If you happen to’ve been following together with me on Instagram, then you understand I spent not only one, however three nights at Disneyland Paris to see its drone present, referred to as Disney Electrical Sky Parade. And for those who’ve actually been paying consideration, you’ll know that I truly solely noticed it for 2 nights. The primary night time of Disney Electrical Sky Parade received cancelled for climate.
So I contemplate myself considerably of an skilled.
With that, I need to offer you my evaluate of the Disney Paris drone present. As a result of whereas it’s good, there are some points with the entire expertise. And for those who do go to Paris to see the Disney drone present (and for those who’re studying this, then you definately completely ought to!) learn on for my ideas round watching it.
Disney Electrical Sky Parade: the final word information (with critiques and ideas)
Disney Electrical Sky Parade: all concerning the present
Disney Electrical Sky Parade debuted in early 2024 inside Disneyland Park in Paris, which is certainly one of two Disney-owned theme parks simply outdoors of Paris.
The frilly drone present is synced to music, in addition to different results like projections on the fort and buildings of Major Road. It options as much as 500 drones which fly in shapes seen from the Major Road Electrical Parade, which true Disney followers could acknowledge as a unusual, Seventies-era parade that immediately has considerably of a cult following.
Disneyland Paris Leisure places on the nightly present in collaboration with Dronisos, which is likely one of the greatest drone present corporations on the planet. It’s set to run via Jan. 6, 2025. It’s not clear what occurs to all of the drones after that. (Although if I needed to wager, I’d guess a brand new drone present will fly in.)
And this isn’t Disneyland Paris’s first present. Previous drone exhibits have included Disney D-Mild and Avengers: Energy the Evening (the latter of which performed on the sister park to Disneyland Paris and is situated adjoining to it). Disney Paris even not too long ago broke a Guinness World Report with a Bastille Day present that featured a tricolor Mickey Mouse head made out of 1,571 drones.
The present happens nightly at 10:30 p.m. As a result of it doesn’t get darkish till actually late on the top of France’s summer time, the present has to happen that late so as to see the drones. Right here’s the opposite kicker. The ten-minute drone present is definitely simply the opening act of the fireworks present, which launches virtually instantly after the drones clear the realm.
The fireworks present, Disney Illuminations, equally makes use of music, projection results and different fort results like fountains. However, it principally replaces the drones with fireworks.
And I’m saying it — not simply because I’m The Drone Lady. Disney Electrical Sky Parade, which is meant to be simply the appetizer, is best than the Disney Illuminations fireworks present. And with that, right here’s my evaluate.
My evaluate of Disney Electrical Sky Parade
I’ve seen quite a lot of Disney fireworks exhibits. Rising up in Southern California, I had a Disneyland annual cross since I used to be seven years outdated. (Sure, I used to be spoiled, but additionally annual passes have been manner cheaper again then, and our dad and mom most well-liked us tweens and teenagers hanging out at Disneyland versus entering into mischief.)
In highschool, I labored at Disneyland. That was primarily in Mickey’s Toontown, the place the fireworks have been launched. And for those who didn’t sprint out of labor quick sufficient, you bought trapped and had to look at the fireworks present. Sure, I watched quite a lot of fireworks.
In order you may see, I do know lots about Disney fireworks. I additionally know that they often observe a prosaic formulation. They kick off with a sequence of smaller, colourful bursts set to the most popular Disney tunes. It’s both classics, like hits from “The Lion King” that everyone knows, or a music from the most recent film Disney is looking for to advertise. From there, the fireworks construct up in depth, accompanied by a crescendo of upbeat music. A grand finale options bigger, extra elaborate shows. It’s at all times set to energy ballade with lyrics that encourage some form of message like “observe your coronary heart” or “simply imagine” that’s sung by what seems like discount-Celine Dion.
