Disney theme parks have always been as tightly controlled as police states, replete with the latest surveillance technology and swarms of undercover security. You aren’t even allowed to die there. But the company says, in some new patents, that it aims to use the reconnaissance machinery of the moment–drones–merely to create light shows and the like. From Dara Kerr at Cnet:

“What could be more magical than Disney fireworks, light shows and multifarious water fountains? These things plus high-tech entertainment with drones.

Walt Disney Co. has filed three patent applications that could let it provide complex aerial entertainment shows with the support of drones. The applications involve floating projection screens, marionettes supported by drones, and a synchronized aerial light display with ‘floating pixels.’

‘In the entertainment industry, there are many applications where it is desirable to provide an aerial display,’ Disney wrote in the patent applications. ‘For example, an amusement park may have a lagoon or other open space over which it is desired to present a display to entertain visitors. In another example, massively large aerial displays may be presented at sport stadiums or other venues to celebrate holidays such as New Year’s Day.’

Disney wrote that without the use of drones, aerial shows are challenging.”