Drone light shows have become a captivating blend of technology and artistry. One company at the forefront of the trend, Sky Elements, just made history by finishing third on AGT Season 19.
It’s a huge milestone considering no drone light show company has come anywhere near this far on NBC’s America’s Got Talent, let alone made a podium finish. Their AGT Season 19 run brought an innovative twist to a competition traditionally dominated by singers, dancers, and acrobats. Alas, Sky Elements didn’t win the final, $1 million prize, but they did cement their status as trailblazers in the world of entertainment.
“Inspirational, brilliants, unique,” said judge Simon Cowell of Sky Elements podium finish. “I think it was great for us, and I think it was great for you.”
How Sky Elements got so far on AGT Season 19
A moment from the Sky Elements Semi-Finals performance. (Photo courtesy of NBC)
Sky Elements’ rise to prominence on AGT is nothing short of remarkable. For starters, they showed their prowess in mastering the technical challenges of using drones as artistic tools. That’s not just having the right hardware and software, but also working with the Federal Aviation Administration to fly swarms of drones over Pasadena.
From there, they brought in intricate choreography that was just as emotional as it was thoughtful.
In a finale packed with performances from world-class artists and entertainers, the drone specialists held their own, delivering one last breathtaking display outside the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. That was their fifth drone show to air on NBC’s America’s Got Talent.
Their audition nabbed a Golden buzzer from Simon Cowell. Perhaps the spacewalk who turned out to be, well, Simon Cowell himself, had something to do with it. They then performed a circus-themed drone show at Quarter Finals, which took them to an emotional Semi-Finals performance. That show memorialized the daughter of Sky Elements Chief Pilot Preston Ward. Named Briley Rose, she passed away as an infant. For the America’s Got Talent finale, which yours truly (that’s me, Drone Girl) attended live, Sky Elements performed a show called American Dream.
Winners were determined based on audience votes. The America’s Got Talent rules allow each person to submit up to 10 votes for every performer.
The final results of AGT Season 19
Learnmore Jonasi (Photo courtesy of NBC)
Ultimately Sky Elements didn’t get enough votes to win the top, $1 million spot. Here were the top 5, in order from position 5 all the way down to the top, gold medal spot:
5. Learnmore Jonasi – The comedian’s unique brand of humor and relatable storytelling earned him a spot in the top five.
4. Solange Kardinaly – The quick-change magician brought clever humor — and impeccable sewing skills — to the stage.
3. Sky Elements – The drone show company amazed audiences with their precise and colorful light shows, using hundreds of drones to create unforgettable spectacles.
2. Roni Sagi & Rhythm – The electrifying dancers (one of which is a dog) fused rhythm and incredibly choreography.
1. Richard Goodall – The singing janitor stole America’s hearts — and ultimately nabbed the $1 million prize.
A star-studded finale
Olympic legend Simone Biles. (Photo courtesy of NBC)
The AGT finale wasn’t just about the competition. The episode featured performances by some of the biggest names in entertainment. Olympic legend Simone Biles promoted her Gold Over America Tour, while The Voice coach Michael Bublé serenaded the audience with his classic crooner style. Neal Schon and members of Journey performed timeless hits (including a rendition of “Don’t Stop Believing” with winner Richard Goodall.
DJ Steve Aoki and AIRFOOTWORKS. (Photo courtesy of NBC)
Others in the top 10 performed alongside already-famous performers. For example, DJ Steve Aoki spun a set in tandem with AIRFOOTWORKS.
For us, though, the highlight was Sky Elements’ top-three finish, which highlights a turning point for tech-driven performance art on mainstream stages.
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They’ve got talent. Sky Elements, alongside the other nine finalists, gave it their all on Tuesday night for the live performance of the America’s Got Talent finale. It’ll be a tough task for America to have to decide the winners. But we’ll go ahead and admit our bias and say it absolutely should be Sky Elements.
It’s not just because Drone Girl has a penchant for drones. Sky Elements has truly done what’s never been done before. They’re the first drone act of any kind of make it this far in the NBC-backed talent show, which is now in its 19th season.
