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The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers (2006) movie poster

Timeline

The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers (2006) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2006 · 77 mins · English
Directed by
Charles Grosvenor
Starring
Nika Futterman, Frank Welker, Kenneth Mars, Rob Paulsen, Camryn Manheim, John Ingle

As the Great Day of the Flyers approaches, the young birds of the Great Valley are eager to showcase their talents in the annual exhibition. The only one hesitating is free‑spirited pterodactyl Petrie, whose love of individuality makes staying in formation difficult. His friends Littlefoot, Cera, Spike and Ducky encourage him to embrace his uniqueness.

Adventure Animation Family Cast, crew & box office
On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (12)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers (2006)

Where can you watch The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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12 events in order · contains spoilers

The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers (2006) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Preparations for the Day of the Flyers

    In the Great Valley, the Day of the Flyers approaches and Petrie remains a nervous flyer. He struggles with joining his siblings in precise group formations as the other young flyers prepare. The adults hope the exhibition will prove the youngsters are ready to fly with them.

    When
    Night before Day of the Flyers
    Where
    Great Valley

  2. Guido arrives and reveals himself

    Guido, a Microraptor never seen by the Great Valley residents, arrives as a strange newcomer. The others are curious and cautious, trying to understand what he is. His presence hints at new identity and belonging for the valley's youngest residents.

    When
    Evening before Day of the Flyers
    Where
    Great Valley

  3. Cera bonds with her new sister Tricia

    Cera worries about her grumpy father and his mate Tria as they welcome hatchling Tricia. The family dynamics begin to shift as bonds form between Cera and her new sister. The Great Valley grows a little larger with added family.

    When
    Evening before Day of the Flyers
    Where
    Great Valley

  4. Guido starts to figure out what he is

    On the night before the Day of the Flyers, Guido starts to figure out what he is, feeling pulled between two worlds. He tries to fit in, yet his differences stand out and challenge the others' expectations. This realization sets the stage for his journey and the choices he will make.

    When
    Night before Day of the Flyers
    Where
    Great Valley

  5. The group enters the Mysterious Beyond

    Petrie and his friends, following Guido's lead, unintentionally slip out of the Great Valley and into the Mysterious Beyond. The unfamiliar terrain is full of sounds and shadows that test their courage. The group must rely on each other as they navigate the unknown.

    When
    Night before Day of the Flyers
    Where
    Mysterious Beyond

  6. Spinosaurus disruption in the Mysterious Beyond

    In the Mysterious Beyond, Guido's difference alarms a Spinosaurus that suddenly lunges toward the group. The predator's approach creates a deadly chase through rocky ledges and riverbanks. The friends scramble to survive and protect each other.

    When
    Night before Day of the Flyers
    Where
    Mysterious Beyond

  7. Escape and return to the Great Valley

    To escape, Petrie, Guido, and the others wedge the Spinosaurus between two rocks and force it to retreat. The perilous plan buys them time to flee back toward the safety of the Great Valley. They return exhausted but relieved to be alive.

    When
    Night before Day of the Flyers
    Where
    Mysterious Beyond and Great Valley

  8. Day of the Flyers begins

    Morning of the Day of the Flyers arrives, and Guido's advice to be himself echoes as Petrie prepares to fly. Petrie breaks from the expected routines with a unique flight pattern that inspires the other flyers to embrace individuality. The display becomes less about perfection and more about courage.

    When
    Day of the Flyers, morning
    Where
    Great Valley sky

  9. Tricia falls into the river

    As the excitement builds, Tricia slips from the crowd and falls into a river heading toward a dangerous waterfall. Petrie, Guido, and the siblings rush to follow, their concern growing with every paddle and splash. They reach the scene just in time, though the risk remains high.

