Universal pulls drones from ‘CineSational’ show
Universal Orlando has suspended the use of drones during “Universal CineSational,” its end-of-night show at Universal Studios theme park. The change comes on the heels of the Dec. 21 incident in which a 7-year-old boy was critically injured by a falling drone that was part of a show at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando.
“We have currently paused the drone component of CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular,” reads a Universal statement distributed to media.
Drone shows scheduled for this week at Orlando World Center Marriott have been canceled.
Universal’s “CineSational” show featured 600 drones when it debuted in June. During a segment of the production, the flying units formed film-related shapes such as a “Jaws” shark, the “Ghostbusters” symbol and King Kong scaling a building.
“CineSational,” staged over the park’s lagoon and backstage, also features fireworks, projections, choreographed fountains and a cinematic soundtrack.
The show remains on Universal Studios’ schedule through Dec. 31, and it will be presented without the drone units. Show times vary between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. nightly.
Other Central Florida attractions – including Disney Springs, Legoland Florida and Gaylord Palms Resort – presented drone shows earlier this year, but none were seen during this holiday season. At the IAAPA Expo last month, drone shows were produced for two nights outside the Orange County Convention Center.
The injured child underwent emergency open-heart surgery Sunday after one of the several drones that fell downtown struck him in the chest and mouth.
The Federal Aviation Administration has announced that it’s investigating the Lake Eola incident. What caused the drones to collide and fall has been unclear.