I am taking my daughter who is three years old to her first circus andfor my wife this will also be her first Circus being she is originally from Korea. My question was does anyone know if you can take pictures at the circus or is it prohibited? And also, i would love to have people share there experiences and opinions about Barnum and Baileys Circus.

98% certain that you can take pictures unless things have changed. i think i went to ringling bros. once at the newGarden and enjoyed it, although it was certainly...a lot of things going on at once for a 3 year old to follow

from http://www.ringling.com/general/faq.aspx#16

16. Can I bring my camera or video camera to the show?
Ringling Bros. policy is that no video cameras of any kind are allowed in the arena; however still cameras are permitted providing they are non-professional type cameras, and the photos are intended for personal use only. Since the definition of non-professional cameras and the use of digital cameras varies from arena to arena; please contact your local arena to verify their policy.

from http://www.ringling.com/general/faq.aspx#16

16. Can I bring my camera or video camera to the show?
Ringling Bros. policy is that no video cameras of any kind are allowed in the arena; however still cameras are permitted providing they are non-professional type cameras, and the photos are intended for personal use only. Since the definition of non-professional cameras and the use of digital cameras varies from arena to arena; please contact your local arena to verify their policy.


I took Anthony to the circus a couple years ago and there were tons of people (including me) taking pictures. As long as you don't have some crazy, tricked out camera that looks like it could be professional, you'll be fine.

Ringling Bro's is a great Circus. Probably the best around. Very high entertainment value for the money. I have been to 4-5 since I was a kid and they were always a highlight. Our kids have always liked them too. Especially if you get there early and can go down on the floor for the hour before the show starts and interact with the people and performers. Be prepared to spend outrageous amounts of money for any souveniers purchased inside the show.

Dola -- as for comments, I'll admit up front that I'm not personally a big fan of circuses. That said, kids still love it & a lot of adults do too. It does some ... "slicker" than I remembered, and there's enough grab-your-money opportunities to put Disney to shame. Almost every conceivable souvenir opportunity (aka cheap gimmick) you can imagine is likely to be seen. Nothing wrong with that necessarily, but I figure you ought to be prepared.

If you're doing the shows in Boston in October, that looks to be the Red Tour, which features Bello, The World's Best Clown (a title Time gave him but I believe he really does deserve). Some years, there's a good bit of action that might be pretty intense for especially skittish kids (the motorcycle Ring of Death is particularly nerve wracking if it's taking place in the ring you're closest to) but the Red seems to be the more traditional lineup (the bikes are with Blue) so I don't think there's any big deal there, just the standard high wire acts, human cannonballs, etc.

One cool thing that you might particularly enjoy with a couple of first-timers is the All-Access Pre-Show " Basically you get to go down on the circus floor for about an hour before things get started, they've got clowns, jugglers, etc. to entertain. A word of advice -- if you want to do this, get there plenty early. A lot of people do this pre-show thing so it gets pretty crowded on the floor pretty quickly, if you're running late & don't make use of the full time available you probably end up screwed out of really taking advantage of it.

Dola - LOL at PilotMan beating me to most everything I was typing.

My wife and I go every year. We're really kids at heart, so even though we don't have any children, we love going. We'll be going again this year, and I think that'll make 4 years in a row.

Nothing is better than the UniverSOUL circus, much more entertaining.

Nothing is better than the UniverSOUL circus, much more entertaining.

We've probably never heard of that.

To add to Jon's comments about the different tours, I'm really looking forward to seeing the Red one this year. In 2003, we saw the Red tour at the New Orleans Arena. Then, in 2004, we saw the Blue tour there. We moved in 2005 and saw the Blue tour in Pittsburgh, so it's been a while since I saw the Red one. Bello is a terrific clown, although David Larible from the Blue tour is also very good. Jon's right about the Blue tour being a little more intense, but they're both very good shows.

I also want to suggest not buying the DVD they'll have on sale. It's only about $8, and it's not even worth that. I thought it was going to be a filming of the actual circus, but it turned out to be a hollow, bland introduction to some of the performers. There's nothing in it that you won't find in the printed program. I really found the DVD to be a waste of money, even though it's not expensive.

Nothing is better than the UniverSOUL circus, much more entertaining.
I had lots of chances to see the UniverSOUL circus in New Orleans, but I never went. I heard it was very good. Maybe if I get another shot anywhere near Pittsburgh, I'll see it.

There's nothing in it that you won't find in the printed program.

Their printed program roxor's IMO btw. One of the better event programs I think I've seen.

Their printed program roxor's IMO btw. One of the better event programs I think I've seen.
I agree wholeheartedly.

I hate clowns.

Dola -- as for comments, I'll admit up front that I'm not personally a big fan of circuses. That said, kids still love it & a lot of adults do too. It does some ... "slicker" than I remembered, and there's enough grab-your-money opportunities to put Disney to shame. Almost every conceivable souvenir opportunity (aka cheap gimmick) you can imagine is likely to be seen. Nothing wrong with that necessarily, but I figure you ought to be prepared.

