Disney World suspends fire-breathing dragon after Disneyland fire
The Maleficcent dragon will no longer be spewing fire duing Disney World’s Festival of Fantasy Parade for now as Disney has decided to suspend fire effects similar to those used during Disneyland’s Fantasmic show when the dragon erupted in fire.
On Saturday, April 22, during a performance of Fantasmic, the dragon prop caught fire with some minor explossions. “Anaheim Fire & Rescue quickly responded, and the fire was extinguished. All cast members were safely evacuated from Tom Sawyer Island. Due to smoke and wind, attractions near the island were safely evacuated of any guests, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time,” according to a statement by Disney.
Disney went on to say: “We are temporarily suspending fire effects similar to those used at Disneyland park’s Fantasmic at select shows and entertainment experiences globally out of an abundance of caution following the Fantasmic prop fire at Disneyland park. The continued safety of our cast and guests is of the utmost importance.”
No changes are planned at Fantasmic! in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World as a different special effect system is used for that dragon.
However, the fire breathing from the fire breathing Maleficient dragon at Magic Kingdom will be sidelined for a while. In 2018, the Magic Kingdom dragon caught on fire during a parade. No injuries to employees or guests were reported and the fire was quickly extinguished at the time. The dragon was sidelined untl January 2019 when it returned to the parade lineup.
Here is Dsney’s full statement regarding the fire at Disneyland:
“During the final showing of Fantasmic at Disneyland park on Saturday evening, the dragon prop caught fire. Anaheim Fire & Rescue quickly responded, and the fire was extinguished. All cast members were safely evacuated from Tom Sawyer Island. Due to smoke and wind, attractions near the island were safely evacuated of any guests, and the cause of the fire remains under investigation at this time. W are temporarily suspending fire effects similar to those used at Disneyland park’s Fantasmic at select shows and entertainment experiences globally out of an abundance of caution following the Fantasmic prop fire at Disneyland park. The continued safety of our cast and guests is of the utmost importance.”
Disney release
