Credit: DisneyWe’ve often speculated about Disney swapping fireworks for drones, and it looks like that possibility is edging closer to reality.
Fireworks have played an important role in the Disney nighttime experience for decades. Fantasy in the Sky first debuted at Disneyland Park in 1958 and has since been followed by an array of increasingly impressive spectaculars at Disney parks worldwide, with some incorporating elements other than pyrotechnics into their displays.
But while guests are huge fans of the fireworks – especially fan favorites such as Magic Kingdom Park’s Happily Ever After and Disneyland Park’s Wondrous Journeys – there are plenty of downsides to staging these shows every night.
Backlash Against Disney’s Fireworks
For one thing, it costs Disney millions to host fireworks displays every year. While Disney has never confirmed the exact numbers, it’s estimated that Magic Kingdom’s fireworks alone cost anywhere from $40,000 to $50,000 a night.
There’s also the environmental impact. Disney has made impressive headway in reducing its emissions in this area, having introduced more environmentally friendly fireworks with a pneumatic launch system that utilizes compressed air and specially designed biodegradable fireworks for cruise lines. However, many still argue that Disney’s nightly fireworks are still wasteful.
Perhaps the most pressing complaint against fireworks stems from local residents. Disneyland Resort, in particular, has had to contend with backlash against the sound, light, and air pollution caused by its pyrotechnics, hence why Disney doesn’t actually use pyrotechnics every night in its displays at Disneyland Park and instead hosts some projection-only shows.
Is Disney’s Drone Era Fully Upon Us?
With all this in mind, the question has been raised more than once whether Disney will turn to a more neutral method of entertainment, such as drones. Disneyland Paris has already gone all-in on drone technology, having hosted the Marvel-themed drone spectacular Avengers: Power the Night at Walt Disney Studios Park, plus the fireworks pre-show Disney Electrical Sky Parade (inspired by the beloved Main Street Electrical Parade). It’s also incorporated drones into its current nighttime spectacular at Disneyland Park, Disney Tales of Magic.
Walt Disney World Resort also dipped its toes into drone territory with last year’s summer show Disney Dreams That Soar at Disney Springs. It may not have returned in 2025, but this was likely more due to the logistical issues of hosting a nighttime spectacular in the densely crowded shopping and dining district rather than the show’s popularity.
Now, it seems like Disneyland Resort is also preparing to embrace drones.
Last night, a Disney-themed drone show was tested over the Disney Ranch in Santa Clarita, California. The show featured impressive drone recreations of several elements from Aladdin (1992), including the Genie and the Sultan’s Palace in Agrabah.
A Disney drone show was just filmed over the Disney Ranch in Santa Clarita, California! Could a new drone show be coming to Disneyland?
Republished with permission from @plants_of_Disneyland
A Disney drone show was just filmed over the Disney Ranch in Santa Clarita, California! Could a new drone show be coming to Disneyland?
Republished with permission from @plants_of_Disneyland pic.twitter.com/0TxcSnChX7
— Matt (@DisneyScoopGuy) October 21, 2025
Of course, nothing is confirmed until Disney. Having seen what the company is capable of doing with drones when it unleashes its full creativity (à la the Disney Electrical Sky Parade), we’re excited to see what it pulls off in Anaheim when the day comes. However, as with any major change at a Disney park, there’s sure to be resistance when it comes to the idea of phasing out fireworks – which we’d argue is likely more a case of “when” not “if.”
Disney has previously filed patents for new drone concepts, such as drone-controlled puppets and 3D drone displays that mimic fireworks shows. In 2024, Walt Disney Imagineering Vice President for Parades and Spectaculars Steven Davison teased that the technology is only getting better and highlighted drones as a stellar alternative to fireworks.
“It’s one of those things where you start to look at a technology like fountains or fireworks or lights and you say, ‘Oh, what if we did this with it?'” he said at D23 (via The Orange County Register). “And out of nowhere, you transform something into something that no one had ever seen before.”
Back in 2023, Davison also teased that Disney had only scratched the surface of what it hoped to achieve with drone technology.
Davison addressed reporters at a preview of Behind the Attraction, the Disney+ series offering viewers backstage access to their favorite attractions. According to The Orange County Register, Davison said that Disney hopes to expand its drone usage in the parks.
“[Drones] are very cool,” he said. “They’re kind of a new thing. We’re doing a lot of work in that. So all I’m going to say is, there’s more to come.”
If this is “more,” bring it on.
How would you feel about Disneyland replacing its fireworks with drones?