Walt Disney Company recently filed three patents for drone-related technology it intends to use in its Disneyland theme parks.

The patents are aimed at creating cutting-edge entertainment that will revolve around flying puppets and aerial movie screens.

Once approved, Disney Enterprises Inc, the company's subsidiary, will use the drones to power air shows that will serve as alternatives to air spectacles such as light-shows and fireworks displays.

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The patent applications were sent in by Disney Enterprises last August 21. Along with the applications, the company is asking it be allowed to use drone technology in "aerial display systems with floating pixels, floating projection screens and marionettes held aloft and animated by drones."

The inventors listed in the three patents were Clifford Wong of Burbank, Ca., James Alexander Stark of South Pasadena, Ca., and Robert Scott Trowbridge of La Canada, Ca.

According to the applications, Disney intends its drones to be pre-programmed and controlled from the ground. The company intends to be diligent in its monitoring of the drones to prevent collisions due to wind gusts and other possible causes.

The puppets, on the other hand, are expected to be the size of blimps. Drones tow them across the sky to simulate flights that have been written in books and movies.

Drones will also be used to simulate movement in the puppets through the manipulation of their limbs.

According to the Disney application, "This is a significant improvement over prior flying characters, which typically were provided in the form of parade or other blimps/balloons filled with hot air or other gases and that had little and/or awkward articulation of any movable parts."

Disney is only one of several companies pushing for the U.S. government to allow the use of drone technology for commercial purposes, despite its association with military surveillance.

Currently, the Federal Aviation Administration is working on crafting regulations regarding the commercial use of drones. The rules will include drone use for everything from its utility in news coverage to delivering packages.

TagsWalt Disney, Disneyland, cutting-edge entertainment