The patent also states drones could also be used to communicate with wearable technology the guest may have — say
maybe the TapuTapu bands at Universal Orlando Resort's Volcano Bay. "The guest [may target] the companion or an individual guest may target themselves. For example, a guest may wish to receive a cooling mist spray or a bubble effect. By providing an input to the handheld device or via the guest-wearable device, the special effects [drone] is instructed to move toward the guest," said the patent, which also said it could be used for in-park games or other live-action experiences.
There's event a mention on how drones can be equipped to read movements from a guest's handheld device like a wand, say from Harry Potter. "Other types of triggered special effects may be based on a fight or dueling experience, in which the wands trigger different types of special effects based on the wand motions. Special effects [drones] used in conjunction with such experiences may be implemented to carry onboard special effects modules associated with a successful wand motion, such as a flash or explosion effect as well as special effects modules associated with unsuccessful wand motion, such as confetti or a bubble effect."
Even individual rides could use drones to their advantage as seen in the patent as a dinosaur-themed ride where a drone is disguised as a flying dinosaur that can shoot flames. "In one embodiment, as a guest approaches the vicinity of the special effects vehicle, e.g., as determined via signals from the wearable device, a special effect is triggered, such as a flame effect. Multiple special effects vehicles may be programmed to execute random or pre-determined flight plans about the location of the ride to enhance the guest immersion."