A theme park resort and a massive hotel in Central Florida have either stopped using drones or canceled their drone shows after several drones collided and fell from the sky during a separate holiday celebration in downtown Orlando, injuring a boy who required surgery.
Universal Orlando announced this week that it is pausing the drone component of its CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular show, while the Orlando World Center Marriott announced it is canceling its planned drone light shows during the holiday week.
The stop came after an accident Saturday in which drones fell into a crowd of thousands of people watching a Christmas show at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando. According to his mother, a seven-year-old boy was hit in the chest by a drone and required heart surgery.
The accident is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.
The Orlando World Center Marriott announced that additional activities will continue as part of the 12 Days of Seasonal Fun celebration, including visits from Santa Claus, family games and fireworks on New Year’s Eve.
The non-drone elements of Universal Orlando’s CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular show, shown at the end of the night, will continue with fireworks, projections and synchronized fountains accompanied by a soundtrack of films, theme park officials said.
“Guests can continue to enjoy the show every night at Universal Studios Florida,” the theme park resort said in a statement.
