We Go Behind the Curtain with Cirque du Soleil's new VIP 'Drawn to Life' Experience

May 08, 2024 in "Cirque du Soleil"

'Page to Stage Signature Experience' backstage tour at Drawn to Life by Cirque du Soleil
Posted: Wednesday May 8, 2024 2:41pn ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Prepare to be whisked away on a fascinating journey behind the scenes of Disney and Cirque du Soleil's breathtaking show, "Drawn to Life," at Disney Springs.

Launching on May 24, the "Page to Stage Signature Experience" is an exclusive VIP tour that offers guests a rare glimpse into the artistic and technical wizardry behind Disney and Cirque du Soleil's one-of-a-kind collaboration at Walt Disney World. With tickets priced at $285 for adults and $225 for children, this immersive experience combines premium seating, artist meet-and-greets, and a guided backstage tour, making it a must-do for any fan of theater, Cirque du Soleil, and Disney storytelling. We had an early glimpse of the experience, and here's a preview of what's in store.

Upon arrival, guests of this VIP experience are welcomed with a personalized greeting and checked in by the dedicated "Page to Stage" host. The evening starts with a selection of concessions, including a souvenir popcorn bucket, and proceeds with guests taking their seats in a specially reserved optimal viewing section (104 H 1-9). From here, they witness the awe-inspiring blend of acrobatics, choreography, and live music that makes "Drawn to Life" a standout production.

Following the performance, guests on the tour have the opportunity to interact with the show's artists, pose for photographs, and engage in Q&A sessions, adding a personal touch that goes beyond the stage.

Kevin Hargrove, Company Manager of Drawn to Life, shares the intent behind this offering: "We're thrilled to invite guests backstage for an exclusive look at the intricate workings of Cirque du Soleil's captivating production. By showcasing the work of our talented artists and skilled technical team, attendees gain special insight into the magic that brings this collaboration between Cirque du Soleil and Disney Animation to life."

Limited to small groups of nine guests, the tour provides a deep dive into the underpinnings of the show. Guests are treated to an in-depth look at the complex costume designs and one-of-a-kind props that fill the stage each night. "This show is chock-full of details that are meticulously crafted by both Cirque and Disney's dedicated animators and designers," mentioned a representative during the tour. Viewing these elements up close underscores the immense creativity and effort invested into every performance. If you've seen the show and noticed the paint jars on the animator's desk, they came from the Disney Animation archives to ensure true authenticity.

Watch the video below for some highlights from the "Page to Stage Signature Experience" tour. (4K YouTube)

What sets the "Page to Stage Signature Experience" apart is the access it grants and the perspective it offers on theatrical production. During the guided tour, visitors explore areas usually hidden from public view—where artists rehearse, where costumes are maintained, and even where props are stored, both under and behind the stage. These are aspects of the show that a regular audience member would never see, offering a rare glimpse into the day-to-day operations of a major Cirque du Soleil show.



Artistic Director Justin Solomon, during the media preview, emphasized the exhaustive collaboration and coordination required to stage "Drawn to Life" ten times a week. "There's so much collaboration and coordination on a show of this size to make it happen 460 times a year at the highest level possible," he explained. The tour guides are available throughout the experience to answer any questions, providing an invaluable resource for guests curious about the inner workings of this massive production. Note that due to the timing of the media preview, we were able to watch part of the Drawn to Life training and rehearsals. This will not take place during the regular Page to Stage Signature Experience.


The "Page to Stage Signature Experience" at Cirque du Soleil's "Drawn to Life" is ideally suited for those who love the theater, appreciate the technology behind the scenes, enjoy Cirque du Soleil's breathtaking performances, or are simply fans of Disney's storytelling. With extensive access, insightful encounters, and a host of personalized touches, this experience is well worth the additional investment over a standard ticket. If you have seen the show before, the new VIP tour gives you a great reason to return and will provide you with a new appreciation for everything that goes into making "Drawn to Life" a reality.

More photos from "Page to Stage Signature Experience" at Cirque du Soleil.

