diff --git a/MANIFEST.in b/MANIFEST.in
index f06d1310742f..363faac03b3d 100644
--- a/MANIFEST.in
+++ b/MANIFEST.in
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ include NOTICE
 include LICENSE.txt
 graft licenses/
 include README.md
-recursive-include superset/data *
+recursive-include superset/examples *
 recursive-include superset/migrations *
 recursive-include superset/static *
 recursive-exclude superset/static/assets/docs *
diff --git a/superset/cli.py b/superset/cli.py
index cb363c2b5955..c4f83097fd85 100755
--- a/superset/cli.py
+++ b/superset/cli.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 from pathlib2 import Path
 import yaml
 
-from superset import app, appbuilder, data, db, security_manager
+from superset import app, appbuilder, db, examples, security_manager
 from superset.utils import core as utils, dashboard_import_export, dict_import_export
 
 config = app.config
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ def make_shell_context():
 def init():
     """Inits the Superset application"""
     utils.get_or_create_main_db()
+    utils.get_example_database()
     appbuilder.add_permissions(update_perms=True)
     security_manager.sync_role_definitions()
 
@@ -67,66 +68,76 @@ def version(verbose):
     print(Style.RESET_ALL)
 
 
-def load_examples_run(load_test_data):
-    print("Loading examples into {}".format(db))
+def load_examples_run(load_test_data, only_metadata=False, force=False):
+    if only_metadata:
+        print("Loading examples metadata")
+    else:
+        examples_db = utils.get_example_database()
+        print(f"Loading examples metadata and related data into {examples_db}")
 
-    data.load_css_templates()
+    examples.load_css_templates()
 
     print("Loading energy related dataset")
-    data.load_energy()
+    examples.load_energy(only_metadata, force)
 
     print("Loading [World Bank's Health Nutrition and Population Stats]")
-    data.load_world_bank_health_n_pop()
+    examples.load_world_bank_health_n_pop(only_metadata, force)
 
     print("Loading [Birth names]")
-    data.load_birth_names()
+    examples.load_birth_names(only_metadata, force)
 
     print("Loading [Unicode test data]")
-    data.load_unicode_test_data()
+    examples.load_unicode_test_data(only_metadata, force)
 
     if not load_test_data:
         print("Loading [Random time series data]")
-        data.load_random_time_series_data()
+        examples.load_random_time_series_data(only_metadata, force)
 
         print("Loading [Random long/lat data]")
-        data.load_long_lat_data()
+        examples.load_long_lat_data(only_metadata, force)
 
         print("Loading [Country Map data]")
-        data.load_country_map_data()
+        examples.load_country_map_data(only_metadata, force)
 
         print("Loading [Multiformat time series]")
-        data.load_multiformat_time_series()
+        examples.load_multiformat_time_series(only_metadata, force)
 
         print("Loading [Paris GeoJson]")
-        data.load_paris_iris_geojson()
+        examples.load_paris_iris_geojson(only_metadata, force)
 
         print("Loading [San Francisco population polygons]")
-        data.load_sf_population_polygons()
+        examples.load_sf_population_polygons(only_metadata, force)
 
         print("Loading [Flights data]")
-        data.load_flights()
+        examples.load_flights(only_metadata, force)
 
         print("Loading [BART lines]")
-        data.load_bart_lines()
+        examples.load_bart_lines(only_metadata, force)
 
         print("Loading [Multi Line]")
-        data.load_multi_line()
+        examples.load_multi_line(only_metadata)
 
         print("Loading [Misc Charts] dashboard")
-        data.load_misc_dashboard()
+        examples.load_misc_dashboard()
 
         print("Loading DECK.gl demo")
-        data.load_deck_dash()
+        examples.load_deck_dash()
 
     print("Loading [Tabbed dashboard]")
-    data.load_tabbed_dashboard()
+    examples.load_tabbed_dashboard(only_metadata)
 
 
 @app.cli.command()
 @click.option("--load-test-data", "-t", is_flag=True, help="Load additional test data")
-def load_examples(load_test_data):
+@click.option(
+    "--only-metadata", "-m", is_flag=True, help="Only load metadata, skip actual data"
+)
+@click.option(
+    "--force", "-f", is_flag=True, help="Force load data even if table already exists"
+)
+def load_examples(load_test_data, only_metadata=False, force=False):
     """Loads a set of Slices and Dashboards and a supporting dataset """
-    load_examples_run(load_test_data)
+    load_examples_run(load_test_data, only_metadata, force)
 
 
 @app.cli.command()
@@ -405,7 +416,7 @@ def load_test_users_run():
         for perm in security_manager.find_role("Gamma").permissions:
             security_manager.add_permission_role(gamma_sqllab_role, perm)
         utils.get_or_create_main_db()
-        db_perm = utils.get_main_database(security_manager.get_session).perm
+        db_perm = utils.get_main_database().perm
         security_manager.add_permission_view_menu("database_access", db_perm)
         db_pvm = security_manager.find_permission_view_menu(
             view_menu_name=db_perm, permission_name="database_access"
diff --git a/superset/config.py b/superset/config.py
index 7679d204daf7..b676e5179541 100644
--- a/superset/config.py
+++ b/superset/config.py
@@ -617,6 +617,10 @@ class CeleryConfig(object):
     "force_https_permanent": False,
 }
 
+# URI to database storing the example data, points to
+# SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URI by default if set to `None`
+SQLALCHEMY_EXAMPLES_URI = None
+
 try:
     if CONFIG_PATH_ENV_VAR in os.environ:
         # Explicitly import config module that is not in pythonpath; useful
diff --git a/superset/connectors/connector_registry.py b/superset/connectors/connector_registry.py
index be31a37ee070..d5e951aabab7 100644
--- a/superset/connectors/connector_registry.py
+++ b/superset/connectors/connector_registry.py
@@ -55,18 +55,9 @@ def get_datasource_by_name(
         cls, session, datasource_type, datasource_name, schema, database_name
     ):
         datasource_class = ConnectorRegistry.sources[datasource_type]
-        datasources = session.query(datasource_class).all()
-
-        # Filter datasoures that don't have database.
-        db_ds = [
-            d
-            for d in datasources
-            if d.database
-            and d.database.name == database_name
-            and d.name == datasource_name
-            and schema == schema
-        ]
-        return db_ds[0]
+        return datasource_class.get_datasource_by_name(
+            session, datasource_name, schema, database_name
+        )
 
     @classmethod
     def query_datasources_by_permissions(cls, session, database, permissions):
diff --git a/superset/connectors/druid/models.py b/superset/connectors/druid/models.py
index 3f81ca7e57c0..6a0873cf77d0 100644
--- a/superset/connectors/druid/models.py
+++ b/superset/connectors/druid/models.py
@@ -732,6 +732,16 @@ def time_offset(granularity):
             return 6 * 24 * 3600 * 1000  # 6 days
         return 0
 
+    @classmethod
+    def get_datasource_by_name(cls, session, datasource_name, schema, database_name):
+        query = (
+            session.query(cls)
+            .join(DruidCluster)
+            .filter(cls.datasource_name == datasource_name)
+            .filter(DruidCluster.cluster_name == database_name)
+        )
+        return query.first()
+
     # uses https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_8601
     # http://druid.io/docs/0.8.0/querying/granularities.html
     # TODO: pass origin from the UI
diff --git a/superset/connectors/sqla/models.py b/superset/connectors/sqla/models.py
index 6805777995ca..a3f56906eb9f 100644
--- a/superset/connectors/sqla/models.py
+++ b/superset/connectors/sqla/models.py
@@ -374,6 +374,21 @@ def datasource_name(self):
     def database_name(self):
         return self.database.name
 
+    @classmethod
+    def get_datasource_by_name(cls, session, datasource_name, schema, database_name):
+        schema = schema or None
+        query = (
+            session.query(cls)
+            .join(Database)
+            .filter(cls.table_name == datasource_name)
+            .filter(Database.database_name == database_name)
+        )
+        # Handling schema being '' or None, which is easier to handle
+        # in python than in the SQLA query in a multi-dialect way
+        for tbl in query.all():
+            if schema == (tbl.schema or None):
+                return tbl
+
     @property
     def link(self):
         name = escape(self.name)
diff --git a/superset/data/__init__.py b/superset/examples/__init__.py
similarity index 100%
rename from superset/data/__init__.py
rename to superset/examples/__init__.py
diff --git a/superset/data/bart_lines.py b/superset/examples/bart_lines.py
similarity index 56%
rename from superset/data/bart_lines.py
rename to superset/examples/bart_lines.py
index 8e615fcba094..203a60e5c086 100644
--- a/superset/data/bart_lines.py
+++ b/superset/examples/bart_lines.py
@@ -21,37 +21,42 @@
 from sqlalchemy import String, Text
 
 from superset import db
-from superset.utils.core import get_or_create_main_db
-from .helpers import TBL, get_example_data
+from superset.utils.core import get_example_database
+from .helpers import get_example_data, TBL
 
 
-def load_bart_lines():
+def load_bart_lines(only_metadata=False, force=False):
     tbl_name = "bart_lines"
-    content = get_example_data("bart-lines.json.gz")
-    df = pd.read_json(content, encoding="latin-1")
-    df["path_json"] = df.path.map(json.dumps)
-    df["polyline"] = df.path.map(polyline.encode)
-    del df["path"]
+    database = get_example_database()
+    table_exists = database.has_table_by_name(tbl_name)
+
+    if not only_metadata and (not table_exists or force):
+        content = get_example_data("bart-lines.json.gz")
+        df = pd.read_json(content, encoding="latin-1")
+        df["path_json"] = df.path.map(json.dumps)
+        df["polyline"] = df.path.map(polyline.encode)
+        del df["path"]
+
+        df.to_sql(
+            tbl_name,
+            database.get_sqla_engine(),
+            if_exists="replace",
+            chunksize=500,
+            dtype={
+                "color": String(255),
+                "name": String(255),
+                "polyline": Text,
+                "path_json": Text,
+            },
+            index=False,
+        )
 
