SeaWorld San Diego 1,000-drone light show to replace fireworks
By Jon Self
Published on April 20, 2026.
The California Coastal Commission has approved SeaWorld San Diego's request to test drones for a pilot program over Mission Bay. The decision marks a historic first for the state agency and a defining moment for theme park entertainment on the West Coast. The pilot program permits SeaWorld to conduct up to 110 drone shows, each approximately 15 minutes long, within the park’s leasehold at 500 SeaWorld Drive and over the waters of Mission Bay, California. The permit is the first of its kind granted by the commission. Approximately 20 percent of all shows must be monitored for potential impacts on coastal resources, especially bird populations nesting in and around Mission Bay as a condition of the pilot program. The move follows a broader shift across United Parks & Resorts' theme parks, with SeaWorld Orlando launching its own drone show experience.
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