Immersive Disney Is a Trip

I was back in Vegas last month and did the Disney Immersive exhibit at the Lighthouse ArtSpace at The Shops at Crystals.

It might surprise you to learn that my second favorite place to visit is Las Vegas. My wife and I are big Disney fans and she has no interest in Vegas, so my favorite place to visit is actually Disney World. In fact, we specifically moved to Florida to be just a car ride away.

I realize I’m an outlier; you wouldn’t think there’d be a lot of crossover between Disney and Vegas. But apparently, there’s enough to support the Disney Immersive Animation exhibit at the Crystals mall between Aria and Cosmopolitan. If you’re familiar with the immersive Van Gogh exhibit, this is in the same space.

In the check-in area, a small activity area presents a couple of Disney photo opportunities and coloring/drawing activities. At the appointed hour, you’re led into the exhibit hall, the size of a large hotel ballroom. A sort of pre-show lasts for several minutes with some basic animation projected on the walls, but it doesn’t prepare you for how immersive the main show is.

The best way I can describe it — to Disney aficionados — is that it’s like being inside the castle projection show. The show runs close to an hour, immersing you in more than 40 Disney movies with floor to ceiling projections on the walls, ceiling, and floor, all set to Disney music. A couple of surprise touches are worthy of Disney Imagineers that really make you feel like you’re immersed in it all.

This is a timed-entry event, so it’s highly recommended that you purchase tickets ahead of time. You don’t need to plan too far ahead, though; there are multiple shows per day and usually plenty of same-day or next-day admissions available. Tickets start at $39; some more expensive VIP options available, are but they’re probably not worth the extra money. I got the basic ticket and had no regrets. Initially, the show was scheduled to run through Labor Day, but presumably due to demand, the last date is now January 8. Even that might be extended.

This is a very fun daytime family activity or a cool pre-game activity to do early in the evening before dinner or a “regular” Vegas show.