There are a few things that, at some time in your life, you should do to add that extra special magic to the festive season. One is to visit Santa in a really impressive grotto, another is to play in the snow (if we ever get any) and, for pure unadulterated joy, everyone who wants to have the most magical time ever, young and old alike, should go and see Disney on Ice.
Disney on Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment is the latest production by Feld Entertainments and it opens, as with previous productions, with the arrival of Mickey and Minnie, followed closely by Donald Duck and Goofy, who very quickly get the entire audience into the mood for a magical two hours.
The opening scene soon makes way for all the fun, humour and warmth of the beloved Disney/Pixar film Toy Story 3. As we head into Andy’s bedroom, we hear that Andy is going to college and has decided that the time is right to pass his toys on to new owners. As soon as he leaves the room the Toy Soldiers appear, one by parachute, to make sure that all is safe for Woody, Jessie, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the familiar gang to hit the ice for the very dramatic Toy Story segment.
Once the toys leave the ice, an quick introduction from Mickey and the gang leads us into a speedy transformation which sees fluorescent coral and clam shells appear around the arena to create Ariel’s world in The Little Mermaid. In a superb combination of dance, athletics, and theatrics, the excitement and energy of the film easily transfers onto the ice. All of the most familiar scenes are recreated from the salsa dancing fish right through to the moment that Ariel and Prince Eric realize their love and skate a lyrical duet to Kiss the Girl.
After the interval the on-ice excitement continues when an adventurous Mickey Mouse embarks on a road trip with Minnie Mouse, but the plan gets skewed when their cherry red car unexpectedly breaks down. Although Donald Duck and Goofy try to help, it takes the assistance of the coolest cars on the ice to get the pistons firing again. Direct from Radiator Springs, Tow Truck Mater, Lightning McQueen, Sally and, believe it or not, another three life-sized vehicles speed into action, zipping and zooming around the frozen highway in an effort to re-energize the roadster.
As the stars of Cars leave the ice the whole auditorium falls strangely silent. There is an air of anticipation that is quite palpable as Mickey tells us that we are now heading off to meet two sisters who live in a place called Arendelle. As if by magic a full village scene opens up in just a couple of seconds and, with the arrival of Anna, the audience erupt into a frenzy of clapping and cheering usually reserved for only the very best pop stars.
Elsa gets just as much of a cheer when she instructs that the castle doors should be opened for the Coronation celebrations and, with accompaniment from every child in the arena, we hear all of the best songs from Frozen, including the superb, In Summer, sung by the snowman Olaf and Elsa’s wonderful showpiece, the award winning, showstopping, Let It Go.
As Frozen comes to its dramatic conclusion, Mickey. Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and the entire cast, take to the ice for the all singing, all-dancing, Disney finale and, probably the best Disney on Ice so far, comes to an explosive end with thousands of people heading home for a Christmas that has been made extra special by adding in the unique brand of magic that only Disney can create.
***** Five Stars
