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Sky Elements: everything to know about the drone show company featured on America’s Got Talent

Posted by Dronerator

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

Rise to fame via America’s Got Talent

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

Sky Elements drone light show Oakland A's Coliseum
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

Sky Elements drone light show Oakland A's Coliseum
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.

gender reveal
Serena Williams and her family watch a drone show as part of her gender reveal party.

Prominent shows in the Sky Elements portfolio include a drone show for Serena Williams’ gender reveal party. It’s put on themed shows, like both Pixar and Nickelodeon-themed shows. It also won the SPH Engineering International Drone Show Competition.

How Sky Elements drone shows work

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 drone light show Oakland A's Coliseum
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!

It’s also likely Sky Elements will inspire a new generation of drone light show companies. And in fact, you can start up your own drone show companies. There are a few ways to go about that, including using the Drone Dojo light show kit, which you can unlock with a Blue Belt Membership. There’s also the Drone Blocks light show drone kit, which costs about $7,500. Check out the Drone Blocks drone show kit review.

The post Sky Elements: everything to know about the drone show company featured on America’s Got Talent appeared first on The Drone Girl.

8,100 Drones Light Show in Shenzhen Sets New Guinness World Record

Posted by Dronerator
A stunning display of 8,100 drones lit up night sky over Shenzhen, China, setting a new Guinness World Record for the most drones flying simultaneously. The drone light shows in the video were performed at the  Universiade Sports Center on September 4 and 5. These two performances successfully broke two Guinness World Records. On September […]

Sky Elements soars into America’s Got Talent Finals — and we’ll be there live

Posted by Dronerator

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

The Sky Elements AGT run, so far

Sky Elements America's Got Talent Season 19 Simon Cowell Astronaut
Image courtesy of Sky Elements

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.

Sky Elements is largely considered the biggest drone show company in the U.S. It’s even one of the biggest drone show companies in the world.

The America’s Got Talent audition

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.

Related read: How much does a drone light show cost?

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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Curious about how to put on your own drone light show? Check out either the Drone Dojo light show kit, which you can unlock with a Blue Belt Membership. Or, consider the Drone Blocks light show drone kit, which costs about $7,500. Check out the Drone Blocks drone show kit review.

The post Sky Elements soars into America’s Got Talent Finals — and we’ll be there live appeared first on The Drone Girl.

Illumin Drone Shows Expands to U.S. with Spectacular Southern Debut

Posted by Dronerator

Canadian Drone Show Producer Aims to Dazzle Audiences with Story-Driven Displays and Cutting-Edge Technology Across Florida and Beyond by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNab Toronto, Canada-based drone show producer Illumin Drone Shows recently announced a new expansion across the border, starting with shows in Florida and eventually across the southern U.S. market. Following rave […]

The post Illumin Drone Shows Expands to U.S. with Spectacular Southern Debut appeared first on DRONELIFE.

Drones for Safety to Space Navigation: on this episode of Weekly Wings

Posted by Dronerator

In this episode of Weekly Wings, co-hosts Paul Rossi and Terry Neff take listeners on a whirlwind tour of the latest developments in the drone industry and beyond. From dramatic rescue missions to cutting-edge military tech, and even a surprising navigation lesson from dung beetles, this episode is packed with fascinating insights and lively discussions. […]

The post Drones for Safety to Space Navigation: on this episode of Weekly Wings appeared first on DRONELIFE.

Disney Paris drone show review: everything you need to know about watching the spectacle

Posted by Dronerator

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.

Sally French Disneyland Paris
(Photo by Hamilton Nguyen)

Disney Electrical Sky Parade: the ultimate guide (with reviews and tips)

Disney Electrical Sky Parade: all about the show

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.

Disneyland Paris drone show Disney Electrical Sky Parade drone girl Sally French
(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:

  1. February (46 mm average rainfall)
  2. March (47 mm average rainfall)
  3. September (52 mm average rainfall)
  4. April (55 mm average rainfall)
  5. January (56 mm average rainfall)
  6. November (56 mm average rainfall)
  7. June (59 mm average rainfall)
  8. August (60 mm average rainfall)
  9. May (66 mm average rainfall)
  10. October (67 mm average rainfall)
  11. July (73 mm average rainfall)
  12. 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.

Disneyland Paris drone show crowds 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.

Disneyland Paris drone show crowds castle trash can tip Disney Paris
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.

Fit it into your day

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.

