new dragon broke before the first show. (merged threads)

[ryanvalle]

Wow, if that story is true, that is a lot more upsetting (and scarier) than the head falling off.

The fact that it happened once probably means it can happen again. With a safety system comprised, they should re-design the entire system from scratch. If this happens during a performance, it wouldn't be a pretty sight to 9,000 viewers, especially if someone gets hurt or killed.

If it were up to me, I would say return the old dragon for now, send the project to WDI and make it right.

[Nautilus]

^ Indeed, WDI would have built it safe and it would have worked! But, I'm glad no one got hurt, or worse; this dragon is nothing to crack a smile about now.

[Zticket]

Originally Posted by Nautilus

Well, I've got some details on what went wrong with the Dragon, and I can honestly say, when I heard what happened, my face was just about as white as the tech's working on it where! I can't remember every single detail, but you'll get the jist of it.

Problems came when the motors for the lift mechanism for the dragon weren't quite synchronized (the lift platform has four motors, which lift the platform on a chain drive) the motors caused violent vibrations because of the binding occuring. At the same time, the dragon with it's limited movement clipped one of it's hydraulic lines and fluid began to leak. That is not good. The dragon slowly began to droop and sink back into the pit which is very dangerous considering this thing weighs about 8-10 thousand pounds. The really dangerous thing is that the safety system and the system that runs the dragon where built onto the same system which is a big no no! They are suppose to be separate systems, but since Disney went to a cheaper bidder to build it (not WDI, whom should have built it) it was designed incorrectly compromising safety. As the leaking and the drooping continues, the tech guys are down in the now extremely dangerous pit frantically trying to slow it down. In about 5 minutes, that dragon is coming down! Then suddenly, the neck (alright, here's where the rumor started) collapses like a telescope and the heavy head comes down (not off!) along with it and with a loud bang and crash, the dragon is a mess of pieces and broken fiberglass.

July 4th is probably the absolute earliest they can get it up and running, but there's no guarantee for that. But I have my hat off for the maintenance and tech guys for this difficult problem they were given. The park is really PO'd about it that they're taking legal action against the company.

A chilling tale indeed. Sala voice.

Hopefully, Disney puts two and two together that outsourcing for the cheap is bad. Look what it did for the Monorails.

[Seawolf]

Originally Posted by Nautilus

The really dangerous thing is that the safety system and the system that runs the dragon where built onto the same system which is a big no no! They are suppose to be separate systems, but since Disney went to a cheaper bidder to build it (not WDI, whom should have built it) it was designed incorrectly compromising safety.

Thanks for confirming my concerns about Disney's outsourcing. How many mistakes will it take for them to realize building on the cheap will cost them more in the long run? The very idea that this mistake could have killed someone is appauling.

[Dan - Tasmic!]

I heard tonight that City Hall ws prepared for any complaints made by viewers of Fantasmic! about a missing dragon by handing out Re - Ads. Anyone tried this???

[JeffYardDog]

Originally Posted by Nautilus

Well, I've got some details on what went wrong with the Dragon, and I can honestly say, when I heard what happened, my face was just about as white as the tech's working on it where! I can't remember every single detail, but you'll get the jist of it.

Problems came when the motors for the lift mechanism for the dragon weren't quite synchronized (the lift platform has four motors, which lift the platform on a chain drive) the motors caused violent vibrations because of the binding occuring. At the same time, the dragon with it's limited movement clipped one of it's hydraulic lines and fluid began to leak. That is not good. The dragon slowly began to droop and sink back into the pit which is very dangerous considering this thing weighs about 8-10 thousand pounds. The really dangerous thing is that the safety system and the system that runs the dragon where built onto the same system which is a big no no! They are suppose to be separate systems, but since Disney went to a cheaper bidder to build it (not WDI, whom should have built it) it was designed incorrectly compromising safety. As the leaking and the drooping continues, the tech guys are down in the now extremely dangerous pit frantically trying to slow it down. In about 5 minutes, that dragon is coming down! Then suddenly, the neck (alright, here's where the rumor started) collapses like a telescope and the heavy head comes down (not off!) along with it and with a loud bang and crash, the dragon is a mess of pieces and broken fiberglass.

July 4th is probably the absolute earliest they can get it up and running, but there's no guarantee for that. But I have my hat off for the maintenance and tech guys for this difficult problem they were given. The park is really PO'd about it that they're taking legal action against the company.

This is a cop-out and an excuse for Disney. Even if they did outsource it, what ever happened to design specifications, design reviews, and inspections of the product.

"Outsourcing" doesn't absolve Disney from the failure to properly manage the process and project.

