New Fantasmic! Dragon (Finally) Fires Up Disneyland

Courtesy of Flickr user armadillo444

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So on Wednesday night, the new Fantasmic! dragon at Disneyland had its first fully successful run and the geeks rejoiced. It was supposed to be up Monday, but was delayed due to technical difficulties. And on Tuesday, it had its first run but was not spitting fire.

As for Wednesday, when I actually went . . . well, let's just say that it's been years since I've seen the show so I don't remember what the old model looks like but . . . let me get this out of the way now.

Oh my God! That thing is so freakin' awesome! I want to take one home!

More pictures, responses, and video after the jump.

The old dragon, consisting of a head on a pole (not my words), was taken down in March, and a new, improved, 45-foot version was supposed to debut in June as the crown jewel of Disneyland's "Summer Nightastic!" event. This new version was going to be a full-bodied replica of dragon Maleficent from "Sleeping Beauty," and it was supposed to move. And it never showed up. For the entire summer.

Courtesy of Flickr user Loren Javier

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By summer's end, the dragon has since been rechristened Murphy (ie: Murphy's Law) by the Disney bloggers for its continuing stage fright.   

Then on Monday, it was set to make its first public appearance. Like a true diva at this point, it withdrew at the last minute, much to the anger of Disneyland-goers and fans everywhere.

Then on Tuesday, it finally made its big, long-awaited debut. And there was no fire in its mouth. Probably just stage fright.

Courtesy of Flickr user Loren Javier

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But Wednesday, Murphy the Magic Dragon finally arrived, about 45 minutes into the show, following the giant, moving ticking alligator and the 37-feet-long, creepy-as-hell, slithering Flotsam and Jetsam (those are new too, I believe).

Then the smoked cleared, my friend squealed and the audience cheered ("Go Murphy!" said someone in the crowd). Strange to see everyone rooting for the dragon but then again, wouldn't you?

It breathes fire now!

Courtesy of Disney

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The little kid next to me, who had been screaming for the last hour, was finally quiet while he watched the show, and could only say an energetic "Wow!" after seeing it. It seems that big, shiny, fire-breathing dragons had the ability to quiet 2-year-old boys. It is magical. . .

My friend Kayleigh had only one thing to say about it, "Fierce." Or rather, "That was so freakin' fierce!"

Even on Twitter, it seems that the fire-breathing monstrosity (said in the most loving way possible) did not disappoint.

Elphiero @arielriann dude the dragon in Fantasmic is fixed. It looks SO cool!

IfYouSeekAlex Fantasmic dragon shot fire tonight. I jumped up and down like a girl.

StephenChampion I have a problem. It's called YouTube. People can upload videos, and I can't stop watching them. #Fantasmic! overdose.

MaryHollywood I've decided i'm going to see Fantasmic every night!

The dragon is set to run until Sunday during the Labor Day holidays from 9-10 p.m. After that, it will run from Friday to Sunday until the Christmas holidays. It will go on vacation from January until March while the Rivers of America is drained and cleaned. Then it will be back up in time for Spring Break. So if you do not want to wait until next April to see it, go now. . .

Or just comfort yourself with YouTube videos. Your choice. But you'll be missing out. Was anyone else at Disneyland last night, what did you think of it?