Step right inside the magical world of Disney with Immersive Disney Animation!
Immersive Disney Animation opens today in Minneapolis and I had a chance to see it before it opens to the public!
This fully immersive experience takes you an a journey alongside your favorite Disney characters who surround you in animation, light and sound.
A visit to Immersive Disney Animation at Lighthouse Artspace Minneapolis begins by learning about Walt Disney Animation Studios and how they bring these films to life.
You’ll see an animator’s desk with designs and sketches of animation in the making. See how animators use storyboards to map both the images you see in the scenes and the narrative You’ll also learn how effects are added to make the films even more spectacular.
With The Art of Character brought to you by uni, you can learn and practice how to sketch some of your favorite Disney characters.
Moving into the immersive experience itself you enter a huge room with floor to ceiling projections and a seemingly magic carpet under your feet that is reactive and changes when you walk. Seeing stars floating out of your way as you walk in is pretty cool!
During the roughly one hour long show you’ll be greeted by movies and characters from the 100-year history of Walt Disney Animation Studios, all the way from Snow White to today’s Encanto.
It is truly immersive in that the images and action are all around you. It’s made up of 60,600 frames of video, 500,000 cubic feet of projection and 90,000,000 pixels!
The experience is built around the concept of dreams as so many Disney characters have dreams and do whatever they can to follow them and always hold out hope for their dreams.
Over 40 different Disney films are represented so you’re pretty sure to see your favorite. I’m a huge Encanto fan myself so I was happy to see a nice section dedicated to it!
Immersive Disney Animation FAQ:
When: The experience is open as of March 23, 2023.
Where: Immersive Disney Animation will be located at Lighthouse Artspace Minneapolis (1515 NE Central Ave) in Northeast Minneapolis.
Parking: There is ample free parking behind the building, but it’s a bit of a walk so you may want to drop off a parent with multiple littles or the elderly in front of the building before parking.
Tickets: Ticket prices start at $28 with family and friends bundled tickets offering discounted rates for groups of four or more. Group tickets are available for groups of ten or more. Also see below for additional discount ticket information.
Showtimes: Showtimes are every day of the week except Tuesday and start in the late morning and run through the evening.
Other Cities: Besides Minneapolis, you can also visit Immersive Disney Animation in Toronto, Cleveland, Nashville, Detroit, Denver, Boston, San Antonio and Columbus.
Is Immersive Disney Animation Worth It?
If you, your significant other or your kids are Disney fans, this is a rare and unique way to experience Disney Animation. The approximately one hour long immersive experience gives you plenty of time to feel the magic inside the world of Disney.
Kids especially seem to love the experience since they’re free to roam about to dance along with the characters, chase moving objects like leaves and snowflakes along the floor, and even sing along if they like.
And without kids, an Immersive Disney Animation date night lets you cuddle up and next to each other to take in the magical world around you.
Whether or not you want to spring for the upgraded VIP Ticket or Premium Plus ticket is up to you. They include additional features such as an special print, a cushion to use during the show and an interactive wristband with the Premium Plus Ticket.
The VIP ticket gives you both the print and the wristband, but you get to keep the cushion, skip the line, and receive a souvenir laminate. Probably the best feature of VIP is that you also have the ability to change your showtime (with 48 hour notice and availability) and you get Free Return Visits within 30 days – up to once per day.
In my personal opinion the wristbands were a fun idea, but we were so absorbed in the show we didn’t even notice them doing anything at the time. And while a cushion may be extra cozy, we were comfortable without them. The Immersive Disney Animation Print is nice and a fun souvenir.
Sensory Friendly Viewings of Immersive Disney Animation:
Do you and your family want to see the Immersive Disney Animation, but are concerned it may be too bright or noisy? Try attending during a sensory friendly viewing to find a more relaxed environment. Sensory Friendly viewings are scheduled at 10:15 am on the following Sundays: June 18, July 16, and August 13.
Lighthouse Immersive Producer Corey Ross states that “Inclusion is important to us with all of our offerings, but all the more so with Immersive Disney Animation, which is truly an exhibit where everyone should feel welcome.”
During the Sensory Friendly Viewings, there will be reduced sound volume and reduced capacity. In addition, there will not be any blackouts. Instead, there will be comfortable gallery lighting at all times. During these scheduled viewings, there will be sensitivity warnings for content and quiet areas outside the gallery where guests may take a break from the show.
Immersive Disney Animation Discount Tickets:
You can save on tickets with Friends & Family Ticket Packs for groups of four or more. Additional discounts are available with Group Tickets for groups of ten or more. You can also save 15% on your tickets using our exclusive Immersive Disney Animation discount order link. It will automatically apply coupon code DISNEYCROSSPROMO.
If for some reason that discount code isn’t working for you, discounted tickets may also be available via Goldstar.
Immersive Disney Animation Ticket Giveaway:
Visiting with the family is a GREAT idea for Father’s Day! In celebration of Father’s Day, one lucky Thrifty Minnesota reader will win a family 4-pack of tickets that can be used now through August 13th. To enter, just complete the entry form below by 11:59 pm ET on 6/20/23. Good luck!
Immersive Disney Animation Ticket Giveaway
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Hi, I’m Chrysa, the owner and editor of ThriftyMinnesota.com. I’m here along with my friends Hannah and Laura to share fun and thrifty ways for you and your family to enjoy all the awesome things Minnesota has to offer!
Jessica Dahlberg says
This is an awesome write up! Makes me want to go!!
Lisa Swanson says
This looks so cool
Angela says
This looks interesting.
Heather Welch says
I would LOVE to take my 10 year old twins to this!!
Veronica says
My family will love to go!