Singapore already has one of the most beautiful skylines in the world. But every once in a while, the Lion City transforms itself into something magical.
On the night of March 13, Marina Bay came alive with music and lights, thanks to Adventure Begins: A Magical Bay Celebration with Disney Cruise Line.
When I heard Disney was bringing fireworks and drone shows themed around classic Disney songs and stories to Marina Bay, I knew we had to take Yuyi.
What resulted was over an hour of Disney music, colorful drones lighting up the sky in iconic formations, and fireworks that lit up Singapore’s most recognizable landmark.
If you missed the Disney Cruise Line fireworks show at Marina Bay, or are wondering if upcoming events are worth attending with your family, here’s everything we experienced watching Disney fireworks and drone shows with our daughter Yuyi.
- Adventure Begins: Magical Celebration at Marina Bay
- Making Our Way to Marina Bay for Fireworks with Disney
- Fireworks Ignite Marina Bay Sands
- Disney Characters Appear in Sky with Drone Light Show
- Singapura Delights Appear in Sky with Disney
- The Sky Roars with Colorful Fireworks
- Tips for Enjoying Fireworks in Singapore
- Fun Experiences are Important for Kids
- Conclusion
Adventure Begins: Magical Celebration at Marina Bay
Before I go into what the night was like, it’s worth noting why the show was held in the first place.
Singapore welcome Asia’s first-ever Disney Cruise Line ship, Disney Adventure.
Starting February 26 until April 30, Marina Bay precinct is joining forces with Disney Cruise Line, Marina Bay Sands, UOB, and Singapore Tourism Board to celebrate with events across Marina Bay.
Among these is the Disney Cruise Line Sky Show, a ten-minute nighttime display featuring fireworks, drone shows, music, and storytelling.
The sky show took place near Marina Bay Sands Entertainment, with groups gathering around several waterfront spots around Marina Bay:
- Merlion Park
- Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza
- The Promontory
- Marina Barrage area
- Gardens by the Bay waterfront area
Upon arriving near the Gardens by the Bay area, we quickly realized there were already hundreds of people lining the waterfront. Families with young children, tourists, couples, and dogs with their owners all came out to watch the Disney fireworks.
Yuyi kept telling me excitedly that Disney characters would be flying in the sky.
Making Our Way to Marina Bay for Fireworks with Disney
Singapore is well-known for its convenient public transportation system. The MRT gets you almost everywhere in the city, and we usually take it to explore new places with Yuyi.
We took Grab to Esplanade before the sun went down and started walking towards Marina Bay. Even before the show started, the waterfront area was crowded with people.
Buildings across Marina Bay were lit up with blue lights. Families with strollers walked past us, and tourists with DSLR cameras dotted the area.
Every year, Marina Bay hosts celebrations for Singapore’s National Day holiday and New Year’s Eve. It always becomes a central location for major gatherings and fireworks.
Yuyi kept asking me, “When are the fireworks going to start Daddy?”
Fireworks Ignite Marina Bay Sands
At around 8:40PM, a rush of golden fireworks lit up Marina Bay’s night sky.
In sync with Disney music, colorful fireworks exploded above one of Singapore’s most famous structures: Marina Bay Sands.
Below its bright silhouette stood thousands of Singaporeans watching the start of the fireworks.
As more fireworks lit up the sky, people around us began cheering and holding their phones up.
Watching fireworks with your kids is always magical, but this was on another level.
Seeing Marina Bay lit up like this made me thankful we live in Singapore.
Disney Characters Appear in Sky with Drone Light Show
Don’t get me wrong, the fireworks were great.
But the main attraction was the drones lighting up the night sky right above Marina Bay Sands.
Hundreds of drones lit up the night sky together, illuminating themselves into glowing formations.
Just when we thought it was over, classic Disney character formations popped up.
“We Wish Upon a Star,” “Let It Go,” “Under the Sea,” and many more Disney songs played throughout the show as drones moved to form characters.
Adults around me began pointing at the formations yelling out characters they recognized.
Yuyi cheered when she spotted Disney characters up in the sky.
Singapura Delights Appear in Sky with Disney
While Disney characters lit up Marina Bay Sands in the sky, there were touches of Singapore sprinkled throughout the show.
At one point, hundreds of drones lit up and formed Singapore’s national icon: The Merlion.
It was honestly pretty surreal seeing it lit up bright green and purple in Marina Bay’s night sky.
It was a reminder that Singapore always tries to put a local spin on worldwide events held here.
Local touches such as Peranakan designs and our national flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim, were part of the drone show.
The Disney Cruise Line Sky Show truly paid homage to Singapore while showcasing Disney entertainment.
The Sky Roars with Colorful Fireworks
To close out the event, fireworks began blasting across Marina Bay.
Red and gold fireworks lit up the night as everyone began cheering.
The fireworks lit up Marina Bay Sands in the background, causing beautiful reflections all over Marina Bay.
The entire sky lit up with golden fireworks as people around us applauded.
Yuyi looked at me and said, “That was amazing!”
She couldn’t have said it any better herself.
Tips for Enjoying Fireworks in Singapore
If you’re planning to watch future fireworks displays or events at Marina Bay, I wanted to share a few tips we learned that night.
Get There Early
Waterfront areas around Marina Bay fill up fast.
Try to get to your desired spot around 45 minutes early to ensure you get a good spot.
Bring Water and Snacks
Events like these can draw in big crowds, especially if there are families.
Make sure to bring drinks and some snacks for kids if you plan to bring them.
Know Your Viewing Area
Ideal places to watch upcoming fireworks displays include:
- The Promontory
- Merlion Park
- Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza
- Gardens by the Bay waterfront
Expect Crowds
Since this is a free event open to the public, thousands of people will arrive to watch.
Plan accordingly knowing that walkways will be crowded as people try to leave Marina Bay after the show ends.
Fun Experiences are Important for Kids
It doesn’t matter how old you get, who you become, or where you live in the world.
I’ll never forget Disney movies I watched as a kid, and I’m sure Yuyi won’t forget experiencing this with us either.
As kids grow up, they tend to forget about material things they once had.
But they will never forget moments they spend with their parents.
Whether it be watching Disney fireworks at Marina Bay or catching flames at the Singapore Zoo, cherish these moments with your kids.
Conclusion
For parents with kids, adventures like these don’t come by often.
Experiencing the Disney Cruise Line fireworks and drone show with Marina Bay was one for the books.
Our family had a blast watching Disney classics light up Marina Bay Sands’ iconic skyline.
If you live in Singapore or are visiting with your family, I would 100% recommend checking out future events like this.
There’s nothing like witnessing your child’s face light up while they look up towards the sky in pure amazement.
Disney Fireworks and Drone Show at Marina Bay Singapore (Family Experience Guide)