-    df.to_sql(
-        tbl_name,
-        db.engine,
-        if_exists="replace",
-        chunksize=500,
-        dtype={
-            "color": String(255),
-            "name": String(255),
-            "polyline": Text,
-            "path_json": Text,
-        },
-        index=False,
-    )
     print("Creating table {} reference".format(tbl_name))
     tbl = db.session.query(TBL).filter_by(table_name=tbl_name).first()
     if not tbl:
         tbl = TBL(table_name=tbl_name)
     tbl.description = "BART lines"
-    tbl.database = get_or_create_main_db()
+    tbl.database = database
     db.session.merge(tbl)
     db.session.commit()
     tbl.fetch_metadata()
diff --git a/superset/data/birth_names.py b/superset/examples/birth_names.py
similarity index 93%
rename from superset/data/birth_names.py
rename to superset/examples/birth_names.py
index 9040847ab07f..1fcdc55f6ad6 100644
--- a/superset/data/birth_names.py
+++ b/superset/examples/birth_names.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 
 from superset import db, security_manager
 from superset.connectors.sqla.models import SqlMetric, TableColumn
-from superset.utils.core import get_or_create_main_db
+from superset.utils.core import get_example_database
 from .helpers import (
     config,
     Dash,
@@ -36,33 +36,39 @@
 )
 
 
-def load_birth_names():
+def load_birth_names(only_metadata=False, force=False):
     """Loading birth name dataset from a zip file in the repo"""
-    data = get_example_data("birth_names.json.gz")
-    pdf = pd.read_json(data)
-    pdf.ds = pd.to_datetime(pdf.ds, unit="ms")
-    pdf.to_sql(
-        "birth_names",
-        db.engine,
-        if_exists="replace",
-        chunksize=500,
-        dtype={
-            "ds": DateTime,
-            "gender": String(16),
-            "state": String(10),
-            "name": String(255),
-        },
-        index=False,
-    )
-    print("Done loading table!")
-    print("-" * 80)
+    # pylint: disable=too-many-locals
+    tbl_name = "birth_names"
+    database = get_example_database()
+    table_exists = database.has_table_by_name(tbl_name)
+
+    if not only_metadata and (not table_exists or force):
+        pdf = pd.read_json(get_example_data("birth_names.json.gz"))
+        pdf.ds = pd.to_datetime(pdf.ds, unit="ms")
+        pdf.to_sql(
+            tbl_name,
+            database.get_sqla_engine(),
+            if_exists="replace",
+            chunksize=500,
+            dtype={
+                "ds": DateTime,
+                "gender": String(16),
+                "state": String(10),
+                "name": String(255),
+            },
+            index=False,
+        )
+        print("Done loading table!")
+        print("-" * 80)
 
-    print("Creating table [birth_names] reference")
-    obj = db.session.query(TBL).filter_by(table_name="birth_names").first()
+    obj = db.session.query(TBL).filter_by(table_name=tbl_name).first()
     if not obj:
-        obj = TBL(table_name="birth_names")
+        print(f"Creating table [{tbl_name}] reference")
+        obj = TBL(table_name=tbl_name)
+        db.session.add(obj)
     obj.main_dttm_col = "ds"
-    obj.database = get_or_create_main_db()
+    obj.database = database
     obj.filter_select_enabled = True
 
     if not any(col.column_name == "num_california" for col in obj.columns):
@@ -79,7 +85,6 @@ def load_birth_names():
         col = str(column("num").compile(db.engine))
         obj.metrics.append(SqlMetric(metric_name="sum__num", expression=f"SUM({col})"))
 
-    db.session.merge(obj)
     db.session.commit()
     obj.fetch_metadata()
     tbl = obj
@@ -384,10 +389,12 @@ def load_birth_names():
         merge_slice(slc)
 
     print("Creating a dashboard")
-    dash = db.session.query(Dash).filter_by(dashboard_title="Births").first()
+    dash = db.session.query(Dash).filter_by(slug="births").first()
 
     if not dash:
         dash = Dash()
+        db.session.add(dash)
+    dash.published = True
     js = textwrap.dedent(
         # pylint: disable=line-too-long
         """\
@@ -649,5 +656,4 @@ def load_birth_names():
     dash.dashboard_title = "Births"
     dash.position_json = json.dumps(pos, indent=4)
     dash.slug = "births"
-    db.session.merge(dash)
     db.session.commit()
diff --git a/superset/data/countries.md b/superset/examples/countries.md
similarity index 100%
rename from superset/data/countries.md
rename to superset/examples/countries.md
diff --git a/superset/data/countries.py b/superset/examples/countries.py
similarity index 100%
rename from superset/data/countries.py
rename to superset/examples/countries.py
diff --git a/superset/data/country_map.py b/superset/examples/country_map.py
similarity index 61%
rename from superset/data/country_map.py
rename to superset/examples/country_map.py
index d2b12cf117ce..d664e4b161ef 100644
--- a/superset/data/country_map.py
+++ b/superset/examples/country_map.py
@@ -33,44 +33,50 @@
 )
 
 
-def load_country_map_data():
+def load_country_map_data(only_metadata=False, force=False):
     """Loading data for map with country map"""
-    csv_bytes = get_example_data(
-        "birth_france_data_for_country_map.csv", is_gzip=False, make_bytes=True
-    )
-    data = pd.read_csv(csv_bytes, encoding="utf-8")
-    data["dttm"] = datetime.datetime.now().date()
-    data.to_sql(  # pylint: disable=no-member
-        "birth_france_by_region",
-        db.engine,
-        if_exists="replace",
-        chunksize=500,
-        dtype={
-            "DEPT_ID": String(10),
-            "2003": BigInteger,
-            "2004": BigInteger,
-            "2005": BigInteger,
-            "2006": BigInteger,
-            "2007": BigInteger,
-            "2008": BigInteger,
-            "2009": BigInteger,
-            "2010": BigInteger,
-            "2011": BigInteger,
-            "2012": BigInteger,
-            "2013": BigInteger,
-            "2014": BigInteger,
-            "dttm": Date(),
-        },
-        index=False,
-    )
-    print("Done loading table!")
-    print("-" * 80)
+    tbl_name = "birth_france_by_region"
+    database = utils.get_example_database()
+    table_exists = database.has_table_by_name(tbl_name)
+
+    if not only_metadata and (not table_exists or force):
+        csv_bytes = get_example_data(
+            "birth_france_data_for_country_map.csv", is_gzip=False, make_bytes=True
+        )
+        data = pd.read_csv(csv_bytes, encoding="utf-8")
+        data["dttm"] = datetime.datetime.now().date()
+        data.to_sql(  # pylint: disable=no-member
+            tbl_name,
+            database.get_sqla_engine(),
+            if_exists="replace",
+            chunksize=500,
+            dtype={
+                "DEPT_ID": String(10),
+                "2003": BigInteger,
+                "2004": BigInteger,
+                "2005": BigInteger,
+                "2006": BigInteger,
+                "2007": BigInteger,
+                "2008": BigInteger,
+                "2009": BigInteger,
+                "2010": BigInteger,
+                "2011": BigInteger,
+                "2012": BigInteger,
+                "2013": BigInteger,
+                "2014": BigInteger,
+                "dttm": Date(),
+            },
+            index=False,
+        )
+        print("Done loading table!")
+        print("-" * 80)
+
     print("Creating table reference")
-    obj = db.session.query(TBL).filter_by(table_name="birth_france_by_region").first()
+    obj = db.session.query(TBL).filter_by(table_name=tbl_name).first()
     if not obj:
-        obj = TBL(table_name="birth_france_by_region")
+        obj = TBL(table_name=tbl_name)
     obj.main_dttm_col = "dttm"
-    obj.database = utils.get_or_create_main_db()
+    obj.database = database
     if not any(col.metric_name == "avg__2004" for col in obj.metrics):
         col = str(column("2004").compile(db.engine))
         obj.metrics.append(SqlMetric(metric_name="avg__2004", expression=f"AVG({col})"))
diff --git a/superset/data/css_templates.py b/superset/examples/css_templates.py
similarity index 100%
rename from superset/data/css_templates.py
rename to superset/examples/css_templates.py
diff --git a/superset/data/deck.py b/superset/examples/deck.py
similarity index 99%
rename from superset/data/deck.py
rename to superset/examples/deck.py
index 974be9033c42..6cd044199005 100644
--- a/superset/data/deck.py
+++ b/superset/examples/deck.py
@@ -501,6 +501,7 @@ def load_deck_dash():
 
     if not dash:
         dash = Dash()
+    dash.published = True
     js = POSITION_JSON
     pos = json.loads(js)
     update_slice_ids(pos, slices)
diff --git a/superset/data/energy.py b/superset/examples/energy.py
similarity index 85%
rename from superset/data/energy.py
rename to superset/examples/energy.py
index a3edb2bca668..00dae11a091f 100644
--- a/superset/data/energy.py
+++ b/superset/examples/energy.py
@@ -25,36 +25,33 @@
 from superset import db
 from superset.connectors.sqla.models import SqlMetric
 from superset.utils import core as utils
-from .helpers import (
-    DATA_FOLDER,
-    get_example_data,
-    merge_slice,
-    misc_dash_slices,
-    Slice,
-    TBL,
-)
+from .helpers import get_example_data, merge_slice, misc_dash_slices, Slice, TBL
 
