Walt Disney is considered one of the greatest dreamers to have ever lived. Inspired by his own dreams, Walt started what has become one of the most successful enterprises in the world. What began with an animated mouse grew into films, television shows, merchandise, and a collection of some of the most popular amusement parks. At the opening of Disneyland California, Walt said, “To all who come to this happy place: Welcome. Disneyland is your land.

Here, age relives fond memories of the past, and here, youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America, with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.” By 1971, Disney World Orlando opened under the slogan “The Most Magical Place on Earth.”

Making the Disney experience magical is more than just a day spent trekking through the parks, tasting unique foods, and enjoying thrilling rides. It’s the little extra things that make the magic happen, whether it’s meeting a favorite character in the park, enjoying a custom show, or simply spending time with loved ones. This past summer, Disney Entertainment added a special limited-time feature to bring even more magic to the Disney experience: a free drone show.

Titled Disney Dreams That Soar, the free drone show ran from May 24 through September 2, 2024. The show was launched over Disney Springs, a free-to-enter shopping and dining plaza. “Imagine hundreds of state-of-the-art drones ‘dancing’ across the sky, choreographed to a soaring musical score of iconic Disney music and memorable dialogue from beloved Disney movies,” Disney stated on its website. The drone show had a runtime of more than 10 minutes and included interactive features that paired up with individuals wearing a MagicBand+.

The show, presented by AT&T, featured 800 LED-equipped mini drones, the customary devices used in any drone light show. The animations measured upwards of 400 feet in size, making them visible throughout much of Disney Springs and the surrounding area. A drone show that reimagines the dreams of soaring wouldn’t be complete without animations of some of Disney’s best-known fliers, like Peter Pan and Tinkerbell, Dumbo, the house from Up, and Aladdin’s Genie.

However, as the director of the show, Tony Giordano, points out, Disney’s vision for the drone show goes beyond characters known for soaring through the sky. “We are presenting Disney characters who have had a dream of flying. Not just the idea that they can fly, but the idea of taking their lives to the next level,” he said. “We put a lot of thought into making sure that no matter how old you are or how much of a fan you are, you’re going to see a character that you love.” The animations include images from classics like the fairies of Sleeping Beauty and Figment the Dragon, interspersed with new favorites like The Guardians of the Galaxy and Coco’s Spirit Dog. As all the animations soar through the sky, beloved music and quotes help tell the story behind the drone show.

The show opens with a musical interlude about dreams that soar, followed by a narrator inviting the audience to join in on a magical adventure “inspired by the magic makers, heroes, and dreamers who have come before.” The narrator goes on to say, “Now, unleash your heart. Let your imagination fly and discover just where you’ll go as we present Disney Dreams That Soar.” Finally, the show concludes with the narrator saying, “Remember, there’s no limit to how far you can go when you have dreams that soar!”

The drone show truly embodies Walt Disney’s vision of letting your dreams take flight. Walt once said, “All our dreams come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” The Disney Dreams That Soar drone show takes the same innovation and imagination that Walt Disney built his life’s work on and brings it into the 21st century.

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