Is Disney World Getting a DRONE SHOW? We Have One Major CLUE!

Could this drone company’s move to Orlando mean change is coming for Disney World’s nighttime shows?

©Dronosis BizJournal

We’ve seen a BIG change with the new nighttime show Luminous: The Symphony of Us recently at EPCOT. Although it wasn’t initially a hit with some fans on its debut, that doesn’t mean more change isn’t on the horizon for nighttime shows at Disney World. If change is to come, and with a different direction, we could have just put together a major clue.

A company’s new presence in Orlando has the entertainment enthusiasts all abuzz. Dronisos, a French-based light show company, has opened its first U.S. office just outside of Orlando. While their name might not ring a bell, we’re certain you’ve seen their previous work: This is the company responsible for the drone light shows at Disneyland Paris and Dollywood in Tennessee.

©Dollywood BizJournal

According to an Orlando Economic Partnership news release, Dronisos intends to create 15 Orlando jobs over the next five years. Further details about those positions haven’t been provided yet, and Dronisos is staying pretty tight-lipped about them for now. Dronisos was established in 2016 and specializes in theme park entertainment.

Disneyland Paris drones in action

In a prepared statement, Dronisos CEO Laurent Perchais said that Orlando was a “natural choice for U.S. expansion” citing its multiple amusement parks as a supporting factor.

Drone shows are coordinated with the help of unmanned quadcopters fitted with LED lights. The drones are orchestrated to light up the night sky in various shapes making pictures and designs that tell a story or even mimic fireworks.

©Disney

With so many neighboring fireworks displays in Orlando releasing smoke and particles that could affect local air quality and even contaminate rivers, lakes, and drinking water, drone shows have increased in popularity as a safer alternative. Drones have already substituted for Independence Day and New Year’s Eve fireworks in places where fireworks had to be banned due to drought conditions and other factors.

©Disney

This wouldn’t be the first time that Disney World has used drones for a nighttime show. Back in the holiday season of 2016 to early 2017, visitors at Disney Springs were treated to a limited-time experience where a drone show covered the night sky above the lake for a short performance. This year though, Dronosis has already partnered with the city of Orlando to offer a one-time 12-minute performance above the neighboring Lake Eola on December 23rd at 8PM.

For now, we’ll just have to wait and see if Dronosis and Disney decide to partner again on another nighttime spectacle and if that will stay local to Orlando.

If Disney has created drone shows at its other parks, why doesn’t Disney World already have a drone show? Currently, Disney World is a no-fly zone. That means that the Federal Aviation Administration enforces a rule that pilots and drones may not fly over the land where Disney World is located. According to TS2, “drone operators are not allowed to fly their devices within a three-mile radius of Disneyworld’s [sic] entrance. This includes all airspace up to an altitude of 400 feet.”

©FAA

Drones may not be used near Disney World attractions or public transportation (such as the Skyiner and Monorail), which is also enforced by the FAA.

In addition to the FAA regulations, drones are currently on Disney World’s list of prohibited items.

These rules could be changed in order to accommodate a new drone show for Disney World, but it would require some time to get all of the updates and permits in place.

We’ll be sure to bring you updates as they’re available, so be sure to stay tuned with us at Disney Food Blog.