Are you looking for something fabulous to do with the kids this weekend or next week? This year’s Disney on Ice Rockin’ Ever After is the perfect family outing for post-holiday fun. My family and I had the privilege of attending the show last evening on opening night and it is absolutely delightful! I have been attending the show every year since I was a child. My love for this post-holiday tradition has only grown with me, and it has become another favorite way to create special memories with my own family. The shows are always fabulous and this year was no exception – in fact it was by far my favorite yet!
Hosted by Disney favorites Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy, the show takes us on a journey through famous Disney Princess movies such as The Little Mermaid, Tangled, Brave, and Beauty and the Beast. My 5 1/2-year-old daughter is crazy about the princesses, so no doubt she was hooked from the minute the show began.
Everything about this show continues to amaze me from year to year. The costumes, the music, the colors, the talent – it is all so “magical”. No one ever seems to do it as beautifully as Disney can. The lighting makes the costumes glisten and glimmer. The music dances through the air as familiar favorites you cannot help but sing along with set the tone for an unforgettable show. (It was no surprise that my daughter was singing and dancing in her seat the entire performance.) The way the performers glide across the ice is just breathtaking. Could they make it look any more effortless? This show captures all of this – and more. And best of all – it is perfect for people of all ages – making it the absolute perfect family outing.
The show begins with the Little Mermaid and features Ariel, Sebastian, Flounder, Prince Eric and Ursula. The colors and props are awesome and you are quickly transported to the sea as the show unfolds. Watching the characters skate, sing and dance is remarkable. I am still in awe how the larger than life Ursula in her beautiful shimmering garb could possibly glide so gracefully around the rink. That just blows my mind! As the first act came to a close, my daughter was literally on the edge of her seat asking, “What’s next Mommy?”
Next up Tangled takes center stage where the story of Rapunzel, Flynn Rider, Maximus, Mother Gothel and more unfolds. Maximus is so fun to watch! He looks like a real horse. I assume two skaters must be required to bring Maximus to life on ice – the grace and coordination to do that is just plain awesome. This tale ends with one of my favorite sights of the show – the floating lanterns hovering above the ice. This was a sight to behold – just beautiful!
After a short intermission, the show resumes with Brave. Disney’s newest Princess Merida dazzles the crowd with her wit and skill. This act was my 10-year-old son’s favorite. He loved watching Merida show off her amazing archery skills. Once again I was thrilled to see how they cleverly were able to create the part of Merida’s three little brothers, each one propped on barrels that glided along with them. How clever! The triplets were absolutely adorable and certainly were a crowd favorite during the act. This act seemed a bit shorter than some of the others, but we all still enjoyed it just the same.
As one would expect, the finale was everything you would expect it to be. My daughter was on her feet clapping and cheering as each of her favorite characters reappeared one last time. Ending in an explosion of song, dance and fireworks, I was once again reminded why it is that I love this show so much every year – and why I cannot wait to return for next year’s show.
My kids squeezing me and hugging me as they thanked me all the way home was the best gift I could have asked for!
A few tips for those attending the show:
- Leave yourself some time to get to the event. You never know how much traffic you may encounter and it is always nice to have a few extra minutes for a bathroom break, to purchase a snack and to find your seats.
- Bring cash for parking. (Event parking at Wells Fargo Center was $15 the night of our show)
- Park close to the parking lot exits if possible to avoid waiting in long lines to exit after the show.
- If your child has a costume and likes dressing up, you will find that many kids come in costume. (My daughter wore her Belle costume.)
- Consider naptimes and bedtimes when choosing a show. The 7:30 performance may be a bit late for young children.
- Be prepared to wait in lines for the bathroom during intermission. Perhaps bring something along in your pocketbook to keep your child busy while waiting.
- If your child is sensitive to loud noise, consider bringing earplugs or earmuffs to soften the noise.
- Dress warmly. The show is on ice and it does tend to feel a bit chilly.
Disclosure: My family and I received a family 4 pack of complimentary tickets to facilitate this review. All opinions, as always, are my own.
Looks amazing! I’m definitely going to get tix for next weekend, thanks for the review… it’ll be so helpful to share with my daughter before we go.
Great review! I love the Disney on Ice shows. So amazing.