Legality behind performing magic?

[Trioxide]

Hey everyone,

Quick question. A friend of mine and I are traveling to Anaheim, California for 2 weeks. We are pretty excited about the thought of performing down there and taking our magic further than our hometown. But we were thinking. Say, you are on commercial property. Examples would be Disneyland, Universal Studios, or even a hotel lobby. Can you be discouraged from doing that? Is there anything against that, like: Do you need a permit to show magic in Disneyland?

Just wanted to check. You know. Better safe then sorry. Or in this case... prison.

Any information about all this would be highly appreciated.
Thanks,
Shane & Matt.

 

[MitchellStafiej]

Hey everyone,

Quick question. A friend of mine and I are traveling to Anaheim, California for 2 weeks. We are pretty excited about the thought of performing down there and taking our magic further than our hometown. But we were thinking. Say, you are on commercial property. Examples would be Disneyland, Universal Studios, or even a hotel lobby. Can you be discouraged from doing that? Is there anything against that, like: Do you need a permit to show magic in Disneyland?

Just wanted to check. You know. Better safe then sorry. Or in this case... prison.

Any information about all this would be highly appreciated.
Thanks,
Shane & Matt.

I do not believe it is illegal to perform magic in Disney Land, however if you are filming it, that might be a problem. But remember, it is an owned property and they have every right to kick you out no matter what you are doing.

Mitchell

 

[Trioxide]

Happiest place on earth...haha. Alright, thank you. I'll take your word for it.

But if anyone else knows for sure, please let me know.

 

[Sleight_of_Hand]

Hmmmm... it might be a problem as you may take attention of the crowd away from the Disney Land rides and shows and instead towards you. But on the other hand people may stay at Disneyland longer and buy food and drinks because they have something else to see....

Ask the manager when you get there would be the best option

 

[mattjones]

Naturally, being a magician, I see nothing wrong with it... I suppose some people see it almost like soliciting. Ya never know...

 

[PhilTheMagician]

I would definitely get the OK from management. I know I performed magic at the zoo this summer, but I was a hired busker. I'd be pretty pissed if some guest to the zoo was there performing as well, stealing my thunder....


also, make sure you don't get paid....ie: accepting tips...that would be a HUGE no-no without permission...and I highly doubt that they would allow you to accept tips anyway.

But hey, you never know...the best option is definitely ask someone at Disneyland.

 

[Deryn]

I performed at Disney in Orlando and security asked me to stop saying it took away from the park's entertainment value. Just put 'em away for a while lol

 

[coinworker]

I wouldn't try to set-up in one spot and start a show, you'll be kicked out quickly, however if you entertain some people while waiting in line (and your also waiting in line) you can just be an interesting guy passing away some time in line and not someone trying to cut in on Disney's profits and entertainment.

 

[phrozunsun]

2 things.

1. don't set up a show. what i mean by that is do tricks sporadically and randomly and don't stay in one place as an exhibit. you're less likely to get hassled and this leads into #2

2. Make it clear that you are not park staff. The reason most places aren't comfortable with people doing stuff like that is because they have no control over what you do and how you act, so if people have the impression you are working and not just a tourist performing for fun, then something you say or do might offend anouther guest in some way, affecting their perception of the park.

so yeah. do your best to give the impression that you're just a tourist having some fun, and don't draw a big crowd, no matter how tempting it may be.

 

[wilfred]

lol you guys take it too seriously.
do you really think phrozunsunhas the power of affecting the Disneyland's daily operation by just doing a couple of tricks to a few people in the corner?

stop being so full of yourself, it's unlikely that you can draw hundreds of people in Disneyland by doing card tricks.......

 

[Trioxide]

Alright. Thanks everyone. So pretty much, it's safe. But just don't make a good thing about it? Sounds good.

Thanks again,
Shane.

 

[phrozunsun]

lol you guys take it too seriously.
do you really think phrozunsun has the power of affecting the Disneyland's daily operation by just doing a couple of tricks to a few people in the corner?

stop being so full of yourself, it's unlikely that you can draw hundreds of people in Disneyland by doing card tricks.......

I never said I had that kind of power. I have worked in other places (on both sides - security and as a random performer) and I understand why the park would act like they do. they're just protecting their property and their image.

I didn't say it was likely, I was just explaining why.

 

[kevin]

It is two different things if you plan to carry a videocamera or not. if so, you definitely need permission, but if not, just dont get a hunge crowd. and trust me, at disneyland, its not too hard to get fifty people gathering around...

check out the magic shop there!

kevin