Did you get a drone for Christmas or recently pick one up with dreams of amazing aerial photos? You are not alone. Drones open up a whole new way to see the world. But before you even think about flying one anywhere near a theme park, there are several things you should understand first.

The rules exist for one main reason. Safety. Theme parks are places where thousands of people gather. The last thing anyone wants is a drone losing power or control and falling out of the sky into a crowd.

If you live outside the United States, stop here and look up the rules that apply to your country. Airspace laws vary widely. What follows applies to the United States and the FAA. Your local aviation authority may have different requirements.

In the US, the FAA requires that your drone stay within your visual line of sight at all times. You also cannot fly over people that are not part of your flight operation without a waiver. That alone makes theme parks a problem. Crowds are everywhere, and there is rarely a safe buffer where a mistake would not put someone at risk.

If you are serious about flying drones, it is strongly recommended that you complete the Part 107 licensing process. Even if you only plan to fly recreationally, earning that license shows respect for the rules and gives you a deeper understanding of airspace, weather, and safety. It also becomes mandatory if your drone photos earn you money in any way. That includes monetized social media accounts, brand partnerships, or licensing images. Once money enters the picture, a valid Part 107 license is required.

Where you launch from matters just as much as where you fly. Theme parks control their own property. Almost all parks prohibit launching drones from their land. That includes parking lots and surrounding walkways. You cannot just stand in a parking lot and send a drone over the park.

Ignoring those rules can get you removed from the property immediately. In some cases, it can also result in a long term ban. It is not worth the risk.

Thinking of getting anywhere close to a Disney park? Think again. Disney parks sit under FAA restricted airspace that prohibits drone flights. Securing permission to fly there is a very involved process and not something an individual hobbyist should expect to obtain. If you see drone footage of a Disney park, it was captured with extensive coordination and approvals.

That does not mean theme parks are completely off limits for drone photography. It just means you need to be smart about how you approach it.

One approach that has worked well for me is shooting at sunrise. This is a time window when guests are not allowed in the parks, which removes the biggest safety issue. Sunrise also brings an added bonus. Mother Nature often paints the sky in ways you cannot plan or replicate. While sunsets are just as good as sunrises for incredible views, you will have to be more conscious about avoiding flying above people.

Near me in San Diego, I have captured parks like SeaWorld from outside the park boundaries. I focus on the skyline view. The tops of roller coasters, the Sky Tower, and other distinctive attraction shapes rising above the trees. I am not interested in flying over the park itself. I am interested in telling the story of the place from a respectful distance.

A short distance away is Belmont Park, a beachside amusement park with a historic wooden coaster. It is possible to get closer there, but again, timing matters. Shooting at sunrise means no guests, calmer conditions, and dramatic skies that do a lot of the creative work for you.

Before every flight, it is also important to check airspace using FAA approved apps. Controlled airspace, temporary flight restrictions, and local rules can change. Just because a spot worked once does not mean it is clear every time.

Drones are incredible tools, but they are not toys. When it comes to theme parks, the risks far outweigh the rewards if you cut corners. Respect the rules. Respect the parks. And plan your flights with safety as the priority.

If you enjoy learning about photography in and around theme parks and want to connect with others who care about doing it the right way, come join the Fairy Tale Photo Academy Theme Park Photography community on Skool. It is a free place to share photos, learn from others, and talk about what makes capturing these spaces so special.