Pictures Fantasmic gets a new Dragon (PICS)

Fishbulb · 04-20-2009, 09:45 AM

This morning the new mechanism that is the Dragon in the climax of Fantasmic was airlifted from backstage to the Rivers of America to be installed and readied for performances.

The good news is that I woke up before sunrise to get these shots for you. The bad news is that, frankly, it's not much to look at.

The sun was just showing signs of cresting the horizon as the backstage area was buzzing with activity. Kinda neat.

Spot the Omnibus

Just after 7am a Helicopter flew in from the north, crossed over the golden state fwy behind TDA and landed near the coral.

Suddenly it was up again, flying over the berm, across the Rivers of America and to the front of Tom Sawyer's Island.

Close-up of the mechanism

It then touched back down briefly to drop off the cable and then disappeared.

Interesting stuff. The whole operation didn't take more than about 3 minutes.

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Junthor · 04-20-2009, 09:48 AM

Uhhhhhh........

Thanks for the pics of the empty cage like thing?

Bruce Bergman · 04-20-2009, 10:04 AM

Hmmm. Verry Interrrrrestink!

(Imagine an Arte Johnson Smiley with a Pickelhaub helmet and a potted palm...)

But there are too many straight lines and 45-degree bracing, not enough head bits and arm & wing bits. That looks like the welded cage for the stage lift mechanism they will use to raise the new Dragon into position, rather than the dragon itself...

Just a guess, but after they get that section installed in the pit and tested for clerarances, expect another helicopter pick in a few days with the dragon itself.

Then again, it could be the lift frame and "torso" combined - the visibly "Dragon-y" pieces should be small and light enough to take over on a raft, and do the final assembly in place. All the articulation is bearings and joints and hydraulics, which provides convenient places to take it apart into sub-assemblies.

--<< Bruce >>--

**Dustysage** · 04-20-2009, 10:17 AM

Fishy, thank you SOOOOO much for waking up before dawn to get these pictures for us. I'm sure that EVERYONE on MiceChat appreciates your sacrifice to keep us all up to date on the Disney news!

Well Done!!!

MysticalSkye · 04-20-2009, 10:20 AM

Thanks! I can't wait to see what the whole thing will look like!

mycroft16 · 04-20-2009, 10:20 AM

Glad to see some visible progress on this part

I can't wait to see the new dragon.

mrfantasmic · 04-20-2009, 10:28 AM

This is airlift 2 of 3.

There will be one more soon.

Coast21 · 04-20-2009, 10:29 AM

Cool, major props for waking up at the break of dawn to take those pics.

okerry · 04-20-2009, 10:38 AM

Hey, I enjoyed the report and the pics. Thank you!
okerry

WheresMickey · 04-20-2009, 10:41 AM

Thanks for the pix.

Juni · 04-20-2009, 10:44 AM

I love behind the scenes stuff like this. So cool! Thanks!!

WJNM · 04-20-2009, 11:19 AM

Thanks for the pics Fishbulb! Your dedication is appreciated!!!!!!!

Loki · 04-20-2009, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustysage

Fishy, thank you SOOOOO much for waking up before dawn to get these pictures for us. I'm sure that EVERYONE on MiceChat appreciates your sacrifice to keep us all up to date on the Disney news!

Well Done!!!

Ditto!

Wanda Woman · 04-20-2009, 11:33 AM

Thanks for such great shots, Fishy! (Before dawn?? YEEGADS!)

This one is really pretty.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fishbulb

AtomicBear · 04-20-2009, 11:42 AM

Thanks for getting up so early. I too like the behind the scenes pictures and will look forward to seeing the full dragon in the future.

04-20-2009, 09:45 AM	#1
Fishbulb Minion MiceChat News Team MiceEars Crew Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,733 Blog Entries: 3	Fantasmic gets a new Dragon (PICS) This morning the new mechanism that is the Dragon in the climax of Fantasmic was airlifted from backstage to the Rivers of America to be installed and readied for performances. The good news is that I woke up before sunrise to get these shots for you. The bad news is that, frankly, it's not much to look at. The sun was just showing signs of cresting the horizon as the backstage area was buzzing with activity. Kinda neat. Spot the Omnibus Just after 7am a Helicopter flew in from the north, crossed over the golden state fwy behind TDA and landed near the coral. Suddenly it was up again, flying over the berm, across the Rivers of America and to the front of Tom Sawyer's Island. Close-up of the mechanism It then touched back down briefly to drop off the cable and then disappeared. Interesting stuff. The whole operation didn't take more than about 3 minutes. Don't miss updates like these: Follow us on Twitter __________________ "Fame was like a drug, but what was even more like a drug were the drugs.” Homer Jay Simpson

