The Magic of Seamless Travel: How We Plan for Jason Bishop's Shows Across the Country

When we are not performing our show Jason Bishop: Straight Up Magic at Camelback resort in the Poconos, we're working on cruise ships and touring. As we crisscross the country from our Pennsylvania base, each performance brings its own set of challenges and excitement. From carefully navigating hotel bookings to devising strategies for transporting elaborate props, the logistics of touring with an illusion show is half the magic itself. In this post, we'll pull back the curtain to reveal our travel tips and the magic show logistics that keep us on track and on time for our performances. Join us as we delve into the secrets of planning our travel and discover the enchanting world behind the scenes of Jason Bishop's magic.

Cases loaded and ready to go!

Planning Travel for Performances

Planning travel for performances requires a delicate balance of flexibility and foresight. Let's explore the key aspects of our travel planning process for Jason Bishop's Magic shows.

Hotel Booking Strategies

Our approach to hotel bookings is a mix of advance planning and spontaneity. For our final destination, we always book ahead to ensure we have a comfortable base for the performers and crew. However, for stops along the route, we prefer to keep our options open.

This flexibility allows us to adapt to the unpredictable nature of road travel. Some days we might cover more ground than expected, while others might see us stopping earlier due to fatigue or unexpected delays like snow, accidents and heavy traffic.

By not pre-booking every hotel, we can choose accommodations that best suit our needs at the moment, whether that's a hotel closer to our next day's route or one with specific amenities we need, like dog friendly. This strategy has served us well in maintaining a balance between structure and adaptability in our travel plans.

Navigating Traffic Challenges

Traffic can be a magician's worst enemy when it comes to timely arrivals. While we've been fortunate to avoid major traffic issues on most trips, we've learned to anticipate and plan for potential slowdowns, especially when approaching major cities during rush hour.

One memorable trip from Florida taught us the importance of building buffer time into our schedule. We encountered numerous slowdowns that added hours to our journey, reinforcing the need for flexibility in our travel plans.

To mitigate traffic challenges, we use real-time traffic apps and often plan our routes to avoid known congestion areas like the center of Washington D.C. for instance. We've also learned to time our departures to miss rush hour or peak traffic hours when possible, ensuring smoother travel and less stress on the road.

Choosing the Right Accommodations

Selecting the right accommodations is crucial for a comfortable and productive tour. While we used to favor LaQuinta for their pet-friendly policies without additional fees, changes in their ownership have led us to explore other options.

Our criteria for choosing accommodations now include:

• Pet-friendly policies

• Proximity to our show venues

• Parking that accommodates a large vehicle

• Cost-effectiveness for longer stays

  
  

We've found that using booking platforms like Priceline offers us a wide range of options and competitive prices. This allows us to find accommodations that meet our specific needs for each leg of the tour, ensuring we're well-rested and prepared for each performance.

Our truck and trailer pulling up to a hotel to check in.

Magic Show Logistics

The behind-the-scenes logistics of a magic show are as intricate as the illusions themselves. Let's peek behind the curtain at how we manage the complexities of touring.

Coordinating Technical Assistance

Technical assistance is the backbone of any successful magic show. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we've adapted our approach to include flying our technical assistants to meet us at each performance location, rather than having them travel with us over the road.

This new strategy offers several advantages:

1. It allows for more flexible scheduling of technical staff.

2. It reduces the physical strain on our team during long road trips.

3. It enables us to bring in specialized local talent when needed.

We primarily use Priceline to book flights for our technical team, finding it to be a user-friendly and cost-effective solution. This system ensures our techs arrive fresh and ready to get started, crucial for the seamless execution of the show's illusions.

Managing Props and Equipment

Managing props and equipment for a touring magic show is a logistical feat in itself. With performances ranging from cruise ships like Royal Caribbean to theaters and resorts like Camelback Resort, each venue presents unique challenges.

