Flying Dragon debuts at Walt Disney World for New Fantasyland grand opening

Visit www.InsideTheMagic.net to learn more about Disney's flying dragon!
On Dec. 5, 2012, during the media party celebrating the opening of New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World debuted a flying dragon high overhead, flapping its wings, moving its head and tail, and even splitting fire.
To see how the dragon works, check out photos of Disney testing the dragon in daylight in June 2012: www.insidethemagic.net/2012/06...

[@melissal9652]

Seeing this NINE years later, it’s amazing. If they produced more whimsical stuff like this in todays modern era, I could only imagine!

[@botmom]

The Dragon was supported by a Large Paraglider wing, Powered by a Rotax 912 Engine there was over a year of testing and 2 wings available. Notice that the wing did NOT show up in the spotlights, special light absorbing material. The Pilot is a notable Paraglider pilot from Ca. with a Commercial Pilot license.

[@sinedddmk8996]

Thank u for the exlanacion. 6 years late

[@christopherrobertson3082]

There is another video where you can see the canopy for about 2 seconds

[@irkendragon]

Treasure Planet music is oddly fitting

[@TrailerMusic23]

agreed

[@corruptkittagon]

Yep

[@bitter-bit]

It's so unfair because Disney was so cruel to sink Treasure Planet the way they did

[@Ryukachoo]

a very cool product of the imagineer labs, but unfortunately it only really works at night when illuminated in specific ways since it's an ultralight, and the parasail above can ruin the illusion if you see it.

[@gibbage1]

*Spoiler* For those who want to know how Disney did this, read on. Its whats called a PPC or Powered Parachute. There is an engine with a prop on the dragon's back, and a big black parachute above the dragon, and a pilot sitting on top of the dragon itself. The dragon's body is made from Carbon fiber, with landing gear in the knees and his chest (you can spot them if you look for it). Its a fastastic effect, and truly "Disney" quality. Good job!

[@ztslovebird]

Why did they discontinue the dragons? And why are they playing the music from Treasure Planet in the background?

[@mdalsted]

I guess it got too expensive to keep going.

[@enzojayden1]

The dragons was only for the grand opening And idk why they played that song

[@ChadBastian]

This happened on Walt's birthday, Happy Birthday, Walt Disney! Your dreams live on...

[@4theluvofbutterbeermickeyears]

they should really do this more often that is AWESOME! XD

[@richspotts]

What I love about all the videos posted on this dragon is that all of them have comments saying these videos must be fake (i.e., computer generated). I think this is a huge testament to the Disney folks. This ranks up there with the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean as one of best Disney amusement achievements.

[@GhostGirlCam]

Theyre using Treasure Planet music!!! such an underrated Disney movie.

[@xbox360guy19]

(One They Fear--Skryim plays) Me: (summons the flame astronarch and armored my elven shocked damage bow)

[@tehrealcoralsnek7044]

that was so much nerd, i couldn't help but like

[@effiodiego]

TehRealCoralSnek cringe

[@nootnootboi7048]

ThunderPunch23 FRUSRO DAAAH!

[@dcartier100]

I would pay the park fees just to see it. Being an airline 767 Captain, I will LOVE to fly that lizard.!!! My hat goes off to the pilot of the para foil Dragon. I agree I can't imagine having that kind of impact on the public and only doing it once. That would be crazy. First rule in entertainment, "always leave them wanting more.!!!

[@Allimetalsally]

TREASURE PLANET! well... at least the soundtrack is still remembered -.-

[@vikki961]

Love the music from Treasure Planet!

[@danpeterson114]

Very impressive for 10 years ago. With the powerful drones available these days, I imagine something very similar could be made today that could fly in broad daylight without a paraglider.

[@Eszra]

Thats it Disney is freaking epic!

[@WEDenterprise]

Great effect, I hope they will show this dragon again and maybe incorporate the technology for a show!