    When
    Day of the Flyers, late morning
    Where
    River near Great Valley

  10. A rescue and a near tragedy

    Guid o, Petrie, and the siblings manage to grab Tricia from the current, but in the scramble they accidentally drop her. Cera arrives, acting quickly to catch her before she hits the water again. The danger deepens the sense of family responsibility among the group.

    When
    Day of the Flyers, during rescue
    Where
    River near Great Valley

  11. Tricia's first word

    Tricia utters her first word, 'Cera,' sealing the bond between the hatchling and her sister and cementing Cera's place in the family. The moment brings relief to the watching adults and friends alike. The valley witnesses a small but powerful moment of connection.

    When
    Day of the Flyers, after rescue
    Where
    River near Great Valley

  12. A hopeful ending

    The film closes with Cera and her family cuddling Tricia as the valley's inhabitants reflect on family, acceptance, and the wonder of new life. The Day of the Flyers celebration continues with a sense of warmth and unity. Everyone watches in awe as the hatchling's greeting signals a hopeful future.

    When
    End of Day of the Flyers
    Where
    Great Valley

Last updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:32

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Timeline questions answered

The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers (2006): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why is Petrie nervous about the Day of the Flyers?

Petrie has always been a nervous flyer, and the Day of the Flyers requires all young birds to fly in precise group formations to prove they are ready to fly with the adults. His love of individuality makes staying in formation difficult, causing him to struggle more than his siblings.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Petrie having trouble keeping up with his siblings during practice flights.

  • petrie
  • nervous flyer
  • flying formation
  • day of flyers.anxiety
Q2

What is Guido in The Land Before Time?

Guido is a Microraptor, a small two-winged dinosaur that has never been seen in the Great Valley before. He is the strangest looking creature the valley residents have ever encountered, and he has never seen another like himself, which is why he struggles to understand what he is.

Foreshadowing: Guido's unusual appearance and lack of knowledge about his own kind hint at his Microraptor nature.

  • guido
  • microraptor
  • species
  • new dinosaur
Q3

Why does Guido lead the group into the Mysterious Beyond?

Guido begins sleepwalking on the night before the Day of the Flyers. He walks out of the Great Valley into the Mysterious Beyond, and Petrie and his friends follow him, unintentionally leaving the safety of the valley.

Foreshadowing: Earlier that evening, Guido was trying to figure out what he is, suggesting his subconscious mind was processing his identity crisis.

  • guido
  • sleepwalking
  • mysterious beyond
  • night adventure
Q4

How do Petrie and his friends escape the Spinosaurus?

When the Spinosaurus chases them in the Mysterious Beyond, Petrie, Guido, and the others work together to trap it between two rocks, forcing the predator to retreat. This gives them enough time to flee back to the Great Valley.

Foreshadowing: The Spinosaurus was alerted when Guido's different appearance alarmed the predator.

  • spinosaurus
  • escape
  • chase
  • trap
  • rocks
Q5

What advice does Guido give Petrie for the flying exhibition?

Guido tells Petrie to be himself. Instead of trying to fit into the precise formation like his siblings, Petrie performs his own unique flying style during the Day of the Flyers, which inspires the other young flyers to embrace their individuality as well.

Foreshadowing: Guido's own struggle with being different and not fitting in sets up his advice to Petrie.

  • guido advice
  • be yourself
  • flying exhibition
  • petrie unique flight
Q6

Why is Cera upset about her father having a new mate?

Cera's father has a new mate named Tria, and they are expecting a baby hatchling. Cera feels uncertain about this new family arrangement and worries about her place in the family, especially as her father seems more focused on his new mate and upcoming baby.

Foreshadowing: The tension between Cera and her father's new family is introduced early when Cera observes her father and Tria together.

  • cera
  • father
  • tria
  • new mate
  • family dynamics
  • sibling jealousy
Q7

How does Cera bond with her new sister Tricia?

Cera slowly begins to bond with her new baby sister Tricia throughout the film. This bond is cemented when Tricia falls into the river and Cera quickly catches her before she hits the water again, saving her little sister. The rescue solidifies Cera's role as a protective older sibling.

