Disney’s recent drone tests in California hint that a brand-new nighttime spectacular could soon light up the skies above Disneyland.

Disneyland’s fireworks displays just might get even cooler in the near future. Drones, as we’ve seen at other Disney Parks around the world, have become the newest way to dazzle guests during nighttime spectaculars, bringing stories, characters, and some seriously standout technology to the darkened skies. But Disneyland has yet to see any kind of drone action in its nighttime spectaculars.

However, that could be about to change. Here’s why we think drones just might join Disneyland’s nighttime entertainment lineup soon, and what we know about Disney’s potential uses for them.

Is a Drone Show Coming to Disneyland?

Photos by @amagicaldisneyday

Right now, there is no drone show at Disneyland. None of the resort’s nighttime spectaculars or entertainment options, like Disneyland’s Wondrous Journeys fireworks show or World of Color Happiness! at California Adventure, currently utilize drones.

But as recently as October 2025, Disney has been spotted testing drones at its Golden Oak Ranch in Santa Clarita, California, sparking speculation that a new Disneyland nighttime spectacular could be on the way.

On both October 21 and 22, locals in Santa Clarita spotted drone activity over the ranch, and the visuals were unmistakably Disney. Videos posted to social media show drones forming shapes like Genie and Agrabah’s palace from Aladdin, Mickey’s sorcerer hat, Gramma Tala in manta ray form from Moana, and even the Jolly Roger from Peter Pan.

Golden Oak Ranch is a movie ranch owned by Walt Disney Studios, and it most commonly serves as a filming location or movie backlot. However, these new drone tests suggest that it may be currently in use for something related to the theme parks. And, since it’s located roughly one hour from Los Angeles, all of these nighttime test runs may be for Disneyland Resort.

Will Drones Change Disneyland’s Nighttime Spectaculars?

Baymax formed by drones during Disney World’s 2024 Disney Dreams That Soar show. Photo by Cliff Wang

While we don’t know for certain that a drone show will come to Disneyland Resort, it is likely one will be announced at some point. In recent years, drone shows have become increasingly popular at Disney Parks, both internationally and at Walt Disney World Resort.

Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, and Tokyo Disney Resort have all used drones in recent nighttime spectaculars. In 2024, Disney Dreams That Soar, a nighttime drone show, debuted at Disney Springs at Disney World. So, the odds that Disneyland Resort will eventually see some kind of drone show are high.

Drones are often used as an alternative to fireworks, so they very well could alter the current fireworks-focused nighttime spectaculars at Disneyland. However, instead of being used for a nighttime spectacular at Disneyland Park (which is where fireworks take place at the resort), drones could also be used for nighttime entertainment at California Adventure. Drones and World of Color’s already-innovative water screens could wind up being paired together, as a possible new show.

Additionally, while this drone testing suggests that something might be in the works for Disneyland, we don’t yet know for certain if that’s the case. Drones aren’t always used solely for Disney’s theme parks. The company has used them for other events (and purposes outside of nighttime spectaculars). For example, drones appeared at the 2025 premiere of The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

So, as of right now, there are no announced changes to any of Disneyland’s nighttime spectaculars. But a drone show could potentially pop up thanks to this recent testing.