Overview
- The U.S. patent US-12784619-B1 for a “Fan Effect System” was granted on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, and lists four Central Florida Walt Disney Imagineering inventors led by Daniel Joseph.
- The filing describes a high-speed brushless fan, nearly transparent lightweight synthetic fabric and video projection to create programmable, realistic flame visuals that can extend, retract and move at different angles.
- Patent illustrations show a face rising from projected flames that multiple outlets say resembles the Evil Queen’s Magic Mirror, but the patent does not name any attraction, park, or character.
- Disney’s document lists many uses beyond dark rides, including parade floats, animatronics, handheld props and costumes, and notes the system is intended as a safer and more controllable alternative to real fire.
- The patent complements other recent Disney filings about projecting onto smoke and moving surfaces and does not guarantee the effect will be built into Villains Land, which remains on a multi-year development timeline.