NEWS: First Look at New Drone Show Coming to Disney World

Summer 2024 at Walt Disney World is going to have so many amazing new offerings for guests to enjoy! The season is kicking off with a new drone show at Disney Springs on May 24. Disney released a “first look” at the show. Read more below.

Here are all the details from Disney Cast Member Joey McElroy:

As you may know, the skies above Disney Springs will come alive with our new “Disney Dreams That Soar presented by AT&T” drone show beginning May 24.  And today, we’re excited to share an exclusive first look at the experience fans of Disney characters will absolutely love!

The Disney Live Entertainment team behind this limited-time nighttime experience recently got the chance to see all their hard work take to the skies during the first set of creative rehearsals for the show. Today we’re sharing those first glimpses from an off-site property, as well as some exciting new details, about the larger-than-life experience soon to be the perfect complement to an evening at Disney Springs.

“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.” said Show Director, Tony Giordano. “We put a lot of thought in 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.”

And a lot of characters means a lot of drones. 800 drones to be exact – all working together to create a massive canvas in the night sky. Trust me, nothing can prepare you for the awe of seeing a Baymax nearly twice the height of Spaceship Earth inflate, transform, and disappear right in front of your eyes.

“We were given the assignment to create an experience where you want to just hold the hand of the person next to you,” said Tony. “That’s always echoing in my mind as we work on this show.”

Music plays a big role in that connection. “Disney Dreams That Soar” features well-known and beloved soundtracks in addition to an original song that will inspire you to follow your heart, take a leap of faith, and reach for the stars.

Insider tip: The best place to experience the drones “dancing” to this new soundtrack will be along the waterway in the Disney Springs West Side. Clocking in at just under 10 minutes, the show is a perfect kiss-goodnight to your day of shopping, playing, and dining at Disney Springs, with 2 shows each evening this summer. Also, while you’re out there, keep an eye out for Tony!

“I can’t wait to stand next to the guests and hear their reactions. That’s my favorite part of building any show because those reactions are why we do what we do. We want them to actually experience magic, and when you see all these drones, to me, you get to see real magic!”

Check out the video below, and catch “Disney Dreams That Soar presented by AT&T” nightly May 24-Sept. 2 at Disney Springs.

“Disney Dreams That Soar presented by AT&T” is an outdoor show and subject to cancellation or rescheduling due factors like inclement weather. Showtimes may vary throughout the summer. Check DisneySprings.com for the latest schedule.

RELATED ARTICLE: 13 New & Returning Disney Offerings Coming in Summer 2024 That We’re So Excited For!

by Chad and Cindy Nykamp

1 – May 24 – New Drone Show at Disney Springs!

At Disney Springs, drones take to the skies above Lake Buena Vista at West Side with “Disney Dreams That Soar,” a new summertime experience that will be a late-night perk for guests. State-of-the-art drones, choreographed to create designs in the sky, are paired with a “soaring” musical score and memorable movie quotes to showcase Disney stories that celebrate the joy of flight. This new show debuts on May 24 and will run through September 2!

2 – May 25 – H2O Glow After Hours Returns to Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon

Throughout the summer, guests can look forward to magical late-night parties, allowing them to enjoy the tropical Disney water park with shorter wait times. The 2024 H2O Glow After Hours season offers more event nights than ever, with 18 select evenings from May 25 to August 31, 2024.

This after-hours party turns the water park into a beach bash extravaganza, creating an energetic atmosphere with waves and pulsating beats. Guests can immerse themselves in radiant lighting effects, vibrant decor, and high-energy DJ dance parties with some of their favorite Disney characters, like Goofy. Tickets for this event are on sale now!

3 – June 2024 – Disney Cruise Line’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Welcomes First Guests!

In early June 2024, Disney Cruise Line will welcome guests to a one-of-a-kind island destination at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, located on the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas, for the first time. Created in close collaboration with local artists and advisors, the vibrant island retreat will be a unique celebration of Bahamian culture brought to life with the quality and service of a Disney vacation. On the island, families will enjoy a day of fun in the sun as they relax on pristine beaches, embark on active adventures, and discover the magic of Bahamian storytelling alongside favorite Disney characters. Much like Disney’s cruise ships and the private island of Castaway Cay, Lighthouse Point will offer activities and areas for every age group. Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point will be a featured port of call on select three-, four- and five-night sailings to The Bahamas and the Caribbean on the Disney Magic out of Fort Lauderdale. These itineraries will vary stops between Lighthouse Point and Castaway Cay, with five special departures, including both Disney Cruise Line island destinations.