[@enzojayden1]

Now that's what I called a dragon

[@WEDenterprise]

Looks pretty cool in the sky like that and the pyro effects really enhance It

[@theatomicrenegade7054]

Oh wow that's cool wish I was there to see it

[@mortag93]

ive always wanted a pet dragon like in the dragon books, seeing this, just one step closer! Well done Disney! Thanks Ricky for sharing this!

[@ScoobaMusic]

This would have freaked me out as a kid because it looks so lifelike, kudos to Disney.

[@PhoenixPrincess10]

One word. . . . INCREDIBLE!

[@littlemissmulan2011]

I hope they keep this, I wanna see it so bad!!

[@DevastadorGaming]

Could it be a tribute to beastly kingdom?

[@classiclucario8828]

No made

[@classiclucario8828]

Devastador1996 Gaming avatarland is like the new beastly kingdom

[@rcmorales1]

How does Disney do all this crazy AWESOME stuff? Disney is so AWESOME!!!!

[@dylangeltzeiler946]

That Dragon looks life like. Hey, I know that Music in the Background. It’s from the Disney Film Treasure Planet.

[@TrueBoricua]

gave me chills that was epic

[@barbarasavoie4232]

Saw it in person--too freaking cool~

[@ktguy88]

This is brilliant!

[@Heavylight17]

Way to use the Treasure Planet Soundtrack to up the epicness!!!

[@cook1972]

INCREDIBLE!!!! Only Disney would even DREAM to pull this off!!!! Thanks for sharing! You beat the Disney Bloggers! ;o)

[@Lameashellcosplay]

LOOKS AWSOME wish I could have seen it plz let them have it again

[@mibevan]

Oh hay Rodan really did fly over the magic kingdom

[@GrumpaDirt]

Could see the helipcoptor above it when it shot the fireball with the flash of light it gave off.

[@kotomisadventures9095]

1:05 I SAW LE PARASAIL

[@MichHiiELF]

looks so real

[@fatmazza]

:O how?! I actually can't work it out. Orlando theme parks, constantly innovating

[@stevenmatheson8232]

i read the discription of the video... theres a link to show you it during the day... the discription helps a lot guys, start reading them.

[@nullandvoid8272]

Treasure Planet music! :D

[@crystalgemgirl731]

I wonder where that incredible creature is now...

[@antonio__69]

I can't be the only one here from fresh baked

[@droidattac7377]

Same here my friend.

[@jrc9]

+MCChazKicks hahaahah same here

[@whiterabbit6669]

I'm just here because of FB

[@ufcislife1]

...Me too! Fresh baked n stuff...

[@dopperuk]

Yeah Fresh Baked brought me here too :)

[@stevecomedianisaloser9311]

TREASURE PLANET FTW!

[@ftv2376]

I saw it, It freaked me out truly disney magic

[@jrc9]

FRESH BAKEDDD!!!

[@evkin117]

wow that so cool

[@KoreanShrimp]

That was really cool!

[@DisneyByGuga]

Amazing! I cant believe I lost that!!!

[@Snewdles]

the dragon ISN'T attached to wires. they did test runs with the dragon in Bakersfield, California. i was lucky enough to be there and see the testing. it's a 'light aircraft' with a imagineer inside, flying the dragon.

[@xoleeleen]

woah so cool

[@LoriGeminiTarot]

That was awesome.

[@HITN60]

Did anyone else realize the music playing is from Treasure Planet?

[@gdvillanueva]

Genial!!!! Hay que ir a verlo!!!! Bien hecho Disney!!!!

[@HD4amian]

Ok, now I can die in peace.

[@mickeystar1777]

Amazing video. Would have loved to have seen it in person. I wonder what Disney will be doing with this incredible flying dragon.

[@Lee-cr6xb]

WOW Looks cool.

[@eilenekellogg7017]

Cool!

[@mathewmania3045]

wow!

[@zernadarkwolf]

Its a puppet hanging from wires they have above the park, its also how tinker bell fly's around.

[@TheCrazyCoasterKid]

No it has four legs. Two hang off the back and the front two are held up a little more. It is hard to see but they are there.

[@roxyw.8688]

If it were a real dragon they wouldnt be saying "Ooooh, ahhhhh," and clapping XDDD

[@SmilinSweetpea]

I want one!