Our approach involves meticulous planning and prop management. We create shows and set lists based on:

• Show types (45-minute corporate show, 90-minute theater show, 1 hour speech, etc.)

• Transportation requirements

• Setup time and venue

For instance, planning for "Jason Bishop: Straight Up Magic" show at Camelback Resort is easy because we have ample storage room and most of the illusions required for the show remain in the venue. The fact that we have duplicate illusions of much of our show allows us to travel with a complete separate set of props insuring each show has polished material.

To manage this complexity, we maintain detailed inventories and create show-specific packing lists. This ensures we have everything needed for each performance while optimizing our travel load.

International Travel Considerations

Crossing borders with a magic show adds an extra layer of complexity to our planning. Our experiences performing in places like China, Indonesia, Canada and beyond have taught us valuable lessons about international logistics.

Key considerations for international travel include:

• Customs documentation for props and equipment

• Any work permits and visas for performers and crew

• Insurance and liability considerations

We've found that working with a Canadian broker for instance, though an additional expense, significantly smooths the process of border crossings. They help navigate the complexities of customs declarations and ensure all our paperwork is in order.

For magicians or performers considering international tours, we recommend:

• Start planning well in advance!

• Research specific requirements for each country

• Consider hiring a local expert or broker to assist with logistics

• Keep detailed inventories of all equipment and props

• Take a day before agreeing to the contract to research specific requirements

• Make sure your Passport meets the destination country's specific requirements

Our trailer being sniffed by a K9 inspection team

Travel Tips and Essentials

Mastering the art of travel is as important as mastering magic tricks when you're on the road as much as we are. Here are some of our tried-and-true travel tips and essentials.

Travel Snacks!

Maintaining energy, health and focus on the road is crucial for performers. Our travel snack strategy has evolved over the years, moving from fast food stops to a more health-conscious approach.

Our go-to travel snacks now include:

• Small packs of nuts for protein and healthy fats

• Kind bars for a quick energy boost

• Beef jerky for a savory, protein-rich, more filling option

• Pretzels for a crunchy, low-fat snack

We've found that having a variety of snacks helps maintain energy levels and reduces the temptation to rely on less healthy fast food options. While we still enjoy the occasional McDonald's or Wendy's stop for their iced coffee, we've shifted towards bringing our own meals and snacks.

A game-changer for us has been investing in a Pelican cooler. This allows us to pack fresh, healthy options and keep drinks cold, giving us more control over our nutrition on the road.

Our cooler also allows us to save a tremendous amount of money as purchasing even just drinks or snacks at gas stations adds up quickly.

Booking Flights and Hotels

Efficient booking of flights and hotels is crucial for a smooth tour. We've developed a system that balances cost-effectiveness with comfort and convenience.

For booking flights for our technical team, we primarily use Priceline. We find it offers:

• Competitive prices

• A user-friendly interface

• Flexibility in booking options

When it comes to hotels, our strategy varies:

• For final destinations, we book in advance to secure the best rates and ensure availability.

• For en-route stops, we often book on the day, allowing for flexibility in our travel plans.

We also consider factors like proximity to venues, pet-friendly policies, and amenities that support our show preparation needs. Reading reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor helps us make informed decisions about accommodations.

Preparing for Long Journeys

Long journeys are a regular part of our touring life. Proper preparation is key to ensuring we arrive at each destination ready to perform.

Our long journey preparation checklist includes:

1. Vehicle maintenance check and tire inflation level before each tour

2. Packing a roadside emergency kit

3. Preparing a mix of entertainment (audiobooks, podcasts, music playlists)

4. Ensuring all necessary documents are organized and easily accessible

We've learned that mental preparation is just as important as physical preparation. Before long trips, we review our route, discuss potential challenges, and set realistic goals for each day's travel.

For those eager to experience the wonder of our live performances, be sure to read what makes Jason Bishop's show a must-see at Camelback Resort. Explore our other blog posts to gain deeper insights into how we bring the magic to life, no matter what location we're in..