set time or actual schedule for the fire. But what she did say was that the more people gather the more upset it makes the dragon and it will start to rumble more and more until eventually it gets mad enough to spit fire. So even though the CM was trying to stay in character so to speak, she was basically saying it pretty much depends on how busy it is and how big the mass of people gets waiting to take a pic that plays a part in how often it spits fire. During our xmas trips, we've seen it spit fire almost every 30min or so but the amount of people at this time is just insane.

We got told that by a TM too but it’s not true. Someone here told me it happens every 10 mins on the 10 min mark (9:00, 9:10, 9:20, etc) which has been true when we’ve been there except for a day last trip where it seemed to be down. We didn’t see it go at all during the hour or so we were there. We keep a very close eye on It because my son hates the fire breathing and prefers to be far away or in a store when it happens.

 

[only hope]

If it’s working and the weather is cooperating, it goes off exactly every 10mn.

 

[Alynw]

If it’s working and the weather is cooperating, it goes off exactly every 10mn.

This could hold true on certain days but we go for a week every year during xmas and new year and so far it averages about 30 min between fire. About every 10 min it will rumble and everyone gets there cameras ready and no fire and then about the 30 min mark it fires. During our last October trip we waited 45min before moving on but the dragon was still rumbling. Maybe they have different schedules for different days or events but this has been our experience now for years. I'll time it again here in 2 weeks and see what it is.

 

[only hope]

I’m a local passholder who goes frequently, and have since Diagon opened. It is normally every ten minutes. There have been very few days I was there when it wasn’t. However, I normally avoid Universal during high crowd times. Perhaps they intentionally increase the time between occurrences and/or make it seem more random during high crowds to try to keep the street crowd from being a mob. It’s bad enough on normal days!

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

I’m a local passholder who goes frequently, and have since Diagon opened. It is normally every ten minutes. There have been very few days I was there when it wasn’t. However, I normally avoid Universal during high crowd times. Perhaps they intentionally increase the time between occurrences and/or make it seem more random during high crowds to try to keep the street crowd from being a mob. It’s bad enough on normal days!

It's pretty busy the Mon and Tues of Thanksgiving week while we're there and it's always been 10 minutes for us (the past two years) except for the one day (I think it was Sun but can't be completely sure) when it appeared to be not working right.

I think they would have less crowding and better flow if they were just honest about the schedule. Instead of blocking off the whole entrance to DA and waiting, people would be able to get a spot right before it goes off and then go about their day.

But before I timed it myself, I never would have guessed it was every 10 minutes. It felt longer than that before we knew - probably because you're in and out of buildings, watching the shows, and riding rides so miss some of them. The other thing about the rumbling is that they also play train sounds from time to time that sound very similar to the rumblings before the dragon goes. It used to worry my son. Now we just check the watch.

 

[johnnyr]

Was there in August and it was not working for the 4 days we spent in Universal. Glad to hear its working again.

 

[Disxuni]

It seems either way there is some inconsistency now. Since I do recall it was every 10 minutes as others are reporting. When I had my AP previously it never was off it's timing when it went off, which is why I was curious as to when I got my AP again it wasn't the same. It probably is just bad luck.

Interesting to hear other stories, such as it even going off every half hour instead sometimes. To be honest, it going off every half hour potentially due to heavier crowds doesn't make sense to me. While yes, you can hoover that half hour take your picture and move on. It going off every 10 I think is still better. More money for them, but I feel as if people would stand around less if it's going off more. That way you take your picture and keep moving on. However, that's just me.

 

[missnic]

It was definitely breathing fire on Saturday night. I didn't time it, but I sat on a bench to eat 2 ice cream cones (yep. don't judge) and it went off several times while I was there. This was during a private event, so not sure if the schedule is still the same, but he definitely does still work

 

[Lashed34]

Today it fired up 3 times within 20 minutes while we were there.