 
-def load_energy():
+def load_energy(only_metadata=False, force=False):
     """Loads an energy related dataset to use with sankey and graphs"""
     tbl_name = "energy_usage"
-    data = get_example_data("energy.json.gz")
-    pdf = pd.read_json(data)
-    pdf.to_sql(
-        tbl_name,
-        db.engine,
-        if_exists="replace",
-        chunksize=500,
-        dtype={"source": String(255), "target": String(255), "value": Float()},
-        index=False,
-    )
+    database = utils.get_example_database()
+    table_exists = database.has_table_by_name(tbl_name)
+
+    if not only_metadata and (not table_exists or force):
+        data = get_example_data("energy.json.gz")
+        pdf = pd.read_json(data)
+        pdf.to_sql(
+            tbl_name,
+            database.get_sqla_engine(),
+            if_exists="replace",
+            chunksize=500,
+            dtype={"source": String(255), "target": String(255), "value": Float()},
+            index=False,
+        )
 
     print("Creating table [wb_health_population] reference")
     tbl = db.session.query(TBL).filter_by(table_name=tbl_name).first()
     if not tbl:
         tbl = TBL(table_name=tbl_name)
     tbl.description = "Energy consumption"
-    tbl.database = utils.get_or_create_main_db()
+    tbl.database = database
 
     if not any(col.metric_name == "sum__value" for col in tbl.metrics):
         col = str(column("value").compile(db.engine))
diff --git a/superset/data/flights.py b/superset/examples/flights.py
similarity index 52%
rename from superset/data/flights.py
rename to superset/examples/flights.py
index 8876d5430c10..d386ae2d850a 100644
--- a/superset/data/flights.py
+++ b/superset/examples/flights.py
@@ -22,38 +22,45 @@
 from .helpers import get_example_data, TBL
 
 
-def load_flights():
+def load_flights(only_metadata=False, force=False):
     """Loading random time series data from a zip file in the repo"""
     tbl_name = "flights"
-    data = get_example_data("flight_data.csv.gz", make_bytes=True)
-    pdf = pd.read_csv(data, encoding="latin-1")
-
-    # Loading airports info to join and get lat/long
-    airports_bytes = get_example_data("airports.csv.gz", make_bytes=True)
-    airports = pd.read_csv(airports_bytes, encoding="latin-1")
-    airports = airports.set_index("IATA_CODE")
-
-    pdf["ds"] = pdf.YEAR.map(str) + "-0" + pdf.MONTH.map(str) + "-0" + pdf.DAY.map(str)
-    pdf.ds = pd.to_datetime(pdf.ds)
-    del pdf["YEAR"]
-    del pdf["MONTH"]
-    del pdf["DAY"]
-
-    pdf = pdf.join(airports, on="ORIGIN_AIRPORT", rsuffix="_ORIG")
-    pdf = pdf.join(airports, on="DESTINATION_AIRPORT", rsuffix="_DEST")
-    pdf.to_sql(
-        tbl_name,
-        db.engine,
-        if_exists="replace",
-        chunksize=500,
-        dtype={"ds": DateTime},
-        index=False,
-    )
+    database = utils.get_example_database()
+    table_exists = database.has_table_by_name(tbl_name)
+
+    if not only_metadata and (not table_exists or force):
+        data = get_example_data("flight_data.csv.gz", make_bytes=True)
+        pdf = pd.read_csv(data, encoding="latin-1")
+
+        # Loading airports info to join and get lat/long
+        airports_bytes = get_example_data("airports.csv.gz", make_bytes=True)
+        airports = pd.read_csv(airports_bytes, encoding="latin-1")
+        airports = airports.set_index("IATA_CODE")
+
+        pdf["ds"] = (
+            pdf.YEAR.map(str) + "-0" + pdf.MONTH.map(str) + "-0" + pdf.DAY.map(str)
+        )
+        pdf.ds = pd.to_datetime(pdf.ds)
+        del pdf["YEAR"]
+        del pdf["MONTH"]
+        del pdf["DAY"]
+
+        pdf = pdf.join(airports, on="ORIGIN_AIRPORT", rsuffix="_ORIG")
+        pdf = pdf.join(airports, on="DESTINATION_AIRPORT", rsuffix="_DEST")
+        pdf.to_sql(
+            tbl_name,
+            database.get_sqla_engine(),
+            if_exists="replace",
+            chunksize=500,
+            dtype={"ds": DateTime},
+            index=False,
+        )
+
     tbl = db.session.query(TBL).filter_by(table_name=tbl_name).first()
     if not tbl:
         tbl = TBL(table_name=tbl_name)
     tbl.description = "Random set of flights in the US"
-    tbl.database = utils.get_or_create_main_db()
+    tbl.database = database
     db.session.merge(tbl)
     db.session.commit()
     tbl.fetch_metadata()
diff --git a/superset/data/helpers.py b/superset/examples/helpers.py
similarity index 97%
rename from superset/data/helpers.py
rename to superset/examples/helpers.py
index a6dd734a4402..cff7da6ad86f 100644
--- a/superset/data/helpers.py
+++ b/superset/examples/helpers.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
 
 config = app.config
 
-DATA_FOLDER = os.path.join(config.get("BASE_DIR"), "data")
+EXAMPLES_FOLDER = os.path.join(config.get("BASE_DIR"), "examples")
 
 misc_dash_slices = set()  # slices assembled in a 'Misc Chart' dashboard
 
diff --git a/superset/data/long_lat.py b/superset/examples/long_lat.py
similarity index 50%
rename from superset/data/long_lat.py
rename to superset/examples/long_lat.py
index 4ecb618bf95b..28b8dbbf01ef 100644
--- a/superset/data/long_lat.py
+++ b/superset/examples/long_lat.py
@@ -33,52 +33,59 @@
 )
 
 
-def load_long_lat_data():
+def load_long_lat_data(only_metadata=False, force=False):
     """Loading lat/long data from a csv file in the repo"""
-    data = get_example_data("san_francisco.csv.gz", make_bytes=True)
-    pdf = pd.read_csv(data, encoding="utf-8")
-    start = datetime.datetime.now().replace(hour=0, minute=0, second=0, microsecond=0)
-    pdf["datetime"] = [
-        start + datetime.timedelta(hours=i * 24 / (len(pdf) - 1))
-        for i in range(len(pdf))
-    ]
-    pdf["occupancy"] = [random.randint(1, 6) for _ in range(len(pdf))]
-    pdf["radius_miles"] = [random.uniform(1, 3) for _ in range(len(pdf))]
-    pdf["geohash"] = pdf[["LAT", "LON"]].apply(lambda x: geohash.encode(*x), axis=1)
-    pdf["delimited"] = pdf["LAT"].map(str).str.cat(pdf["LON"].map(str), sep=",")
-    pdf.to_sql(  # pylint: disable=no-member
-        "long_lat",
-        db.engine,
-        if_exists="replace",
-        chunksize=500,
-        dtype={
-            "longitude": Float(),
-            "latitude": Float(),
-            "number": Float(),
-            "street": String(100),
-            "unit": String(10),
-            "city": String(50),
-            "district": String(50),
-            "region": String(50),
-            "postcode": Float(),
-            "id": String(100),
-            "datetime": DateTime(),
-            "occupancy": Float(),
-            "radius_miles": Float(),
-            "geohash": String(12),
-            "delimited": String(60),
-        },
-        index=False,
-    )
-    print("Done loading table!")
-    print("-" * 80)
+    tbl_name = "long_lat"
+    database = utils.get_example_database()
+    table_exists = database.has_table_by_name(tbl_name)
+
+    if not only_metadata and (not table_exists or force):
+        data = get_example_data("san_francisco.csv.gz", make_bytes=True)
+        pdf = pd.read_csv(data, encoding="utf-8")
+        start = datetime.datetime.now().replace(
+            hour=0, minute=0, second=0, microsecond=0
+        )
+        pdf["datetime"] = [
+            start + datetime.timedelta(hours=i * 24 / (len(pdf) - 1))
+            for i in range(len(pdf))
+        ]
+        pdf["occupancy"] = [random.randint(1, 6) for _ in range(len(pdf))]
+        pdf["radius_miles"] = [random.uniform(1, 3) for _ in range(len(pdf))]
+        pdf["geohash"] = pdf[["LAT", "LON"]].apply(lambda x: geohash.encode(*x), axis=1)
+        pdf["delimited"] = pdf["LAT"].map(str).str.cat(pdf["LON"].map(str), sep=",")
+        pdf.to_sql(  # pylint: disable=no-member
+            tbl_name,
+            database.get_sqla_engine(),
+            if_exists="replace",
+            chunksize=500,
+            dtype={
+                "longitude": Float(),
+                "latitude": Float(),
+                "number": Float(),
+                "street": String(100),
+                "unit": String(10),
+                "city": String(50),
+                "district": String(50),
+                "region": String(50),
+                "postcode": Float(),
+                "id": String(100),
+                "datetime": DateTime(),
+                "occupancy": Float(),
+                "radius_miles": Float(),
+                "geohash": String(12),
+                "delimited": String(60),
+            },
+            index=False,
+        )
+        print("Done loading table!")
+        print("-" * 80)
 
     print("Creating table reference")
-    obj = db.session.query(TBL).filter_by(table_name="long_lat").first()
+    obj = db.session.query(TBL).filter_by(table_name=tbl_name).first()
     if not obj:
-        obj = TBL(table_name="long_lat")
+        obj = TBL(table_name=tbl_name)
     obj.main_dttm_col = "datetime"
-    obj.database = utils.get_or_create_main_db()
+    obj.database = database
     db.session.merge(obj)
     db.session.commit()
     obj.fetch_metadata()
diff --git a/superset/data/misc_dashboard.py b/superset/examples/misc_dashboard.py
similarity index 100%
rename from superset/data/misc_dashboard.py
rename to superset/examples/misc_dashboard.py
diff --git a/superset/data/multi_line.py b/superset/examples/multi_line.py
similarity index 93%
rename from superset/data/multi_line.py
rename to superset/examples/multi_line.py
index d2b4d18c5ac4..390e5f84e85a 100644
--- a/superset/data/multi_line.py
+++ b/superset/examples/multi_line.py
@@ -22,9 +22,9 @@
 from .world_bank import load_world_bank_health_n_pop
 
