In case you’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 in the event you’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 think about myself considerably of an skilled.
With that, I wish to provide you with 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 in the event you do go to Paris to see the Disney drone present (and in the event you’re studying this, then you definitely completely ought to!) learn on for my suggestions round watching it.
Disney Electrical Sky Parade: the final word information (with opinions and suggestions)
Disney Electrical Sky Parade: all in regards to the present
Disney Electrical Sky Parade debuted in early 2024 inside Disneyland Park in Paris, which is one in all two Disney-owned theme parks simply exterior of Paris.
The flowery drone present is synced to music, in addition to different results like projections on the fortress and buildings of Foremost Road. It options as much as 500 drones which fly in shapes seen from the Foremost Road Electrical Parade, which true Disney followers could acknowledge as a unusual, Seventies-era parade that at the moment has considerably of a cult following.
Disneyland Paris Leisure places on the nightly present in collaboration with Dronisos, which is likely one of the finest drone present corporations on the earth. 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 reveals have included Disney D-Gentle and Avengers: Energy the Night time (the latter of which performed on the sister park to Disneyland Paris and is positioned adjoining to it). Disney Paris even not too long ago broke a Guinness World File 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 with a view 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 fortress results like fountains. However, it mainly 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 healthier than the Disney Illuminations fireworks present. And with that, right here’s my evaluate.
My evaluate of Disney Electrical Sky Parade
I’ve seen a variety of Disney fireworks reveals. Rising up in Southern California, I had a Disneyland annual move since I used to be seven years previous. (Sure, I used to be spoiled, but additionally annual passes had been approach cheaper again then, and our dad and mom most popular 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 had been launched. And in the event you didn’t sprint out of labor quick sufficient, you bought trapped and had to observe the fireworks present. Sure, I watched a variety of fireworks.
In order you possibly can see, I do know so much about Disney fireworks. I additionally know that they often observe a prosaic system. They kick off with a sequence of smaller, colourful bursts set to the most well liked Disney tunes. It’s both classics, like hits from “The Lion King” that everyone knows, or a tune from the most recent film Disney is in search of 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 type 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 Foremost Road Electrical Parade is such a cult basic (and why the drone model is so refreshing, too). Each electrical iterations buck that pattern of Disney fireworks. As an alternative, you get a kitschy, one-of-a-kind ear-worm with no such cliche messaging. The tune, Baroque Hoedown is one in all few phrases.
The drone model takes the spirit of the 1970’s parade and offers it a 2024 spin. The center 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 brief sufficient to depart you wanting extra.
Let’s discuss in regards to the Disney Illuminations fireworks
Keep in mind the cliche fireworks reveals I instructed 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 factor.
Disney Illuminations just isn’t unhealthy. However following Disney Electrical Sky Parade, it’s not nice.
It’s type of like when you could have an exquisite meal of contemporary 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 one of the best 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 following fireworks present.
I’m nonetheless confused as to why Disney would place two related reveals, back-to-back. Inserting the drone present first is sensible as a result of smoke from the fireworks would possibly cloud the drones. However why fireworks within the first place?
If I had 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 could be so mild 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.
Suggestions 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. In case you do, right here’s what you must know:
Plan for climate at Disney Paris
Fireworks could 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 usually 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 — although 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 would possibly do what I did, and e-book three nights there to maximise your odds of seeing it no less than one night time. Or, test climate historical past and e-book a visit throughout what the historical past books think about the least wet months.
No longer even previous information is a assure of future climate, however listed below are all of the months, ranked by least to most rainfall in Paris, in line with the U.Okay. Met Workplace information:
- 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)
- Might (66 mm common rainfall)
- October (67 mm common rainfall)
- July (73 mm common rainfall)
- December (75 mm common rainfall)
Your finest 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.
Decide the appropriate spot to observe
On nights when the present is on, be sure to can see it from the appropriate vantage level.
Most individuals advocate watching the mix drone and fireworks reveals not too shut, however not too far again. Many stand proper the place the Foremost 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 Foremost Road buildings.
However for drone followers, I like to recommend getting as completely shut as you possibly can. Drone Nerds such as you and I wish to attempt to spot the drones themselves within the sky. You wish to discover how the pyro matches onto the precise drones. You wish to see each element. With that, get proper up towards the fortress.
Now many individuals arrive greater than an hour forward of time to observe. They usually seize a seat on the bottom (and a few even come outfitted with their very own picnic blanket). In case you 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 brief (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)
In case you really need one of the best expertise, you possibly can pay additional for reserved viewing, which will get you a assured good spot 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 fortress.
Disney recommends you arrive half-hour earlier than begin time, however technically you possibly can 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 in the event you miss the ten minute window.
The Disney drone present reserved seating value varies by day, so test the official Disneyland Paris cellular app to search out costs on the day of your go to. After I visited, it was about €20 per particular person, 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 funds operation, hehe!) however when you’ve got money to spare, it is perhaps price it.
When you’ve bought the tickets via the official Disneyland Paris cellular app, you’ll merely present the QR code out of your app on the designated entrance to get an ideal 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 exterior of the gates till 11:30 p.m. or later. Even in the event you’re staying on-property at a Disney-owned resort, anticipate staying awake till no less than midnight.
If that has you feeling like Cinderella’s coach-turned -pumpkin, have a recreation plan. Sleep in. Or, higher but, take a noon nap. Particularly in the event you’re visiting in the summertime, parks get scorching within the afternoon. Irrespective 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 could have any suggestions for watching or typically 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 out of doors procuring district at Walt Disney World in Florida. The nightly drone present, “Disney Goals That Soar,” is wildly widespread.
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