OT ringling bros. circus

[ADisneyQueen]

We are thinking of going to this on Sat. in Erie Pa. It says it is the gold one which includes the animals. Has anyone gone to this and is it worth the money? Also are there any discounts?

 

[Our2Girls&Disney]

We got tickets as a gift. It was nice, but I did not love it. I was expecting better.

 

[suffolkprincess]

Its an annual family tradition.

My dd4 has always dearly loved it, she likes to look at the souvenir programs and watch the dvd and everything.

But-- every year it is not equally good. I have never seen the gold, but I wasn't crazy about the blue this year. The red, with Bello, is AWESOME.

Check out their website-- ringling.com, I think.

Its a fun but pricey outing. And the preshow stuff to let the kids interact with the performers and clowns is fantastic!

 

[kathi29]

I second that. I've not seen the gold show, but the one with Bello is awesome.

The blue was a huge waste of money. We didn't enjoy that show at all.

 

[mcgrawfan]

I didn't know that there were any differences. We went to one this year (just one ring) and it was pretty bad. Everything looked very cheap. It was kind of sad. I wouldn't spend the money again. On the bright side if we hadn't have gone I wouldn't have known about the special Disney on Ice presale and got great seats for only $10 each! Which was half price.

 

[dana1003]

my girls are 3 and i think the circus would be too confusing..too many things going on a once and i dont think it would catch their attention. also-read somewhere that they abuse the elephants? i would rather spemd the $ on wiggles or disney on ice.

 

[barkley]

we went in late september (not sure which color)-it was AWSOME. it was a one ring, and this year is the first time they've created a storyline that ties all the performances together. all of the performers were great, and the motorcycles inside the round sphere is unbelievable. we also liked that they've added a large screen where they project close ups of the performers mid performance (as well as great audience shots). we ended up buying the dvd because both we and the kids enjoyed it so much (it also gives some great info. on the history of the circus and the elephant protection/preserve they operate).

if you go, make sure to take advantage of the free 'pre-show'-they let people go down onto the performance area and see the performers upclose. my kids got a huge kick out of the racks of costumes they could try on.

 

[disnut1149]

Hi
Just wanted to let you know that a few years ago, they made a baby elephant perform when he was sick, and he died. Sears used to sponsor Ringling Bros. circus, until they got so much consumer complaints about the treatment of the elephants, that they dropped their sponsorship. I have info on the cruelty of circuses, which you can get on the internet, and will NEVER go to a circus. It's so sad about these poor animals, that I don't even like to read about it. I know too much, and sometimes wish I didn't know all that I do. The only circus I'll go to is Cirque Du Soleil, without animal performers!!

 

[Ava31]

We went to the Bello one (I guess that would be red, I didn't know there was a distinction). We sat in the front row and loved, loved, loved it! We always have a blast at the circus and it was worth the money to sit in front...DD (on her 6th birthday) got to ask a question in the spotlight on the microphone and Bello came up and gave her a hug. The memories are most definitely invaluable.

 

[KerriMc]

I too can't stand the circus, mainly because of the way they treat their animals. Especially the travelling ones that cart them all over the country. Poor things aren't meant to be treated that way. Chaining an elephant by a leg to a post (very short chain) is cruel. They are hit with whips and prods to make them learn "tricks". It is so totally sickening. I will NEVER give any money to support these circuses. Here is a website that has info about Ringling Bros "practices" ... http://www.circuses.com/ringling.asp. Lovely stuff. Here is another one ... http://www.circuswatch.com/ Can't every imagine visiting one ever again. The video on this one about their training methods would turn your stomach. It is quite graphic though.

The only circus we'll ever go to is Cirque du Soleil. That is talent and art. This other stuff is pure abuse and torture.

Kerri

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

we are going tomorrow evening to see the show. It is the blue one. I will let you know what I think. My DS is 4. We have center front seats.

 

[disnut1149]

I too can't stand the circus, mainly because of the way they treat their animals. Especially the travelling ones that cart them all over the country. Poor things aren't meant to be treated that way. Chaining an elephant by a leg to a post (very short chain) is cruel. They are hit with whips and prods to make them learn "tricks". It is so totally sickening. I will NEVER give any money to support these circuses. Here is a website that has info about Ringling Bros "practices" ... http://www.circuses.com/ringling.asp. Lovely stuff. Here is another one ... http://www.circuswatch.com/ Can't every imagine visiting one ever again. The video on this one about their training methods would turn your stomach. It is quite graphic though.

The only circus we'll ever go to is Cirque du Soleil. That is talent and art. This other stuff is pure abuse and torture.

Kerri

Hi
Thank you for posting these websites. I'm not good with the computer or I would've done it. I wish more people would learn more about the mistreatment and suffering of these animals and not support the circuses cruelty. I used to be very involved with animal rights, but it got to the point that I couldn't sleep. I live outside of Philly and when the circus comes here, there is always a public protest. They are giving our zoos elephants away next spring, one to a sanctuary in Tennessee for elephants and two are going to the Baltimore zoo, where they are supposed to have a lot more land to roam around . A move in the right direction!! So instead of going to the circus, you guys could go to Disney on Ice. I heard it's great!! We're going in December to see Princess Wishes!!!

