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Disneyland and D23 send old “Fantasmic!” dragon down LA freeways to Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit

in Disneyland Resort, Entertainment, Events, The Walt Disney Company, Theme Parks

Posted on by Ricky Brigante 5 Comments
Maleficent’s massive purple dragon head from Fantasmic sits atop a truck bed, its glowing yellow eyes and menacing teeth instantly recognizable to Disneyland fans. Parked among trees and cars, this striking float pays tribute to the iconic villain as seen in both the legendary nighttime spectacular and the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit.

Commuters traveling early this morning down Los Angeles highways had a rare opportunity to spot a piece of Disneyland history speeding alongside as Disneyland and D23 transported an iconic character from the Anaheim theme park to be part of the upcoming Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibit in Simi Valley, opening July 6, 2012.

Beginning on I-5 from Disneyland Resort to the 134 freeway, winding to U.S. 101, and ultimately taking CA Route 23 to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, the instantly-recognizable Maleficent head formerly used as part of Disneyland’s “Fantasmic!” show climax was transported by truck, visible to passing motorists.

A Disneyland Fantasmic purple dragon figure is towed by a white pickup truck along an empty highway, evoking memories of Disney’s spectacular nighttime shows and the magic preserved in the Walt Disney Archives.

The giant dragon head made a pit stop at the Disney Animation Building at the Walt Disney Studios.

The Fantasmic-inspired purple dragon head prop welcomes guests outside the Disney Animation building, alongside the legendary blue sorcerer hat—a fan-favorite icon straight out of the Walt Disney Archives.

Maleficent’s massive purple and yellow dragon head from Disneyland’s Fantasmic!, mouth agape in mid-roar, displayed outdoors on a blue platform—an iconic prop preserved for Disney fans by the Walt Disney Archives.

And it ultimately arrived at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.

A white truck tows the towering, vivid-purple Fantasmic Maleficent dragon head—instantly recognizable from classic Disneyland nighttime spectaculars—down a quiet residential street in broad daylight, instantly transporting Disney fans back to legendary park parades and unforgettable moments from the Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives.

The Maleficent dragon will be one of the largest pieces on display among more than 500 items from Disney’s history to be installed as part of the exhibit curated by the Walt Disney Archives.

This particular dragon head was used at Disneyland for years, until being replaced in 2009 with a new high-tech version of the dragon. The former head was seen in “Fantasmic!” along the Rivers of America battling Mickey Mouse while essentially mounted on a “stick.”

Mickey Mouse bravely confronts the towering green Fantasmic dragon on stage, surrounded by swirling smoke and vibrant lights, capturing the magic and excitement of one of Disneyland’s most iconic nighttime shows.

A Fantasmic showdown unfolds as a daring performer unleashes a burst of fire at the towering Maleficent dragon on stage, surrounded by dazzling theatrical lighting and swirling smoke. The scene captures the electrifying magic of Disneyland’s legendary nighttime spectacular, resurrecting iconic Disney moments straight from the Walt Disney Archives.
(Still images taken from YouTube.)

Its replacement is a far more believable full-bodied dragon, though early technical difficulties left fans to dub it “Murphy,” a reference to Murphy’s law.

The Fantasmic! dragon looms over the Rivers of America as a performer unleashes a dramatic burst of fire across the water, creating an unforgettable nighttime spectacle at Disneyland.

Today this new dragon performs regularly at Disneyland during the popular nighttime show.

But soon the old head, a blast from Disneyland past, will once again be visible to the public as part of the massive exhibit launching this summer at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, continuing through April 2013.

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