Disney is arguably one of the most well-known franchises on the planet, and for a good reason. Since its humble beginnings in 1923, it has developed a plethora of interesting and exciting characters that have captured the imaginations of the young and old alike. Today, these characters are enjoyed on stage by millions of fans worldwide. Only by attending the live performances can one truly appreciate the magic of these characters. Yet, with the pandemic putting a damper on these live performances, it has become increasingly difficult to see them live. However, thanks to the lifting of lockdowns, Disneyland parks, and Broadway theaters are now open to the public. So, here are the things you should be doing to prepare for a magical night at the theater:
Verify Whether There Are Any Covid Restrictions
Depending on where you are in the world, there will be different Covid restrictions in each place. Therefore, your first step should be to head over to the Disney website and see if your nearest shows are playing and what are the requirements. In the US, Disneyland opened its doors in October 2021 after a 19-month hiatus from health and safety concerns. Nevertheless, with this opening, it seems that things are back on track. However, some venues will require you to take some precautions. For instance, The Lion King show at Broadway theatres will require all visitors to be:
- Fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved vaccine.
- Have a government-issued ID that matches up with their vaccine card.
- All attendees wear a mask at all times.
- If you are exempt from receiving a vaccination, you must show a negative PCR result no more than 72 hours before the date and time of the show.
These are the rules for one show at one location and they are listed here as an example of what you might expect for other shows. For example, the California-based Disneyland seems to have less stringent rules regarding Covid as quoted from their website “The State of California strongly recommends that all Guests be fully vaccinated or receive a negative COVID-19 test prior to entering the Disneyland Resort. Face coverings are required for all Guests … while indoors, including on many attractions and in enclosed transportation vehicles, regardless of vaccination status.”
If you plan to attend any of these shows, it is essential to research and review all the rules. This will enable you to have a much better experience and avoid potential problems. Now that’s out of the way, let’s look at the lighter side of things and what makes the experience even more enjoyable!
Get Dressed Up
One thing that tends to set Disney fans apart from others is the genuine dedication they put into every moment of the experience. It is not uncommon to see scores of fans dressed up as their favorite characters from Iron Man to Elsa when it comes to living shows! If you have little ones excited to dress up and immerse themselves in the experience, you should try to go the extra mile to make the experience even more magical for them.
This could include hiring or even making the outfits of the characters they prefer, practicing some songs with them, and possibly even having a haircut to match the character. If you do this yourself, please make sure to use proper hairdressing scissors as that can make a big difference. You can even dress yourself up as a complementary character. For instance, if your child wants to go as Elsa, you should dress up as Anna (or Kristoff)!
Find Out What Shows Are On
This was true before the pandemic, and it is true after it. You need to check which shows are playing before booking your tickets. Although many shows and tours have been canceled or postponed in the past couple of years, many of the staples are now available to watch. Currently, Disney’s live show website lists the following performances:
- The Lion King: Currently showing on Broadway
- Aladdin: Currently showing on Broadway
- Frozen: currently touring in IL, MI, LA, FL, SC, OH, WI, GA, NC, TX
- Disney On Ice: currently touring in most US states
- Marvel Universe Live: currently not touring the USA
As you can see, there is some variation regarding the shows that are touring and in which locations. However, the story gets a bit more complicated when you factor in the shows available at the Disneyland parks themselves. In the parks, the following acts are available:
- Avengers Headquarters (which is a welcome respite, seeing as the live show tours are currently on hold).
- The Dapper Dans
- Disney Junior Dance Party!
- Guardians Of The Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!
However, it is worth stressing again that you should perform your own checks before attempting to book a show (or promise to your kids) because scheduling seems to be constantly in flux.
Watching your favorite Disney shows has become a bit more challenging these days, but not impossible. As long as you check which shows are playing and what regulations you must adhere to, you should be fine.