 
-def load_multi_line():
-    load_world_bank_health_n_pop()
-    load_birth_names()
+def load_multi_line(only_metadata=False):
+    load_world_bank_health_n_pop(only_metadata)
+    load_birth_names(only_metadata)
     ids = [
         row.id
         for row in db.session.query(Slice).filter(
diff --git a/superset/data/multiformat_time_series.py b/superset/examples/multiformat_time_series.py
similarity index 66%
rename from superset/data/multiformat_time_series.py
rename to superset/examples/multiformat_time_series.py
index b33391d4aba2..2875d375c770 100644
--- a/superset/data/multiformat_time_series.py
+++ b/superset/examples/multiformat_time_series.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 from sqlalchemy import BigInteger, Date, DateTime, String
 
 from superset import db
-from superset.utils import core as utils
+from superset.utils.core import get_example_database
 from .helpers import (
     config,
     get_example_data,
@@ -31,38 +31,44 @@
 )
 
 
-def load_multiformat_time_series():
+def load_multiformat_time_series(only_metadata=False, force=False):
     """Loading time series data from a zip file in the repo"""
-    data = get_example_data("multiformat_time_series.json.gz")
-    pdf = pd.read_json(data)
+    tbl_name = "multiformat_time_series"
+    database = get_example_database()
+    table_exists = database.has_table_by_name(tbl_name)
 
-    pdf.ds = pd.to_datetime(pdf.ds, unit="s")
-    pdf.ds2 = pd.to_datetime(pdf.ds2, unit="s")
-    pdf.to_sql(
-        "multiformat_time_series",
-        db.engine,
-        if_exists="replace",
-        chunksize=500,
-        dtype={
-            "ds": Date,
-            "ds2": DateTime,
-            "epoch_s": BigInteger,
-            "epoch_ms": BigInteger,
-            "string0": String(100),
-            "string1": String(100),
-            "string2": String(100),
-            "string3": String(100),
-        },
-        index=False,
-    )
-    print("Done loading table!")
-    print("-" * 80)
-    print("Creating table [multiformat_time_series] reference")
-    obj = db.session.query(TBL).filter_by(table_name="multiformat_time_series").first()
+    if not only_metadata and (not table_exists or force):
+        data = get_example_data("multiformat_time_series.json.gz")
+        pdf = pd.read_json(data)
+
+        pdf.ds = pd.to_datetime(pdf.ds, unit="s")
+        pdf.ds2 = pd.to_datetime(pdf.ds2, unit="s")
+        pdf.to_sql(
+            tbl_name,
+            database.get_sqla_engine(),
+            if_exists="replace",
+            chunksize=500,
+            dtype={
+                "ds": Date,
+                "ds2": DateTime,
+                "epoch_s": BigInteger,
+                "epoch_ms": BigInteger,
+                "string0": String(100),
+                "string1": String(100),
+                "string2": String(100),
+                "string3": String(100),
+            },
+            index=False,
+        )
+        print("Done loading table!")
+        print("-" * 80)
+
+    print(f"Creating table [{tbl_name}] reference")
+    obj = db.session.query(TBL).filter_by(table_name=tbl_name).first()
     if not obj:
-        obj = TBL(table_name="multiformat_time_series")
+        obj = TBL(table_name=tbl_name)
     obj.main_dttm_col = "ds"
-    obj.database = utils.get_or_create_main_db()
+    obj.database = database
     dttm_and_expr_dict = {
         "ds": [None, None],
         "ds2": [None, None],
diff --git a/superset/data/paris.py b/superset/examples/paris.py
similarity index 61%
rename from superset/data/paris.py
rename to superset/examples/paris.py
index 6387272e6874..a4f252b0343e 100644
--- a/superset/data/paris.py
+++ b/superset/examples/paris.py
@@ -21,35 +21,39 @@
 
 from superset import db
 from superset.utils import core as utils
-from .helpers import TBL, get_example_data
+from .helpers import get_example_data, TBL
 
 
-def load_paris_iris_geojson():
+def load_paris_iris_geojson(only_metadata=False, force=False):
     tbl_name = "paris_iris_mapping"
+    database = utils.get_example_database()
+    table_exists = database.has_table_by_name(tbl_name)
 
-    data = get_example_data("paris_iris.json.gz")
-    df = pd.read_json(data)
-    df["features"] = df.features.map(json.dumps)
+    if not only_metadata and (not table_exists or force):
+        data = get_example_data("paris_iris.json.gz")
+        df = pd.read_json(data)
+        df["features"] = df.features.map(json.dumps)
+
+        df.to_sql(
+            tbl_name,
+            database.get_sqla_engine(),
+            if_exists="replace",
+            chunksize=500,
+            dtype={
+                "color": String(255),
+                "name": String(255),
+                "features": Text,
+                "type": Text,
+            },
+            index=False,
+        )
 
-    df.to_sql(
-        tbl_name,
-        db.engine,
-        if_exists="replace",
-        chunksize=500,
-        dtype={
-            "color": String(255),
-            "name": String(255),
-            "features": Text,
-            "type": Text,
-        },
-        index=False,
-    )
     print("Creating table {} reference".format(tbl_name))
     tbl = db.session.query(TBL).filter_by(table_name=tbl_name).first()
     if not tbl:
         tbl = TBL(table_name=tbl_name)
     tbl.description = "Map of Paris"
-    tbl.database = utils.get_or_create_main_db()
+    tbl.database = database
     db.session.merge(tbl)
     db.session.commit()
     tbl.fetch_metadata()
diff --git a/superset/data/random_time_series.py b/superset/examples/random_time_series.py
similarity index 67%
rename from superset/data/random_time_series.py
rename to superset/examples/random_time_series.py
index 477cb142ab0d..26dd00398453 100644
--- a/superset/data/random_time_series.py
+++ b/superset/examples/random_time_series.py
@@ -23,28 +23,33 @@
 from .helpers import config, get_example_data, get_slice_json, merge_slice, Slice, TBL
 
 
-def load_random_time_series_data():
+def load_random_time_series_data(only_metadata=False, force=False):
     """Loading random time series data from a zip file in the repo"""
-    data = get_example_data("random_time_series.json.gz")
-    pdf = pd.read_json(data)
-    pdf.ds = pd.to_datetime(pdf.ds, unit="s")
-    pdf.to_sql(
-        "random_time_series",
-        db.engine,
-        if_exists="replace",
-        chunksize=500,
-        dtype={"ds": DateTime},
-        index=False,
-    )
-    print("Done loading table!")
-    print("-" * 80)
+    tbl_name = "random_time_series"
+    database = utils.get_example_database()
+    table_exists = database.has_table_by_name(tbl_name)
+
+    if not only_metadata and (not table_exists or force):
+        data = get_example_data("random_time_series.json.gz")
+        pdf = pd.read_json(data)
+        pdf.ds = pd.to_datetime(pdf.ds, unit="s")
+        pdf.to_sql(
+            tbl_name,
+            database.get_sqla_engine(),
+            if_exists="replace",
+            chunksize=500,
+            dtype={"ds": DateTime},
+            index=False,
+        )
+        print("Done loading table!")
+        print("-" * 80)
 
-    print("Creating table [random_time_series] reference")
-    obj = db.session.query(TBL).filter_by(table_name="random_time_series").first()
+    print(f"Creating table [{tbl_name}] reference")
+    obj = db.session.query(TBL).filter_by(table_name=tbl_name).first()
     if not obj:
-        obj = TBL(table_name="random_time_series")
+        obj = TBL(table_name=tbl_name)
     obj.main_dttm_col = "ds"
-    obj.database = utils.get_or_create_main_db()
+    obj.database = database
     db.session.merge(obj)
     db.session.commit()
     obj.fetch_metadata()
diff --git a/superset/data/sf_population_polygons.py b/superset/examples/sf_population_polygons.py
similarity index 61%
rename from superset/data/sf_population_polygons.py
rename to superset/examples/sf_population_polygons.py
index 49550b3d8498..738ac41f2cc3 100644
--- a/superset/data/sf_population_polygons.py
+++ b/superset/examples/sf_population_polygons.py
@@ -21,35 +21,39 @@
 
 from superset import db
 from superset.utils import core as utils
-from .helpers import TBL, get_example_data
+from .helpers import get_example_data, TBL
 
 
-def load_sf_population_polygons():
+def load_sf_population_polygons(only_metadata=False, force=False):
     tbl_name = "sf_population_polygons"
+    database = utils.get_example_database()
+    table_exists = database.has_table_by_name(tbl_name)
 
-    data = get_example_data("sf_population.json.gz")
-    df = pd.read_json(data)
-    df["contour"] = df.contour.map(json.dumps)
+    if not only_metadata and (not table_exists or force):
+        data = get_example_data("sf_population.json.gz")
+        df = pd.read_json(data)
+        df["contour"] = df.contour.map(json.dumps)
+
+        df.to_sql(
+            tbl_name,
+            database.get_sqla_engine(),
+            if_exists="replace",
+            chunksize=500,
+            dtype={
+                "zipcode": BigInteger,
+                "population": BigInteger,
+                "contour": Text,
+                "area": BigInteger,
+            },
+            index=False,
+        )
 