If you're doing the shows in Boston in October, that looks to be the Red Tour, which features Bello, The World's Best Clown (a title Time gave him but I believe he really does deserve). Some years, there's a good bit of action that might be pretty intense for especially skittish kids (the motorcycle Ring of Death is particularly nerve wracking if it's taking place in the ring you're closest to) but the Red seems to be the more traditional lineup (the bikes are with Blue) so I don't think there's any big deal there, just the standard high wire acts, human cannonballs, etc.

One cool thing that you might particularly enjoy with a couple of first-timers is the All-Access Pre-Show " Basically you get to go down on the circus floor for about an hour before things get started, they've got clowns, jugglers, etc. to entertain. A word of advice -- if you want to do this, get there plenty early. A lot of people do this pre-show thing so it gets pretty crowded on the floor pretty quickly, if you're running late & don't make use of the full time available you probably end up screwed out of really taking advantage of it.

Dola - LOL at PilotMan beating me to most everything I was typing.


Thanks to JIMG and everyone else for the very useful info. We are actually going to the red tour here next weekend on the 21st. I wasn't even aware that they were coming to Boston in October. The red tour is coming to Worcester which is an hour west of Boston but that is good since we live in a small town, Grafton,mass which is about 30 minutes outside of Boston to the southwest.

We just went with the kids a month or so ago at the Verizon center. Yep, the souvenirs are a bit pricey ($10-$12 for a souvenir mug/snow cone, even a bit more for a tall hat with cotton candy), but how often do you go, right?

As has been said, cameras are fine. We must have had the Red Tour, as Bello was the show grabber. Not only is he a clown, but he's a pretty darned good daredevil/acrobat too. I probably woudn't argue with the Best title (not that I really see many clowns). There were also tigers, horses and zebras, your typical parade with elephants and other animals. Well, maybe not completely typical in that you can sign up to be in the parade (not sure how you sign up, but you can ride in it). High wire acts, human cannonball, etc. A live band and a good deal of singing as well (the ringmaster - Tyron McFarlan - has a strong set of pipes). Dads should be careful not to get too distracted by the performers in semi-skimpy outfits too. ;)

Kids love the programs... they're fun to read with the little ones long after the circus is gone.

Oh, and don't mind the crazy animal rights activists that always seem to protest outside saying how miserable the poor circus elephants are.

In addition to the Ringling Brothers et. al. circus, we've seen the Clyde Beatty-Cole Brothers Circus (now just the Cole Brothers Circus), which is the largest traveling circus that still uses a tent. It was very entertaining, and all the seats were close up.

If you are ever in Moscow, the Moscow Circus is excellent, at least as of 1996. They had a truly spectacular dog act, a seal act, and the most nihilistic clown show I've ever seen. (A seemingly sleepwalking clown carried off a woman from the audience, was chased down by several police clowns, and then executed by mock firing squad.) One of the highlights was a unicycle act, basically a husband and wife team Apache dancing on a unicycle. Probably the most eroticly charged thing I've seen fully dressed people do.

Kids love the programs... they're fun to read with the little ones long after the circus is gone.

Oh, and don't mind the crazy animal rights activists that always seem to protest outside saying how miserable the poor circus elephants are.

Oddly enough, circus animals, if treated well, live longer than most zoo animals. For one thing, they get a lot more exercise, and more mental stimulation.

The circus rocks. Just don't pass a stone in the restroom. People could be hurt.

Did they add a Barnum recently? :confused:

Only somewhat related -- The Ringling Brothers were born in my small hometown of McGregor, Iowa, population 900. Their first "circus"--i.e. trained pet show, was held on my grandfather's property.

And regarding Baraboo, Wisconsin's claim to be home to the Ringlings: "You lie, you blood-sucking, show-stealing, johnny-come-lately wannabes! Get your own circus, and leave ours alone!" That is all.

Thanks to JIMG and everyone else for the very useful info. We are actually going to the red tour here next weekend on the 21st. I wasn't even aware that they were coming to Boston in October. The red tour is coming to Worcester which is an hour west of Boston but that is good since we live in a small town, Grafton,mass which is about 30 minutes outside of Boston to the southwest.

you're in grafton? i usta know someone who lived in grafton, at least till his house burned down. and i know several people who used to live in hopkinton. LOL

you're in grafton? i usta know someone who lived in grafton, at least till his house burned down. and i know several people who used to live in hopkinton. LOL

We are renting here in Grafton. But we are looking to buy in Hopkinton since my office is in downtown Boston and most of my clients are near the city.

Well, we just came back form the circus and it was truly awesome. I had almost as much fun as my daughter. And on a side note, I was thinking about the type of life evryone in that circus goes thru being on the road. It has to be both exciting and very difficult.

Did you feel like we prepared you enough for it? :)

Glad you enjoyed it, I want to go now.

Did they add a Barnum recently? :confused:

they're twins

Did you feel like we prepared you enough for it? :)

Glad you enjoyed it, I want to go now.


Oh yeah. I got good advice ie get their early to see the preshow.