The Dream Flyer is a glider invented by Camellia Falco, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's designs. They are the ride vehicles of Soaring: Fantastic Flight at Tokyo DisneySea.
Background[]
n 1485, Leonardo da Vinci drew up plans for a flying machine. It was human-powered, intended for the passenger to flap their arms to fly. The wings were designed like bat wings, and Leonardo studied birds to understand their flight patterns. While no evidence suggests that he attempted to build one, his illustrations and ideas have permeated across human history, inspiring future inventors and engineers to further man’s persute of flight.
Camellia Falco always had an interest in Leonardo's work, thanks to her father’s influence. She envisioned using his guidelines to build an amazing flying machine. After Camillia's death in 1875 the Museum of Fantastic Flight housed the Dream Flyer in the terrace. In 1901, a retrospective on Camillia's life was held, allowing guests to board the Dream Flyers for their own fantastic flight.
Design[]
The design of the Dream Flyer can be seen on images throughout the queue, on the ride’s poster, and in promotional images and merchandise. Like Leonardo da Vinci’s illustrations, they have large, batlike wings with a large tail on the back. Guests are seated upright, without a restraint bar and with a canopy above them. Two wheels are placed beside the seat, for take-off and landing purposes.
Technology[]
The Dream Flyer utilizes the same technology as the other Soarin’ attractions around the world, first developed for Soarin’ over California at Disney’s California Adventure. There are three rows of seats, lifted using a cantilever, facing a concave screen that the film is projected onto. The Dream Flyers are put right in the middle of the screen, allowing guests to be completely immersed in the experience.
To heighten the immersion, the vehicles are tilted back and forth, matching the actions of the film. For example: over the Great Wall of China, the vehicles are tilted downwards as the film speeds over the wall, giving the illusion of movement.
Each seat comes with a seat belt, a belt loop for little aviators, and an underseat compartment for carry-on items. Guests may either put their items into the compartment or leave them on the floor, where they are moved out of the way for them to pick up at the end of the ride.