[@williamhatfield1094]

Wish they could incorporate this idea into the StarWars parks! It'd be awesome to see the ships flying above you

[@TotalGleek1011]

True Disney Magic

[@isabelladollar246]

BRING IT BACK

[@Hijason74]

If you look at the animal kingdom logo you will see a winged dragon in the middle.

[@ulaB]

Just when I thought: Needs to shoot fireballs: *boom*

[@Dany4536]

Have u ever wonder how disney make all that stuff , and why disney is so awesome well its the happiest place on earth

[@rissarae3]

They should have had the Disney employees running in terror saying this is not apart of the attraction and had actors pretending to be tourist running freaking out... imagine the reaction the guest visiting lol

[@Akathanuge]

wait wait wait wait, you're telling me someone is riding a dragon. for a living. What am i doing with my life?

[@ariapro7]

Its an ultralight. If you look at the link in the description, there are some pictures of it in the daylight.

[@Xps3ubox60wii]

yep

[@dougconley]

Pretty cool! A taste of what could possibly be at Avatar Land in the Animal Kingdom.

[@BrideofLoki]

People are saying that this could be at the new Avatar Land. Hopefully this will happen, since this dragon was only a one time thing.

[@vidmel]

the paraglider that was used for the "flying dragon" is indeed being evaluated for this too, as well as other "one time" aerial attractions.

[@DisneyFan7804]

This is awesome is it an audio anomatronic?

[@dazsniperdaz]

Cool

[@ghostyboiabandonedchannel]

I love it

[@Laurencec98]

It has a pilot on top with a parachute to catch the wind

[@tavur]

9 years ago imagine what they got now

[@TomNookIsnotevil]

TREASURE PLANET AAAAHHHHH

[@Widwo1324]

How does it.. I mean.. What.. I don't understand but it's awesome!

[@malxredleader]

Like if you recognized the Treasure Planet music in the background

[@ThatWhiteGurlLaney]

I knew it sounded familiar!

[@BlackValleyRequiem]

It didn't happen when i went in January this year, but they were still doing Christmas type things then and a dragon isnt very Christmas(ey). Maybe it's seasonal? Or possibly just a one time thing

[@keilymidence5587]

Wow

[@WishfulThinkingArt]

I can only imagine how all the little kids reacted to seeing a dragon like that! I think I'd just stand there and jump and scream "DRAGON! DRAGON!" :-D :-D

[@TomNookIsnotevil]

THEYRE FINALLY RECONIZING THE DAMN MOVIE FOR ONCE

[@lalalalagaby]

That's so awesome, but what movie is it supposed to be from? sleeping beauty? Or just for the heck of it?

[@minicamachitos661]

A Dragon !!!!!! Thats so COOL

[@meteorbath]

There should be a group of people dressed as Whiterun guards chasing it the whole time.

[@bkershaccount]

nice test for project bluebeam?

[@littlemissmulan2011]

@SleonHikari beastly kingdom was suposed to be a part of animal kingdom but was replaced with camp Minnie Mickey

[@TheEmily2904]

me too

[@parnd]

i know this was a special event for the grand opening of the new fantasy land but will this be there for good? like will my family and i be able to see this when we come next year?

[@tanasiafinch7970]

same here

[@owlfan3361]

How is it being flown?

[@MindO3ricProductions]

if this generates enough buzz do you think it would give disney and incentive to start working on Beastly Kingdom? do you think we would see this come back if Beastly Kingdom ever sees the light of day? MindO3ric

[@PrimeStone]

Holy Crap! 😱

[@rayvenchance6016]

Wow I can't believe they used music from Treasure Planet yet won't aw knowledge it

[@MaximeBrunet_]

I think this is a test for the new Avatar Land

[@deansproductions]

Turns out it wasn't

[@DisneyStreet]

Great, now flight of passage looks cheap 😂

[@ZoloLover]

Where was this taken in the park where they're playing the score from Treasure Planet? Or is that just part of the dragon show?