Disneyland Paris is breaking records this week, utilizing more drones than any other show in Disney Parks history for their Bastille Day extravaganza last night.
Record-Breaking Bastille Day
A nighttime spectacular celebrating France and classic Disney films occurred at the Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant (Sleeping Beauty Castle), incorporating 1,500 drones and fireworks combined together.
Guests in attendance witnessed Lumiere from “Beauty and the Beast,” the Festival of Fools from “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” references to “Ratatouille,” and countless other musical and visual spectacles featuring iconic characters derived from French stories. At the conclusion, a massive French flag in the shape of Mickey Mouse ears appeared.
Full video from DLP Report is available below:
La Fête Nationale
La Fête Nationale, known in English-speaking countries as Bastille Day, commemorates the Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. A turning point among the various chapters of the French Revolution, insurgents sought to seize control of what was at the time an armory, fortress, and political prison for the Kingdom of France. The governor of the fortress, Bernard-René Jourdan de Launay, was killed, revolutionaries were victorious that day, and the prisoners were freed.
Granted, there were only seven inmates at the time, and the fortress itself was actually scheduled for demolition. Nevertheless, the revolutionaries viewed it as a symbol of abuse of power that needed to be rectified. By the next day, King Louis XVI had backed down from his assertiveness in controlling Paris and appointed the Marquis de Lafayette as commander of the National Guard. From this point forward, the first Paris Commune would be the primary governing body in the area. The king would return to Paris July 17, but it was already clear that his power had faded. He didn’t last much longer.
This date is considered a major beginning in the complete transformation of French politics and society, from monarchy to the fundamental beginnings of democracy, liberty, and the French Republic. The journey of France since has not necessarily been linear or calm, with tumultuous reigns of terror, Napoleonic imperialism, Bourbon restorations, world wars, various subsequent iterations of the Republic, and resistance to Nazi occupation, just to name a few complications.
If anything, Bastille Day reminds everyone of the French Revolution’s monumental achievements for the world, paired with the struggle people endure to apply those lofty ideals to their fullest potential, remove lingering forms of oppression, and improve upon unavoidable human flaws and shortcomings in the process.
Each year, an elaborate military parade is held along the Champs-Élysées, a major avenue in Paris that runs from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe. It is one of the oldest and largest military parades in Europe, traditionally attended by the President and other guests.
President Emmanuel Macron shared some of the festivities on his Instagram account, including the red, white, and blue flyover above.
India was the international guest of honor at this year’s parade, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance.
What do you think of this elaborate show at Disneyland Paris? Did you celebrate La Fête Nationale? Let us know in the comments.
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The post VIDEO: Disneyland Paris Sets Disney Record with Incredible Bastille Day Fireworks Show Featuring 1,500 DRONES Set to Music from ‘Beauty and the Beast’, ‘Hunchback’, & More appeared first on WDW News Today.