04-20-2009, 09:48 AM	#2
Junthor DL Nerd Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Utah Posts: 1,343	Re: Fantasmic gets a new Dragon (PICS) Uhhhhhh........ Thanks for the pics of the empty cage like thing? __________________ All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them. - Walt Disney

04-20-2009, 10:04 AM	#3
Bruce Bergman Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Woodland Hills CA - Hottest spot in Los Angeles City Limits Posts: 2,520	Re: Fantasmic gets a new Dragon (PICS) Hmmm. Verry Interrrrrestink! (Imagine an Arte Johnson Smiley with a Pickelhaub helmet and a potted palm...) But there are too many straight lines and 45-degree bracing, not enough head bits and arm & wing bits. That looks like the welded cage for the stage lift mechanism they will use to raise the new Dragon into position, rather than the dragon itself... Just a guess, but after they get that section installed in the pit and tested for clerarances, expect another helicopter pick in a few days with the dragon itself. Then again, it could be the lift frame and "torso" combined - the visibly "Dragon-y" pieces should be small and light enough to take over on a raft, and do the final assembly in place. All the articulation is bearings and joints and hydraulics, which provides convenient places to take it apart into sub-assemblies. --<< Bruce >>-- __________________ There's No Place Like 127.0.0.1

04-20-2009, 10:17 AM	#4
Dustysage From The Black Lagoon MiceChat Administrator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Temple of the Forbidden Eye Posts: 10,330 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Fantasmic gets a new Dragon (PICS) Fishy, thank you SOOOOO much for waking up before dawn to get these pictures for us. I'm sure that EVERYONE on MiceChat appreciates your sacrifice to keep us all up to date on the Disney news! Well Done!!! __________________ Dont Miss An Important News Story: Follow MiceChat on Twitter How do you support MiceChat? Join MiceChat GOLD! Shop from our Amazon links & Wear MiceChat logo items from CafePress

04-20-2009, 10:20 AM	#5
MysticalSkye The Pirate Girl Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: In the Field of Bakers or in the mountains of Arizona. Posts: 320	Re: Fantasmic gets a new Dragon (PICS) Thanks! I can't wait to see what the whole thing will look like! __________________ For certain you must be lost to find the places that can't be found. Elseways, everyone would know where it was.

04-20-2009, 10:20 AM	#6
mycroft16 Lovin the Magic since '79 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Too Far From Disneyland Posts: 6,043	Re: Fantasmic gets a new Dragon (PICS) Glad to see some visible progress on this part I can't wait to see the new dragon. __________________ Next Trips: June 2010, October 2010, December 2011

04-20-2009, 10:28 AM	#7
mrfantasmic Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,379	Re: Fantasmic gets a new Dragon (PICS) This is airlift 2 of 3. There will be one more soon.

04-20-2009, 10:29 AM	#8
Coast21 DLR Addict Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Whittier, CA Posts: 1,001	Re: Fantasmic gets a new Dragon (PICS) Cool, major props for waking up at the break of dawn to take those pics. __________________ Everyone has a happy place, problem is, some people don't take the time to find it.

04-20-2009, 10:38 AM	#9
okerry Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona, USA Posts: 120	Re: Fantasmic gets a new Dragon (PICS) Hey, I enjoyed the report and the pics. Thank you! okerry

04-20-2009, 10:41 AM	#10
WheresMickey Looking for Hidden Mickey Join Date: May 2008 Location: 626 SGV Posts: 3,522	Re: Fantasmic gets a new Dragon (PICS) Thanks for the pix. __________________ Check out my page at www.myspace.com/wheresmickey Check out my pin collection at www.pinpics.com. User name is WheresMickey

04-20-2009, 10:44 AM	#11
Juni Still Dizzy Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Long Beach Posts: 173	Re: Fantasmic gets a new Dragon (PICS) I love behind the scenes stuff like this. So cool! Thanks!!

04-20-2009, 11:19 AM	#12
WJNM Exec Asst to Captain E.O. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Mesa, Arizona Posts: 533	Re: Fantasmic gets a new Dragon (PICS) Thanks for the pics Fishbulb! Your dedication is appreciated!!!!!!!

04-20-2009, 11:42 AM	#15
AtomicBear Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 783	Re: Fantasmic gets a new Dragon (PICS) Thanks for getting up so early. I too like the behind the scenes pictures and will look forward to seeing the full dragon in the future. __________________ _____________________________________ Brian Kolm the Atomic Bear - comics, cartoons, artwork and instruction. http://www.atomicbearpress.com

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