Review: We chill with Disney on Ice

By on 02 January 2013 in Travel

Minnie and Mickey begin their magical journey

Minnie and Mickey begin their magical journey

Let’s face it: the holidays are a time to give yourself over to all kinds of amusements. Such as cartoon characters in spangly costumes jumping through the air. The appeal of ice skating has gained wider appreciation with shows like Dancing on Ice (soon to return), but since girlhood I’ve adored the stretch of Spandex, the flutter of a hem during a salchow, and the scrape of metal blade on ice.

The backwards skating! The ballet lifts! The twirls and jumps! Be still my heart.

For the annual Disney on Ice show, this one entitled Passport to Adventure, there is a story – Mickey and the crew visit the worlds of The Lion King, Lilo & Stitch, Peter Pan, and the Little Mermaid. But really, do you need a story?

FLOUNDER AND ARIEL SKATE ON THE OCEAN FLOOR

Flounder and Ariel skate on the ocean floor

For the kids, the chance to see a laundry list of top Disney characters is one “Look, Mummy, look, mummy!” moment after the other. Of course there are all the greats: Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and so on. But there are also the bit characters we love: the lobster from The Little Mermaid, critters from The Lion King. The costumes, the spectacle and the polish are all top-notch Disney: high gloss, upbeat and family friendly.

Stitch surfs above the crowd

Stitch surfs above the crowd

While the children rave about the characters and the costumes (“It was really good. All of it” said our 9-year-old authoritatively), I marvel at the skill of the performers, doing flips, turns and stunts in the most ingenious of costumes and always in character.

And then there is Peter Pan. I confess I’ve always had a bit of a thing for cheeky red-haired Peter. Put him and his green tights on skates doing splits and it truly does make my tinker bell. Oh, how long til Christmas comes again?

Peter Pans soars through the air

Oh the cleverness of him

You can still stave off the post-Christmas blues by booking in to see the show before its run ends on Sunday.

Disney on Ice, Wembley Arena, til 6 January 2013 www.disney.co.uk/disney-on-ice/passport-to-adventure/ 

BritMums was provided with passes to see the show.

About Jennifer Howze

Jennifer Howze is the co-founder of BritMums. She blogs about travel, family and London life at Jenography.net. Previously, she wrote the Alpha Mummy blog at The Times and as a journalist has contributed to The Times, The Guardian, The Independent, The Wall Street Journal, Travel & Leisure, Budget Travel, CNN.com, Allure, SELF and Premiere, among others. She won The Maggie Award from the Planned Parenthood Federation of America for a health article in Seventeen magazine.

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5 Responses to Review: We chill with Disney on Ice

  1. Babes about Town 03 January 2013 at 12:23 #

    We loved Disney on Ice when we saw it last year. If I’d known Peter Pan was in this one I might have pushed to see it – I’m definitely a Peter fan since childhood. There really is something magical about seeing your favourite Disney peeps gliding around, especially watching the kids’ faces light up. Great review!

    Reply
    • Jennifer Howze 03 January 2013 at 12:27 #

      Thanks, Uju. I’ll go look for your review. Yes, I’m a sucker for a guy in tights.

      Reply
  2. Marianne 03 January 2013 at 14:45 #

    I can’t wait to take the girls to see a Disney on Ice, I saw it as a child and the experience has stayed with me since

    Reply
    • Jennifer Howze 04 January 2013 at 14:01 #

      Are you going this year?

      Reply
      • Marianne 04 January 2013 at 16:10 #

        No I haven’t booked up for this year as we had Lion Kind theatre before Christmas and the local panto too.
        Hopefully it’ll be on next year too :)

        Reply

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