This VIP experience is currently available following the second performance on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. For anyone eager to peek behind the curtain of this unique collaboration between Disney and Cirque du Soleil, tickets are available now, promising an unforgettable exploration of creativity and performance art.


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Jon81ukOct 23, 2025

A lot of people don't visit regularly. I don't think changing the show often would make a difference to most peple

WondersOfLifeOct 22, 2025

I'd say yes actually.

BocabearOct 01, 2025

Ahhh Joe Hayes' Surflight Theater.... My childhood... Weekly shows in the summer... The showplace for singing Ice Cream waiters... ( I remember when it was Margot's Ice Cream parlor before Surflight took it over as well.... That was always a great thing to have on the island.... It was so dead in the winter when they turned the traffic lights off and only kept one movie theater and one Grocery store open.....

Basil of Baker StreetOct 01, 2025

Absolutely. Also, an orchestra preforming Disney songs would be a nice change up. When in Disney, I would at least look to see who's in town. Plus I think you would get more local interest.

MisterPenguinOct 01, 2025

There's a theater in NJ (Surflight on Long Beach Island) that used to put on a new musical (reprises) every week. While they're performing one show during a week, during the day, they're rehearsing for next week's musical. They've cut back since the pandemic. But... There could be a troupe performing a revolving slate of Disney musicals year round. There's also space in the unused national pavilion expansion pads for an indoor theater...

Basil of Baker StreetOct 01, 2025

I would much prefer an assorted lineup of traveling Broadway shows in that space.

Animaniac93-98Sep 30, 2025

Perhaps this is part of the reason the previous Cirque show lasted so long. It was a Cirque show that happened to be in Disney, not a Disney Cirque show. It could appeal to those in the area for other reasons than WDW looking for something to do. More Cirque shows existing elsewhere may have diminished the uniqueness of this particular location. But we've talked about this broader issue on the forum before. That WDW ticket prices are now so expensive that people feel obligated to spend every hour of the day touring them and don't have the time/interest for other aspects of the resort.

WondersOfLifeSep 30, 2025

I'd say yes. Specifically the night crowd.

Sir_CliffSep 30, 2025

Very strongly agree on all points. I'm kind of surprised Cirque has hung on as long as it has at WDW. Disney already has very high quality live entertainment around the resorts, including shows based on their animated features. They would be better off including higher quality shows like this within the parks, as they at least briefly tried to be doing with the Aladdin show at DCA. I am already booked to go and see the Hercules musical in London in December, so I am certainly up for seeing Disney Broadway musicals. I cannot ever imagine choosing to spend the time and money required during a WDW vacation to do so, though.

TrainsOfDisneySep 30, 2025

Exactly - the parks already provide that type of experience. And ideally - the parks would provide closer to broadway level shows (the Hyperion shows were very close in quality). Even Cirque is a bit of a stretch. While the show is great - if I want to see acrobats to Disney music I can go to festival of the lion king. Epcot has a juggler and an acrobat. Even the boardwalk has circus acts. I think any investment to broadway level shows should be inside the parks - plus the parks. People are tired of cash grabs. I honestly wish drawn to life was in the parks - a shorter version of it would be perfect.

Sir_CliffSep 30, 2025

Yes, I tend to think a Disney Broadway show at the resorts is one of those things that sounds logical in theory but doesn't work in practice. I don't know quite why that is, but perhaps the appeal of a Broadway show is partly in its novelty and as an escape from daily life or whatever urban environment in which it's showing. People at these Disney resorts are basically immersed in a giant escapist experience all day, usually for several days. So, it stands to reason they don't want to shell out a large amount of money on top of their theme park tickets and put aside an evening for a form of escapism designed for a completely different environment and based more or less around the source material of the escapism they've already paid to experience.

TrainsOfDisneySep 30, 2025

you think the Disney springs crowd likes Blue Man Group more than Citywalk?

WondersOfLifeSep 30, 2025

With Cirque owning Blue Man Group now, I think it was a bit of a missed opportunity to throw BMG into Disney Springs instead of that other new location.

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