Disney Parks Will Replace Beloved Nighttime Castle Show With Drone “Parade”

It’s a whole new technological world.

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For many years, The Walt Disney Company has maintained an unparalleled status in the realm of theme park entertainment. It has consistently strived to provide exceptional experiences to guests by incorporating state-of-the-art technology across its numerous parks around the globe.

The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, has gained renown as “The Happiest Place On Earth,” a phrase coined by Walt Disney and upheld throughout the company’s history.

Over time, Disney’s influence has transcended borders, reaching destinations such as the Walt Disney World Resort and the Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida. The impact of the Disney Resort brand has expanded globally, encompassing iconic locations like the Tokyo Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, Shanghai Disney Resort, and the Disneyland Paris Resort.

Related: Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean Character Removal Leaves Staff in Tears

New Is Always Better?

Adhering to Walt Disney’s principle of continuous improvement — referred to as “plussing”, AKA the philosophy of “constantly going above and beyond” — Disney parks consistently embrace advancements. The Walt Disney Company is renowned for its impeccable presentation and flawless facades. In fact, Walt Disney’s dedication to cleanliness and aesthetics was so profound that the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland, for instance, was not permitted to have a visibly worn or crumbling exterior. That is the level of dedication that Disney attempts to uphold.

Disney is widely recognized for its innovative “plussing” endeavors, like in the integration of augmented reality elements into attractions such as the Haunted Mansion and the deployment of advanced drone technology in their renowned nighttime shows. While Disney remains dedicated to maintaining that excellence, there may be occasional instances where this exceptional standard is not entirely realized.

The New Castle Show Replacement

As we reported previously, it seems as if new, tech-heavy shows are set to come to Disney parks worldwide. With an emphasis on drones and other technology like projection mapping previously utilized in the Magic Kingdom’s Main Street USA, and Disney Enchantment and Happily Ever After, it seems as if Disney is starting to test the feasibility of using drones more heavily in their nighttime spectaculars.

That means revamping most nighttime entertainment at their Parks — starting with Disneyland Paris Resort’s Disneyland Park castle extravaganza — likely as a “test run” of sorts before expanding (and probably replacing) existing castle shows with drone-heavy experiences.

Recently, DLP Report shared a “first look and behind the scenes” of the new Disney Electrical Sky Parade, premiering on January 8 and coinciding with the upcoming Symphony of Colours event scheduled for February 10, 2024. Said to try “remixing the winter blues with something colourful, musical and… magical!”, the upcoming event will attempt to liven up the coldest months by “waking up winter” with Tinkerbell’s magic.

The new drone show will seemingly replace the existing castle show, Disney Dreams! nighttime extravaganza, and is likely Disney Park’s testing ground to see if other Parks should adopt this Main Street Electrical Parade-inspired Sky Parade:

⚠️ Breaking: the new drone show inspired by the Main Street Electrical Parade will be called “Disney Electrical Sky Parade”
It premieres January 8 as part of the “Symphony of Colours” offering. New concept art:

⚠️ Breaking: the new drone show inspired by the Main Street Electrical Parade will be called “Disney Electrical Sky Parade”
It premieres January 8 as part of the “Symphony of Colours” offering. New concept art: pic.twitter.com/of9z1PnWx9

— DLP Report (@DLPReport) November 18, 2023

Check out Disney’s new Peter Pan-themed pirate ship made of drones and clever pyrotechnics:

🖌️ Video: First look and behind the scenes at the creation of the upcoming new Disneyland Paris drone show “Disney Electrical Sky Parade”, premiering Jan 8:

🖌️ Video: First look and behind the scenes at the creation of the upcoming new Disneyland Paris drone show “Disney Electrical Sky Parade”, premiering Jan 8: pic.twitter.com/MCGQbJqSJr

— DLP Report (@DLPReport) November 18, 2023

New concept art has also been released by The Walt Disney Company, showing off that iconic Main Street Electrical Parade-like aesthetic:

🖌️ New concept art for the “Disney Electrical Sky Parade” debuting Jan 8 at Disneyland Paris.
Not to be outdone, the show will be taking things to the next level with technical innovations like pyrotechnics released directly from the drones (first concept):

🖌️ New concept art for the “Disney Electrical Sky Parade” debuting Jan 8 at Disneyland Paris.
Not to be outdone, the show will be taking things to the next level with technical innovations like pyrotechnics released directly from the drones (first concept): pic.twitter.com/OCpLVDH6RL

— DLP Report (@DLPReport) November 18, 2023

What do you think of Disney bringing new technology, like drones, to the Disney parks? Share your thoughts wth us in the comments below!

Embark on an enchanting journey at the heart of Europe with the Disneyland Paris Resort. Nestled in Marne-la-Vallee, France, this premier European theme park and beloved Disney destination is conveniently located next to the captivating Disney Village—a must-visit for all ages. Disneyland Park invites you to immerse yourself in a world of exhilarating rides, captivating performances, immersive stories, and delightful encounters with beloved Disney characters, including your favorite princesses. Explore the enchanting ambiance of Sleeping Beauty Castle and venture into thrilling adventures in Main Street USA, Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Discoveryland. Be sure not to miss iconic attractions such as Big Thunder Mountain, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril, or the rethemed Space Mountain, now known as Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain. Just nearby, Walt Disney Studios Park awaits with Avengers Campus and Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, offering an even broader array of experiences for everyone.

You can purchase and reserve your Disneyland Paris ticket and Disney Premier Access over on the official website. More information about the Disneyland Paris Hotel and Extra Magic Time can also be found there for your Disney Paris trip. You can also download the Disneyland Paris app on Google Play or App Store for an even smoother experience.

This post is originally appeared on Inside the Magic.