David Engle
Latest Reviews
Music Hall at Fair Park
The big negative: By far the least amount of bathroom access I've come across at a major venue in any city. I've never seen people literally running to try to get to the bathroom before everyone else. Five minutes before the intermission ended for Beetlejuice, there were at least fifty people still in line for the main *men's* bathroom.
The positives: The seats were more comfortable than I'm used to for a Broadway series show (not sure if it matters where you sit... we were orchestra far stage left). All the staff members were very friendly and helpful. Also, the fair park around the music hall is absolutely beautiful and a great way to pass time while waiting for the show to start.
The sound was a little garbled at some points, but I would suspect it's because we were sitting in obstructed view seating. I also missed part of the action that was happening on far stage left, but again... obstructed view. Can't fault the venue.
We'll happily be back again, but will probably try to cut out water a few hours before the show!
The positives: The seats were more comfortable than I'm used to for a Broadway series show (not sure if it matters where you sit... we were orchestra far stage left). All the staff members were very friendly and helpful. Also, the fair park around the music hall is absolutely beautiful and a great way to pass time while waiting for the show to start.
The sound was a little garbled at some points, but I would suspect it's because we were sitting in obstructed view seating. I also missed part of the action that was happening on far stage left, but again... obstructed view. Can't fault the venue.
We'll happily be back again, but will probably try to cut out water a few hours before the show!
Kaleidoscope
A free, unique experience for kids and parents that sparks creativity! I love how the materials used are leftovers from other projects. There's so much to do and the time limit makes it so that the kids never get bored.
This is a fantastic activity to do in between two other nearby activities or to finish off a great day at the Crown Center and Union Station.
The favorites in our family was the melted crayon craft, making puzzles, and the black light area. All the staff was helpful and passionate about what they do!
The two drawbacks were signing up for the event in advance (online only has a few spots available so I had to keep checking for availability) and getting to the building (you have to maneuver through hallways to get here from the Crown Center and it's not always well-labeled... we had to ask once or twice how to get there).
This is a fantastic activity to do in between two other nearby activities or to finish off a great day at the Crown Center and Union Station.
The favorites in our family was the melted crayon craft, making puzzles, and the black light area. All the staff was helpful and passionate about what they do!
The two drawbacks were signing up for the event in advance (online only has a few spots available so I had to keep checking for availability) and getting to the building (you have to maneuver through hallways to get here from the Crown Center and it's not always well-labeled... we had to ask once or twice how to get there).
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
We really enjoyed coming here today for the first time! To me, the big difference between here and the nearby Urban Air is that *everything worked at Defy*. Nothing was broken, nothing was out of order, nothing was unusable because of missing employees. I also really liked that there were games run by employees every once in a while (dodgeball, balloon relay, etc.).
Most of the employees were very friendly and helpful. We got there about 1:30p, and there was a shift change around 2:30p or 3p where they weren't as friendly. One particular woman was there the whole time we were, and she was awesome! She ran most of the games and was incredibly fun and supportive of the kids.
We will definitely visit again!
Most of the employees were very friendly and helpful. We got there about 1:30p, and there was a shift change around 2:30p or 3p where they weren't as friendly. One particular woman was there the whole time we were, and she was awesome! She ran most of the games and was incredibly fun and supportive of the kids.
We will definitely visit again!
Princess Fairytale Hall
My daughter's two favorite princesses are Rapunzel and Tiana, and they were both in the same room for photos! She loved seeing them and was too nervous to talk, but our younger son had no problem asking questions and getting answers from the princesses! He asked Tiana what it's like to kiss a frog and Rapunzel how often she brushes her hair. I posted videos of their responses.
**Make sure to have your kids wear their "1st visit" badge for this and all other photo spots so that the princesses can talk about it. Rapunzel told our daughter "Oh, I see this is the first time out of your castle, as well!" Really an awesome touch**
**Make sure to have your kids wear their "1st visit" badge for this and all other photo spots so that the princesses can talk about it. Rapunzel told our daughter "Oh, I see this is the first time out of your castle, as well!" Really an awesome touch**
Castle Stage
**Do these things and you will have an amazing experience with the fireworks display**
-Arrive to your spot two hours before the display starts. Yes, I know it's early. Yes, I know that's two hours where you could be doing a ride or seeing a show. But if you come earlier, you may end up in a spot that is a designated walkway. If you arrive later, you'll be in a spot that is too cramped and not the best to watch.
-Find an area at the Partners Statue circle that is up next to a railing. That way you can lean while you're standing, have a place to rest your back while you're sitting, and you're not surrounded on all sides by people. There are all sorts of maps online for the best place to view the show.
-Once you're settled, take turns taking kids to the bathroom and to fill up on water/snacks. We were on the west side of the circle and the closest bathroom/water was just to the west of us. We were able to save our spots and still go to the bathroom before there were so many people we couldn't get out.
-Be patient. Now's the time to let the kids watch a show or nap, for you to edit some pictures, or send pictures to friends and family back home, plan the next day, etc. The wait will be worth it and you won't feel like you're wasting your day.
That's it! Do those things and you're set. I wasn't even sure I wanted us to stay for the fireworks, let alone get there two hours early. I was wrong, wrong, wrong. This was probably the highlight for me personally on this family trip. I am so thankful my partner talked me into going early and waiting around for the show!
-Arrive to your spot two hours before the display starts. Yes, I know it's early. Yes, I know that's two hours where you could be doing a ride or seeing a show. But if you come earlier, you may end up in a spot that is a designated walkway. If you arrive later, you'll be in a spot that is too cramped and not the best to watch.
-Find an area at the Partners Statue circle that is up next to a railing. That way you can lean while you're standing, have a place to rest your back while you're sitting, and you're not surrounded on all sides by people. There are all sorts of maps online for the best place to view the show.
-Once you're settled, take turns taking kids to the bathroom and to fill up on water/snacks. We were on the west side of the circle and the closest bathroom/water was just to the west of us. We were able to save our spots and still go to the bathroom before there were so many people we couldn't get out.
-Be patient. Now's the time to let the kids watch a show or nap, for you to edit some pictures, or send pictures to friends and family back home, plan the next day, etc. The wait will be worth it and you won't feel like you're wasting your day.
That's it! Do those things and you're set. I wasn't even sure I wanted us to stay for the fireworks, let alone get there two hours early. I was wrong, wrong, wrong. This was probably the highlight for me personally on this family trip. I am so thankful my partner talked me into going early and waiting around for the show!