When you’ve been following together with me on Instagram, then you already know 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 evening of Disney Electrical Sky Parade acquired cancelled for climate.
So I take into account myself considerably of an skilled.
With that, I wish to offer you 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 definitely completely ought to!) learn on for my suggestions round watching it.
Disney Electrical Sky Parade: the last word information (with critiques 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 Foremost Road. It options as much as 500 drones which fly in shapes seen from the Foremost Road Electrical Parade, which true Disney followers might acknowledge as a unusual, 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 without doubt one of the greatest drone present firms on the earth. It’s set to run by 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-Mild 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 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 peak of France’s summer time, the present has to happen that late as a way 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 nearly 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 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 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 a variety of Disney fireworks reveals. 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 in addition annual passes have been approach cheaper again then, and our mother and father most popular us tweens and teenagers hanging out at Disneyland versus moving into mischief.)
In highschool, I labored at Disneyland. That was primarily in Mickey’s Toontown, the place the fireworks have 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 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 components. They kick off with a collection 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 track from the newest 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 kind 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 development of Disney fireworks. As an alternative, you get a kitschy, one-of-a-kind ear-worm with no such cliche messaging. The track, Baroque Hoedown is one among few phrases.
The drone model takes the spirit of the 1970’s parade and provides it a 2024 spin. The center and soul of the parade is there. However somewhat 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 speak concerning the Disney Illuminations fireworks
Keep in mind the cliche fireworks reveals 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 an excellent factor.
Disney Illuminations is just not 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 very best ravioli of my life. Earlier than hand, as I used to be looking the menu, certain. However to pile on boring 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 reveals, back-to-back. Inserting the drone present first is smart as a result of smoke from the fireworks would possibly 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 could be so mild on sights, 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 somewhat 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. When you do, right here’s what you have to 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 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 evening 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. Although 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 would possibly do what I did, and guide three nights there to maximise your odds of seeing it not less than one evening. Or, test climate historical past and guide a visit throughout what the historical past books take into account the least wet months.
No longer 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 accordance 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 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 precise spot to look at
On nights when the present is on, be sure you can see it from the precise vantage level.
Most individuals advocate watching the mixture 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 you may also 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 in opposition to the citadel.
Now many individuals arrive greater than an hour forward of time to look at. They usually seize a seat on the bottom (and a few even come geared up with their very own picnic blanket). When 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 immediately in entrance of you.
Pay for reserved seating (perhaps)
When you really need the very best expertise, you possibly can pay further 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 best possible 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 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 if you happen to 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 individual, but it surely is likely to be larger or decrease relying on demand. After all, that’s on high of holding legitimate theme park admission.
I opted out (as a result of Drone Lady is a low finances operation, hehe!) however you probably have money to spare, it is likely to be price it.
When you’ve bought the tickets by 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 go away the park, so that you won’t 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 resort, anticipate staying awake till not 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 if you happen to’re visiting in the summertime, parks get sizzling within the afternoon. Irrespective of the day, crowds are inclined 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 evaluation? Do you’ve got any suggestions for watching or typically visiting Disney Paris? Share them within the feedback beneath!
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 buying district at Walt Disney World in Florida. The nightly drone present, “Disney Goals That Soar,” is wildly fashionable.
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