Sally French, The Drone Girl, ahead of the finale taping of America’s Got Talent. Sally is holding a rose sticker, in honor of the prior week’s performance which paid tribute to Briley Rose. (Photo by Sally French)
And of course, every act is complex. The Hakuna Matata Acrobatic group performed not just complicated stunts, but complicated stunts done on a rolling barrel while wearing blindfolds. Sebastian and Sonia, who are aerial stunt performers, still plowed through their performance despite Sonia’s wrist injury. Roni of Roni & Rhythm has to coordinate with a performer who isn’t even human (aka it’s her dog).
But the Sky Elements drone show took on a special kind of challenge. Sky Elements also relies on non-human performers, being their massive fleet of drones. Their performance ends up higher in the air than any aerialist would ever go. And hey, their act even requires approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to pull off.
The Sky Elements ‘American Dream’ finale
Sky Elements takes the stage after their final performance. (Photo by Sally French)
For their final performance, Sky Elements paid tribute to the American Dream in an act that paid all sorts of tributes to the American dream. That included images of someone sailing to America, a train car, a patriotic eagle and the Statue of Liberty. It was set to the song “A Million Dreams” by Pink.
Watch it for yourself below:
Watching America’s Got Talent in-person (and how it’s different than the real show)
I was there in person to document the finale performance, live. It films at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, where the vibes are electric. Oh, and loud. (If you ever see America’s Got Talent in-person, bring ear plugs, as the cheering is the loudest you’ll ever here.)
Now most acts occur live. But, the drone segment was pre-recorded. That’s a necessary measure because it’s not dark enough to see the drones when the show goes live (which is 5 p.m. PT). Even though the drones were the last act, that occurred around 6:50 p.m. PT, which is four minutes before the day’s official sunset time.
But that didn’t diminish the impact of their performance. On the screen, their drones danced and twirled, painting the night sky with patterns paying tribute to America’s history. That’s fitting for America’s Got Talent.
Behind-the-scenes of the America’s Got Talented during a commercial break. 3:06 until the commercial break ends! See those judges on stage! (Photo by Sally French)
For people in the audience, what viewers at-home saw was also aired on the screen — enabling the judges to give feedback too. And when the recording ended, the Sky Elements team took the stage, and the crowd still erupted in cheers. Their passion for making drone shows is infectious.
Less than a day after NBC posted the clip of the Sky Elements America’s Got Talent finale to its YouTube channel, it has already racked up nearly 100,000 views and more than 200 comments. Commenters called it the “Best act I’ve ever seen on AGT, ever” and proof of “why they should win the whole thing.”
Sky Elements is one of the 10 teams vying for the $1 million final prize. The winner will be named in a special, crowning show set for this Thursday, Sept. 19 at 8 p.m. ET.
For a few years now, Sky Elements has captured the hearts and imaginations of audiences worldwide with their mesmerizing drone shows. Yet the company got a serious boost when they not only made it onto Season 19 of America’s Got Talent — but they made it all the way to the finals. And in fact, the America’s Got Talent finals air live tonight (that’s Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024) on NBC at 8 p.m. ET.
As they continue to impress on America’s Got Talent (AGT), here’s a deeper dive into the company, its team — and how you might book them for your own, custom drone light show:
Sky Elements: everything to know about the AGT Golden Buzzer contender
Sky Elements’ journey on Season 19 of America’s Got Talent has been marked by extraordinary achievements, including receiving the coveted Golden Buzzer from renowned judge Simon Cowell during their audition, which aired as part of episode 2 of ATG Season 2. This prestigious recognition — the second instance of judge Simon Cowell hitting the Golden Buzzer, solidified their status as a frontrunner and a favorite among viewers.
Not only did that Golden Buzzer send them directly to a spot on the live shows, but it changed the AGT rules forever. Because of Cowell’s second Golden Buzzer, that led to a first-ever rule change that allowed for more Golden Buzzers throughout the season.
From there, they put on a circus-themed show for the Sky Elements’ Quarterfinal performance. And once again, Simon Cowell was impressed, as both he and judge Howie Mandel gave Sky Elements standing ovations. (For what it’s worth, Simon Cowell has a thing for drone shows, as he also gave another drone light show company, Verge Aero, the Golden Buzzer on AGT: Extreme.)