Maybe that’s why the Major Road Electrical Parade is such a cult basic (and why the drone model is so refreshing, too). Each electrical iterations buck that development of Disney fireworks. As an alternative, you get a kitschy, one-of-a-kind ear-worm with no such cliche messaging. The music, Baroque Hoedown is certainly one of few phrases.
The drone model takes the spirit of the 1970’s parade and provides it a 2024 spin. The guts and soul of the parade is there. However reasonably than dancing lights on wheels — which felt tech-forward in 1972 — we now have dancing lights within the sky.
Add in results like projections and fountains, and it’s a considerate, multi-sensory expertise.
And at 10 minutes, it’s lengthy sufficient to really feel fulfilling, however quick sufficient to depart you wanting extra.
Let’s speak concerning the Disney Illuminations fireworks
Keep in mind the cliche fireworks exhibits I advised you that Disney is notorious for? Disney Illuminations, which is the fireworks present that instantly follows Disney Electrical Sky Parade, matches the invoice completely. And that’s not a superb factor.
Disney Illuminations isn’t unhealthy. However following Disney Electrical Sky Parade, it’s not nice.
It’s type of like when you’ve got a beautiful meal of recent ravioli or melt-in-your-mouth pizza at your favourite Italian restaurant. Simply as you’re cleansing your plate, the waiter comes as much as you with a basket of bread and says, “ah, that is additionally a part of your meal.”
I’m sorry. I don’t need some bland, mediocre bread after I simply ate the perfect ravioli of my life. Earlier than hand, as I used to be searching the menu, certain. However to pile on uninteresting carbs after consuming probably the most dazzling carbs ever? No thanks.
(Disney Illuminations is the bread basket on this analogy).
In truth — I’m not making this up — on each nights that I watched the drone present, individuals who watched the drone present left both simply after (or throughout) the next fireworks present.
I’m nonetheless confused as to why Disney would place two related exhibits, back-to-back. Putting the drone present first is sensible as a result of smoke from the fireworks may cloud the drones. However why fireworks within the first place?
If I have been Bob Iger (that’s Disney’s CEO), I’d put both the drone present or the fireworks over at Disney’s different park referred to as Walt Disney Studios Park, which is due for some leisure. The park proper now’s so gentle on points of interest, that it’s getting an entire makeover (quickly to be referred to as Disney Journey World).
A drone present would simply be the highest attraction at Walt Disney Studios Park. And hey, at one level the drone present was over at that park reasonably than the primarily Disneyland Park.
Ideas for watching the Disney Paris drone present
Whether or not or not you stick round for Disney Illuminations, any drone present fan wants to move to Disneyland Paris to see the drone present. If you happen to do, right here’s what you could know:
Plan for climate at Disney Paris
Fireworks may be finicky about climate. Drones? Much more so. Throw in the truth that Paris will get snow (the U.S. parks don’t) and there’s an added layer of complication for the drones.
Fireworks sometimes don’t take off in rain. Drones undoubtedly don’t — however right here’s the place it will get even trickier. Drones don’t take off if there’s even an opportunity of rain.
That’s what occurred to me on my first night time in Paris. I had deliberate to see the drone present. It had been raining on and off earlier within the day. It additionally rained about two hours earlier than. Nonetheless, the drone present was cancelled — regardless that the fireworks present went on.
Now it’s not all for naught. Though the drone present was cancelled, Disney nonetheless performed the music and went on with the projection results. It’s nonetheless a “B” present sans drones. However for an “A” present, solely go on clear days.
And since that may be robust to foretell, you may do what I did, and e-book three nights there to maximise your odds of seeing it a minimum of one night time. Or, verify climate historical past and e-book a visit throughout what the historical past books contemplate the least wet months.
