Disneyland’s beloved Maleficent dragon, known for breathing fire during the “Festival of Fantasy” parade, experienced a malfunction on May 11, 2018, that resulted in flames shooting out of its head and back.
The incident occurred during the daily afternoon parade at Magic Kingdom in Disney World, Florida. As Maleficent made her way through the parade route, park-goers eagerly awaited her signature fire-breathing performance. However, as the dragon made its way to Liberty Square, it suddenly burst into flames, causing panic among the crowd.
Disney employees quickly reacted, spraying the fire with fire extinguishers, and the parade was halted. Thankfully, there were no injuries, and the dragon was quickly removed from the parade route.
The incident was later attributed to a malfunction in the dragon’s control system, which caused a small fire in the animatronic’s head. The dragon’s self-contained fire system was immediately activated, but it failed to contain the flames, resulting in the unexpected and startling scene.
Disneyland’s management issued a statement apologizing for the incident, assuring park-goers that the dragon had been safely removed and that no one was injured. They also stated that they would be reviewing their safety protocols to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
Despite the unexpected incident, the “Festival of Fantasy” parade continued, albeit without Maleficent’s signature fire-breathing act. Disneyland has since replaced the faulty Maleficent dragon with a new and improved model, ensuring the safety of park-goers and maintaining the magic of the parade.
The Maleficent dragon incident is a reminder of the importance of safety protocols and thorough testing in the entertainment industry. While Disney is known for its world-class productions and animatronics, incidents like this serve as a reminder that even the most meticulously designed systems can fail, and it is crucial to be prepared for any situation.
Overall, the incident served as a testament to Disney’s commitment to safety and their dedication to providing an enjoyable experience for park-goers.