-    df.to_sql(
-        tbl_name,
-        db.engine,
-        if_exists="replace",
-        chunksize=500,
-        dtype={
-            "zipcode": BigInteger,
-            "population": BigInteger,
-            "contour": Text,
-            "area": BigInteger,
-        },
-        index=False,
-    )
     print("Creating table {} reference".format(tbl_name))
     tbl = db.session.query(TBL).filter_by(table_name=tbl_name).first()
     if not tbl:
         tbl = TBL(table_name=tbl_name)
     tbl.description = "Population density of San Francisco"
-    tbl.database = utils.get_or_create_main_db()
+    tbl.database = database
     db.session.merge(tbl)
     db.session.commit()
     tbl.fetch_metadata()
diff --git a/superset/data/tabbed_dashboard.py b/superset/examples/tabbed_dashboard.py
similarity index 95%
rename from superset/data/tabbed_dashboard.py
rename to superset/examples/tabbed_dashboard.py
index 09f18ad8907b..ab4552cf36f5 100644
--- a/superset/data/tabbed_dashboard.py
+++ b/superset/examples/tabbed_dashboard.py
@@ -17,30 +17,13 @@
 """Loads datasets, dashboards and slices in a new superset instance"""
 # pylint: disable=C,R,W
 import json
-import os
 import textwrap
 
-import pandas as pd
-from sqlalchemy import DateTime, String
-
 from superset import db
-from superset.connectors.sqla.models import SqlMetric
-from superset.utils import core as utils
-from .helpers import (
-    config,
-    Dash,
-    DATA_FOLDER,
-    get_example_data,
-    get_slice_json,
-    merge_slice,
-    misc_dash_slices,
-    Slice,
-    TBL,
-    update_slice_ids,
-)
+from .helpers import Dash, Slice, update_slice_ids
 
 
-def load_tabbed_dashboard():
+def load_tabbed_dashboard(only_metadata=False):
     """Creating a tabbed dashboard"""
 
     print("Creating a dashboard with nested tabs")
diff --git a/superset/data/unicode_test_data.py b/superset/examples/unicode_test_data.py
similarity index 72%
rename from superset/data/unicode_test_data.py
rename to superset/examples/unicode_test_data.py
index 3f3ed55d916d..3f91f3f3df18 100644
--- a/superset/data/unicode_test_data.py
+++ b/superset/examples/unicode_test_data.py
@@ -35,38 +35,43 @@
 )
 
 
-def load_unicode_test_data():
+def load_unicode_test_data(only_metadata=False, force=False):
     """Loading unicode test dataset from a csv file in the repo"""
-    data = get_example_data(
-        "unicode_utf8_unixnl_test.csv", is_gzip=False, make_bytes=True
-    )
-    df = pd.read_csv(data, encoding="utf-8")
-    # generate date/numeric data
-    df["dttm"] = datetime.datetime.now().date()
-    df["value"] = [random.randint(1, 100) for _ in range(len(df))]
-    df.to_sql(  # pylint: disable=no-member
-        "unicode_test",
-        db.engine,
-        if_exists="replace",
-        chunksize=500,
-        dtype={
-            "phrase": String(500),
-            "short_phrase": String(10),
-            "with_missing": String(100),
-            "dttm": Date(),
-            "value": Float(),
-        },
-        index=False,
-    )
-    print("Done loading table!")
-    print("-" * 80)
+    tbl_name = "unicode_test"
+    database = utils.get_example_database()
+    table_exists = database.has_table_by_name(tbl_name)
+
+    if not only_metadata and (not table_exists or force):
+        data = get_example_data(
+            "unicode_utf8_unixnl_test.csv", is_gzip=False, make_bytes=True
+        )
+        df = pd.read_csv(data, encoding="utf-8")
+        # generate date/numeric data
+        df["dttm"] = datetime.datetime.now().date()
+        df["value"] = [random.randint(1, 100) for _ in range(len(df))]
+        df.to_sql(  # pylint: disable=no-member
+            tbl_name,
+            database.get_sqla_engine(),
+            if_exists="replace",
+            chunksize=500,
+            dtype={
+                "phrase": String(500),
+                "short_phrase": String(10),
+                "with_missing": String(100),
+                "dttm": Date(),
+                "value": Float(),
+            },
+            index=False,
+        )
+        print("Done loading table!")
+        print("-" * 80)
 
     print("Creating table [unicode_test] reference")
-    obj = db.session.query(TBL).filter_by(table_name="unicode_test").first()
+    obj = db.session.query(TBL).filter_by(table_name=tbl_name).first()
     if not obj:
-        obj = TBL(table_name="unicode_test")
+        obj = TBL(table_name=tbl_name)
     obj.main_dttm_col = "dttm"
-    obj.database = utils.get_or_create_main_db()
+    obj.database = database
     db.session.merge(obj)
     db.session.commit()
     obj.fetch_metadata()
@@ -104,7 +109,7 @@ def load_unicode_test_data():
     merge_slice(slc)
 
     print("Creating a dashboard")
-    dash = db.session.query(Dash).filter_by(dashboard_title="Unicode Test").first()
+    dash = db.session.query(Dash).filter_by(slug="unicode-test").first()
 
     if not dash:
         dash = Dash()
diff --git a/superset/data/world_bank.py b/superset/examples/world_bank.py
similarity index 93%
rename from superset/data/world_bank.py
rename to superset/examples/world_bank.py
index a64bd2ba1e9a..fbe45127a306 100644
--- a/superset/data/world_bank.py
+++ b/superset/examples/world_bank.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
 from .helpers import (
     config,
     Dash,
-    DATA_FOLDER,
+    EXAMPLES_FOLDER,
     get_example_data,
     get_slice_json,
     merge_slice,
@@ -41,34 +41,38 @@
 )
 
 
-def load_world_bank_health_n_pop():
+def load_world_bank_health_n_pop(only_metadata=False, force=False):
     """Loads the world bank health dataset, slices and a dashboard"""
     tbl_name = "wb_health_population"
-    data = get_example_data("countries.json.gz")
-    pdf = pd.read_json(data)
-    pdf.columns = [col.replace(".", "_") for col in pdf.columns]
-    pdf.year = pd.to_datetime(pdf.year)
-    pdf.to_sql(
-        tbl_name,
-        db.engine,
-        if_exists="replace",
-        chunksize=50,
-        dtype={
-            "year": DateTime(),
-            "country_code": String(3),
-            "country_name": String(255),
-            "region": String(255),
-        },
-        index=False,
-    )
+    database = utils.get_example_database()
+    table_exists = database.has_table_by_name(tbl_name)
+
+    if not only_metadata and (not table_exists or force):
+        data = get_example_data("countries.json.gz")
+        pdf = pd.read_json(data)
+        pdf.columns = [col.replace(".", "_") for col in pdf.columns]
+        pdf.year = pd.to_datetime(pdf.year)
+        pdf.to_sql(
+            tbl_name,
+            database.get_sqla_engine(),
+            if_exists="replace",
+            chunksize=50,
+            dtype={
+                "year": DateTime(),
+                "country_code": String(3),
+                "country_name": String(255),
+                "region": String(255),
+            },
+            index=False,
+        )
 
     print("Creating table [wb_health_population] reference")
     tbl = db.session.query(TBL).filter_by(table_name=tbl_name).first()
     if not tbl:
         tbl = TBL(table_name=tbl_name)
-    tbl.description = utils.readfile(os.path.join(DATA_FOLDER, "countries.md"))
+    tbl.description = utils.readfile(os.path.join(EXAMPLES_FOLDER, "countries.md"))
     tbl.main_dttm_col = "year"
-    tbl.database = utils.get_or_create_main_db()
+    tbl.database = database
     tbl.filter_select_enabled = True
 
     metrics = [
@@ -328,6 +332,7 @@ def load_world_bank_health_n_pop():
 
     if not dash:
         dash = Dash()
+    dash.published = True
     js = textwrap.dedent(
         """\
 {
diff --git a/superset/models/core.py b/superset/models/core.py
index 0e5d1dbbba9b..66f2d0e76bbe 100755
--- a/superset/models/core.py
+++ b/superset/models/core.py
@@ -666,12 +666,13 @@ def export_dashboards(cls, dashboard_ids):
             )
             make_transient(copied_dashboard)
             for slc in copied_dashboard.slices:
+                make_transient(slc)
                 datasource_ids.add((slc.datasource_id, slc.datasource_type))
                 # add extra params for the import
                 slc.alter_params(
                     remote_id=slc.id,
                     datasource_name=slc.datasource.name,
-                    schema=slc.datasource.name,
+                    schema=slc.datasource.schema,
                     database_name=slc.datasource.database.name,
                 )
             copied_dashboard.alter_params(remote_id=dashboard_id)
@@ -1169,6 +1170,10 @@ def has_table(self, table):
         engine = self.get_sqla_engine()
         return engine.has_table(table.table_name, table.schema or None)
 
+    def has_table_by_name(self, table_name, schema=None):
+        engine = self.get_sqla_engine()
+        return engine.has_table(table_name, schema)
+
     @utils.memoized
     def get_dialect(self):
         sqla_url = url.make_url(self.sqlalchemy_uri_decrypted)
diff --git a/superset/models/tags.py b/superset/models/tags.py
index d3181154f5a8..0bd6c2b70d3b 100644
--- a/superset/models/tags.py
+++ b/superset/models/tags.py
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ class TaggedObject(Model, AuditMixinNullable):
     object_id = Column(Integer)
     object_type = Column(Enum(ObjectTypes))
 
-    tag = relationship("Tag")
+    tag = relationship("Tag", backref="objects")
 
 
 def get_tag(name, session, type_):
diff --git a/superset/tasks/cache.py b/superset/tasks/cache.py
index d99719c3f269..73dc75687f72 100644
--- a/superset/tasks/cache.py
+++ b/superset/tasks/cache.py
@@ -18,10 +18,8 @@
 
 import json
 import logging
-import urllib.parse
 
 from celery.utils.log import get_task_logger
-from flask import url_for
 import requests
 from requests.exceptions import RequestException
 from sqlalchemy import and_, func
@@ -75,13 +73,13 @@ def get_form_data(chart_id, dashboard=None):
     return form_data
 