Foreshadowing: Cera's initial hesitation to accept Tria gradually shifts as she observes the new baby.

  • cera
  • tricia
  • sister bond
  • rescue
  • family
Q8

How does Tricia fall into the river during the Day of the Flyers?

While watching and following the flyers during the Day of the Flyers, baby Tricia slips from the crowd and falls into a river. The current carries her straight toward a dangerous waterfall.

Foreshadowing: The excitement of the flying exhibition distracts the adults from watching the hatchling closely.

  • tricia falls
  • river
  • waterfall
  • danger
  • baby
Q9

Who rescues Tricia from the river?

Guido, Petrie, and Petrie's siblings rush to rescue Tricia. They manage to grab her from the current but accidentally drop her in the scramble. Cera then arrives and catches her sister just before she hits the water again, saving her from falling back into the river.

Foreshadowing: The group follows the river to catch up to Tricia as she floats toward the waterfall.

  • tricia rescue
  • cera catches
  • river
  • guido petrie
Q10

What is the significance of Tricia's first word?

After being rescued, baby Tricia utters her first word, which is 'Cera.' This moment seals the bond between Tricia and her sister, confirming Cera's place in the family and showing that the hatchling recognizes and trusts her older sister.

Foreshadowing: Cera's act of catching Tricia just before she fell into the water again demonstrates her commitment to protecting her new sister.

  • tricia first word
  • cerasaurus
  • sister bond
  • family

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Heartwarming Movies About Embracing Uniqueness like The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers

Stories where supportive friends help a character learn the value of being themselves. If you enjoyed the theme of embracing individuality in The Land Before Time XII, you'll love these similar family movies. This thread gathers stories where characters learn to be themselves with the help of supportive friends, perfect for viewers seeking uplifting tales about self-acceptance and community celebration.

  • heartwarming
  • encouraging
  • supportive
  • uplifting
  • whimsical
  • comforting
  • Tone: heartwarming, uplifting, encouraging
  • Pacing: steady, character-focused
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a character who struggles with a trait that sets them apart, often causing anxiety or performance pressure. Their supportive friends or family encourage them to see this difference as a strength. A small challenge arises that can only be overcome by leveraging their unique ability, leading to personal triumph and communal recognition.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped together because they share a core theme of positive self-discovery, a LIGHT and HEARTWARMING tone, and a focus on low-stakes interpersonal conflicts resolved through encouragement. They offer a comforting and affirming viewing experience centered on community and acceptance.

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Gentle Animated Adventures for Kids like The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers

Low-stakes, friendship-focused animated stories with simple morals and happy endings. Looking for more movies like The Land Before Time XII? This collection features gentle, low-intensity animated adventures perfect for family viewing. These films share a STEADY pace, straightforward stories about friendship, and contain only mild, quickly-resolved peril, making them ideal for young children seeking comforting and playful stories.

  • playful
  • comforting
  • adventurous
  • supportive
  • whimsical
  • heartwarming
  • Tone: light, playful, comforting
  • Pacing: steady, easygoing
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot is straightforward, following a group of young characters as they prepare for or participate in a community event. A minor conflict or brief moment of peril arises, which is solved through teamwork and the application of a simple, positive lesson. The story concludes safely with a happy community celebration, reinforcing the values of friendship and cooperation.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread are connected by their exceptionally LOW intensity, LIGHT emotional weight, and STEADY pacing. They are defined by their suitability for a young audience, featuring minimal threat, clear moral lessons, and a focus on playful, comforting adventures rather than complex drama or high stakes.

Little Golden Book Land movie poster

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1989
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2023
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1997
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Lapitch the Little Shoemaker

1997
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Franklin and the Turtle Lake Treasure

2006
Piglet's Big Movie movie poster

Piglet's Big Movie

2003

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Every angle

The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers (2006) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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