Disney is a master of storytelling and continues to find exciting new ways to tell those stories. From May 24th through September 2nd, those visiting Disney Springs can enjoy a brand new, colorful Disney drone show in the sky. The Disney Dreams That Soar show can be seen from many areas at Disney Springs but the best viewing is from the West Side. Let's go over what you can expect from the Disney Springs drone show and everything you need to know about the experience.

A Guide to Dreams That Soar: The 2024 Disney Springs Drone Show

What is the Disney Springs drone show?

Drones are kind of like small flying helicopters. They are lifted by propellers and operated by remote control. For a drone show, a much more complex operating system is used to control hundreds of preprogrammed drones. You may be familiar with drones having a camera on them but in this case they are used as a light source. Many individual drones fly in sync to become spectacular, magical visuals creating a show.

Disney Springs Drone Show Time: When is Disney Dreams That Soar?

The Disney Springs drone show runs this summer through September 2, 2024. Times can change so check on the day of your visit. There are usually two nightly shows, one at 9:00 p.m. and one at 10:45 p.m. 

How long is the Disney World drone show?

The Disney World drone show is about ten minutes long. There is pre-show music and after the official end of the show you can watch the drones slowly fly away.

Will Dreams That Soar still happen if it's windy?

Dreams That Soar will be delayed or cancelled if there is inclement weather. We're discovering that drone shows do have some strict limitations. Dreams That Soar had a delay of just a few minutes on the night I first visited. It did not feel particularly windy and it wasn't raining. Surely the drones are more sensitive to wind given their flying nature. They're also flying 400 feet high so the atmosphere up there is what's really what's considered. 

It does typically rain every afternoon in the Florida summer season but it's much less common to experience rain at night. The breeze is what's most likely to hold Dreams That Soar from entertaining guests.

Is it free to watch the Disney Springs drone show?

Entry to the shopping and dining district Disney Springs is complimentary. Parking for and viewing the Disney Springs drone show is free. There is a range of dining options available in the area, from a grab and go pretzel dog to fine dining at Jaleo.

Disney Springs Drone Show Time: When is Disney Dreams That Soar?

 The two nightly Dreams That Soar shows are at 9:00 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. The show lasts about 10 minutes. Check the times for Disney Dreams That Soar on the day of your visit. Show times may change. 

Where can I watch the Disney Springs drone show?

The viewing areas are in the Disney Springs West Side section. You'll see a designated viewing area along the waterfront between the Cirque du Soleil Theatre and Aerophile – The World Leader in Balloon Flight. There is a taped off viewing area along the waterfront behind House of Blues down to Starbucks. There is additional viewing on the lawn located next to the Strawberry Parking Lot. 

The entrance for Disney Dreams That Soar viewing is located across from the Cirque du Soleil building at the furthest end of Disney Springs. Along the water guests are next to speakers that play the show's special soundtrack. You may be able to see the show other places but you won't hear the soundtrack. If you see a drone show from the side, you may not be able to make out many of the shapes being formed.

At 8:40 pm on a Thursday, it was hard to find space for more than one person for the 9:00 p.m. show. If you care about having a prime spot, get there earlier. There are many light poles along the water so you may want to be against the railing in the front so your view is unobstructed.

All along the water from House of Blues down to Starbucks is taped off for viewing and has a one way walkway. If you pass a viewing spot. You may not be able to backtrack to get back to it.

Dreams That Soar Packages and Restaurant Viewing

Many of these restaurants along the water have outdoor dining and views like House of Blues and Summer House on the Lake. There are also special cocktail hour or tasting viewing experiences available to book in advance on the Jaleo OpenTable. At other restaurants, you may not be able to request a seat with a view of Dreams That Soar but it's worth asking for.

Review: Is the Disney Springs drone show worth watching?

Yes, the Disney Springs drone show is worth watching. Disney Dreams That Soar is interesting technologically, includes lots of characters and has great music. Drone shows are not as thrilling as fireworks or as action packed at nighttime spectaculars like Fantasmic! Instead, drone shows provide a slow-paced and visually appealing end to the day.

If your time at Disney World is limited, I do not recommend skipping out on night time shows in the parks unless you've seen them and feel comfortable doing so. 

What characters are in the Disney Springs drone show?

There are many flight related characters in Disney Dreams That Soar. The Disney Springs drone show has an all new soundtrack created just for the show. It includes favorite Disney songs that line up with the visuals, much like a fireworks spectacular. Some characters are featured in a full segment with lines and music from Disney films. Other characters and visuals appear for just a second without related music.

There are just a few things I couldn't quite make out on my first viewing. Depending on the angle you're viewing from, some drone visuals may be less clear than others. This isn't particularly because of the viewing spot but due to drone shows still evolving. Some characters and movie visuals in Disney Dreams That Soar include:

Peter Pan

Dumbo

The balloon house from Up

Pepita from Coco

Dante from Coco

Wall-E and Eve

The Death Star from Star Wars

Baymax from Big Hero Six

Visuals from Guardians of the Galaxy like Star Lord's ship and dancing characters

Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story

Mary Poppins

Zero from The Nightmare Before Christmas

Elliott from Pete's Dragon

Carpet from Aladdin

Sisu from Raya and The Last Dragon

Ray from The Princess and the Frog 

Flora, Fauna and Merryweather from Sleeping Beauty

Figment from Epcot

The Madalorian and Grogu

Launchpad McQuack from DuckTales

Orange Bird from Walt Disney World Resort

Pegasus from Hercules

Princess Atta from A Bug's Life

The Rocketeer

Genie from Aladdin

Star from Wish

Tinker Bell from Peter Pan

Is the Disney Springs drone show loud?

Disney Dreams That Soar does have an accompanying musical soundtrack but the drones themselves are not loud. You may hear a far off humming sound from the pack of drones but it isn't really loud enough to be heard over the music. Depending on where you watch from, the soundtrack may be played louder than other places.

Loud fireworks can be too much for some young children. Drone shows can have less stimulus and may be suitable for children that are not comfortable with fireworks.

Disney Springs Drone Show FAQs

 Will Dreams That Soar come back next year?

Dreams That Soar is currently set to fly over Disney World skies through September 2nd, 2024. We don't know if it will continue beyond that or return next year. Based on what Disney has shared, the show will end in September. 

What resorts are close to Disney Springs?

If you love the idea of visiting Disney Springs often, there are a few resorts nearby you'll want to know about. The best option is Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa. There is a walking path and boat transportation between Disney Springs and Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa.

Disney's Old Key West is also very close to Disney Springs. Disney Springs is also within walking distance of many friendly neighbor type hotels. The Disney Springs Area has a large selection of third party resort hotels to choose from. Options include:

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Orlando

Drury Plaza Hotel Orlando

Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace

Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista

Holiday Inn Orlando

Renaissance Orlando Resort & Spa

Wyndham Garden Lake Buena Vista

Can you watch the Disney Springs drone show from Saratoga Springs?

Yes, you can see the Disney Springs drone show from Saratoga Springs resort. You will see the show from behind so some visuals will appear backwards.

Do they play the Disney Dreams That Soar music at Saratoga Springs?

While you can watch Disney Dreams That Soar from Saratoga Springs, they do not play the music at this location. You may hear a bit of it from across the water in the main viewing area but it will likely just be quiet from this resort.

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