 

[KerriMc]

Disnut ... I was actually glad you had posted your opinion on circuses previously. Many times I say to people that I HATE the circus and for the above reasons. They look at me like I have ten heads. I just can't understand how someone can pay to see these poor innocent creatures be tortured to perform tricks. It is a real sore spot for me. I know the above websites are part of PETA and sometimes I know they can be a bit over the edge, but this circus stuff has to stop. At least someone is doing something. More people need to stand up and say they won't support something that breeds animals for the purpose of beating them and sticking steel hooks into the most sensitive parts of their bodies. It is just blatant cruelty and I can't believe that it goes on in our country (Canada and the US). We are a civilized nation ... but this definitely isn't civilized!!!!!

Kerri

p.s. To see that poor elephant (Shirley) be forced to give birth to her baby with three of her legs chained to the floor and then when the baby fell out she accidentally kicked it because she didn't know what was happening. They rushed the baby away from her and then she kept trying to touch it with her trunk. She was pitifully "crying". This was SOOOO sad. It is haunting me and I wish I'd never watched it, but these things happen and I can't put my head in the sand and pretend they don't. It was so much like Dumbo (which I can't watch either because I'm a big sap) ... those poor creatures. It is heartbreaking. That baby ended up dying while performing because he had a bone disease that happens in large part because they breed elephants too young (Shirley was only 7). They should be closer to 18 when they have a baby. Poor girl.

 

[disnut1149]

KerriMc
I couldn't watch your videos. I've watched so many times before, and it is sickening. It does turn your stomach, and then I can't get these pictures out of my mind. I know PETA can be extreme, but sometimes something extreme has to be done to get some results. (I'm not a member). I guess that's why I have this obsession with Disneyworld. It makes me feel good and not sad. I just wish more people would come forward and not bury their heads in the sand and stand up for the poor animals that can not speak for themselves. As of this moment, my DD (32) is picking up a rescued greyhound and driving two hours to meet someone, then taking the greyhound to the next person, that will deliver the greyhound to his new owners. So there are people out there that care!!!
Joan

 

[KerriMc]

Disnut ... kudos to your dd for doing that Not only am I passionate about "big" animals ... I also am for the small domestic kind. I am an animal lover of all kinds. I love those beautiful greyhounds and I think that many more of them are saved today thanks to people like your dd. Hopefully the plight of elephants in circuses will eventually come to light too (although I can't help transport one ).

Hopefully many people have read this thread and have learned something about what really happens. The message needs to get out there!!!

Kerri

 

[disnut1149]

KerriMc
Thanks for caring. It felt good to talk to someone with the same feelings that I have. Have a great time on your next trip to Disney. I'm going with my girlfriend, (girls only) no husbands the second week in December. Can't wait.!!
We'll be able to shop without being rushed!

 

[NeverBeen2DW]

I went to see this tonight. I would not waste my money if i could do it over agian. I did not seen any examples of animal cruelty here though I will add that. These animals did not have any scarring or indications of any hooks being used on them. What actually bothered me more than the elephants or the tigers were the things they were making the cats and dogs do. There was very little acts with the elephants or tigers. I think they have responded greatly to public opinion and nixed the elephants acts. The elephants held up signs that said "human tricks" and "flips". They mainly just walked the elephants around the ring and they laid down once. But the cat act turned my stomach. I do animal rescue so believe me when I say I love animals. Someone posted below about the greyhound transport. To dated I have rescued and transported well over 500 dogs this year. I orgnize those transports your daughter helped out with.

I was very disappointed with this circus for several reason. It is not really child appropriate. They had a canon fire at a man and he caught the canon ball. My son about fainted and cried when he saw that. The had a Jeep run over a mans stomach when he was laying down. My child freaked out agian. he was very upset with the cat act. was okay with the dog act and demanded to pet them. We sat in the 2nd row back and the pollution for the show was unbelievable to the point that I was getting sick to my stomach. Lots of fumes from the vehicles. At intermission they used gas powered leaf blowers to blow confetti. agian I gagged. and the acts were just stupid. My son kept asking is it over yet?

 

[disnut1149]

NeverBeen2DW
Thanks for doing so much for the greyhounds. They're great dogs. I don't always think you can see visible scars on the elephants. They use the hooks on the inside of their ears, which are very sensitive, so you probably could not see the scars. Please pass the word about how awful your experience was with the circus, so people will not spend their money to support the suffering of the animals. Thanks again!!

 

[kathi29]

I went to see this tonight. I would not waste my money if i could do it over agian. I did not seen any examples of animal cruelty here though I will add that. These animals did not have any scarring or indications of any hooks being used on them. What actually bothered me more than the elephants or the tigers were the things they were making the cats and dogs do. There was very little acts with the elephants or tigers. I think they have responded greatly to public opinion and nixed the elephants acts. The elephants held up signs that said "human tricks" and "flips". They mainly just walked the elephants around the ring and they laid down once. But the cat act turned my stomach. I do animal rescue so believe me when I say I love animals. Someone posted below about the greyhound transport. To dated I have rescued and transported well over 500 dogs this year. I orgnize those transports your daughter helped out with.

I was very disappointed with this circus for several reason. It is not really child appropriate. They had a canon fire at a man and he caught the canon ball. My son about fainted and cried when he saw that. The had a Jeep run over a mans stomach when he was laying down. My child freaked out agian. he was very upset with the cat act. was okay with the dog act and demanded to pet them. We sat in the 2nd row back and the pollution for the show was unbelievable to the point that I was getting sick to my stomach. Lots of fumes from the vehicles. At intermission they used gas powered leaf blowers to blow confetti. agian I gagged. and the acts were just stupid. My son kept asking is it over yet?

And that would be the same craptastic blue show we saw last year. What a huge disappointment.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

We decided not to go to the circus, based on info here. I wish we could go to Disney on Ice, but apparantly they are not coming to Erie this year.