Should 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 if you happen to’ve actually been paying consideration, you’ll know that I really 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 professional.
With that, I need to provide you with my evaluation of the Disney Paris drone present. As a result of whereas it’s good, there are some points with the entire expertise. And if you happen to do go to Paris to see the Disney drone present (and if you happen to’re studying this, then you definately completely ought to!) learn on for my suggestions round watching it.
Disney Electrical Sky Parade: the last word information (with opinions and suggestions)
Disney Electrical Sky Parade: all concerning the present
Disney Electrical Sky Parade debuted in early 2024 inside Disneyland Park in Paris, which is one among two Disney-owned theme parks simply outdoors of Paris.
The flowery drone present is synced to music, in addition to different results like projections on the citadel and buildings of Most important Avenue. It options as much as 500 drones which fly in shapes seen from the Most important Avenue Electrical Parade, which true Disney followers could acknowledge as a unusual, Nineteen Seventies-era parade that in the present day has considerably of a cult following.
Disneyland Paris Leisure places on the nightly present in collaboration with Dronisos, which is among the finest drone present corporations on the earth. It’s set to run by way of 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-Gentle and Avengers: Energy the Evening (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 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 peak of France’s summer season, 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 world.
The fireworks present, Disney Illuminations, equally makes use of music, projection results and different citadel 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 evaluation.
My evaluation of Disney Electrical Sky Parade
I’ve seen lots of Disney fireworks exhibits. Rising up in Southern California, I had a Disneyland annual go since I used to be seven years outdated. (Sure, I used to be spoiled, but additionally annual passes had been method cheaper again then, and our mother and father most popular us tweens and teenagers hanging out at Disneyland versus stepping into mischief.)
In highschool, I labored at Disneyland. That was primarily in Mickey’s Toontown, the place the fireworks had been launched. And if you happen to didn’t sprint out of labor quick sufficient, you bought trapped and had to look at the fireworks present. Sure, I watched lots of fireworks.
In order you’ll be able to see, I do know so much about Disney fireworks. I additionally know that they typically observe a prosaic components. 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 tune from the most recent film Disney is searching 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 kind of message like “observe your coronary heart” or “simply imagine” that’s sung by what appears like discount-Celine Dion.
Maybe that’s why the Most important Avenue Electrical Parade is such a cult traditional (and why the drone model is so refreshing, too). Each electrical iterations buck that development of Disney fireworks. As a substitute, you get a kitschy, one-of-a-kind ear-worm with no such cliche messaging. The tune, Baroque Hoedown is one among few phrases.
The drone model takes the spirit of the 1970’s parade and offers it a 2024 spin. The guts and soul of the parade is there. However moderately 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 go away you wanting extra.
Let’s discuss concerning the Disney Illuminations fireworks
Keep in mind the cliche fireworks exhibits I informed 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 great factor.
Disney Illuminations is just not dangerous. However following Disney Electrical Sky Parade, it’s not nice.
It’s sort of like when you’ve an exquisite 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 most effective ravioli of my life. Earlier than hand, as I used to be looking the menu, certain. However to pile on boring carbs after consuming essentially the most dazzling carbs ever? No thanks.
(Disney Illuminations is the bread basket on this analogy).
Actually — 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 comparable exhibits, back-to-back. Inserting 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 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 gentle on points of interest, that it’s getting a whole 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 moderately 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 go to Disneyland Paris to see the drone present. Should you do, right here’s what it’s essential to know:
Plan for climate at Disney Paris
Fireworks might 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 positively 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 — despite the fact 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 powerful to foretell, you may do what I did, and guide three nights there to maximise your odds of seeing it not less than one night time. Or, verify climate historical past and guide a visit throughout what the historical past books think about the least wet months.
Not even previous information is a assure of future climate, however listed here are all of the months, ranked by least to most rainfall in Paris, in response to the U.Ok. 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)
- Could (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 correct spot to look at
On nights when the present is on, be sure you can see it from the correct vantage level.
Most individuals suggest watching the mix drone and fireworks exhibits not too shut, however not too far again. Many stand proper the place the Most important Avenue buildings finish, earlier than the esplanade opens up. That is good, as a result of you can even see the projections on the Most important Avenue buildings.
However for drone followers, I like to recommend getting as completely shut as you’ll be able to. 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 citadel.
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). Should 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 area 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 live shows 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)
Should you really need the most effective expertise, you’ll be able to 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 citadel.
Disney recommends you arrive half-hour earlier than begin time, however technically you’ll be able to 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 if you happen to miss the ten minute window.
The Disney drone present reserved seating value varies by day, so verify 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 may be greater or decrease relying on demand. After all, 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 in case you have money to spare, it may be price it.
When you’ve bought the tickets by way of the official Disneyland Paris cellular app, you’ll merely present the QR code out of your app on the designated entrance to get a terrific 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 go away the park, so that you may not even get outdoors of the gates till 11:30 p.m. or later. Even if you happen to’re staying on-property at a Disney-owned lodge, anticipate staying awake till not less than 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 if you happen to’re visiting in the summertime, parks get sizzling 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 essentially 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 evaluation? Do you’ve any suggestions for watching or typically visiting Disney Paris? Share them within the feedback under!
Not in a position to 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 widespread.
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