While nearly every Orlando visitor is aware of the abundance of excellent theme parks, few take a bit of extra time to explore the additional unique offerings of the area.
Cirque Du Soleil had humble beginnings performing as street artists in Canada but has since grown to become a household name. Their first permanent location is the one in Orlando, conveniently located in Disney Springs.
Keep reading for a general guide on what the show entails, whether it’s worth it, and how to make the most of a visit.
Spoiler alert: the show is well worth the money!
What is Cirque Du Soleil and Drawn to Life?
Cirque Du Soleil refers to the artistic group and more general style of the performers. The show includes various segments of unique acts ranging from a comedy skit to “windmill of death” stunts.
Drawn to Life is a show specific to the Orlando location, created in conjunction with Disney. Effectively, Disney allows Cirque Du Soleil to use some imagery from its characters to fit the general “animation process” theme of the show, but the story is extremely loose and interpretive.
It is not a musical or play, but rather the Disney theme and story is used to connect the various segments to have a more cohesive sequence of events.
My Review on the Specific Acts and Performers
Photo: Tristen Rider
My personal favorite performer was a prop comedian who filled a transitioning point in the show. There was nothing particularly innovative about this act, and in fact it was as simple as it could possibly be.
Without speaking any word but “Okay,” the comedian managed to have me laughing out loud for a good 5 minutes straight. It was an excellent break from the more intense “high flying” acts throughout the show.
Another impressive act was an aerial silk performer – a strong man who swung around with a cloth (and pole) doing incredibly difficult maneuvers.
It’s something you may have seen before on a talent show or online video, but the immense amount of skill and grandeur of seeing a performer in person was exciting. I believe he was far more skilled than others I’ve seen videos of, too.
One last favorite of mine was the windmill of death, where multiple acrobats run along the top and inside of a rotating wheel. During the performance I attended, the performers were jumping rope while flying over the stage.
At one point, a performer stumbled and nearly fell off the contraption. This made the dangerous performance even more genuine, exciting, and impressive to watch.
The Weirdness
Photo: Cirque du Soleil
One of the things that surprised me about the show was the sheer absurdness of it all. Though the plot of the show is loosely tied to the animation process, there are many, MANY creative liberties taken to create a truly unique performance.
At times during the show, it felt like I was inside the mind of an impassioned artist, both brilliant and crazy at the same time. I thought this made the show more interesting, but I could see how some could view this aspect as simply odd and confusing. As long as you don’t take the show too seriously, you’ll have fun.
A prime example of this is a performance segment featuring acrobats dressed as forest creatures. They walked out onto the stage with a small table, and one of the performers positioned himself onto it.
The other waits a moment for suspense, then suddenly jumps over him. Before you realize what’s happening, one performer is spinning the other performer in the air with his feet.
The optics were absurd, and it was extremely weird but interesting to watch. It’s as if someone was lying on their back kicking a ball up in the air over and over, but the ball in a person being flipped around. How did they learn this? Who decided this was a worthwhile talent to pursue? Who cares!? It’s fun to watch!
Beyond the performers, there was a pillow that scurried about the stage throughout the show which also provided pre-show entertainment (get to your seat as soon as the doors open). There were also creepy clown things which traversed different parts of the stage. For both of these features, I couldn’t quite put my finger on how exactly they worked.
My Advice on Whether or Not to See the Show
If you have an extra night on your Disney or Universal vacation or have time in the evening after a conference to swing by Disney Springs, the show is well worth the money.
It features a truly unique experience that I doubt you can find anywhere else. The stunts are impressive, the artistry is interesting, and the performers truly showcase their personalities.
Drawn to Life presented by Cirque du Soleil and Disney
Walt Disney Animation Studios, Cirque du Soleil, and Walt Disney Imagineering come together to present Drawn to Life, a unique family-friendly show. This ticket grants admission to a live performance full of acrobats and dancers.
FAQ’s and Tips
How much does Orlando Cirque du Soleil Cost?
The show cost varies based on the time of year and seat you get but you should be able to snag tickets under $90 per person. The cheapest tickets are nearly as good as the most expensive ones since the venue is very small.
Should I pay extra for stage-side tickets?
I would only recommend paying extra for stage-side tickets if you have kids who would enjoy the interactions they could have with performers. I sat dead center in the row farthest back and would not have selected a different seat even if they were the same prices.
How long does the show last?
The show only lasts about an hour and a half and is easy to get to via the parking garages or Disney transportation. As such, plan a dinner before or after the show to make a great evening out of Disney Springs!
