Universal is hot on the heels of Disney after filing a patent for use of drone technology at its theme parks in the US.

At the start of December Disney debuted its spectacular lights show, using an army of 300 Intel Shooting Star show drones to create shapes inspired by the winter season to an orchestrated lineup of Christmas songs.

Universal City Studios – a sister division to Universal Parks & Resorts – published a patent at the end of November that covered “special effects techniques,” including water, scent cannons, compressed air blasts, steam blasts, theatrical smoke or fog, snow, bubbles, confetti, flame effects, or directional speakers and other audio effects.

“An unmanned aerial vehicle, e.g., multicopter, is outfitted to provide a special effect or special effects, becoming an untethered special effects platform,” says the patent. “In one embodiment, the untethered special effect vehicle may be used in conjunction with a live show. The placement or path of the special effect may be pre-choreographed or provided in real-time to correspond to the show."

No timeline has been set for when Universal might use the technology, if at all. Before Disney could deploy its drone show it had to receive special clearance from the FAA, which Universal is yet to be granted.