[flynnibus]

Originally Posted by JeffYardDog

This is a cop-out and an excuse for Disney. Even if they did outsource it, what ever happened to design specifications, design reviews, and inspections of the product.

"Outsourcing" doesn't absolve Disney from the failure to properly manage the process and project.

Exactly. This 'outsourcing' argument is so tiring and lame. Outsourcing does not mean you give up oversight and design reviews. If someone does that.. it doesn't matter WHO BUILDS IT, inhouse or not - you're still not doing what you are supposed to and stuff like this can happen.

[mrfantasmic]

All that we get from Tokyo Disney is "outsoursed" too...

[Mac Daddy]

I'm still trying to understand who would crank out such a specialized item. Where did they go to save money? "Dragons-R-Us?"

If WDI didn't design such a high tech animatronic system, what exactly ARE they doing over there? WHY didn't that project go to WDI??

I don't get it.

But I am glad no one was hurt.



For gosh sakes...if they want outsource something, do it with trash cans. Giant animatronic dragons....I would have SWORN that's what WDI was for.

[OldSchoolMickey]

Originally Posted by Dan - Tasmic!

I heard tonight that City Hall ws prepared for any complaints made by viewers of Fantasmic! about a missing dragon by handing out Re - Ads. Anyone tried this???

Sheesh!

I wouldn't be surprised that some folks would complain about a missing dragon and end up getting a replacement ticket or refund. I mean, some folks complain about the crowds, the weather, the always-moving Jack Sparrow, the rides down for repairs, the construction walls and even about a few scratches on the Main St. fire hydrants!

The fine City Hall (well, ALL) CM's don't get paid enough!!!


Good-bye sweet America!!!

[Fantasmanatic]

Yesterday while the F! black shirt guys were around the towers I stopped and asked one of them about the dragon. The person said they were there the night the dragon broke and witnessed what happened. They that the dragon is on a huge lift about the size of the opening for the pit that comes within a foot or two of the top of pit opening. Once the dragon gets to there it is lifted up 40 feet into the air with the hydraulics. They said that they use the same type of hydraulic pipe as they have for the Light towers to lift the dragon framework up to its positions. There were programmers and such all out on the stage testing out the dragon when they started to tinker with the segment when the dragon is destroyed by Mickey. They had the head sway way back near the Tavern when you heard a loud crack of metal, which was the hydraulic pipe that lifts the dragon up. Then someone rushed and pressed the E Stop button which drains the Hydraulic fluid out of the dragon. This caused the dragon to collapse upon itself leaving a big heap of metal on the stage. The head did fall nose first onto the stage completely wrecking it and the head has been taken out of the pit a few nights ago to be repaired in the work shops.

The person said that since that happened there have been around 20 workers assessing the damage and seeing what needs to be beefed up other than the new hydraulic pipe. They said that they can do limited work during park hours but the bulk of the work is done from midnight/park close to about 7 A.M. At the moment they are stress testing new pipes to be put on the fixed dragon, then once they dismantle what is left they will then begin to reassemble the dragon and finally start from scratch on all the programming. The person guessed they are around a month behind now.

Just thought I would relay what I heard from the techie, if any part of this is confusing I can try to explain it more detailed.

[techskip]

I want to thank both Nautilus and Fantasmanatic for taking the time to verify the rumor and providing detailed second hand accounts of the dragon accident (second hand as in heard it from those who were there, not meant as an insult). I also want to thank both Flyn and JYD for establishing the point that just because it's an outsourced project, it doesn't let Disney off the hook.

From both accounts it sounds like the dragon sustained significant damage, the head slammed into the ground, and the body folded in onto itself. It's a small miricle that no one was seriously injured or killed. Hopefully as they repair the dragon their focus will be on safety, and not expediencey.

[mycroft16]

Originally Posted by techskip

I also want to thank both Flyn and JYD for establishing the point that just because it's an outsourced project, it doesn't let Disney off the hook.

I would like to second this sentiment and thank those who have stated such. Having worked for companies who outsource projects before... we expect that company to fully test it, and when we got it in our hands, we fully tested it as well. Everything was double and triple checked and done so in increments.

Thanks also to those who got accounts of what happened for us. It is nice to finally have the scope of the damage and the general situation that occurred.

I hope they are able to fix it and get it working as spec'ed.

[Nautilus]

Originally Posted by Fantasmanatic

Just thought I would relay what I heard from the techie, if any part of this is confusing I can try to explain it more detailed.

Ah, thanks for another account on the story! You included some details that I forgot to mention.

[techskip]

Due to the fact that is in considered a "workplace accident" I would think it would fall under OSHA, but since it isn't attractions... does it fall under DOSH? Second part of the question... would it then have to be inspected/certified by the state?