 
-def get_url(params):
+def get_url(chart):
     """Return external URL for warming up a given chart/table cache."""
-    baseurl = "http://{SUPERSET_WEBSERVER_ADDRESS}:{SUPERSET_WEBSERVER_PORT}/".format(
-        **app.config
-    )
     with app.test_request_context():
-        return urllib.parse.urljoin(baseurl, url_for("Superset.explore_json", **params))
+        baseurl = "{SUPERSET_WEBSERVER_ADDRESS}:{SUPERSET_WEBSERVER_PORT}".format(
+            **app.config
+        )
+        return f"{baseurl}{chart.url}"
 
 
 class Strategy:
@@ -136,7 +134,7 @@ def get_urls(self):
         session = db.create_scoped_session()
         charts = session.query(Slice).all()
 
-        return [get_url({"form_data": get_form_data(chart.id)}) for chart in charts]
+        return [get_url(chart) for chart in charts]
 
 
 class TopNDashboardsStrategy(Strategy):
@@ -180,7 +178,7 @@ def get_urls(self):
         dashboards = session.query(Dashboard).filter(Dashboard.id.in_(dash_ids)).all()
         for dashboard in dashboards:
             for chart in dashboard.slices:
-                urls.append(get_url({"form_data": get_form_data(chart.id, dashboard)}))
+                urls.append(get_url(chart))
 
         return urls
 
@@ -229,7 +227,7 @@ def get_urls(self):
         tagged_dashboards = session.query(Dashboard).filter(Dashboard.id.in_(dash_ids))
         for dashboard in tagged_dashboards:
             for chart in dashboard.slices:
-                urls.append(get_url({"form_data": get_form_data(chart.id, dashboard)}))
+                urls.append(get_url(chart))
 
         # add charts that are tagged
         tagged_objects = (
@@ -245,7 +243,7 @@ def get_urls(self):
         chart_ids = [tagged_object.object_id for tagged_object in tagged_objects]
         tagged_charts = session.query(Slice).filter(Slice.id.in_(chart_ids))
         for chart in tagged_charts:
-            urls.append(get_url({"form_data": get_form_data(chart.id)}))
+            urls.append(get_url(chart))
 
         return urls
 
diff --git a/superset/utils/core.py b/superset/utils/core.py
index ebbb08278483..b0ca2dc20499 100644
--- a/superset/utils/core.py
+++ b/superset/utils/core.py
@@ -942,25 +942,37 @@ def user_label(user: User) -> Optional[str]:
 
 
 def get_or_create_main_db():
-    from superset import conf, db
+    get_main_database()
+
+
+def get_or_create_db(database_name, sqlalchemy_uri, *args, **kwargs):
+    from superset import db
     from superset.models import core as models
 
-    logging.info("Creating database reference")
-    dbobj = get_main_database(db.session)
-    if not dbobj:
-        dbobj = models.Database(
-            database_name="main", allow_csv_upload=True, expose_in_sqllab=True
-        )
-    dbobj.set_sqlalchemy_uri(conf.get("SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URI"))
-    db.session.add(dbobj)
+    database = (
+        db.session.query(models.Database).filter_by(database_name=database_name).first()
+    )
+    if not database:
+        logging.info(f"Creating database reference for {database_name}")
+        database = models.Database(database_name=database_name, *args, **kwargs)
+        db.session.add(database)
+
+    database.set_sqlalchemy_uri(sqlalchemy_uri)
     db.session.commit()
-    return dbobj
+    return database
 
 
-def get_main_database(session):
-    from superset.models import core as models
+def get_main_database():
+    from superset import conf
+
+    return get_or_create_db("main", conf.get("SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URI"))
+
+
+def get_example_database():
+    from superset import conf
 
-    return session.query(models.Database).filter_by(database_name="main").first()
+    db_uri = conf.get("SQLALCHEMY_EXAMPLES_URI") or conf.get("SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URI")
+    return get_or_create_db("examples", db_uri)
 
 
 def is_adhoc_metric(metric) -> bool:
diff --git a/superset/viz.py b/superset/viz.py
index 5498becec671..d81e16e0664d 100644
--- a/superset/viz.py
+++ b/superset/viz.py
@@ -1746,7 +1746,7 @@ def query_obj(self):
         return qry
 
     def get_data(self, df):
-        from superset.data import countries
+        from superset.examples import countries
 
         fd = self.form_data
         cols = [fd.get("entity")]
diff --git a/tests/access_tests.py b/tests/access_tests.py
index 835ac226c21c..999db1f87b16 100644
--- a/tests/access_tests.py
+++ b/tests/access_tests.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
     "database": [
         {
             "datasource_type": "table",
-            "name": "main",
+            "name": "examples",
             "schema": [{"name": "", "datasources": ["birth_names"]}],
         }
     ],
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
     "database": [
         {
             "datasource_type": "table",
-            "name": "main",
+            "name": "examples",
             "schema": [{"name": "", "datasources": ["birth_names"]}],
         },
         {
diff --git a/tests/base_tests.py b/tests/base_tests.py
index cca317ea5163..8ac5bcdeeebb 100644
--- a/tests/base_tests.py
+++ b/tests/base_tests.py
@@ -168,9 +168,6 @@ def revoke_public_access_to_table(self, table):
             ):
                 security_manager.del_permission_role(public_role, perm)
 
-    def get_main_database(self):
-        return get_main_database(db.session)
-
     def run_sql(
         self,
         sql,
@@ -182,7 +179,7 @@ def run_sql(
         if user_name:
             self.logout()
             self.login(username=(user_name if user_name else "admin"))
-        dbid = self.get_main_database().id
+        dbid = get_main_database().id
         resp = self.get_json_resp(
             "/superset/sql_json/",
             raise_on_error=False,
@@ -202,7 +199,7 @@ def validate_sql(self, sql, client_id=None, user_name=None, raise_on_error=False
         if user_name:
             self.logout()
             self.login(username=(user_name if user_name else "admin"))
-        dbid = self.get_main_database().id
+        dbid = get_main_database().id
         resp = self.get_json_resp(
             "/superset/validate_sql_json/",
             raise_on_error=False,
@@ -223,3 +220,7 @@ def test_nonexistent_feature_flags(self):
     def test_feature_flags(self):
         self.assertEquals(is_feature_enabled("foo"), "bar")
         self.assertEquals(is_feature_enabled("super"), "set")
+
+    def get_dash_by_slug(self, dash_slug):
+        sesh = db.session()
+        return sesh.query(models.Dashboard).filter_by(slug=dash_slug).first()
diff --git a/tests/celery_tests.py b/tests/celery_tests.py
index f204fa6833ba..dba087a66942 100644
--- a/tests/celery_tests.py
+++ b/tests/celery_tests.py
@@ -128,14 +128,14 @@ def run_sql(
         return json.loads(resp.data)
 
     def test_run_sync_query_dont_exist(self):
-        main_db = get_main_database(db.session)
+        main_db = get_main_database()
         db_id = main_db.id
         sql_dont_exist = "SELECT name FROM table_dont_exist"
         result1 = self.run_sql(db_id, sql_dont_exist, "1", cta="true")
         self.assertTrue("error" in result1)
 
     def test_run_sync_query_cta(self):
-        main_db = get_main_database(db.session)
+        main_db = get_main_database()
         backend = main_db.backend
         db_id = main_db.id
         tmp_table_name = "tmp_async_22"
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ def test_run_sync_query_cta(self):
             self.assertGreater(len(results["data"]), 0)
 
     def test_run_sync_query_cta_no_data(self):
-        main_db = get_main_database(db.session)
+        main_db = get_main_database()
         db_id = main_db.id
         sql_empty_result = "SELECT * FROM ab_user WHERE id=666"
         result3 = self.run_sql(db_id, sql_empty_result, "3")
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ def drop_table_if_exists(self, table_name, database=None):
         return self.run_sql(db_id, sql)
 
     def test_run_async_query(self):
-        main_db = get_main_database(db.session)
+        main_db = get_main_database()
         db_id = main_db.id
 
         self.drop_table_if_exists("tmp_async_1", main_db)
@@ -212,7 +212,7 @@ def test_run_async_query(self):
         self.assertEqual(True, query.select_as_cta_used)
 
     def test_run_async_query_with_lower_limit(self):
-        main_db = get_main_database(db.session)
+        main_db = get_main_database()
         db_id = main_db.id
         self.drop_table_if_exists("tmp_async_2", main_db)
 
diff --git a/tests/core_tests.py b/tests/core_tests.py
index ea3b88913b3d..b401c8c0ff62 100644
--- a/tests/core_tests.py
+++ b/tests/core_tests.py
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@
 from superset.models import core as models
 from superset.models.sql_lab import Query
 from superset.utils import core as utils
-from superset.utils.core import get_main_database
 from superset.views.core import DatabaseView
 from .base_tests import SupersetTestCase
 from .fixtures.pyodbcRow import Row
@@ -345,7 +344,7 @@ def test_misc(self):
 
     def test_testconn(self, username="admin"):
         self.login(username=username)
-        database = get_main_database(db.session)
+        database = utils.get_main_database()
 
