A mysterious juggler performs tricks with unbelievable skill and ease during Drawn to Life, the highly anticipated new collaboration from Cirque du Soleil and Disney. The show premiered Nov. 18, 2021, at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kent Phillips, photographer).
Cirque Du Soleil Is Back And Better Than Ever At Disney Springs
Ever since the pandemic paused the new Drawn To Life show that was nearing completion in the iconic white-tent theater Disney Springs, the West Side of the entertainment, dining, and shopping complex has been oddly quiet.
That is all about to change.
A brand new Cirque du Soleil show called “Drawn to Life” opened on November 18, 2021. It replaces the previous La Nouba show that closed in 2017.
Disney + Cirque
The new show is a first and one-of-a-kind collaboration between Walt Disney Imagineering, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Cirque du Soleil. You can see signature elements of Disney and Cirque together in this presentation which tells the story of a father’s love for his daughter shared through animation and imagination.
Pre-Show
As was the case with La Nouba, there was a pre-show where the performers interact with the audience. They call some children onto the stage to create drawings, which are shown on the big screen above the stage.
Story
The show itself tells the story of Julie, whose father was a Disney animator. Julie goes on a journey to complete an unfinished drawing and the father left for her after his passing.
Acts
As is the case with Cirque shows, the presentation includes a large cast of talented performers, acrobats, and artists who perform amazing feats of strength, coordination, and artistry. Let’s take a look:
The Animators, an homage to legendary Disney animators, bring humor and physical comedy to Drawn to Life, the highly anticipated new collaboration from Cirque du Soleil and Disney. The show premiered Nov. 18, 2021, at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kent Phillips, photographer). Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Celebrating the “pencil test,” an acrobat guides an aerial pole, stylized as a giant pencil, across the stage to create their own animation before propelling dramatically into the air during Drawn to Life, the highly anticipated new collaboration from Cirque du Soleil and Disney. The show premiered Nov. 18, 2021, at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kent Phillips, photographer). Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved
A mysterious juggler performs tricks with unbelievable skill and ease during Drawn to Life, the highly anticipated new collaboration from Cirque du Soleil and Disney. The show premiered Nov. 18, 2021, at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kent Phillips, photographer). Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Animation meets acrobatics as the physicality of the art form is captured dramatically by the Waku Waku during Drawn to Life, the highly anticipated new collaboration from Cirque du Soleil and Disney. The show premiered Nov. 18, 2021, at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kent Phillips, photographer). Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Miss Hesitation, a bulbous ball of discarded drawings, and the Doubtovskis, represent self-doubt in Drawn to Life, the highly anticipated new collaboration from Cirque du Soleil and Disney. The show premiered on Nov. 18, 2021, at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kent Phillips, photographer). Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Gravity-defying acrobats are in constant motion during The Old Mill act in Drawn to Life, the highly anticipated new collaboration from Cirque du Soleil and Disney. The show premiered on Nov. 18, 2021, at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kent Phillips, photographer). Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Five playful unicyclists representing the Blue Fairy from the classic Disney Animation film “Pinocchio” appear to effortlessly float across the stage during Drawn to Life, the highly anticipated new collaboration from Cirque du Soleil and Disney. The show premiered on Nov. 18, 2021, at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kent Phillips, photographer). Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved
An all-female cast of acrobats take flight between two arcing swings in the celebratory finale of Drawn to Life, the highly anticipated new collaboration from Cirque du Soleil and Disney. The show premiered on Nov. 18, 2021, at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Kent Phillips, photographer). Photo credits (C) Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Review
Disney brought hand-drawn animation to the show, often shown using projection effects that blend into the design of the sets and even the floor and costumes.
Cirque takes a unique approach to incorporate Disney music. Some of the music is sweet and touching, as with songs from Beauty and the Beast, while some are fun and light-hearted as with “Let it go” from Frozen. All of it is done with a fresh and unique take.
The audience seemed to love the show, and so did I. It combines the unique designs, abstract presentations, and amazing cast and crew with the nostalgia of Disney characters and music. I highly recommend checking it out.
Cirque will perform one show at 5:30 PM until December 9. Starting on December 10, they will present both a 5:30 PM and also an 8:30 PM show. Drawn to Life is presented Tuesday to Saturday, and is shut down on Sunday and Monday. There will be no performances from January 9 – 17, 2022.
Will you see the new Cirque / Disney Animation show at Disney Springs?