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Who spends the most money on drone shows? Surprising data suggests it’s not what you’d think

Posted by Dronerator

Between all the summer holidays including Juneteenth, Pride and Independence Day, there’s a good chance you saw some fireworks in America over the past month or two. If you were lucky, you saw a drone show. But if you think the U.S. is the biggest spender on drone shows, think again. The countries that currently spend the most money on drone shows might surprise you.

SPH Engineering, which builds drone show technology and is also behind the annual International Drone Show Competition, just put out a study that sheds light and which countries spend the most money on drone shows — and more specifically what types of groups are actually commissioning them.

Their report, called the “Drone Show Market Analysis,” was made in June 2024 in collaboration with market research group Duamentes Global Alliance based on data from 1,000 drone shows across 62 countries.

They found that, as of summer 2024, the global drone show market is worth $338.99 million — but it’s growing. The U.S. spends big money often, and that’s certainly true in terms of drone shows, with North America making up $84.15 million of the total global drone show figure. Europe follows with $66.19 million of the share, followed by the Asia Pacific region at $15.19 million.

Here’s what % of overall drone shows that each region accounts for:

  • North America: 34% of all drone shows (in terms of raw # of performances)
  • Europe: 16%
  • Asia Pacific region: 12%
  • China: 7%

SPH Engineering put that data — and more — together, in a handy infographic (which you can download in full here):

who spends the most money on drone light shows

The ultimate guide to spending money on drone shows

Where do customers spend the most money on drone shows?

In terms of dollar spent per show, the U.S. is far from the highest. In fact, it’s among the lowest.

Instead, the country that spends the most per show is China, where the average drone show costs $114,564. Also in the top three in terms of highest price per show? The Middle East/North Africa region, which spends on average $112,250 per show, and India which spends $91,700 per show.

In Europe, the average drone show costs $42,034. In the Latin America region, the average drone show costs just $25,550. That’s just 22% of what they’re spending over in China.

Why are drone shows so expensive in China?

Why are shows so much more expensive in China, the Middle East and India? In short, they’re larger and grander. In China, an average of 660 drones are used per show. And that’s just an average, suggesting that some drone shows have far more than that. For context, the record for largest drone show happened in Korea, where UVify put on an artistic drone show featuring 5,293 of its IFO drones.

In the U.S., drone shows just aren’t as big. That’s in part because the U.S. has a proliferation of drone show startups — in turn meaning shows that are smaller and more homemade in style. The average drone show in North America uses just 218 drones.

Heck, this drone light show kit can give you what you need to put on your own, personal drone show for just $10,000. In another example, the largest drone show I’ve seen in-person – a Star Wars drone show by Sky Elements — had just 500 drones. Sky Elements says their show prices start at $15,000 for smaller shows.

How drone show cost is determined

In general, the cost of a drone show is tied directly to how many drones are used. Sure, there are some other (relatively) minor costs like permitting, travel to the location, scouting, staff training and drone insurance. But those tend to be mostly fixed costs that see little to no change depending on how many drones are used.

The cost per individual light show drone can easily run between $1,000 and $2,000. Thus, a 660-drone show (that’s the average size of a drone show in China) could easily mean more than $600,000 worth of hardware in the sky, and potentially more than $1.3 million, based on those figures.

The good news? Drones are reusable, so that’s mostly a one-time upfront cost. That’s in contrast to fireworks, which are a one-time use. You really are basically just lighting money on fire with a fireworks show, as you’ll have to spend that money again to get ammo for the next show.

As companies are able to amortize the huge upfront costs, expect drone light shows to become more affordable over time. And already we’re already seeing proof of that. For example, the average cost per drone in a show in China is just $175, according to SPH data. No, that doesn’t mean that Chinese drone show companies are using cheap toy drones that cost that little. It’s just that Chinese drone show companies generally charge about that much to put on a show. So, you can expect an 1,000 drone show in China to cost $175,000.

Meanwhile, budget about $233 per drone, per show in the U.S. So, a massive, 1,000-drone show would cost over $230,000. But, you might only pay just over $20,000 for a smaller show with, say, 100 drones. That aligns with other reporting we’ve done on drone light show costs in the U.S. For example, one of the leaders in drone shows, Sky Elements, says their prices start at about $15,000 for the absolute smallest shows.

How much each region spends on drone shows, compared

Here are those figures rounded up, by region, sorted by average spending per show:

Average cost of
drone light show		 Average # of drones per show Average cost per drone
China $114,564 660 $175
Middle East/North Africa $112,250 401 $316
India $91,700 396 $330
United Kingdom $90,570 257 $309
Asia Pacific $58,440 307 $195
North America $52,455 218 $233
Europe $42,034 182 $227
Latin America $25,550 115 $218

What type of clients spend money on drone shows?

