Lily's reaction to her first Cirque du Soleil show is the same as most of the audience as we witness incredible artists defy gravity before our very eyes. The acrobats are mesmerizing and you wonder, "How do they do that?" The talent and dazzle of a Cirque show are truly out-of-this-world and a delight for all ages. The show at Disney Springs combines the awe of Cirque du Soleil with the wonder and magic of Disney animation. "Drawn to Life" brings an animator's desk alive with incredible costumes, choreography and acrobatics — all pulled together with beloved Disney music and animation. The whimsical 90-minute show has a talent-packed cast that delivers jaw-dropping performances. Plus, catch lots of your Disney animated favorites literally drawn to life!
Cirque du Soleil at Disney Springs
The circus is in town! Cirque du Soleil at Disney Springs is a permanent theater building for contemporary circus performances. The large building mimics the white tent of a circus and reaches incredible heights. The building was custom-created in the late '90s to host "La Nouba," which ran until the end of 2017.
With more than 1,000 seats surrounding the stage in a semi-circle, there is no bad seat in the theater! The seats go up stadium-style, so there's no worry about someone blocking your view. Keep in mind that there are a lot of vertical acrobatics, and some parts of the show happen in the middle walkway. (Be aware of your surroundings if you do have to leave — we also saw ushers warn people sitting in the aisles right before some of the performers passed through.) Note that there is no intermission during this 90-minute show, and while you are free to exit at any time, this show might be a tad long for the youngest tadpoles.
Also note that cell phone usage, photography and video recording are prohibited during the show as a safety measure for the performers (to avoid distractions such as flashes going off) and courtesy for the guests sitting near you.
Getting Tickets for Cirque du Soleil at Disney Springs
Tickets are now available through the end of 2025 for "Drawn to Life" by Cirque du Soleil at Disney Springs — and Undercover Tourist offers Drawn to Life tickets at a discount!
Showtimes are typically at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, as well as 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Sundays (no shows on Mondays or Tuesdays). Though rare, the schedule can vary, so be sure to confirm dates and times on the calendar.
Arriving at Cirque du Soleil at Disney Springs
Cirque du Soleil is located on the West Side near the House of Blues. You can't miss the large white "tent" building. If driving, park at Orange Garage or the surface lots for less walking time. If staying at a Disney Resort, you can use bus transportation to arrive at Disney Springs. Be sure to allow enough time for driving, security and walking across Disney Springs.
Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. In the lobby, you could also pick up a seat cushion for extra comfort or a boost of elevated viewing for the tadpoles. A gift shop is available, as well as snacks and drinks for purchase.
The concession stand sold hot dogs, Mickey pretzels, popcorn (served in a box pictured above, or a collective bucket), cotton candy and assorted candies. For drinks, options included Coca-Cola products (including frozen Coca-Cola) and the specialty nonalcoholic "Glitter Pencil" (lemonade, DOLE pineapple juice, raspberry and edible glitter). For adults 21 and up, draft and canned beer, wine and "The Ink Blot" cocktail are available.
The Story Behind "Drawn to Life" at Cirque du Soleil
"Drawn to Life" is the first-ever collaboration between Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Animation and Walt Disney Imagineering. The story follows Julie as she discovers her father's animation desk and sees his work come to life.
Drawing inspiration from 100 years of Disney Animation, we enjoyed seeing glimpses of so many of our favorite characters and hearing familiar Disney tunes. We loved that the show highlighted both classic Disney films, such as "Dumbo" and "Cinderella," and modern favorites, including "Moana" and "Frozen." Combined with the incredible choreography that Cirque du Soleil is known for, the show is packed with action from 10 unique acrobatic acts!
The show really blends together so many different art forms and reminds us how animation began with picking up a pencil. Before the official showtime, some kids were even chosen to draw pictures on stage and their artwork was shown on the projector for all to see. Arrive at least 15 minutes early for the chance to participate.
While none of the actors play a Disney character, they feel like they just stepped out of a fantastical world. The costumes are so vibrant and unique. Sometimes as they performed feats, the animated characters would too. It felt like we were watching kids on a playground as they used their imagination to do anything. The show touches on hitting a creative block and struggling to get ideas but also overcoming those obstacles — all brought to life by the villainous yet comedic Miss Hesitation.
As each scene unfolds, you are provided with a variety of talents. The show consists of a huge cast, all with different acrobatic, gymnastic, puppetry and dancing skills. The performances are truly out of this world. Some of the sequences had me baffled as to how they were still flying through the air over and over.
The projections were incredible and really helped to pull together all of the different mediums. It was wonderful seeing characters drawn on-screen. Sometimes you don't even know where to look — that's how big this show is!
It was wonderful to feel the energy of the cast and audience. The variety of entertainment makes this a worthwhile experience. The show fittingly opened on Mickey Mouse's birthday in 2021, and the show truly is "a love letter to Disney animation."
Have you ever been to Cirque du Soleil at Disney Springs? What animated characters would you hope to see during the show? Share with us in the comments below!
Related: The Hoppin' Good Guide to Disney Springs
Hoppy planning!
