Remember the Dragon?

[Kate and Family]

The dragon that did a flyover Fantasy Land and the Castle.

Any one know where he/she is now?

 

[Itinkso]

I watched a video of it. I think it said it was a one-time event for the official opening of the new Fantasyland. I thought it may have been constructed by the same firm who developed "Push?"

Here's the article with videos:

http://www.**************.net/2012/...o-celebrate-grand-opening-of-new-fantasyland/

This article assumes it has to do with Avatar:

http://www.**************.net/2012/...ounding-avatar-addition-to-walt-disney-world/

 

[nemodeb]

That was probably one of the most awesome things they have ever done!

Wish they would do it again, maybe very random, so you never know, but it could appear any evening. Seems like a lot of innovention for one event, but that's Disney!

 

[Kate and Family]

That was probably one of the most awesome things they have ever done!

Wish they would do it again, maybe very random, so you never know, but it could appear any evening. Seems like a lot of innovention for one event, but that's Disney!

That's what I am thinking.

 

[kittengal13]

Oh wow! Any idea how they did this?! Amazing!

 

[Itinkso]

Oh wow! Any idea how they did this?! Amazing!

It's an ultralight self-propelled glider with a pilot. Initially thought the dragon was connected to Avatar and AK... see the links in post #2.

 

[mom2rtk]

I wonder if there's any chance of a reprisal for the opening of the Mine Train?

 

[JeremyGNJ]

It's an ultralight self-propelled glider with a pilot. Initially thought the dragon was connected to Avatar and AK... see the links in post #2.

This was probably something already constructed from the section of AK that was supposed to be dragon related.

 

[Itinkso]

I wonder if there's any chance of a reprisal for the opening of the Mine Train?

Or, at DHS to kick-off the extended previews of the Maleficent movie.

 

[Robo]

Remember that this was never shown to regular park guests.

There was a very misleading "viral video" internet campaign made of faked "sightings" created in a video effects studio and released to the public as if they were real guest recordings.

The one night that the dragon/plane flew over MK, only reporters were allowed in the park.

 

[Kate and Family]

Remember that this was never shown to regular park guests.

There was a very misleading "viral video" internet campaign made of faked "sightings" created in a video effects studio and released to the public as if they were real guest recordings.

The night the dragon/plane flew over MK, only reporters were allowed in the park.

I did not know that. How disappointing.

 

[Robo]

I did not know that.


How disappointing.

Very.

One of the most misleading and disingenuous "promotions" Disney has ever
produced.

Shame!

 

[nemodeb]

Very.

One of the most misleading and disingenuous "promotions" Disney has ever
produced.

Shame!

I don't think it would have been so bad if Disney had flown it again, over a regular public night. Something so magical and extraordinary, why hide it away? I'm wondering if it had some technical issues during flight that made them ground it. The flight seemed flawless, but the pilot might have known better. Was it unstable? Did something break, maybe during landing? I suppose we'll never know.

 

[larryz]

Very.

One of the most misleading and disingenuous "promotions" Disney has ever
produced.

Shame!

You mean "other than the MagicBands and My Disney Experience," right?

 

[jimim]

Well if nothing else they need to whip that bad boy out for when Avatar land opens. At least something cool will come out of the millions wasted for this new area in AK.

jimi

PS I'll apologize now for the Avatar hard core fans out there. Sorry.

 

[magicbob]

I don't think it would have been so bad if Disney had flown it again, over a regular public night. Something so magical and extraordinary, why hide it away? I'm wondering if it had some technical issues during flight that made them ground it. The flight seemed flawless, but the pilot might have known better. Was it unstable? Did something break, maybe during landing? I suppose we'll never know.

I agree that the dragon was extremely cool. But in the video, it seemed to me that the "magic" was exposed when it breathed fire (the light of the flame seemed to reveal the glider for a split-second). Perhaps this was even more obvious in person and they decided that it wouldn't be convincing. Also, depending on whether it's a very dark night with little moon or a full moon could make a huge difference in what is and isn't visible. Still, it would be amazing if they brought it out now and then when conditions were right.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Well if nothing else they need to whip that bad boy out for when Avatar land opens. At least something cool will come out of the millions wasted for this new area in AK. jimi PS I'll apologize now for the Avatar hard core fans out there. Sorry.

I'm not an Avatar fan and I'm very excited. Idk why people are so upset over the new land? Pretend it wasn't going to be Avatar themed but the same concepts, I think it will be great, something AK desperately needs. Why is it wasted money?

 

[flutterby3744]

I'm not an Avatar fan and I'm very excited. Idk why people are so upset over the new land? Pretend it wasn't going to be Avatar themed but the same concepts, I think it will be great, something AK desperately needs. Why is it wasted money?

I agree! I wasn't a super fan of the movie, but no one can deny the the world of Pandora is amazing! I was awestruck by it, and my first thought was I want to go there!!!! I could really care less about the movie aspect of Avatarland, but if Disney recreates Pandora like we know they can.....it will be mind blowing. I for one, can't wait to see what they do!!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm not an Avatar fan and I'm very excited. Idk why people are so upset over the new land? Pretend it wasn't going to be Avatar themed but the same concepts, I think it will be great, something AK desperately needs. Why is it wasted money?

I don't think anyone is upset to see something new added to AK. It's just that it seems to take an act of congress to get something substantial added to WDW these days (excluding MM+) and when it finally happens, it's not something closely aligned with the Disney brand. Carsland. Star Wars Land....... those would have been met with near unanimous excitement.

Disney just does such an amazing job of theming, and people love to see their favorite Disney related lands come to life. It's not as much a case of disliking Avatar, it's a case of a lost opportunity to do something different.

 

[DLM1980]

Just gonna throw this out there, but I bet the reason the dragon isn't done more often:

1. night time conditions need to be just right, little to no moon light (a new moon happens about once a month)

2. The pilot needs to fly in the dark with no head lights, making it extremely difficult to see high items, like a crane, or a castle spire (remember the castle is just under the requirement for a red beacon light)

3. I bet a special FAA waiver had to be attained so the dragon didn't require blinking beacons on it (every helicopter and plane I've seen has those on it) and it might have been just a one time waiver, or an expensive little waiver

4. Imagine how hard it must be for the spotlight operator to locate the dragon in the darkness, without lighting up the part it shouldn't