ORLANDO -- A buzzing sound filled the air in Disney Springs, along with a steadily building score of music. Lights, seemingly moving of their own accord, made their way across the water, twinkling blue and white in the dark.
Drones form the iconic house from the Disney Pixar film “Up.” Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
Hundreds of drones were positioning themselves above the water, ready to create 400-foot-tall versions of Disney icons like Peter Pan, Buzz Lightyear and even the Death Star, in the 10-minute "Disney Dreams that Soar" show.
The nightly show has been running at Disney Springs for a few weeks and will continue through Sept. 2 (show times vary).
The drones are invisible to the naked eye. They only become visible when they light up as part of the display. The only hint that drones are behind the display is their steady, low buzzing. But that becomes obscured while music is playing.
Drones form the Death Star of Star Wars fame. Photo Credit: Jamie Biesiada
The characters and scenes are impressive at 400 feet tall. The most impressive is when whatever the drones are forming "moves." Take, for instance, the iconic house from the 2009 Pixar film "Up." It forms in the sky, then "flies" around, aided by its balloons.
My favorite was the Death Star from Star Wars. I appreciated the dialogue from "Star Wars: A New Hope," and even more so the moment when the moon-like spaceship was "blown up" in the sky by Luke Skywalker.
Nighttime displays in Disney's theme parks tend to draw huge crowds, making it tough to get a prime viewing spot and even tougher to leave the park once the show is over. But at Disney Springs, the viewing experience was much more laid back.
The drone show is significantly quieter than a fireworks show, which is always peppered with boom after boom as pyrotechnics are shot into the air. This is a particular boon for children and adults sensitive to loud, sudden noises.