Sky Elements brought audiences to tears during a heart-wrenching performance set to the song “Butterfly”, which was by another AGT finalist, Lily Meola during the Semi-Finals. That show was dedicated to the infant daughter of Sky Elements Chief Pilot Preston Ward. Named Briley Rose, she tragically passed away in 2020. Watch that performance below:
With that, public votes elected to send Sky Elements to the final round. That airs tonight, Tuesday, Sept. 17 on NBC at 8 p.m. ET.
The Sky Elements team
Rick Boss of Sky Elements Drones with The Drone Girl, Sally French
When you watch a Sky Elements show as a spectator, you likely won’t see any people. But people are still what make the show possible. Led by Rick Boss, the Sky Elements team is robust. Its key members include:
Brian Geck: With experience in motion graphics and 3D-design Brian is one of the creative minds in executive the top-tier animations seen in the Sky Elements drone shows. He gets much credit for the lifelike, detailed execution of the drone’s movement.
Preston Ward: As Chief Pilot, Preston leads Sky Elements in its business development, training, communication and operations. Not only is Preston a FAA Part 107 licensed pilot, but he is also a licensed attorney in the state of Texas.
Rick Boss: With a background in startups, Rick handles all things product management and sales at Sky Elements.
Tyler Johnson: Tyler is the team’s drone technology engineer, and he is a FAA Part 107 licensed drone pilot. He’s tasked with handling the logistical elements required to perform shows around the country.
A history of Sky Elements
Sally French, The Drone Girl, at the stage of a Sky Elements drone light show in Oakland, California.
As shared through America’s Got Talent, Sky Elements was founded in late 2020. Chief Pilot Preston Ward had just seen his first in-person drone show, which was shortly after his infant daughter Briley Rose (the inspiration behind one of the AGT performances) passed away. Alongside founder Rick Boss, Sky Elements was created.
The team continues to grow, with Sky Elements hiring pilots and animators. Ultimately the company got so big, that Boss (Boss worked at a private business insurance and employee benefits company) and Ward left their day jobs to focus on Sky Elements full time. And growing it is.
Boss was quoted in a summer 2024 USA article saying that Sky Elements business grew by 60% year-over-year. July serves as especially big business for Sky Elements (and, well, most drone show companies) as towns and other organizations seek drones as an alternative to fireworks for their Fourth of July shows. In fact, Sky Elements flew about three dozen drone shows around the nation on 2024’s July Fourth alone. The year prior, Sky Elements nabbed a Guinness World Record for producing the most drone shows in a single weekend, which was July Fourth 2023.
Serena Williams and her family watch a drone show as part of her gender reveal party.
Even though there are hundreds of drones in the sky, a single pilot controls them all. That pilot uses software on a central computer system to program the drones to follow specific flight paths and exhibit various colors and patterns with their onboard LED lights.
UVify: the drones behind the shows
Sky Elements doesn’t make their own drones outright. Instead, they use drones made by UVify. UVify makes a range of autonomous aircraft including the $200 UVify OOri Smart Racing Micro Drone. Though increasingly popular is its IFO and IFO-S drone light show drones.
Do Sky Elements drones replace fireworks?
Select drones have fireworks mounted to them. (Photo courtesy of Sky Elements)
Kind of. Clearly drones can convey far more intricate stories than what a firework can do. You might see fireworks make hearts or happy faces, but — if the Sky Elements shows are any indication — drone shows can paint the skies with intricate figures.
Many have suggested the environmental benefit of drones versus fireworks, which can pose not only a fire risk, but also contribute to air, water and soil pollution as they release smoke and particulates into the atmosphere.
With Sky Elements, though, it doesn’t have to be an either/or. Part of the Sky Elements team actually has a pyrotechnics background. In fact, Sky Elements is the first company to have received FAA approval to fly pyro drones in the U.S. Yes, certain, specially-designed light show drones are actually able to carry and launch fireworks off of them.
How much does a Sky Elements drone show cost?
While specific pricing information for Sky Elements’ drone shows varies depending on the scale and complexity of the performance, the cost of a drone light show from Sky Elements starts at $15,000. Of course, that’s the minimum, and Sky Elements recommends a minimum of 50 drones to make it work.
