This blog post is sponsored by Destination Delaware. All pictures and opinions are my own, unless noted.

The magical world of Disney has arrived in Columbus with the debut of the Disney Animation: Immersive Experience. This unparalleled adventure takes you on a journey through some of the most beloved films in history, making it a one-of-a-kind experience.

𝘐𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘢 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘔𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘦𝘭 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘌𝘯𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘰, 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘵 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘤𝘬 𝘢𝘴 𝘙𝘢𝘧𝘪𝘬𝘪 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘚𝘪𝘮𝘣𝘢 – 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘯 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴. 𝘐𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘑𝘶𝘥𝘺 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘡𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘢 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘵 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘑𝘢𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦….𝘕𝘖𝘞 𝘠𝘖𝘜 𝘊𝘈𝘕!

Fast Facts

• Take a journey through the Disney Animation Wish Trail and get an up-close look at how beloved characters and stories took shape, as well as the artists and animators behind them.
• Interactive elements include a reactive floor, light up wristbands, and bubbles during key moments.
• The immersive experience lasts approximately an hour and features the legacy of Walt Disney Animation Studios from Snow White to present hits like Frozen and Encanto.
• See the brilliant work of Disney animators and the nearly 100-year history of stellar Disney films.
• Tickets start at $28 and there are family and friends bundled tickets available at discounted rates.

We opted for the VIP tickets. They are $59-$69 per person vs. $29ish per person. The VIP includes…..

• Skip the Line
• VIP Souvenir Laminate
• Immersive Disney Animation Print
• Lighthouse Immersive Cushion (to keep)
• Interactive Wristband

Each of these things had their charm, but I don’t think they were worth the extra money. We visited during a relatively quiet period, so we didn’t feel the need to use the skip-the-line option. It might have been more beneficial during busier times, but it wasn’t necessary for us. However, there was one thing that was definitely worth it…

• With FLEX and FREE tickets, you have the advantage of return visits. FLEX tickets allow you to change your reservation up to 48 hours before your scheduled visit. Meanwhile, FREE tickets give you the option to visit the attraction multiple times for up to 30 days from your initial visit, with one visit per day. There’s no need to pre-book your return visits – simply approach the desk when you arrive and inform them. Before heading out, check the calendar to see the availability of your chosen dates.

When you purchase your tickets, you will be asked to choose a specific time slot for your immersive experience. If you happen to be running a few minutes late, don’t worry – you won’t miss out on the immersive experience itself, but you may have less time in the gallery. The gallery offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Disney animators create the magic, including real-world locations that inspired the worlds of Disney Animation, demonstrations of how animators use storyboards to map out scenes and narratives, and opportunities to learn how to draw your favorite characters. Additionally, there are several photo ops in the gallery where you can capture some memorable moments.

The gallery had something for everyone, regardless of age. It was truly fascinating to learn about the inspirations behind specific scenes and the locations where the animators traveled during the initial stages of creating these beloved stories.

We arrived for our 10:15 time slot and waited until about 10:25 when it was announced that our immersive experience would begin at 10:30. As we made our way to the immersive experience, we walked through a hallway filled with sketches of beloved Disney characters. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to read the information on the wall, but we did take a quick picture of the Columbus Wall! For those who opted for VIP, this is also where you can pick up your seat cushion.

and this is where the true magic begins…….

Upon entering the immersive experience, take a moment to look down at the ground, as the stars move around you and create a magical ambiance. This experience was a hit with everyone, and we all enjoyed a nostalgic celebration. We couldn’t resist singing along to the clips from our favorite Disney movies. They did a great job of piecing together various scenes and pairing them with songs, which made the entire experience cohesive and enjoyable.

There are a limited number of benches inside, so they are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you choose the VIP option, you will receive a cushion, but it is relatively thin, and some people might prefer to bring their own. Personally, I found the ground comfortable enough to sit on, and I saw a few others doing the same. During the experience, my girls alternated between sitting and dancing, so it’s up to you how you want to enjoy the show!

I was uncertain of what to expect, but the experience surpassed my expectations, and I loved it! It was a unique way of bringing all our favorite Disney movies together through singing, animation, and interactive elements such as the moving floor and popping bubbles. It was all very well executed.

Please keep in mind that the immersive experience includes bright lights that could cause discomfort for anyone with photosensitive epilepsy. The music may be too loud for some visitors, but headphones are available upon request. Harper used them but took them off halfway through and didn’t seem bothered. The sound level is not as high as in movie theaters these days! If you need to step out for any reason, you can return when ready.

Take a quick look at our 30-second video to see the immersive experience in action during our visit.

A few Extra Things

They have snacks.

There are snacks available for purchase. We didn’t buy anything, but the chocolate-covered pretzels caught our eye. The popcorn is sourced from Motor City Popcorn, a Detroit-based company. While we would have loved to see a local popcorn vendor, we have to admit the Motor City Popcorn looked tempting!

They have a Gift Shop.

When the show is over, you will exit through the gift shop. They had a good mix of new and vintage merchandise, but I didn’t have much time to look at the prices. I was too busy trying to herd three 4-year-olds out of there without them asking for anything!

Disney Animation: Immersive Experience is a must-see for Disney fans in Columbus. With its interactive elements, stunning visuals, and beloved films, it offers a one-of-a-kind experience that is sure to delight audiences of all ages. Book your tickets today and get ready to be transported to the magical world of Disney animation!

Location: Lighthouse ARtspace Columbus – 940 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240
Parking: Free, Lot
Tickets: Tickets start at $28, and there are family and friends bundled tickets that allow guests to buy four or more tickets at a discounted rates! 

You can get more information on their website! Feel free to send me a message on Instagram, too.

If you’re looking for a fun day adventure in Delaware, make sure to check out Destination Delaware’s website for a ton of ideas! For lunch, we recommend trying Torchy’s Tacos, a family-friendly restaurant just down the street. Don’t forget to use #VisitDelOhio on Instagram.