Gentle Reader: Welcome to the The Queen's Ball, The Bridgerton Experience in New York
- Nov 9
- 6 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Welcome, Gentle Reader
The Queen's Ball: An Immersive Bridgerton Experience
New York
Many immersive experiences come to New York or to other venues in the metropolitan area. We are fortunate. We usually don't have to travel to other cities for traveling exhibits or experiences, they come to us. And so we were most lucky that one special immersive experience had New York on its schedule during one of its tours through the United States. So therefore the farthest I had to travel in this instance, was from one borough to another. My friend was even luckier: she literally traveled up the block, since she lived one block awa from the venue.
So, immersive experiences can be part of traveling, the same way people travel for concerts, shows or plays. When traveling shows, experiences and exhibits come to your area, region or city, tour your own city or the surrounding and be prepared to have fun with immersive experiences.
Like many people, I’m a fan of Regency period literature and films. There’s a sort of fascination with royalty, mobility, aristocracy and the landed gentry classes: we might have liked to be part of the rich world but at the same time, because they were such a lower percentage of the population, it was probably not likely. Of course there are many societal and historical reasons why the majority of us would not even “qualify” but we’re not here to discuss history. The object of immersive experiences is fantasy: what if?
And remember, the aristocracy, for the most part, did not quite survive fully into the 21st century. And the ones that did are hanging on, playing their roles, so to speak, to pass it on to the next generation.
Hence immersive experiences (and cosplay for that matter). It’s a chance to live the life for a short while, learn a little something and to connect with your favorite film, tv series, play, music group or even artist.
I was part of the Queen's Court at The Bridgerton Experience in New York City. And yes, it was fun and I did learn something that I didn’t catch while watching Brigerton.
Of course, this came with a price, but the fun and novelty was definitely worth it, especially if:
you're a historical novel fan
you like Regency era novels, movies and TV series
you're a fan of Shonda Rhimes
you're a fan of Julia Quinn
you're a fan of the Bridgerton series and spin-offs
you appreciate adaptations of real life historical figures
you can get into immersive experiences
As we said, people travel for different reasons: some travel to follow sports teams, musicians and it's possible to follow immersive experiences. The Bridgerton Experience toured several cities in the USA and Canada. In each city, the experience varied a little because the location was different. So the production had to adapt.
Since some cities are just a road trip or flight away, it's conceivable (although expensive) if you want to see the differences. For some, this is part of the fun of being a fan. According to the website, The Bridgerton Experience was only in only one city for a limited time, so look out for announcements if it returns, especially when new seasons debut.
Of course the Bridgerton Experience is not the only type of activity to enjoy your favorite movie, show, musical group or even sports. Look for traveling exhibits, workshops, and panels featuring key people at fan shows such as New York Comic Con. The Downton Abbey franchise even had an auction sale, showing the items for free to the public before the auction dates. Seeing set pieces, props and costumes can be immersive even if you’re not actually playing a role.
So what is a Bridgerton immersive experience, especially in New York? Well, when you enter, you're greeted by the palace staff, who invite you to learn a regency-era dance, partake of libations (both with and without alcohol), watch a romance unfold through actors who dance (complete with the drama of meeting, falling in love, having a conflict and reconciling) and then you party for the rest of the session. In other words, you're a participant, not just an observer, hence the immersive experience.
Since the theme is from the Bridgerton novels and television series, knowing about the topic helps, but it's not required to have fun! Just enjoy the New York style immersive experience.
The Bridgerton immersive experience sessions in New York were about 2 hours long, purchased by reserving your time and date and type of ticket. You can pre-purchase your drink, souvenirs, and/or snack box or you can buy those items and other Briderton inspired souvenirs when you get there. I got carried away buying tea because the cast of Bridgerton was on the tea canisters.
At the New York Bridgerton Immersive Experience, you must be 16 to attend (with an adult), 18+ to attend without an accompanying adult and, of course, 21 and over to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.
Costumes are not mandatory but they do help create the ambience and add to the fun. After all, you are part of the cast of the Bridgerton Immersive Experience and dressing the part helps. As one participant said, "it's like a costume prom for adults." But, you certainly won't be turned away if you don't have a Regency era-like outfit.
Want to see me at the Ball?
There are several selfie stations for you to document your own Bridgerton Immersive Experience, but tripods, selfie sticks (and probably gimbals) and professional cameras are not allowed. I brought just my phone, but since it's an iPhone 14 Pro Max, it more than did the job. However, flash is not allowed either, so the photos and videos have an eerie color filter-like appearance until you correct it in your photo editor. No matter, it makes for an interesting video.
You can have your Bridgerton Experience portrait professionally, digitally, painted. After your photo is taken by the house photographer, you'll be guided to the computer, pull up your photo and see it painted before your eyes. You sign your masterpiece and scan the QR code to download it to your phone. I was unable to see if prints could be purchased for some reason.
The highlights of the Bridgerton Immersive Experience were the arrival of the Queen; the presentation of those who purchased the Queen's Court upgraded ticket (you get to enter earlier, you curtsy before the Queen, get a complimentary drink and swag bag); and a dance/acrobatic performance of the drama of a romance played out before those in attendance. Interact with actors, who are a lot of fun. After all, that's what being immersive is all about. You'll find yourself in character until they tell you the session is over.
Ticket prices vary by time, date and type.
So, gentle reader (and YouTube viewers), try an immersive Bridgerton Experience, the ultimate virtual travel.
Another immersive experience:
The NYC Traveler Presents Tips for Your Trips
Subscribe to our blog!
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
All photos and videos created and copyrighted by Marcia Crayton, unless otherwise noted.
Comments