Larger, more intricate performances unsurprisingly cost more. And yes, Sky Elements is no stranger to shows with more than 1,000 drones. Sky Elements put 2,400 drones on the field of Petco Park in San Diego as part of a “Deadpool and Wolverine” themed show for San Diego Comic Con. That show broke the Guinness World Record for the “Largest aerial display of a fictional character formed by multirotors/drones” twice in a single show. That broke the previous record held by Disney, which happened only a couple months prior to celebrate Bastille Day and put 1,571 drones in the sky in the shape of Mickey Mouse.
The first formation featuring Deadpool used 1,599 drones. Then, Sky Elements broke its own record, putting 1,607 drones in the sky to form Wolverine. Watch that show below:
Factors that can influence the cost of a Sky Elements drone show include:
Duration of the performance
Number of drones used
Complexity of the choreography
Location and logistical requirements
Across all U.S. drone show companies, the average drone show costs $52,455, according to the “Drone Show Market Analysis,” which was made in June 2024 in collaboration with SPH Engineering and market research group Duamentes Global Alliance. That report used data from 1,000 drone shows across 62 countries. Of course, that’s a tricky number as it varies widely based on all those aforementioned conditions.
In general, you should budget about $233 per drone, per show in the U.S., according to SPH Engineering’s drone show cost estimates. So, expect a 1,000-drone show to cost more than $200,000. A $15,000 show does really only entail about 50 drones.
But if $15,000 for even of the tiniest of drone shows feels excessive, here’s good news: While inflation has made the cost of pretty much everything else go up, drone show prices are actually dropping. In fact, this time last year, the starting price for a Sky Elements show was $20,000.
“As technology advances and drone light shows become more popular, we can expect prices to decrease, making them more accessible to a broader range of event organizers,” according to a statement from Sky Elements.
Booking a Sky Elements show
Assuming you’re ready to pony up the cash, how do you book your own drone show? Sky Elements services the entire U.S., with fleets spread around the country. To book, you can simply contact them for a complimentary consultation. There, a Sky Elements team member will discuss location, design, and price with you.
Drone show limitations
As long as the Federal Aviation Administration and other local laws allow it, Sky Elements can put on a drone show pretty much anywhere. That’s assuming you can meet the criteria set by Sky Elements for a safe show, such as that there is a safe distance between the audience and the drones. There are also some legal restrictions around where drones can fly, such as in certain restricted airspace or in areas like National Parks.
But even those restrictions can sometimes be skirted through waivers. For example, you can’t outright fly drones in Class B or C airspace (which is often the airspace around airports). Get LAANC authorization, though, and you can. That’s how Sky Elements is able to run shows like their show at the Oakland Coliseum, which is in Class C airspace given its proximity to Oakland International Airport. One of Chief Pilot Preston Ward’s responsibilities is overseeing such requests. That’s an example of a place where his legal background comes in handy.
Sky Elements Chief Pilot Preston Ward with Sally French, The Drone Girl.
Weather also comes into play. Drones absolutely won’t fly in heavy rain. Less severe weather, like moderate to high winds can be left up to the pilot on site. Typically though, shows won’t go on in sustained winds of 20mph or more, or gusts of 30mph or more.
Planning a drone show
Assuming your location isn’t subject to limitations, Sky Elements can help you plan a custom show. Designers work on 3D renderings to capture the animation you envision, and to deliver the emotion you want to convey. Shows typically don’t run longer than 10 minutes (that’s limited by battery flight times). Though, Sky Elements can run multiple shows in one evening, promising to run them as close to about 30 minutes apart.
What’s next for Sky Elements after AGT?
As Sky Elements continues to impress on America’s Got Talent, their journey serves as a testament to the power of innovation, creativity, and hard work. Whether or not they win ATG Season 19, they are poised to become one of the most sought-after drone show companies in the world. In fact, they’re already the largest drone show company in the U.S.
And hey, AGT grants winners $1 million. But given that Sky Elements has clients including MLB, the Houston Rodeo, Dave & Buster’s, Virgin Voyages, USC and Coca-Cola to its name, it might not see as much of an impact from $1 million in its bank account as some of the other AGT contenders.
But what is clear: interest in drone shows is massively up. Sky Elements can expect to land a lot more clients after this. I wouldn’t mind them performing at my own wedding!
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Sky Elements, the drone show performers that have for years now had the hearts of the Drone Girl team, has now captured the hearts of pretty much all of America. Sky Elements is one of a rare crop of performers to have made it to the final round of America’s Got Talent Season 19.
