Disclosure: This writer was invited to see the show and received complimentary tickets.
The magic of Walt Disney World keeps Disney Vacation Club members excited to return to the most magical place on earth year after year. In addition to classic favorite attractions, shows and restaurants, there’s always something new to see. DVC members won’t want to miss the Cirque du Soleil show Drawn to Life at Disney Springs. This show replaces the long time resident La Nouba in the big, white circus tent building on the West Side near House of Blues. Without giving away too much, let’s talk details and highlights in this introduction and Drawn to Life Cirque du Soleil review.
About Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life at Disney Springs
Cirque du Soleil is a Canadian entertainment company that began producing shows in 1984. The modern day, broadway level productions feature physical comedy acts, acrobatics and other circus arts. Cirque has since dazzled crowds around the world with touring and stationary shows. Las Vegas seems to be the central hub for these creative experiences that wow audiences with beautiful music, stunning gymnastics and choreography and incredible sets and costumes. In Vegas you can see collaborative Cirque du Soleil efforts like the show Love which features music from The Beatles catalog. Though Cirque has been present at Walt Disney World for many years, Drawn to Life is the first actual Disney Cirque du Soleil show. Many sectors of The Walt Disney Company worked on Drawn to Life including Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney Animation Studios.
Drawn to Life Cirque du Soleil Review
Drawn to Life manages to capture all the good of Cirque and Disney together in one show. The partnership between the two brands pairs in ways that take creativity to another level. Cirque du Soleil delivers the oddities that expand the imagination. Disney brings the magic through its classic animated characters and music. Drawn to Life features familiar musical themes in an all new score. While it doesn’t directly feature Disney characters as performers, Drawn to life is pixie dusted with Disney magic from start to finish. Many of the acts pay homage to the art of animation and the particulars of Walt Disney’s studio and animators. The Elasti-men characters perform on the teeterboard. This oversized seesaw-like device enables them to stretch the limits of gravity. The costumes, makeup and choreography for these characters are inspired by the squash and stretch principle of animation used by Disney animators. Think of the silly, bouncy way characters move in the films, especially Aladdin’s Genie. The elastic tie in comes from Walt’s early animators having rubber band fights with each other. While this storytelling aspect is delightful the act itself is applause worthy as these artists flip through the air higher than seems possible. The rest of the acts have similar or interesting tie-ins to animation too. This show does have an overarching story about a little girl overcoming some obstacles but it’s still abstract and dreamlike in the fascinating Cirque way. Cirque du Soleil’s Drawn to Life has so much going on and there’s something for everyone. It’s absolutely worth planning into your next Disney vacation.
DVC Resorts Near Disney Springs
Those staying at DVC property Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa can get to Disney Springs easily by way of short walk or water taxi. Disney Vacation Club’s Old Key West also offers a water taxi to Disney Springs. All other DVC resorts offer bus transportation to Disney Springs.There are two shows most days with one earlier and one later in the evening. For tickets and more information visit CirqueduSoleil.com. Cirque du Soleil Drawn to Life is a fantastic addition to any Walt Disney World vacation and suitable for the whole family.