         # validate that the endpoint works with the password-masked sqlalchemy uri
         data = json.dumps(
@@ -376,7 +375,7 @@ def test_testconn(self, username="admin"):
         assert response.headers["Content-Type"] == "application/json"
 
     def test_custom_password_store(self):
-        database = get_main_database(db.session)
+        database = utils.get_main_database()
         conn_pre = sqla.engine.url.make_url(database.sqlalchemy_uri_decrypted)
 
         def custom_password_store(uri):
@@ -394,13 +393,13 @@ def test_databaseview_edit(self, username="admin"):
         # validate that sending a password-masked uri does not over-write the decrypted
         # uri
         self.login(username=username)
-        database = get_main_database(db.session)
+        database = utils.get_main_database()
         sqlalchemy_uri_decrypted = database.sqlalchemy_uri_decrypted
         url = "databaseview/edit/{}".format(database.id)
         data = {k: database.__getattribute__(k) for k in DatabaseView.add_columns}
         data["sqlalchemy_uri"] = database.safe_sqlalchemy_uri()
         self.client.post(url, data=data)
-        database = get_main_database(db.session)
+        database = utils.get_main_database()
         self.assertEqual(sqlalchemy_uri_decrypted, database.sqlalchemy_uri_decrypted)
 
     def test_warm_up_cache(self):
@@ -483,27 +482,27 @@ def test_csv_endpoint(self):
 
     def test_extra_table_metadata(self):
         self.login("admin")
-        dbid = get_main_database(db.session).id
+        dbid = utils.get_main_database().id
         self.get_json_resp(
             f"/superset/extra_table_metadata/{dbid}/" "ab_permission_view/panoramix/"
         )
 
     def test_process_template(self):
-        maindb = get_main_database(db.session)
+        maindb = utils.get_main_database()
         sql = "SELECT '{{ datetime(2017, 1, 1).isoformat() }}'"
         tp = jinja_context.get_template_processor(database=maindb)
         rendered = tp.process_template(sql)
         self.assertEqual("SELECT '2017-01-01T00:00:00'", rendered)
 
     def test_get_template_kwarg(self):
-        maindb = get_main_database(db.session)
+        maindb = utils.get_main_database()
         s = "{{ foo }}"
         tp = jinja_context.get_template_processor(database=maindb, foo="bar")
         rendered = tp.process_template(s)
         self.assertEqual("bar", rendered)
 
     def test_template_kwarg(self):
-        maindb = get_main_database(db.session)
+        maindb = utils.get_main_database()
         s = "{{ foo }}"
         tp = jinja_context.get_template_processor(database=maindb)
         rendered = tp.process_template(s, foo="bar")
@@ -516,7 +515,7 @@ def test_templated_sql_json(self):
         self.assertEqual(data["data"][0]["test"], "2017-01-01T00:00:00")
 
     def test_table_metadata(self):
-        maindb = get_main_database(db.session)
+        maindb = utils.get_main_database()
         backend = maindb.backend
         data = self.get_json_resp("/superset/table/{}/ab_user/null/".format(maindb.id))
         self.assertEqual(data["name"], "ab_user")
@@ -615,15 +614,16 @@ def test_import_csv(self):
         test_file.write("john,1\n")
         test_file.write("paul,2\n")
         test_file.close()
-        main_db_uri = (
-            db.session.query(models.Database).filter_by(database_name="main").one()
-        )
+        example_db = utils.get_example_database()
+        example_db.allow_csv_upload = True
+        db_id = example_db.id
+        db.session.commit()
         test_file = open(filename, "rb")
         form_data = {
             "csv_file": test_file,
             "sep": ",",
             "name": table_name,
-            "con": main_db_uri.id,
+            "con": db_id,
             "if_exists": "append",
             "index_label": "test_label",
             "mangle_dupe_cols": False,
@@ -638,8 +638,8 @@ def test_import_csv(self):
 
         try:
             # ensure uploaded successfully
-            form_post = self.get_resp(url, data=form_data)
-            assert 'CSV file "testCSV.csv" uploaded to table' in form_post
+            resp = self.get_resp(url, data=form_data)
+            assert 'CSV file "testCSV.csv" uploaded to table' in resp
         finally:
             os.remove(filename)
 
@@ -769,7 +769,8 @@ def test_schemas_access_for_csv_upload_endpoint(
 
     def test_select_star(self):
         self.login(username="admin")
-        resp = self.get_resp("/superset/select_star/1/birth_names")
+        examples_db = utils.get_example_database()
+        resp = self.get_resp(f"/superset/select_star/{examples_db.id}/birth_names")
         self.assertIn("gender", resp)
 
 
diff --git a/tests/db_engine_specs_test.py b/tests/db_engine_specs_test.py
index 7ab389ee726e..733b9bea1272 100644
--- a/tests/db_engine_specs_test.py
+++ b/tests/db_engine_specs_test.py
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@
 from superset.db_engine_specs.postgres import PostgresEngineSpec
 from superset.db_engine_specs.presto import PrestoEngineSpec
 from superset.models.core import Database
+from superset.utils.core import get_example_database
 from .base_tests import SupersetTestCase
 
 
@@ -925,14 +926,14 @@ def test_pinot_time_expression_sec_1m_grain(self):
         )  # noqa
 
     def test_column_datatype_to_string(self):
-        main_db = self.get_main_database()
-        sqla_table = main_db.get_table("energy_usage")
-        dialect = main_db.get_dialect()
+        example_db = get_example_database()
+        sqla_table = example_db.get_table("energy_usage")
+        dialect = example_db.get_dialect()
         col_names = [
-            main_db.db_engine_spec.column_datatype_to_string(c.type, dialect)
+            example_db.db_engine_spec.column_datatype_to_string(c.type, dialect)
             for c in sqla_table.columns
         ]
-        if main_db.backend == "postgresql":
+        if example_db.backend == "postgresql":
             expected = ["VARCHAR(255)", "VARCHAR(255)", "DOUBLE PRECISION"]
         else:
             expected = ["VARCHAR(255)", "VARCHAR(255)", "FLOAT"]
diff --git a/tests/dict_import_export_tests.py b/tests/dict_import_export_tests.py
index ba6766bbb9cf..fafa024e9afe 100644
--- a/tests/dict_import_export_tests.py
+++ b/tests/dict_import_export_tests.py
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ def create_table(self, name, schema="", id=0, cols_names=[], metric_names=[]):
         params = {DBREF: id, "database_name": database_name}
 
         dict_rep = {
-            "database_id": get_main_database(db.session).id,
+            "database_id": get_main_database().id,
             "table_name": name,
             "schema": schema,
             "id": id,
diff --git a/tests/import_export_tests.py b/tests/import_export_tests.py
index f48fa2d06011..d5c36091eac8 100644
--- a/tests/import_export_tests.py
+++ b/tests/import_export_tests.py
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ def create_slice(
         name,
         ds_id=None,
         id=None,
-        db_name="main",
+        db_name="examples",
         table_name="wb_health_population",
     ):
         params = {
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ def create_dashboard(self, title, id=0, slcs=[]):
         )
 
     def create_table(self, name, schema="", id=0, cols_names=[], metric_names=[]):
-        params = {"remote_id": id, "database_name": "main"}
+        params = {"remote_id": id, "database_name": "examples"}
         table = SqlaTable(
             id=id, schema=schema, table_name=name, params=json.dumps(params)
         )
@@ -135,10 +135,6 @@ def get_slice_by_name(self, name):
     def get_dash(self, dash_id):
         return db.session.query(models.Dashboard).filter_by(id=dash_id).first()
 
-    def get_dash_by_slug(self, dash_slug):
-        sesh = db.session()
-        return sesh.query(models.Dashboard).filter_by(slug=dash_slug).first()
-
     def get_datasource(self, datasource_id):
         return db.session.query(DruidDatasource).filter_by(id=datasource_id).first()
 
@@ -192,9 +188,21 @@ def assert_slice_equals(self, expected_slc, actual_slc):
         self.assertEquals(expected_slc_name, actual_slc_name)
         self.assertEquals(expected_slc.datasource_type, actual_slc.datasource_type)
         self.assertEquals(expected_slc.viz_type, actual_slc.viz_type)
-        self.assertEquals(
-            json.loads(expected_slc.params), json.loads(actual_slc.params)
-        )
+        exp_params = json.loads(expected_slc.params)
+        actual_params = json.loads(actual_slc.params)
+        diff_params_keys = (
+            "schema",
+            "database_name",
+            "datasource_name",
+            "remote_id",
+            "import_time",
+        )
+        for k in diff_params_keys:
+            if k in actual_params:
+                actual_params.pop(k)
+            if k in exp_params:
+                exp_params.pop(k)
+        self.assertEquals(exp_params, actual_params)
 
     def test_export_1_dashboard(self):
         self.login("admin")
@@ -233,11 +241,11 @@ def test_export_2_dashboards(self):
             birth_dash.id, world_health_dash.id
         )
         resp = self.client.get(export_dash_url)
+        resp_data = json.loads(
+            resp.data.decode("utf-8"), object_hook=utils.decode_dashboards
+        )
         exported_dashboards = sorted(
-            json.loads(resp.data.decode("utf-8"), object_hook=utils.decode_dashboards)[
-                "dashboards"
-            ],
-            key=lambda d: d.dashboard_title,
+            resp_data.get("dashboards"), key=lambda d: d.dashboard_title
         )
         self.assertEquals(2, len(exported_dashboards))
 
@@ -255,10 +263,7 @@ def test_export_2_dashboards(self):
         )
 
         exported_tables = sorted(
-            json.loads(resp.data.decode("utf-8"), object_hook=utils.decode_dashboards)[
-                "datasources"
-            ],
-            key=lambda t: t.table_name,
+            resp_data.get("datasources"), key=lambda t: t.table_name
         )
         self.assertEquals(2, len(exported_tables))
         self.assert_table_equals(
@@ -297,7 +302,7 @@ def test_import_2_slices_for_same_table(self):
         self.assertEquals(imported_slc_2.datasource.perm, imported_slc_2.perm)
 
     def test_import_slices_for_non_existent_table(self):
-        with self.assertRaises(IndexError):
+        with self.assertRaises(AttributeError):
             models.Slice.import_obj(
                 self.create_slice("Import Me 3", id=10004, table_name="non_existent"),
                 None,
@@ -447,7 +452,7 @@ def test_import_table_1_col_1_met(self):
         imported = self.get_table(imported_id)
         self.assert_table_equals(table, imported)
         self.assertEquals(
-            {"remote_id": 10002, "import_time": 1990, "database_name": "main"},
+            {"remote_id": 10002, "import_time": 1990, "database_name": "examples"},
             json.loads(imported.params),
         )
 
diff --git a/tests/load_examples_test.py b/tests/load_examples_test.py
index 6ca3b2d38f7e..0d1db798b1f8 100644
--- a/tests/load_examples_test.py
+++ b/tests/load_examples_test.py
@@ -14,23 +14,26 @@
 # KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
 # specific language governing permissions and limitations
 # under the License.
-from superset import data
+from superset import examples
 from superset.cli import load_test_users_run
 from .base_tests import SupersetTestCase
 
 
 class SupersetDataFrameTestCase(SupersetTestCase):
     def test_load_css_templates(self):
-        data.load_css_templates()
+        examples.load_css_templates()
 
     def test_load_energy(self):
-        data.load_energy()
+        examples.load_energy()
 
     def test_load_world_bank_health_n_pop(self):
-        data.load_world_bank_health_n_pop()
+        examples.load_world_bank_health_n_pop()
 
     def test_load_birth_names(self):
-        data.load_birth_names()
+        examples.load_birth_names()
 
     def test_load_test_users_run(self):
         load_test_users_run()
+
+    def test_load_unicode_test_data(self):
+        examples.load_unicode_test_data()
diff --git a/tests/model_tests.py b/tests/model_tests.py
index 445ec52db019..fda941bb1848 100644
--- a/tests/model_tests.py
+++ b/tests/model_tests.py
@@ -20,9 +20,9 @@
 import pandas
 from sqlalchemy.engine.url import make_url
 
