Orlando World Center Marriott abruptly cancels holiday drone shows
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ORLANDO, Fla. - The Orlando World Center Marriott has canceled its new holiday drone shows, originally scheduled to light up the night skies on Christmas.
The resort announced the cancelation in an Instagram post on Tuesday.
The drone shows, part of the hotel’s "12 Days of Holiday Fun," were slated to run nightly from Dec. 25 through Dec. 30, featuring 200 synchronized drones soaring above the Falls Lagoon Pool, according to Marriott's website.
No immediate explanation was provided for the abrupt cancelation. FOX 35 News has reached out to the resort for a statement regarding the decision to cancel.
According to its website, the hotel’s drone show was designed by Sky Elements, the same vendor behind the City of Orlando’s holiday drone show at Lake Eola Park over the weekend, where several drones unexpectedly collided and fell into the crowd.
Alezander, a 7-year-old boy, was hurt during that show after being hit by a falling drone, his parents, Adriana Edgerton and Jessica Lumsden, told FOX 35 News. On Sunday, he underwent open-heart surgery for his chest injury.
Lumsden told FOX 35 News on Tuesday that their son is stable after surgery. Alezander is "still being monitored but he hasn't given up and is so determined to walk again," she said in a statement. They will be spending the Christmas holiday in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Alezander is recovering from heart surgery after he was reportedly hit by a drone during a holiday drone show mishap in downtown Orlando. (Credit: Jessica Lumsden)
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating that incident.
The NTSB told FOX 35 News Tuesday that memory cards from the affected drones will be sent to the NTSB recorders laboratory in Washington, D.C. for analysis. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days of the accident, but information about the probable cause of the crash and any other contributing factors won't be released for another 12 to 24 months.
Authorities said it was the City of Orlando's second year of using Sky Elements as its vendor to operate the drones. The City of Ocala just voted to renew a 2-year contract with Sky Elements.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.