If you’re planning a trip to Orlando, you’re probably already thinking about the theme parks, the rides, the fireworks and all those familiar Florida attractions. But every now and then, it’s nice to do something completely different – and that’s exactly where Blue Man Group comes in.
We recently headed to ICON Park to see the brand-new Blue Man Group Orlando show, and honestly, we weren’t quite sure what to expect. Three blue men, no talking, lots of drumming, paint and audience participation… how could that possibly fill an evening (or afternoon in our case)?
Well, somehow, it does – and it’s great fun!
What is Blue Man Group?
If you’ve never seen Blue Man Group before, the easiest way to describe it is as a mixture of live music, comedy, theatre, technology and complete madness!
The three Blue Men don’t speak. Instead, they communicate through facial expressions, movement, music and some wonderfully bizarre antics.
The Orlando production is now based at the purpose-built Blue Man Theater at ICON Park, rather than the old Universal CityWalk venue. The theatre has around 500 seats, making it a much more intimate experience than you might expect from a major Orlando attraction.
And that intimacy really works.
(On a practical note, the theatre is around the back of ICON Park, and I imagine you can get your taxi to drop you off at the door. If you are already in the park, then head into the main building underneath The Orlando Eye and head through the amusement arcade to the back door).
The show
From the moment the Blue Men appear, you know you’re in for something different.
There’s drumming, colourful paint, unusual instruments, flashing lights, comedy and plenty of surprises. The percussion is particularly impressive, with the Blue Men creating an extraordinary amount of noise from instruments that look like they’ve been cobbled together in someone’s garage.
There are also plenty of those classic Blue Man moments that fans will recognise, alongside new material created specifically for the Orlando production.
I’m deliberately not going to give too much away because part of the fun is not knowing what is coming next.
And yes, there is audience participation, so maybe don’t sit on the end of an aisle if this is not something you are keen on.
It’s something worth knowing before you go though, because you really do feel like you’re part of the show rather than simply sitting and watching something happening on a stage.
Is it suitable for children?
Absolutely.
Blue Man Group recommends the Orlando show for children aged three and over, and there’s child pricing available.
It’s one of those shows where different members of the family will probably enjoy different things. Children will love the colour, noise and silliness, while adults can appreciate the music, technology and wonderfully odd sense of humour.
Our favourite thing about it
For us, it was the sheer unpredictability.
You can go into plenty of Orlando attractions knowing roughly what is going to happen. With Blue Man Group, you really don’t.
One minute you’re watching an impressive musical performance and the next you’re wondering why three blue men are doing something completely ridiculous with a collection of brightly coloured objects.
It’s silly, clever, energetic and surprisingly infectious.
And because the audience plays such an important role, no two performances are necessarily quite the same.
A few things to know before you go
The show lasts approximately 90–105 minutes and there’s no interval, so it’s a nice length for an evening out or matinee performance
The theatre is at ICON Park on International Drive, so it’s also easy to combine the show with dinner or another attraction. We visited ICON Park last year too and reviewed Madame Tussaud’s, The Museum of Illusions and SEA LIFE. All of which would be good to combine with a show. Loads of cracking looking restaurants around too.
One practical tip: the theatre uses strobe lighting during parts of the performance. If anyone in your party is sensitive to this, let the theatre staff know when you arrive.
The venue is also cashless, accepting cards and mobile payments rather than cash. There is a concession stand selling snacks and drinks before you go in.
Would we recommend Blue Man Group, Orlando?
Yes – particularly if you’ve already done the big theme parks and fancy something completely different.
Blue Man Group isn’t a traditional theatre show. It’s colourful, noisy, funny, a little bit bonkers and very difficult to describe without giving away the surprises.
It’s also a great option for a mixed-age family because there’s no complicated storyline to follow and no language barrier – the Blue Men don’t actually speak.
So, if you’re looking for something to add to your Orlando itinerary that isn’t another rollercoaster, put Blue Man Group on the list.
It’s a brilliantly bonkers evening of music, comedy, colour and chaos – and a welcome addition to the Orlando entertainment scene.