-from superset import app, db
+from superset import app
 from superset.models.core import Database
-from superset.utils.core import get_main_database, QueryStatus
+from superset.utils.core import get_example_database, get_main_database, QueryStatus
 from .base_tests import SupersetTestCase
 
 
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ def test_database_impersonate_user(self):
         self.assertNotEquals(example_user, user_name)
 
     def test_select_star(self):
-        main_db = get_main_database(db.session)
+        main_db = get_example_database()
         table_name = "energy_usage"
         sql = main_db.select_star(table_name, show_cols=False, latest_partition=False)
         expected = textwrap.dedent(
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ def test_select_star(self):
         assert sql.startswith(expected)
 
     def test_single_statement(self):
-        main_db = get_main_database(db.session)
+        main_db = get_main_database()
 
         if main_db.backend == "mysql":
             df = main_db.get_df("SELECT 1", None)
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ def test_single_statement(self):
             self.assertEquals(df.iat[0, 0], 1)
 
     def test_multi_statement(self):
-        main_db = get_main_database(db.session)
+        main_db = get_main_database()
 
         if main_db.backend == "mysql":
             df = main_db.get_df("USE superset; SELECT 1", None)
diff --git a/tests/sqllab_tests.py b/tests/sqllab_tests.py
index 5dc56bfa3a9a..b16b796abdaa 100644
--- a/tests/sqllab_tests.py
+++ b/tests/sqllab_tests.py
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ def test_explain(self):
         self.assertLess(0, len(data["data"]))
 
     def test_sql_json_has_access(self):
-        main_db = get_main_database(db.session)
+        main_db = get_main_database()
         security_manager.add_permission_view_menu("database_access", main_db.perm)
         db.session.commit()
         main_db_permission_view = (
diff --git a/tests/strategy_tests.py b/tests/strategy_tests.py
index 0f5a20e11b10..0786ed36f74d 100644
--- a/tests/strategy_tests.py
+++ b/tests/strategy_tests.py
@@ -23,14 +23,13 @@
 from superset.models.tags import get_tag, ObjectTypes, TaggedObject, TagTypes
 from superset.tasks.cache import (
     DashboardTagsStrategy,
-    DummyStrategy,
     get_form_data,
     TopNDashboardsStrategy,
 )
 from .base_tests import SupersetTestCase
 
 
-TEST_URL = "http://0.0.0.0:8081/superset/explore_json"
+URL_PREFIX = "0.0.0.0:8081"
 
 
 class CacheWarmUpTests(SupersetTestCase):
@@ -141,61 +140,61 @@ def test_get_form_data(self):
         }
         self.assertEqual(result, expected)
 
-    def test_dummy_strategy(self):
-        strategy = DummyStrategy()
-        result = sorted(strategy.get_urls())
-        expected = [
-            f"{TEST_URL}/?form_data=%7B%27slice_id%27%3A+1%7D",
-            f"{TEST_URL}/?form_data=%7B%27slice_id%27%3A+17%7D",
-            f"{TEST_URL}/?form_data=%7B%27slice_id%27%3A+18%7D",
-            f"{TEST_URL}/?form_data=%7B%27slice_id%27%3A+19%7D",
-            f"{TEST_URL}/?form_data=%7B%27slice_id%27%3A+30%7D",
-            f"{TEST_URL}/?form_data=%7B%27slice_id%27%3A+31%7D",
-            f"{TEST_URL}/?form_data=%7B%27slice_id%27%3A+8%7D",
-        ]
-        self.assertEqual(result, expected)
-
     def test_top_n_dashboards_strategy(self):
         # create a top visited dashboard
         db.session.query(Log).delete()
         self.login(username="admin")
+        dash = self.get_dash_by_slug("births")
         for _ in range(10):
-            self.client.get("/superset/dashboard/3/")
+            self.client.get(f"/superset/dashboard/{dash.id}/")
 
         strategy = TopNDashboardsStrategy(1)
         result = sorted(strategy.get_urls())
-        expected = [f"{TEST_URL}/?form_data=%7B%27slice_id%27%3A+31%7D"]
+        expected = sorted([f"{URL_PREFIX}{slc.url}" for slc in dash.slices])
         self.assertEqual(result, expected)
 
+    def reset_tag(self, tag):
+        """Remove associated object from tag, used to reset tests"""
+        if tag.objects:
+            for o in tag.objects:
+                db.session.delete(o)
+            db.session.commit()
+
     def test_dashboard_tags(self):
-        strategy = DashboardTagsStrategy(["tag1"])
+        tag1 = get_tag("tag1", db.session, TagTypes.custom)
+        # delete first to make test idempotent
+        self.reset_tag(tag1)
 
+        strategy = DashboardTagsStrategy(["tag1"])
         result = sorted(strategy.get_urls())
         expected = []
         self.assertEqual(result, expected)
 
-        # tag dashboard 3 with `tag1`
+        # tag dashboard 'births' with `tag1`
         tag1 = get_tag("tag1", db.session, TagTypes.custom)
-        object_id = 3
+        dash = self.get_dash_by_slug("births")
+        tag1_urls = sorted([f"{URL_PREFIX}{slc.url}" for slc in dash.slices])
         tagged_object = TaggedObject(
-            tag_id=tag1.id, object_id=object_id, object_type=ObjectTypes.dashboard
+            tag_id=tag1.id, object_id=dash.id, object_type=ObjectTypes.dashboard
         )
         db.session.add(tagged_object)
         db.session.commit()
 
-        result = sorted(strategy.get_urls())
-        expected = [f"{TEST_URL}/?form_data=%7B%27slice_id%27%3A+31%7D"]
-        self.assertEqual(result, expected)
+        self.assertEqual(sorted(strategy.get_urls()), tag1_urls)
 
         strategy = DashboardTagsStrategy(["tag2"])
+        tag2 = get_tag("tag2", db.session, TagTypes.custom)
+        self.reset_tag(tag2)
 
         result = sorted(strategy.get_urls())
         expected = []
         self.assertEqual(result, expected)
 
-        # tag chart 30 with `tag2`
-        tag2 = get_tag("tag2", db.session, TagTypes.custom)
-        object_id = 30
+        # tag first slice
+        dash = self.get_dash_by_slug("unicode-test")
+        slc = dash.slices[0]
+        tag2_urls = [f"{URL_PREFIX}{slc.url}"]
+        object_id = slc.id
         tagged_object = TaggedObject(
             tag_id=tag2.id, object_id=object_id, object_type=ObjectTypes.chart
         )
@@ -203,14 +202,10 @@ def test_dashboard_tags(self):
         db.session.commit()
 
         result = sorted(strategy.get_urls())
-        expected = [f"{TEST_URL}/?form_data=%7B%27slice_id%27%3A+30%7D"]
-        self.assertEqual(result, expected)
+        self.assertEqual(result, tag2_urls)
 
         strategy = DashboardTagsStrategy(["tag1", "tag2"])
 
         result = sorted(strategy.get_urls())
-        expected = [
-            f"{TEST_URL}/?form_data=%7B%27slice_id%27%3A+30%7D",
-            f"{TEST_URL}/?form_data=%7B%27slice_id%27%3A+31%7D",
-        ]
+        expected = sorted(tag1_urls + tag2_urls)
         self.assertEqual(result, expected)
diff --git a/tests/viz_tests.py b/tests/viz_tests.py
index 136fdf8423ec..b5638fa581be 100644
--- a/tests/viz_tests.py
+++ b/tests/viz_tests.py
@@ -109,7 +109,6 @@ def test_get_df_handles_dttm_col(self):
         datasource.get_col = Mock(return_value=mock_dttm_col)
         mock_dttm_col.python_date_format = "epoch_ms"
         result = test_viz.get_df(query_obj)
-        print(result)
         import logging
 
         logging.info(result)
diff --git a/tox.ini b/tox.ini
index 189862e8bba6..3625ed64a001 100644
--- a/tox.ini
+++ b/tox.ini
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ setenv =
     PYTHONPATH = {toxinidir}
     SUPERSET_CONFIG = tests.superset_test_config
     SUPERSET_HOME = {envtmpdir}
-    py36-mysql: SUPERSET__SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URI = mysql://mysqluser:mysqluserpassword@localhost/superset
+    py36-mysql: SUPERSET__SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URI = mysql://mysqluser:mysqluserpassword@localhost/superset?charset=utf8
     py36-postgres: SUPERSET__SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URI = postgresql+psycopg2://postgresuser:pguserpassword@localhost/superset
     py36-sqlite: SUPERSET__SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URI = sqlite:////{envtmpdir}/superset.db
 whitelist_externals =