2 Florida tourist spots halt drones in shows following a separate accident that injured a boy

ORLANDO, Fla. — A theme park resort and a huge hotel in central Florida have stopped using drones or subsequently canceled their drone-based shows several drones collided with each other and fell from the sky during a separate holiday party in downtown Orlando. The accident injured a boy who required surgery.

Universal Orlando said this week it was pausing the drone component of its “CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular” show, while Orlando World Center Marriott posted it was canceling its planned drone shows during the holiday week.

The suspension of drone use follows last Saturday’s accident when drones flew into a crowd of thousands of people watching a holiday show at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando. A 7-year-old boy was hit in the chest by a drone and had to undergo heart surgery, according to his mother.

The accident is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Orlando World Center Marriott said other activities for the “12 Days of Seasonal Fun” celebration would continue, including visits from Santa Claus, family games and a New Year’s Eve fireworks show.

The non-drone elements of Universal Orlando’s “CineSational: A Symphonic Spectacular” show, staged at the end of the evening, will continue with fireworks, projections and synchronized fountains accompanied by a soundtrack of films, theme park officials said.

“Guests can still enjoy the show every night at Universal Studios Florida,” the theme park resort said in a statement.