We attended the January 3rd show of the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus Legends! We arrived at 6:00pm and picked up our tickets at Will Call. I asked the ticket agent where to go for the Animal Open House (it was scheduled in Tampa those dates were removed when the show closed there), which was scheduled to begin at 6:00pm and we were told to wait in the line in the lobby to our right. We waited in the packed lobby with many other families all complaining and confused about the Animal Open House. We all arrived early for the 7:30pm show to take part in this particular activity. After asking 2 other Tampa Bay Times Forum employees and receiving the same answer…we waited. At 6:30pm we were allowed in to the arena for the All-Access Pre-Show. While we enjoyed the pre-show we were disappointed that we all somehow missed the Animal Open House and no one we talked to from the Forum could give us answers.
All-Access Pre-show
The All-Access Pre-Show is a fun and sometimes interactive 45 minutes spent on the arena floor with the circus performers. There adults and children can see some of the acts close up and sometimes even participate in them!
When we headed to our seats we were very disappointed in the location. Our seats were in the 6th row in section 118, right near the curtain. We had a great view of the band and the upcoming acts that were being staged but it was difficult to see the acts in he far ring, which at times led to a very squirmy 7yo because he couldn’t see what was going on.
Our seats were approximately the X in section 218.
While we had a pretty good time at the circus, even most of the acts in the ring in the center of the arena had their back to us, especially my favorite, the big cats.
The Theme for this year’s show was Legends! and I just didn’t feel they pulled the theme off again. Yes they had a Pegasus, Unicorn and Woolly Mammoth each parade through the arena once but that was it. The Pegasus was well done, the Unicorn was sad looking and while we thought the Woolly Mammoth looked good, 7 yo Matthew said, “That looks like an elephant dressed up.” Ha!
I do recommend a visit to see Legends! if it comes to your area. Please make sure you sit in the middle of the arena so that you can ensure you see the entire performance.
Disclosure: I received 4 free tickets to the event for the purpose of this review. All opinions are 00% mine.
Thanks so much for the report & the map of the area seating. Always nice to have a heads up, before we make a decision to attend. Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey, always puts on a wonderful show. But best when you can see everything.
It looks like it was a grand old time. I’m glad you were able to enjoy it.
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I am glad you were able to go to the circus. It is one of those outings that is fun for people of all ages!
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It seems like you had a great time at the circus. I liked the pictures of the animals in action.
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