Disneyland Paris has shared more details about Disney Cascade of Lights, the new drone-centric nighttime spectacular coming to Disney Adventure World in 2026.
Disney Cascade of Lights Rehearsals Begin Soon at Disneyland Paris
The news comes from the official Disneyland Paris blog:
Rehearsals will soon be underway for the new nighttime spectacular at Disney Adventure World, the renamed version of Walt Disney Studios Park officially opening on March 29, 2026. Cast Members are at work installing the centerpiece of the new drone-centric show: the large, 160-ton underwater infrastructure comprised of four water barges in a 360-degree configuration that contain fountains, lights, projectors, and pyrotechnics.
The structure will be securely moored in Adventure Bay, where it will then be loaded up with 379 aerial and aquatic drones specially developed for Cascade of Lights.
The names on the barges correspond to different areas or attractions at Disney Adventure World: RACER (Cars ROAD TRIP), LION (the upcoming Lion King flume ride), FROZEN (the upcoming World of Frozen), and NAVI, which has fueled speculation that Avatar will be the focus for a future expansion. Disneyland Paris will also be performing a limited-time Avatar: Fire and Ash drone show to celebrate the film’s premiere.
Aerial Land and Sea Drones
Disney Cascade of Lights comes after a wave of successful drone shows at Disneyland Paris, which first kicked off seven years ago for the resort’s 30th anniversary celebrations with Disney D-Light and then Avengers: Power the Night.
Producer Ben Spalding’s goal with Cascade of Lights was to create a drone show that performed closer to the audience than ever, and he worked with Dronisos, Disneyland Paris’ official high-tech partner, to develop aerial drones that are more resistant to wind and rain, as well as aquatic drones nicknamed “ducks”:
“The water acts like a mirror that multiplies all our light sources,” explains Spalding. “Our aquatic drones light up the surface of the lake, combined with low-angled lights all around the edges of the lake. And then there are the fountains, each with its own light sources, and the various pyrotechnic effects. It’s a spectacular cascade of lights! The secret is teamwork. The entire show was previewed in 3D. As part of this program, we used a detailed model of the park, from which each team member – responsible for drones, pyrotechnics, lighting, and more – developed their own plan. This made it possible to visualize, plan and choreograph things in advance so that everything came together perfectly when live.”
It will take a team of 24 technicians to bring Disney Cascade of Lights to life every night, more than twice as many needed for the Disney Dreams and Disney Illuminations shows.
Story and Musical Influences
Everything in Disney Cascade of Lights will revolve around a story driven by the concept of “Inspiration”:
“Focusing on emotion and storytelling was a key priority. We wanted a concept that could resonate with all European audiences, and that’s how we came up with the idea of Inspiration,” recalls Ben.
Inspiration was the motivation for the characters selected for the show, who each have an emotional link with which the audience can resonate:
- Mulan: honor and family
- Moana: adventure and community
- Hercules: courage and heart
- Judy Hopps: duty and unity
- Avengers: drive and heroism
- Carl Fredriksen: love and promises
According to show director Susan Plyer (Minnie’s Dream Factory),
“Each and every one of them embodies an emotion that can strike a chord with every guest. They are an endless source of inspiration in our lives, whether in helping others, supporting family, or finding the courage to face daily challenges.”
The character visuals will be projected onto a water curtain, like in Disney California Adventure’s World of Color.
Finally, inspiration also moves the original musical score composed by Mark Hammond (“Lost in the Magic” from Disney Stars on Parade) and produced by Jonathan Barr. Recorded by a 90-piece orchestra in Abbey Road Studios in London, the score also features an original song, “We Can Be Heroes.”
Best Views from Every Seat
With Adventure Bay stretching three hectares (30,000 square meters), ensuring all guests get a good view of Cascade of Lights was a challenge. The central structure and 360° approach, plus over 240 floodlights and strategically placed speakers, will provide a great experience no matter where you watch the show.
Disneyland Paris has also gone to lengths to make sure the show has minimal environmental impact, by using fully electric barge boats, naturally filtering the lake with different fish species, and employing residue-free materials in fireworks and pyrotechnics.
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