2024 is the Year of the Dragon and since Lunar New Year officially began February 10, 2024, I thought it would be fun to take a look at all of the Disney Dragons. While Mushu is the Lunar New Year mascot this year at Disney California Adventure Park (DCA), there are many more Disney Dragons – some that maybe you are aware of and some that maybe you aren’t. And some of these may be border line dragons, but let’s be open minded and try to include all dragons and dragon-like creatures. Let’s take a look at all of the Disney Dragons.
Note: These are in no particular order. I’ve just included the dragons as I remembered them.
Mushu from Mulan
I thought we would start with the obvious Disney Dragon, Mushu from Disney’s animated film Mulan. He’s not a lizard because he “doesn’t do that tongue thing”. He is a lovable and comedic dragon that helps Mulan in her journey to bring honor to her family and defeat the Hun army, and save China.
Mushu is this years Lunar New Year mascot at DCA. He does a meet and greet with guests in the Paradise Gardens gazebo and he appears in Mulan’s Lunar New Year Processional. And it seems like Mushu is really enjoying all of the attention that he is getting this year for The Year of the Dragon.
Sisu from Raya and the Last Dragon
In Raya and the Last Dragon, Sisu is the “last dragon”. She is a comedic dragon that helps Raya defeat the Druun from taking over and turning all living beings into stone. Sisu is a water dragon and while she is the last remaining dragon for most of the film, once the Druun is defeated, Sisu is joined by her family of dragons.
Figment
Figment has become a fan-favorite ever since he first appeared along-side Dreamfinder in Journey into Imagination when EPCOT opened to guests on October 1, 1982. And even though the EPCOT attraction has evolved over the years, Figment has stuck around and most recently was given his own meet and greet at EPCOT.
Elliot from Pete’s Dragon
Elliot is from the Disney live action 1977 film Pete’s Dragon. In the film, Elliot is animated and interacts with live action actors. A new version of the film Pete’s Dragon was released in 2016 where Elliot was computer generated. And most Disney park visitors will also recognize Elliot as the giant dragon that appeared in the Main Street Electrical Parade where Pete rides atop the dragon down the parade route.
Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty
Maleficent is the villain in the Disney animated classic film Sleeping Beauty. And while she is in human form throughout most of the film, she does change into a purple fire breathing dragon towards the end of the film as she battles Prince Phillip.
The Reluctant Dragon
The Reluctant Dragon first appeared in 1941 in a 20 minute short film produced by Walt Disney. The film is based on a 1898 children’s story written by Kenneth Grahame. The Reluctant Dragon is not a dangerous dragon. He is a playful dragon who likes to play a flute and read poetry. And he is actually Disney’s first Dragon character.
Madam Mim from The Sword in the Stone
In the 1963 Disney animated classic film The Sword in the Stone, Madam Mim transforms herself into a Dragon to defeat Merlin in a Wizard’s Duel even though she added “No Dragons” as part of the rules of the duel. However, Merlin transforms himself into a “germ” to defeat Mim.
The Gwythaints from The Black Cauldron
The Black Cauldron was released in theaters in 1985 but due to it’s dark story line, the film was not a box office success. In the film, The Horned King who is the villain of the film is searching for the powerful Black Cauldron and learns about a pig named Hen Wen who has powers to locate the cauldron. So, The Horned King sends The Gwythaints to capture the pig. The Gwythaints are dragons with large wings that fly across the sky in search of Hen Wen the pig.
Blazey & The Curse Dragon from Disney-Pixar Onward
Disney-Pixar’s Onward actually has two dragons in the film. One dragon is the Lightfoot family’s pet named Blazey. He is a small dog-like dragon who lives in the Lightfoot household. The other dragon in the film is The Curse Dragon which is a dragon formed from debris from Ian Lightfoot’s High School that is summoned when Ian’s brother, Barley Lightfoot, takes the Phoenix Gem from a fountain.
The Ballad of Nessie
The Ballad of Nessie is an animated short film released by Walt Disney Animation Studios in 2011. The film is based on the mysterious Loch Ness Monster with a Disney twist. In this version, Nessie the dragon is a playful and fun loving dragon who is only looking for a home where he can enjoy life.
Hydra from Hercules
The Hydra in the Disney 1997 animated film Hercules is a multi-headed dragon-like serpent that Hades summons to destroy Hercules. However, to Hades surprise, Hercules defeats the Hydra even after the creature grew more and more heads. And while the Hydra is not exactly a dragon, it is dragon-like and has been used as a dragon in Disney art.
Jabberwocky from the Live Action Alice in Wonderland
The Jabberwocky is not in the animated classic Disney film Alice in Wonderland but the creature does appear in the live action 2010 film. In this version of the story, Alice fights the Jabberwocky which is a large dragon like creature with wings and fangs. However, in Disney Junior’s Alice’s Wonderland Bakery, the Jabberwocky takes more of a bird like form.
Narissa from Enchanted
In the 2007 film Enchanted, Princess Giselle has a “wicked stepmother” who is a cross between Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty and the Evil Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Giselle’s stepmother, Queen Narissa, turns into a dragon at a Royal Ball dance to fight Robert on top of a skyscraper (similar to what Maleficent did when fighting Prince Phillip.
Crackle from Sofia the First
In the popular Disney Junior series, Sofia the First, Crackle is Princess Vivian’s pet dragon. Crackle is fun loving and is best friends with Sofia’s pet rabbit, Clover. During the series, Sofia goes on a few adventures with Crackle. And in one episode, Sofia turns herself into a dragon using her magic amulet.
And, I think that is all of them. Did I miss anyone? I think these are all of Disney’s Dragons but if I missed anyone, please send me a message and let me know.
Do you have a favorite Disney Dragon? I think my favorite Disney Dragon is Maleficent followed by Mushu, Elliot and Sisu. Let me know which Disney Dragon is your favorite.
I’ll “See ya real soon” Mouseketeers!
