(seen at the 5.30pm performance on 25th March 2026)
Laura and Ian are our peppy hosts for this simple run through Disney’s more recent catalogue.
Greeting the audience in a little pre-show routine, the lights then go up on a “High School Musical” style company skate, before Goofy, Donald,
Mickey and Minnie arrive to confirm this is officially Magic Kingdom material.
Clowning from Goofy as “Super Goofy” gives way to the first big set, “Beauty and the Beast.”
A bell-jar (appropriate) rose placed on a rinkside podium, a castle arises in the background, Gaston unleashes his usual sexist harassment, and the flatware entertains us as the company exhorts all to “Be Our Guest.”
You will love the cherry head-dresses and nifty spoon necks. Belle’s solo is just the first of some impressive ice dance and we are off to a good start.
Next up is “Coco” – the “Day of the Dead” skeletons so cheerful that even the tiniest tots were unafraid. In fact, the scariest moment was when one bone man had his cravat retrieved by a friend, from where he dropped it on the ice.
“Rapunzel” really lets her hair down, and her ribbon air dance flies.
You’ll also love Maximus – the skating horse and comedy frying pan. Probably cheaper to have one manufactured than pay a different skater each night… though you wonder if an accountant had considered the thought.
Second half, and we meet Cinderella, complete with coach and horses. An elegant ensemble ballroom sequence is followed by the strongest dancing pairing of the show, with Cinderella and her Prince faultless.
A little excursion into the front row fails to find a foot to fill the slipper, but all is well as our heroine turns out to be on the ice.
With a little refreshing update, the always popular “Frozen” sequence delights as always. “Let It Go” with iconic snow, and the sisters dancing a little after they reunite.
Olaf longs for summer in a bright parasol routine which fills the ice perfectly, and he ends up in once piece by the end.
Final movie of the night, “Moana” is a repeat of previous shows, an excellent leading skater drawing gasps with impressive multiple turns and jumps.
A huge crab and
joyous sail boat and silk routines are capped with a glitterball to bring the company on for a dream finale.
Always waving to the audience, with special attention to fascinated and enthusiastic toddlers the cast are always looking out for, the communication is excellent.
Arena events are always tricky with acoustics and lighting, and here they are assisted further by backing tracks benefitting from excellent sound design, making them crystal clear (an oft-used lyric) in the vast space.
Noticeable too is that lighting technology has also advanced. Tracking devices on each dancer ensuring the spotlight moments happen on the beat.
Some artfully designed “black lighting” and projection effects also enhance the always impressive outfits.
The whole show is not perhaps as tightly constructed around a core theme as previous ones, meaning that the final uplifting message doesn’t quite resonate.
Still, in these horrible, depressing times, almost two hours of pure escapism is pretty much a bargain at any price – and they do try to keep those fairly reasonable.
If the tour comes your way, this dose of Disney really is magic to be taken into.
4 stars.