And the team, led by Chief Pilot Preston Ward, is set to take the stage in the America’s Got Talent finals on Tuesday, September 17. The show will air live, where it’s recorded at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium near Los Angeles, California.
Sky Elements is certainly vying for the $1 million prize, but the drone light show company’s impressive run on the show has been about far more than just that. Here’s the inside scoop on the America’s Got Talent drone show — and what you need to know ahead of the Sept. 17 finale:
The ultimate guide to Sky Elements and their performance on America’s Got Talent
Sky Elements has long been putting on drone light shows all around America. You might have seen one, as they play out at prominent locations like baseball stadiums and rodeos. In fact, Sky Elements put on my first-ever in-person drone show, an Oakland Athletics Star Wars Light Show. Their drones have appeared on national TV before, such as for the Grammy Awards.
But Sky Elements got a big boost on June 4, 2024 when it appeared on Episode 2 of America’s Got Talent Season 19, which was one of the audition episodes. That audition in itself was quite unique because drones flew in the skies over Pasadena, rather than inside the audition studio— as most other acts do.
Performing at Quarter Finals
Not only did Sky Elements get past the audition phase, but — once on the show — their 1,000 drone show nabbed the Golden Buzzer from Simon Cowell. That show recreated scenes from the moon landing. Perhaps Simon was delighted by the anonymous astronaut performing the spacewalk who turned out to be, well, Simon Cowell himself.
Watch that show here:
From there, the shows kept continuing. Sky Elements put on a show for the Quarter Finals, this one circus-themed. The faces of the judges appeared in the sky, each as a different type of circus performer. That included Terry Crews as the ringmaster, Sofia Vergara as a trapeze artist, Howie Mandel as a magician and Heidi Klum as a fire breather.
Check out that episode here:
And while America was already captivated by the drone shows, Sky Elements proved their emotional prowess as much as their technical know-how in what might have been their best show yet.
An emotional Semi-Finals performance
During the semi-finals, Sky Elements put on a drone show that told the story of Chief Pilot Preston Ward and his infant daughter, named Briley Rose, who tragically passed away in 2020. Set to the song “Butterfly”, which was by another AGT finalist, Lily Meola, the drone show expressed Preston’s grief and optimism through imagery like butterflies and a rose. I personally felt chills during the ending, which had drones create the shape of a phoenix in the sky.
Image courtesy of Sky Elements.
With that show, there was hardly a dry eye. And also with it, audiences nationwide voted to send Sky Elements to the Finals. That’s what we’ll see on Tuesday night.
But if there’s one thing you see between now and then, you must watch (or re-watch) the touching Butterfly show:
Why Sky Elements on AGT matters so much
Sky Elements has consistently delivered breathtaking displays of aerial choreography, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with drones. Their ability to synchronize multiple drones, creating intricate patterns and formations, is truly mesmerizing.
It’s a first-of-its-kind act to make it this far
Not only did Sky Elements showcase drones as creative entertainment — but their performances have given AGT something more than the more “expected” acts like dance troupes, magicians and singers. This is the first time we’ve ever seen a drone light show make it this far on America’s Got Talent.
Now this technically isn’t the first drone light show on America’s Got Talent. In fact, Verge Aero appeared briefly on the show back in 2022 as part of a version called “AGT:Extreme!”. That spinoff version of the show focuses on talents like stunt performances. Judge Simon Cowell gave Vero Aero a Golden Buzzer back then (as he did with Sky Elements this season).
Verge Aero famously builds the Verge Aero Composer software, which is a fairly simple drag-and-drop software so you can design your own custom drone show. Watch the 2022 Verge Aero performance here:
We’ve also seen some smaller-scale uses of drones on America’s Got Talent. For example, way back in 2016, a tiny fleet of drones flew in tandem with human performers on stage in an act by Japanese multimedia dance troupe Elevenplay.
Drones get a better name
As a dedicated drone enthusiast, I’ve been eagerly awaiting Sky Elements to get national recognition. Drones have long had a negative connotation in areas like spying or data security. Sky Elements deserves massive credit for making America see drones as beautiful, witty, creative and emotional.
Image courtesy of Sky Elements.