Not even previous knowledge is a assure of future climate, however listed below are all of the months, ranked by least to most rainfall in Paris, based on the U.Ok. Met Workplace knowledge:
- February (46 mm common rainfall)
- March (47 mm common rainfall)
- September (52 mm common rainfall)
- April (55 mm common rainfall)
- January (56 mm common rainfall)
- November (56 mm common rainfall)
- June (59 mm common rainfall)
- August (60 mm common rainfall)
- Could (66 mm common rainfall)
- October (67 mm common rainfall)
- July (73 mm common rainfall)
- December (75 mm common rainfall)
Your greatest wager is to go to Disneyland Paris in February or March to maximise your odds of seeing the drone present. Alas, I visited in August, one of many rainier months.
Choose the proper spot to look at
On nights when the present is on, ensure you can see it from the proper vantage level.
Most individuals advocate watching the mixture drone and fireworks exhibits not too shut, however not too far again. Many stand proper the place the Major Road buildings finish, earlier than the esplanade opens up. That is good, as a result of it’s also possible to see the projections on the Major Road buildings.
However for drone followers, I like to recommend getting as completely shut as you may. Drone Nerds such as you and I need to attempt to spot the drones themselves within the sky. You need to discover how the pyro matches onto the precise drones. You need to see each element. With that, get proper up towards the fort.
Now many individuals arrive greater than an hour forward of time to look at. They sometimes seize a seat on the bottom (and a few even come geared up with their very own picnic blanket). If you happen to arrive and already really feel such as you’re farther again than you anticipated, although, don’t panic. Disney makes an announcement about quarter-hour earlier than showtime asking everybody to face up. When that occurs, everybody finally ends up getting a lot nearer than earlier than (as a result of standing takes up much less house than sitting).
Drone Lady professional tip: I’m quick (4’10”), so I find yourself at all times getting a view of somebody’s again at issues like this (and different concert events and festivals). To keep away from this, discover a trash can, and stand behind it. This ensures nobody can stand straight in entrance of you.
Pay for reserved seating (perhaps)
If you happen to really need the perfect expertise, you may pay further for reserved viewing, which will get you a assured great place for each the drone present and the fireworks after. The viewing space is the very best spot to view, because it’s proper in entrance of the fort.
Disney recommends you arrive half-hour earlier than begin time, however technically you may enter anytime up till 10 minutes earlier than the indicated begin time. Although, don’t miss it, as you’ll not be eligible for a refund for those who miss the ten minute window.
The Disney drone present reserved seating price varies by day, so verify the official Disneyland Paris cell app to seek out costs on the day of your go to. Once I visited, it was about €20 per individual, however it is perhaps larger or decrease relying on demand. In fact, that’s on prime of holding legitimate theme park admission.
I opted out (as a result of Drone Lady is a low price range operation, hehe!) however when you have money to spare, it is perhaps value it.
When you’ve bought the tickets via the official Disneyland Paris cell app, you’ll merely present the QR code out of your app on the designated entrance to get an amazing view.
Match it into your day
The drone present begins at 10:30, and the fireworks observe. From there, it takes a big period of time for the crowds to depart the park, so that you may not even get outdoors of the gates till 11:30 p.m. or later. Even for those who’re staying on-property at a Disney-owned lodge, anticipate staying awake till a minimum of midnight.
If that has you feeling like Cinderella’s coach-turned -pumpkin, have a sport plan. Sleep in. Or, higher but, take a noon nap. Particularly for those who’re visiting in the summertime, parks get scorching within the afternoon. Regardless of the day, crowds are likely to peak within the afternoon.
Use that to your benefit by leaving the parks throughout probably the most crowded time, napping in your room, and coming again to the parks refreshed and able to watch some drones.
Have you ever seen Disney Electrical Sky Parade? What’s your evaluate? Do you’ve got any ideas for watching or usually visiting Disney Paris? Share them within the feedback beneath!
Not capable of make it to Paris? There’s a Disney drone present within the U.S., and it’s free! Head to Disney Springs, the free-to-visit outside procuring district at Walt Disney World in Florida. The nightly drone present, “Disney Desires That Soar,” is wildly well-liked.
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