4 – June 10 – CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza Debut at EPCOT

Capping off a multiyear transformation of EPCOT, CommuniCore Hall and CommuniCore Plaza will open on June 10, 2024. Located in the new World Celebration neighborhood in the heart of the park, the locations will usher in a new era of festivals, exhibits, and entertainment.

Also opening June 10, 2024, is Mickey & Friends, a new location adjacent to CommuniCore Hall where guests can meet some of their favorite Disney pals.

5 – June 10 – New Encanto Sing-Along Debuts at EPCOT

On June 10, 2024, a new limited-time show, “¡Celebración Encanto!” debuts! From June 10 to September 6, guests can enjoy a summer sing-along featuring the beloved songs and story of Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” on the CommuniCore Plaza stage. The new show will run several times throughout the day and invite families to sing along with some of their favorite songs. Guests may even see Mirabel and Bruno join in the fun.

6 – June 10 – 30th Anniversary Celebration of ‘The Lion King’ at Disney’s Animal Kingdom 

Hakuna Matata! The Disney animated classic “The Lion King” celebrates thirty years of being part of the circle of life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom this summer. In addition to special menu items and merchandise to mark the occasion, guests can meet Timon and Rafiki at Rafiki’s Planet Watch. While there, they can also learn to draw beloved characters from the film at the Animation Experience. These new themed offerings will run through September 6.

7 – June 10 – Joy Debuts at Pixar Plaza, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Joy, the popular character from Disney Pixar’s “Inside Out” and “Inside Out 2,” debuts at her new character greeting location in Pixar Plaza starting June 10, where she joins other Pixar stars. She’ll be in her new home just in time for Disney Pixar’s “Inside Out 2,” which premieres in theaters June 14.

8 – June 21-30 – Warrior Games, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

The Department of Defense Warrior Games, hosted by U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, will return to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World June 21-30, 2024. The 2024 Warrior Games are not just a sporting event; the games celebrate the resiliency and dedication of wounded, ill, and injured active duty and veteran U.S. military service members. Open to the public, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex invites the public to be part of the experience, rallying together to show support for these exceptional heroes. 

9 – June 28, 2024 – Tiana Bayou Adventure – Magic Kingdom

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, opening June 28, 2024, will take guests on a musical adventure inspired by the beloved story and characters from the fan-favorite film “The Princess and the Frog.” Guests will be goin’ down the bayou with Princess Tiana and jazz-loving alligator Louis during Mardi Gras season as they prepare to host a one-of-a-kind celebration for the people of New Orleans.

Picking up where the film left off, guests will join Princess Tiana, Naveen, and jazz-loving alligator Louis on an adventure through the bayou as they prepare to host a one-of-a-kind Mardi Gras celebration where everyone is welcome. Along the way, guests will encounter familiar faces, make new friends, and travel through the bayou, listening to original music inspired by songs from the film as they are brought into the next chapter of Tiana’s story.

10 – Summer 2024 – Reimagined Country Bear Jamboree Opens!

The Country Bears are gearing up for a whole new show with a nod to Opry-style performances in Nashville. The Country Bear Musical Jamboree will feature renditions of classic Disney tunes, reimagined across country music genres like bluegrass, pop-country, Americana, rockabilly and more. The show will also include Easter eggs from beginning to end, including one particular tune Disney fans may remember.

11 – July 1 – The Cabins of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Vacation Club Resort Opening

Guests will have an all-new way to stay in the great outdoors with many comforts of home when The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort debuts July 1. The newest Disney Vacation Club property will be in the woodlands of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, offering a new rustic vacation twist.

Nestled across 750 acres of scenic woodlands, proposed plans call for more than 350 new cabins to replace the existing cabins at the resort, which have delighted guests for many years. The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort – A Disney Vacation Club Resort will be the 17^th Disney Vacation Club resort. As with all Disney Vacation Club resorts, the proposed cabins will continue to be open for reservations to all guests, including those who are not Disney Vacation Club Members, based on availability. Bookings for the new cabins are now open.

12 – August – Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

While the 2024 dates for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party have not yet been announced, the party has debuted in mid-August for the last several years. Tickets for the party are typically priced lower than dates in late September and October (except for the opening night), so if you’ll be visiting in late August, keep the party in mind. It is our absolute favorite special ticketed event offering. We love going every single year!

13 – August 29 – EPCOT Food & Wine Festival

The 2024 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE, returns August 29-November 23, 2024, at Walt Disney World. Guests can indulge in delectable cuisine and festival merchandise and enjoy the Eat to the Beat Concert Series. This year’s festival returns to the pre-pandemic schedule of a festival that opens at the end of August instead of in July as it has the past few years.