Drones get a personality
Earlier shows like the circus performance were highly entertaining. But especially in the last “Butterfly” performance, drones took on an incredibly emotional act.
Sky Elements is not the only drone show company out there. But perhaps why Sky Elements made it to ATG as opposed to other shows is their ability to tell stories through movement and light. Each single contributes to a larger narrative, their choreography is always visually stunning and emotionally resonant.
That Verge Aero show in 2022 was certainly impressive, but it didn’t have the connection that Sky Elements has.
Chief Pilot used his art to tell his own, deeply personal and sad story — and it’s something many who have lost a loved one can relate too. It’s this very human element that sets them apart from other drone show companies out there.
“Who knew that drones could make you so emotional? That was a surprise. That was so beautiful,” said judge Sofia Vergara in reference to the “Butterfly” performance.
What to expect from the America’s Got Talent finale with Sky Elements
Tune in to NBC on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET to watch the finale, which will feature other acts including standup comedian Learnmore Jonasi, singer Richard Goddall, dog and owner dance duo Roni Sagi & Rhythm and quick-change magician Solange Kardinaly.
What can we expect from the final Sky Elements performance on America’s Got Talent? While the specific details are under wraps, Sky Elements has revealed the title for the final show, which is “The American Dream.”
I’m confident that Sky Elements will raise the bar even higher. Based on their previous performances, we can anticipate a stunning blend of technology, artistry, and emotion. I’ll be there in-person at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium to witness the show myself.
America’s Got Talent tapes live at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California. Image courtesy of City of Pasadena.
Now you don’t necessarily have to make up your mind on who you’ll vote for until the live show actually happens on Tuesday night. But if your mind is made up (and yes, I’ll admit mine is), make sure you vote. The America’s Got Talent rules limit votes to 10 per person — and you can bet I’ll be giving my 10 to Sky Elements.
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If you’ve been following along with me on Instagram, then you know I spent not just one, but three nights at Disneyland Paris to see its drone show, called Disney Electrical Sky Parade. And if you’ve really been paying attention, you’ll know that I actually only saw it for two nights. The first night of Disney Electrical Sky Parade got cancelled for weather.
So I consider myself somewhat of an expert.
With that, I want to give you my review of the Disney Paris drone show. Because while it’s good, there are some issues with the whole experience. And if you do go to Paris to see the Disney drone show (and if you’re reading this, then you absolutely should!) read on for my tips around watching it.
(Photo by Hamilton Nguyen)
Disney Electrical Sky Parade: the ultimate guide (with reviews and tips)
Disney Electrical Sky Parade debuted in early 2024 inside Disneyland Park in Paris, which is one of two Disney-owned theme parks just outside of Paris.
The elaborate drone show is synced to music, as well as other effects like projections on the castle and buildings of Main Street. It features up to 500 drones which fly in shapes seen from the Main Street Electrical Parade, which true Disney fans may recognize as a quirky, 1970s-era parade that today has somewhat of a cult following.
Disneyland Paris Entertainment puts on the nightly show in collaboration with Dronisos, which is one of the best drone show companies in the world. It’s set to run through Jan. 6, 2025. It’s not clear what happens to all the drones after that. (Though if I had to bet, I’d guess a new drone show will fly in.)
And this is not Disneyland Paris’s first show. Past drone shows have included Disney D-Light and Avengers: Power the Night (the latter of which played at the sister park to Disneyland Paris and is located adjacent to it). Disney Paris even recently broke a Guinness World Record with a Bastille Day show that featured a tricolor Mickey Mouse head made out of 1,571 drones.
The show occurs nightly at 10:30 p.m. Because it doesn’t get dark until really late at the height of France’s summer, the show has to occur that late in order to see the drones. Here’s the other kicker. The 10-minute drone show is actually just the opening act of the fireworks show, which launches almost immediately after the drones clear the area.
The fireworks show, Disney Illuminations, similarly uses music, projection effects and other castle effects like fountains. But, it basically replaces the drones with fireworks.
And I’m saying it — not just because I’m The Drone Girl. Disney Electrical Sky Parade, which is supposed to be just the appetizer, is better than the Disney Illuminations fireworks show. And with that, here’s my review.