So who is actually spending all that money on drone shows? Turns out, it’s governments — and local and city governments, at that. According to the SPH Engineering study, 18% of all drone show customers are city governments. Commercial businesses are the second largest drone show customer, making up 15% of clients. Rounding out the top 3 is a tie between the sports sector and art festivals, both of which make up 9% of all clients.

They’re also popping up at resorts, theme parks and trade shows, though the trend is hardly new. Today, the free Disney Dreams That Soar drone show at Disney Springs is wowing audiences, but Disney Springs first put on a drone show way back during the 2016 winter holiday season. And in 2018, CES — which is the world’s largest electronics trade show — worked with Intel to put on a drone show at the Bellagio in Vegas.

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American drone show companies: the biggest names in nighttime entertainment

Posted by Dronerator

Drone shows around the world can be fascinating. In South Korea, UVify set the record for most drones flown simultaneously. In the Middle East, drone shows are a massive spectacle, averaging a whopping 401 drones per show. But what about American drone show companies?

As it turns out, the U.S. dominates in terms of sheer number of drone shows by country. North America accounts for 34% of all the world’s drone shows. In fact, there were more than 1,000 drone shows documented across North America over the past year (and most of those coming out of the U.S.). That’s according to the Drone Show Market Analysis, which is a report put out in June 2024 from SPH Engineering made in collaboration with market research group Duamentes Global Alliance.

That’s due in large part to the fact that there simply are so many American drone show companies. Chalk it up to American entrepreneurial spirit, a relatively-flexible regulatory environment, or a fairly robust amount of available business capital. Whether one or all of those things, the American drone light show business is thriving.

North American drone shows occur at all sorts of big public sporting events, concerts and festivals. My first drone show was a Star Wars drone show after an Oakland A’s baseball game. They also exist at major rodeos, county fairs and theme parks.

So with that, here’s your ultimate guide to American drone companies that put on light shows:

The ultimate guide to American drone show companies

The biggest drone show companies in the U.S.

What are the biggest drone show companies in the U.S.? According to the SPH Engineering June 2024 report, there are about three dozen drone light show companies in the U.S. These are the biggest names:

Sky Elements

American drone show America’s Got Talent audition Simon Cowell Sky Elements
A Sky Elements drone show as part of an America’s Got Talent audition. (Photo courtesy of Sky Elements)

Sky Elements is the biggest drone show company in the U.S. Based out of Texas, they put on shows nationwide. That included the Serena Williams gender reveal drone show, the Houston Rodeo, countless MLB games and a post-Super Bowl drone show on the Las Vegas Strip.

Sky Elements has participated in fun, media events too, which continue to build its brand. For example, Sky Elements sent 1,000 drones into the sky for an America’s Got Talent audition, upon which Simon Cowell pushed the Golden Buzzer.

Sky Elements also nabbed a Guinness World Record when it put on 40 drone shows in a single weekend (that was during the 2023 Fourth of July weekend). The award-winning company nabbed multiple spots in the SPH Engineering International Drone Show Competition. According to SPH Engineering, Sky Elements holds a 22.2% market share among U.S. drone show companies.

Pixis Drones

Pixis Drones is America’s second-largest drone show company, with an estimated 10.9% market share. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, it also has satellite offices in cities including Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami, Nashville, and NYC.

Its clients are mostly corporate clients, ranging from corporate names like Edward Jones and Deloitte, to fun entertainment, leisure, food and travel brands like Hasbro, Fox, Marriott, McDonald’s and Netflix.

Skyworx

A drone show featuring Verge Aero drones after Biden’s address to the nation from the Chase Center in November 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Skyworx is not only an American drone show company, but they explicitly use American drones as their preferred aircraft. Skyworx uses custom-built by Texas-based aircraft maker Verge Aero. They’re basically custom versions of the Aero-X1 and Aero-X7.

Verge Aero perhaps most famously put on the drone show for President-Elect Biden’s victory celebration in November 2020.

Verge Aero recently launched a new software tool called Verge Aero Composer. The software has the potential to make the drone show industry more accessible by allowing individuals to create their own drone shows without actually having any technical experience.

