Review: We chill with Disney on Ice

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?

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.

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?

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.