(Photo by Hamilton Nguyen)
My review of Disney Electrical Sky Parade
I’ve seen a lot of Disney fireworks shows. Growing up in Southern California, I had a Disneyland annual pass since I was seven years old. (Yes, I was spoiled, but also annual passes were way cheaper back then, and our parents preferred us tweens and teens hanging out at Disneyland versus getting into mischief.)
In high school, I worked at Disneyland. That was primarily in Mickey’s Toontown, where the fireworks were launched. And if you didn’t dash out of work fast enough, you got trapped and had to watch the fireworks show. Yes, I watched a lot of fireworks.
So as you can see, I know a lot about Disney fireworks. I also know that they generally follow a prosaic formula. They kick off with a series of smaller, colorful bursts set to the hottest Disney tunes. It’s either classics, like hits from “The Lion King” that we all know, or a song from the latest movie Disney is seeking to promote. From there, the fireworks build up in intensity, accompanied by a crescendo of upbeat music. A grand finale features larger, more elaborate displays. It’s always set to power ballade with lyrics that inspire some sort of message like “follow your heart” or “just believe” that’s sung by what sounds like discount-Celine Dion.
Perhaps that’s why the Main Street Electrical Parade is such a cult classic (and why the drone version is so refreshing, too). Both electrical iterations buck that trend of Disney fireworks. Instead, you get a kitschy, one-of-a-kind ear-worm with no such cliche messaging. The song, Baroque Hoedown is one of few words.
The drone version takes the spirit of the 1970’s parade and gives it a 2024 spin. The heart and soul of the parade is there. But rather than dancing lights on wheels — which felt tech-forward in 1972 — we now have dancing lights in the sky.
Add in effects like projections and fountains, and it’s a thoughtful, multi-sensory experience.
And at 10 minutes, it’s long enough to feel fulfilling, but short enough to leave you wanting more.
(Photo by Hamilton Nguyen)
Let’s talk about the Disney Illuminations fireworks
Remember the cliche fireworks shows I told you that Disney is infamous for? Disney Illuminations, which is the fireworks show that immediately follows Disney Electrical Sky Parade, fits the bill perfectly. And that’s not a good thing.
Disney Illuminations is not bad. But following Disney Electrical Sky Parade, it’s not great.
It’s kind of like when you have a wonderful meal of fresh ravioli or melt-in-your-mouth pizza at your favorite Italian restaurant. Just as you’re cleaning your plate, the waiter comes up to you with a basket of bread and says, “ah, this is also part of your meal.”
I’m sorry. I don’t want some bland, mediocre bread after I just ate the best ravioli of my life. Before hand, as I was browsing the menu, sure. But to pile on dull carbs after consuming the most dazzling carbs ever? No thank you.
(Disney Illuminations is the bread basket in this analogy).
In fact — I’m not making this up — on both nights that I watched the drone show, people who watched the drone show left either just after (or during) the subsequent fireworks show.
I’m still confused as to why Disney would place two similar shows, back-to-back. Placing the drone show first makes sense because smoke from the fireworks might cloud the drones. But why fireworks in the first place?
If I were Bob Iger (that’s Disney’s CEO), I’d put either the drone show or the fireworks over at Disney’s other park called Walt Disney Studios Park, which is due for some entertainment. The park right now is so light on attractions, that it’s getting a complete makeover (soon to be called Disney Adventure World).
A drone show would easily be the top attraction at Walt Disney Studios Park. And hey, at one point the drone show was over at that park rather than the primarily Disneyland Park.
Tips for watching the Disney Paris drone show
Whether or not you stick around for Disney Illuminations, any drone show fan needs to head to Disneyland Paris to see the drone show. If you do, here’s what you need to know:
Plan for weather at Disney Paris
Fireworks can be finicky about weather. Drones? Even more so. Throw in the fact that Paris gets snow (the U.S. parks don’t) and there’s an added layer of complication for the drones.
Fireworks typically don’t take off in rain. Drones definitely don’t — but here’s where it gets even trickier. Drones don’t take off if there’s even a chance of rain.
That’s what happened to me on my first night in Paris. I had planned to see the drone show. It had been raining on and off earlier in the day. It also rained about two hours before. Still, the drone show was cancelled — even though the fireworks show went on.