Theme park drone shows

Theme parks seem to be the biggest driver in propelling drone show technology forward. Just this summer, Orlando was home to two competing drone shows. Universal Studios Orlando put on CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular which features 600 drones flying to iconic movie soundtracks such as “Harry Potter” and “Ghostbusters.” Though you need a Universal ticket to watch it, the full sensory experience makes use of other features in the theme park. That includes dancing water fountains on the lagoon in the center, fireworks, and projection mapping on the buildings around the lagoon.

Disney Dreams That Soar. (Photo courtesy of Walt Disney World)

But just across the city from Universal Orlando plays the nightly Disney World drone show called “Disney Dreams That Soar.” Perhaps because this one is free to watch (it’s held at Disney Springs, the free outdoor shopping mall on Disney property), it’s been drawing unprecedented crowds.

And though those are two of the biggest U.S. theme parks, other smaller parks have also been crushing the drone light shows, including Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana.

How much does a drone show cost in the U.S.?

Drone shows vary in cost, generally contingent upon how many drones are used. Other factors at play include travel, scope of putting on the show (e.g. complicated permitting) and whether or not custom designs are needed.

That said, many drone show companies price their drone shows per drone. Find that figure, and you can get a sense of what you can afford. For example, SkyWorx charges $200 to $400 per drone used in a show. According to SPH’s report, the average drone show in the U.S. comes out to $233 per drone.

In North America, drone shows average 218 aircraft per show, according to the June 2024 SPH report. So, you can expect a SkyWorx show featuring 218 drones to cost a minimum of $43,600, but potentially nearly $90,000.

Meanwhile a 218 aircraft show at $233 per drone (the average based on SPH data) would come out to $52,455 per drone show.

Keep in mind that some drone show companies have a minimum budget, meaning they’ll only do big shows. For example, Pixis Drones — which tends to have big, corporate clients — inherently commands bigger budgets on the outset. This isn’t the company to put on a small show for your wedding. The minimum price tag on their inquiry form is $30,000.

Sky Elements is one of those companies that puts on so many shows, that it’s also willing to do smaller scale shows. Sky Elements drone show prices start at $15,000 for smaller, stock shows — which might work well for an extravagant wedding or even Serena Williams-style baby shower. Of course, prices get much higher for larger, more intricate performances or those with custom designs.

How to pick the best drone show company

We named the biggest drone show companies, but with roughly three dozen American drone show companies and counting, there are plenty to choose from. And ideally, you’ll find one that fits your budget.

When selecting the right drone show company, consider these key factors:

  • Show design: Assess the company’s ability to create unique and customized drone light shows aligned with your event’s theme. Though, understand that custom designs generally entail greater cost.
  • Inclusive packages: Look for companies that provide comprehensive packages including design, permits, and on-site support. Don’t get caught off-guard by potential hidden fees, like permitting fees.
  • Experience and qualifications: Review the company’s portfolio and the scale of previous shows they’ve produced.
  • Team qualifications: Ensure the company employs experienced pilots, engineers, and creative directors. With drone shows, a pilot who has a Remote Pilot Certificate is not enough. You want people with experience in IT, design, project management and other skills.
  • FAA certification: That said, holding that Remote Pilot Certificate is required of at least one person on the onsite team. Verify that the company and its pilots hold the necessary FAA licenses and permits. Here’s the database to search Part 107-certified pilots. And ensure, the company is cleared to fly in the airspace of your event, assuming it’s in regulated airspace.
  • Compliance with local regulations: Besides federal rules, ensure the company is aware of and adheres to all local regulations and airspace restrictions.
  • Safety protocols: Inquire about their safety procedures, including emergency plans and insurance coverage.
  • Insurance coverage: Verify that the company carries adequate insurance to protect you and your event. Though the FAA doesn’t require drone insurance specifically to fly, a drone light show over a big event should have liability insurance. The company you hire should have comprehensive insurance coverage, including aviation, general liability, workers comp and maybe even automotive insurance. That protects you, them and audience members.
  • Industry awards and recognition: Though not always an indicator of a great company, awards at least can indicate a company’s reputation and expertise. The annual International Drone Show Competition from SPH Engineering is one of the biggest competitions to follow.

What will drone shows be like going forward?

(Photo courtesy of Sky Elements)

The big extra dose of pizzaz to expect in drone shows going forward? Drone shows with fireworks. Earlier this year, Sky Elements received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval to be able to attach fireworks to drones. While Sky Elements was the first to receive such a landmark approval, expect more to join now that the precedent has been set.

American drone shows soar as other American drone companies struggle

The American drone show industry is experiencing a meteoric rise, capturing the imagination of audiences and corporate clients alike. Yet, this burgeoning success stands in stark contrast to the challenges faced by U.S. drone manufacturers.

