Are you ready to soar with some of your favorite Disney friends? Walt Disney World Resort’s nighttime drone show, Disney Dreams That Soar presented by AT&T, has officially debuted at Disney Springs. The show caters to hearts of all ages as characters from movies such as "Toy Story," "Peter Pan," "Coco," "Dumbo," and "Star Wars" soar through the sky above Lake Buena Vista. We are so hoppy to have some nighttime entertainment at Disney Springs! Below is our guide to experiencing this exciting, limited-time show.
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Overview of Disney Dreams That Soar
The new show debuted at Disney Springs on May 24 and will run through Sept. 2, 2024. There are two showtimes each evening at 9 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. We recommend checking the My Disney Experience app for up-to-date showtime information in case there are any last-minute changes. The drones light up the nighttime sky as they form different characters and icons from Disney properties.
The show is magical from the very beginning as 800 drones make their way over Lake Buena Vista to set up for the start. The journey begins with sounds from "Peter Pan." You are taken on a journey with other characters and objects such as Dumbo and the house from "Up." One of the highlights from the show is when the Death Star appears over the lake after the voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi utters the words, "That's no moon, it's a space station."
The finale of Disney Dreams That Soar involves a brand-new original score developed for the show. A grand medley of different Disney characters are presented by the drones in which fans of all ages can see some of their favorites soar.
Where Should I Watch Disney Dreams That Soar?
Disney Springs semi-circles around Lake Buena Vista, with Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort located on the other side of the lake. We recommend watching from the walkway by the water between the Cirque du Soleil Theatre and Aerophile – The World Leader in Balloon Flight. The picture above showcases this walkway.
To access the viewing area, guests are directed by signage to enter the viewing area by using the walkway west of the House of Blues. An entry point to the viewing area will be located by the water at this location. This space will fill up quickly, especially for the 9 p.m. show. We recommend grabbing a spot early for the first show or sticking around for the second showtime. If you decide to wait for the first showing, why not grab a meal from some of the “Ballin’ on a Budget” locations in our Hoppin Good Guide to Visiting Disney Springs?
With regard to parking, to be relatively close to the West Side, we suggest parking in either the Orange Lot or the Watermelon Lot (surface lot).
Another suggestion is to make a dining reservation at a restaurant such as Summer House by the Lake or Jaleo. These restaurants both have outdoor seating with views of Lake Buena Vista. Give yourself plenty of time to be seated as there may be an additional wait for these outside tables. Exposition Park, located across from Disney’s Candy Cauldron, is another option for viewing. This park will fill up quickly and there could be obstructed views. For optimal viewing, we definitely recommend staying on the West Side of Disney Springs as the music will not be heard from the East Side and the drones are difficult to see if you are not looking directly at them, or behind them.
Finally, guests of Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa will also be able to see the show. Unfortunately, the drones will look backward from this view. However, Saratoga Springs is a great option for those who would like to feel a little less crowded. Securing a Disney Springs view from your room is highly recommended to see the show from your balcony.
Other Important Information About Disney Dreams That Soar
For those looking to take a sunset cruise on the Amphicars, you will want to book these ventures for earlier in the evening. These are the boats that launch just outside of The Boathouse restaurant. Due to the new show, these water-borne vehicles will stop running around 7:30 p.m.
For other information on the different nighttime entertainment around Walt Disney World Resort, check out our blog post on Happily Ever After, where we list all of the different offerings at the end of the post.
Are you toadally excited about this show? Comment below which character in particular you are excited to see!