Now it’s not all for naught. Even though the drone show was cancelled, Disney still played the music and went on with the projection effects. It’s still a “B” show sans drones. But for an “A” show, only go on clear days.
And since that can be tough to predict, you might do what I did, and book three nights there to maximize your odds of seeing it at least one night. Or, check weather history and book a trip during what the history books consider the least rainy months.
Now not even past data is a guarantee of future weather, but here are all the months, ranked by least to most rainfall in Paris, according to the U.K. Met Office data:
February (46 mm average rainfall)
March (47 mm average rainfall)
September (52 mm average rainfall)
April (55 mm average rainfall)
January (56 mm average rainfall)
November (56 mm average rainfall)
June (59 mm average rainfall)
August (60 mm average rainfall)
May (66 mm average rainfall)
October (67 mm average rainfall)
July (73 mm average rainfall)
December (75 mm average rainfall)
Your best bet is to visit Disneyland Paris in February or March to maximize your odds of seeing the drone show. Alas, I visited in August, one of the rainier months.
Pick the right spot to watch
On nights when the show is on, make sure you can see it from the right vantage point.
Most people recommend watching the combination drone and fireworks shows not too close, but not too far back. Many stand right where the Main Street buildings end, before the esplanade opens up. This is good, because you can also see the projections on the Main Street buildings.
But for drone fans, I recommend getting as absolutely close as you can. Drone Nerds like you and I want to try to spot the drones themselves in the sky. You want to notice how the pyro fits onto the actual drones. You want to see every detail. With that, get right up against the castle.
Crowds are heavy about 30-60 minutes before showtime. (Photo by Hamilton Nguyen)
Now many people arrive more than an hour ahead of time to watch. They typically grab a seat on the ground (and some even come equipped with their own picnic blanket). If you arrive and already feel like you’re farther back than you expected, though, don’t panic. Disney makes an announcement about 15 minutes before showtime asking everyone to stand up. When that happens, everyone ends up getting much closer than before (because standing takes up less space than sitting).
Drone Girl pro tip: I’m short (4’10”), so I end up always getting a view of someone’s back at things like this (and other concerts and festivals). To avoid this, find a trash can, and stand behind it. This guarantees no one can stand directly in front of you.
Pro-tip: Stand behind a trash can for a clearer view. I’m serious! (Photo by Hamilton Nguyen)
Pay for reserved seating (maybe)
If you really want the best experience, you can pay extra for reserved viewing, which gets you a guaranteed great spot for both the drone show and the fireworks after. The viewing area is the absolute best spot to view, as it’s right in front of the castle.
Disney recommends you arrive 30 minutes before start time, but technically you can enter anytime up until 10 minutes before the indicated start time. Though, don’t miss it, as you will not be eligible for a refund if you miss the 10 minute window.
The Disney drone show reserved seating cost varies by day, so check the official Disneyland Paris mobile app to find prices on the day of your visit. When I visited, it was about €20 per person, but it might be higher or lower depending on demand. Of course, that’s on top of holding valid theme park admission.
I opted out (because Drone Girl is a low budget operation, hehe!) but if you have cash to spare, it might be worth it.
Once you’ve purchased the tickets through the official Disneyland Paris mobile app, you’ll simply show the QR code from your app at the designated entrance to get a great view.
The drone show starts at 10:30, and the fireworks follow. From there, it takes a significant amount of time for the crowds to leave the park, so you might not even get outside of the gates until 11:30 p.m. or later. Even if you’re staying on-property at a Disney-owned hotel, anticipate staying awake until at least midnight.
If that has you feeling like Cinderella’s coach-turned -pumpkin, have a game plan. Sleep in. Or, better yet, take a midday nap. Especially if you’re visiting in the summer, parks get hot in the afternoon. No matter the day, crowds tend to peak in the afternoon.
Use that to your advantage by leaving the parks during the most crowded time, napping in your room, and coming back to the parks refreshed and ready to watch some drones.
Have you seen Disney Electrical Sky Parade? What’s your review? Do you have any tips for watching or generally visiting Disney Paris? Share them in the comments below!
Not able to make it to Paris? There’s a Disney drone show in the U.S., and it’s free! Head to Disney Springs, the free-to-visit outdoor shopping district at Walt Disney World in Florida. The nightly drone show, “Disney Dreams That Soar,” is wildly popular.