Especially when it comes to American consumer drone companies, the industry has faced intense competition from overseas. Competition is particularly from China, where production costs are significantly lower. That’s led to legislation seeking to give American drone companies a leg up, including the Countering CCP Drones Act, which would outright ban Chinese-made drones. Other proposed legislation has sought to give American drone makers a leg up, such as the Drones for First Responders (DFR) Act. That proposal would add a tariff on Chinese drones, but then grant funding to American drone users to shop from American drone companies.

But at least with light show companies, America is thriving — and the industry continues to grow. That’s due in large part to products that are making light shows more and more accessible. For example, the Drone Blocks light show drone kit turns light shows into a STEM classroom project. Meanwhile, the Drone Dojo light show kit allows you to program a single drone light show for less than $1,000 (and you can buy more drones to put on your own show.

Want to watch a drone show for yourself? I continuously update my drone show events schedule with the biggest and best drone light shows in North America.

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Drone Girl in Paris: I’m watching Disney’s Electrical Sky Parade — finally!

Posted by Dronerator

Some have called Disney’s Electrical Sky Parade the best drone show ever. It’s about time I decide for myself.

Tonight, I’m trading in my drone controller for a pair of Mickey Mouse ears. I’m not flying drones tonight, I’m watching them, and I’ll be doing it live tonight at Disneyland Paris. While most folks are in town for the 2024 Paris Olympics, I knew I had to head to Paris before what’s billed as the most mesmerizing drone show ever ends its run on Sept. 30, 2024.

This will be the second drone show I’ve ever seen with my own eyes. The first was also themed to Disney. That was a Star Wars drone show put on by Sky Elements, held after an Oakland A’s baseball game. And perhaps that’s not surprising. I do love Disney just as much as I love drones.

And though this will be my second drone show, I’m planning to see it three times! Yes, I’ll be watching this parade for three nights straight to find out all the right angles to look out for, as well as the best places to watch. Stay tuned for future editions of this Flight Diaries series, as I promise I’ll give you all the tips on watching Disney’s Electrical Sky Parade!

And even if you miss this specific show, expect more going forward. Disneyland Paris has had a fairly long history of drone shows, including past shows like Disney D-Light and Avengers: Power the Night.

The final Sept. 30 performance of Disney’s Electrical Sky Parade might be the last one of this particular show (for now, at least) but expect more shows coming soon. And hey, this show might return itself. After all, the 1970s parade continuously gets updates and returns to Main Street on an unpredictable but still quasi-frequent basis.

What to know about Disney’s Electrical Sky Parade

Disney's Electrical Sky Parade
Photo courtesy of Disney

Brought to life by French drone light show company Dronisos, Disney’s Electrical Sky Parade recreates beloved scenes from the classic Main Street Electrical Parade. That parade debuted in the 1970s, but the 2024 version gets a refresh by way of more than 500 drones. With it, drones fly into the formations of classic characters such as Elliott the Dragon from the 1977 film “Pete’s Dragon.” It’s all synchronized to that same electro-syntho-magnetic soundtrack that was famous in the 1970s.

It runs most nights in the skies over Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Paris.

The light show drones themselves are modified versions of aircraft from French drone maker Parrot. Parrot is perhaps most famous for its now-defunct Bebop drone. Dronisos made a deal with Parrot to iterate on its platforms to build a drone-show specific product that’s made in France.

Image courtesy of Dronisos.
Graphic courtesy of Dronisos

Dronisos uses a few Parrot drones as its template. That includes the Mambo (initially marketed as a toy drone), which has since been renamed “Helios.” Though, Helios is an indoor-only light show drone.

Dronisos also uses a reworked Parrot Bebop 2, which it mounted a light to, and renamed it the Zephyr drone. It also uses the more powerful Anafi drone, which it modified to be a new aircraft called Autan.

Mickey Mouse Bastille Day Guinness world record drone show Disneyland Paris Dronisos
Photo courtesy of Disney

Not only are the Disneyland Paris drones powerful, but there are a lot of them. Also this summer, Disneyland Paris and Dronisos together set a Guinness World Record for “Largest aerial display of a fictional character formed by multirotors / drones.” As part of the 2024 Bastille Day celebrations (which occur every year on July 14), Dronisos sent a spectacular, tricolor Mickey Mouse head made out of 1,571 drones into the sky.

So with that, I’m signing off to jump on Space Mountain before tonight’s drone show. Au revoir!

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