8/25: The Reluctant Dragon

[disney_leonard]

Originally Posted by Voice Man Mike

The problem with the Dragon has been mostly the venders attitude about the entire problem. They build mechanicals for movies, that only need to last a few week, but not for the riggers of daily Disney shows. They've also treaded some of Disney engineers with -let's say- some rather unprofessional behavior -but things have smoothed out. The "who the heck are you attitude," slowed down the process when it came time to solving the problem.

So what happened to begin with? This form the horses mouth:
"It was a mechanical failure in the design of the dragon that caused the dragons neck to fall. I was there when it happened, and there were no imagineers there, so it wasn't slayed by imagineers.

It's the equivalent to a car that was designed to go into full speed reverse when you started it. But this is safe because the brakes are on, however if this happens and the drive shaft breaks you're in trouble. So naturally you turn off the engine. But when you turn off the engine there is no more power to hold on the brakes and the transmission can't keep the car from rolling with a broken drive shaft. Oh and this car, is parked on a steep hill. So once you start the car and hear the driveshaft snap, you know that the only thing you can do is jump from the car and let it roll down the hill to crash."


So far there have only been minor setbacks, versus the major setbacks in the past. The structure has been beefed up quite a bit to withstand the weight of the dragon.

As it stand now, yes they are waiting for a valve -no time line on that.

This weekend looks unrealistic.

The version I heard from a different horse's mouth describes a similar event and it was not caused by Imagineers. When delivered and installed by the vendor, she worked. She is a very sophisticated and complex unit. As such the vendor supplied manuals and set limits to what she should be asked to do. Someone in the DL operations hierarchy decided they could ignore the manual and manufacturer limits. This "extra" movement created forces that torqued the lift as well as Murphy's neck. The months of finger pointing that followed was inevitable as no one wanted to take responsibility for breaking Murphy. Repairing her was not the issue. Everyone knows she will be fixed and will be working sometime. But you can be assured that the supplied manual and limits will be followed. This dragon is not just a bunch of fabric moving around. The complex design with heavy flame spewing framework requires skilled technicians who follow the instructions.

[Mr Wiggins]

Originally Posted by disney_leonard

As such the vendor supplied manuals and set limits to what she should be asked to do. Someone in the DL operations hierarchy decided they could ignore the manual and manufacturer limits. This "extra" movement created forces that torqued the lift as well as Murphy's neck.

Like the health spa scene in Thunderball where a villain turns a steam cabinet's control dial to the "Danger Zone" and nearly parboils James Bond, one wonders why a control setting that allowed Murphy to rip itself apart was included in the first place.

[giddygirlie]

The free birthday ticket promo was great, but from the start they should have excluded APs or had a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, because my birthday happened to fall on a blackout weekend, I was told that I could take the free ticket or take a hike (literally, this woman was that blunt and rude about it). I spoke to a 2nd booth agent and she told me that I could pay the $45 blackout ticket fee and then she could give me the gift card -- which is still a "net win" since the gift card is valued at $72. What was disappointing was that this wasn't addressed originally in the promo materials -- they merely said that APs had options (ticket, gift card, then later added the Fast Pass option). In fact, I know several people who claimed their gift card on a blackout day earlier in the year. I don't know when the terms changed, because I was never notified, but it was disappointing to be told off by a gruff booth agent on my birthday.

Yes, I am appreciative of the promotion, but I also feel penalized because my birthday happened to be a blackout day. If I'd been born a day earlier/later there would be no problem. Seems silly! They should have had a single "gift" regardless of AP or not, to eliminate the confusion. If the only choice was a ticket, I might have made planned my day differently and if they're offering a gift card, what does it matter if it's your birthday or not? The gift card can be used for merchandise OR a park admission. Period. And they definitely SHOULDN'T change a promotion-in-progress without telling the people who'd registered (seems like a legal issue to me).

If they're getting less-than-favorable feedback, then they should heed the warning. And think of how next year's charity promotion will affect people -- look at it from all angles BEFORE "going live" with it.

[disney_leonard]

Originally Posted by Mr Wiggins

Like the health spa scene in Thunderball where a villain turns a steam cabinet's control dial to the "Danger Zone" and nearly parboils James Bond, one wonders why a control setting that allowed Murphy to rip itself apart was included in the first place.

I have to agree. When you build something that can be abused and trust people will not push the limits just to see what happens you know disaster will follow. I'm glad Murphy is coming back next week.

[a-net-fan]

Great news to hear the Dragon is finally going to appear. As the Nitetastic promotion ends I have been thinking there hasnt been much coverage on this itself. Most of the attention has been given to the missing dragon in Fantasmic. Did I maybe miss it? Did Dumbo ever get back on track and how is it and the updated Nitetime Pixie Hollow being received? What about the dance party at the Tomorrowland Terrace?? I dont think there has been any pictures or coverage of that at all.....or did I just miss it.

[talldisneyfan]

I never knew Maleficent turns herself into a MALE dragon... I get why you call it "Murphy" but the dragon should be referrred to as "she" not "he"...

[wolfy]

Hubby heard on the news this morning's radio show that HISTA is back to Captain EO in January....actually he heard in on two different stations. Must be a press release somewhere. Guess one of the surprises for the Expo is no longer a surprise.....??

[hcm2009]

Originally Posted by DisneyIPresume

I love how they're waiting for the Santa Ana Winds to come this fall in order to test the WOC mist screens, when they might not even come at all.

This summer has been nowhere near as hot as the other recent summers. I am sure that the developing El Nino condition might be causing this. And maybe this might cause the upcoming Santa Ana Wind season to be light or near non-existant. Or maybe it will be worse. Who knows.

But what if we don't get strong winds this year? Will that cause a delay in the opening for WOC?

Hi all, I am a new member of forum. Would a newcomer be warmly welcome here? Good day you guys!!!

[Bruce Bergman]

Originally Posted by hcm2009

Hi all, I am a new member of forum. Would a newcomer be warmly welcome here? Good day you guys!!!

Well yes, but...

A little warmer welcome if you had something On Topic about the new dragon in Fantasmic! to talk about, or started a new topic in one of the Lounges.

That said, pull up a seat and sit a spell. Have you seen the new dragon in the last month or so? It's a lot better...

--<< Bruce >>--

[flynnibus]

Bruce... don't feed the spammers ... the new spam trend is to get new accounts, put their URLs in the signature (to get around URL limits on new members on many sites) and post some human message that is slightly near the topic but randomly thrown in.

It's the popular way to spam these days

[DisneyIPresume]

Originally Posted by hcm2009

Hi all, I am a new member of forum. Would a newcomer be warmly welcome here? Good day you guys!!!

Originally Posted by Bruce Bergman

Well yes, but...

A little warmer welcome if you had something On Topic about the new dragon in Fantasmic! to talk about, or started a new topic in one of the Lounges.

That said, pull up a seat and sit a spell. Have you seen the new dragon in the last month or so? It's a lot better...

--<< Bruce >>--

Originally Posted by flynnibus

Bruce... don't feed the spammers ... the new spam trend is to get new accounts, put their URLs in the signature (to get around URL limits on new members on many sites) and post some human message that is slightly near the topic but randomly thrown in.

It's the popular way to spam these days

Thanks Flynn. I was wondering why this user quoted me. Makes sense I suppose.