Latest reviews about Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey's Circus- Bellobration

OldHippie says "Still "The Greatest Show on Earth"" about Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey's Circus- Bellobration

OldHippie — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:01:18 GMT

When my son was younger, we went two years in a row. What I learned on how to save money, I'll pass along here.

The first year I bought tickets as close as I could get to the front row. WRONG! Shortly after the performance began, a family of 5 scarfed up empty seats just behind us. They did not have tickets for these seats...they were just not sold. The next year I bought the cheapest seats I could find. Then we found our way to better seats. Heck...they don't check!

The first year I took the car & paid through the nose for parking. The second year I took the St. Louis metro-link which stops across the street from the arena. My son enjoyed the train ride and it was cheaper than paying to park the car.

If your kids can stand the wait...get there early & bring the camera! It's not only allowed, it's encouraged. You can take photos of your kids with the clowns, jugglers and other performers.

One of the best novelties or gifts to buy my son was the video tape they sell. ...

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Katherine says "I agree- Ringling would be better without animals..." about Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey's Circus- Bellobration

Katherine — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:38:51 GMT

I, too, find myself steering away from performances done by what look like bored, unhappy, exhausted (and sometimes scared) animals. I much prefer that the performer entertaining me at the circus be doing so for a paycheck, not a punishment.

I am much more impressed by exciting and dynamic human performances than animals standing on their heads (are we REALLY supposed to believe that isn't painful for those huge animals?) or jumping through rings of fire (of which all animals are ingrained with a fear).

Ringling and other circuses that still use animals should try to come up with something a bit more creative, and let the animals retire.

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wallnan says "Is Bello performing this year?" about Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey's Circus- Bellobration

wallnan — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 13:40:33 GMT

We went to the Ringling Brothers Circus for the last several years. We really enjoy Bello the clown. We first discovered Bello in the Big Apple Circus and the kids loved him. We went to Ringling Brothers Circus when we saw he was now associated with them and really enjoyed it. Last year we saw the circus advertised with Bello and saw Bello on the Today Show so we went to the circus. We were VERY disappointed to find that Bello did not appear at all! The show was themed around a kids imagination. We were disappointed by the show. I was wondering if Bello was appearing this year? If he is then we will go again. Can anyone report if Bello is appearing?...

zaharaann says "Fun , and very entertainning,family friendly" about Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey's Circus- Bellobration

zaharaann — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 13:34:43 GMT

I have'nt been to a circus since being grown and now a first time nanny to my twins, grand and mother grandson.

I think it is a little waste of entertainment.Although they have been around for a decade, travling from town to town.

You have to decide for yourself is this is for you.

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kastueck says "Ringling Bros. Circus - ABUSES ANIMALS" about Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey's Circus- Bellobration

kastueck — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 15:47:22 GMT

Ringling Bros. has such a bad reputation for the cruel way it treats its animals. I have read reports and seen undercover video showing the horrible way they treat their animals. Of course, you don't see the bullhooks and the torture when you go to the circus, that's all hidden from view. If more people knew what really goes on when no one is looking, a lot more people would boycott animal circuses.

I wish I could give less than one star - like a negative 100 stars.

For more info, including graphic videos visit http://circuses.com/pdfs/RinglingFactsheet.pdf

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Jolie says "Ringling's 'Bellobration' made my daughters day! " about Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey's Circus- Bellobration

Jolie — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 20:35:59 GMT

My daughter recently turned 2. She loves live theater and animals so we decided to take the kids to the circus for her birthday. What a great idea! Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey's Circus- Bellobration was a hit with my kids! I give it 3.5 stars... better than average, but a little long and commercial for my taste.

What you can expect from Ringling Brothers & Barnum & Bailey's Circus?
The circus really isnt how I remembered it as a kid. It is a lot less about the animals and more about the people tricks. The circus did have its usual staples like the trapeze, tigers in a cage (white tigers) as well as the elephants. They also had a human cannonball. (cool!) But, the show seemed to be more focused on the human tricks. There were tricks like hamster wheels, climbing super high poles, a mini-dog trick, tumbling, contortionists, etc. The full enchilada-- which is why you should plan to stay a couple of hours. (note: there is an intermission)

Are there downsides to the circus? A few.

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