Disney On Ice

Like it or not, Disney is the worldwide leader in family entertainment.  Theme parks, cruises, movies, games, ABC, Disney Chanel, ESPN, toys, Broadway shows, and traveling shows - Disney is everywhere.  One reason they are everywhere, is because they can do things right.  One of my family's favorite Disney products is Disney On Ice. 

We have seen performances in Little Rock, Memphis x2, Tupelo, and in Nashville. I'm starting to think we might have a problem, but then I think there must be a reason that we keep coming back.

Disney On Ice is produced by Feld Entertainment, the same people that currently produce the Ringling Brothers Circus.  The shows features figure skaters dressed as Disney characters.  The show is aimed primarily at children, but the quality of the skaters is on par with Olympic athletes.  Only the four best skaters in the country may make the Olympic team every four years, but the next skaters in line make Disney On Ice. The first time we saw the show, my kids loved the characters, but we were impressed by the skill of the skaters. Disney on Ice runs over 8 productions and touring companies at any given time, not only in the US, but all over the world. 

Tickets are generally available at many different price points.  Rink side tickets can be upwards from $45 each, with prices ranging down to $15 in some venues. The highest priced tickets don't necessarly have the best views, in fact at the rink level your view of what is going on across the ice can be blocked by the skaters right in front of you.  The best view is typically about 10-12 rows up from the ice.  The only advantage to the rink side seats is that children feel like the characters are waving directly to them, and at some venues they may get a high five from one of the skaters during the final number of the show.

If you are in the process of potty training, or you think that your kids may not be able to make it through the entire performance, by all means save your money and don't buy the most expensive tickets.  The highest priced tickets are usually farthest from the restroom.  You, your kids, and the people sitting around you will all enjoy the show a lot better if you save some money and sit a little bit up from the ice and closer to the restroom. 

The first time we saw Disney on Ice it was in Little Rock, Arkansas.  I thought, "Nothing but the best for my family" and I paid for the rink side tickets. There are usually two rows of seats at rink side, and we were on the second row.  We thought we had really lucked out, because at about five minutes before the show started the seats in front of us were empty.  At about two minuites before the show started, the largest man with the most tattoos in all of Arkansas came in and sat down right in front of J, who was three at the time.  In her loudest three year old voice ever she exclaimed "THIS IS RIDICULOUS, I CAN'T SEE AROUND THAT MAN!"  I really had to agree with her, why would a man that big with that many tatts be on the front row of this show?  He never turned around, or even acknowledged that he heard her, but he did slump down in his seat for the entire show.

One thing that I absolutely love about Disney on Ice, is that the shows ALWAYS start exactly on time (according to the time on my cell phone.)  There is an announcement when there is five minutes until the show starts, at three minutes, and then at exactly the appointed hour- out skates Micky and Minnie.  With small kids, timing is everything, and if the show started 10 mins late- that's 10 more minutes to entertain the kiddos.

I am always shocked at how many people shell out the money for the expensive tickets that are on the ice, and then come to the show 15 mins late. The shows generally feature several small segments from different movies. If you're kids are all into the movie CARS or Toy Story, and that was the first act, if you are late then you missed it. I would just hate to be in their car on the way home when junior says "Daddy, you said we were going to see Buzz Lightyear, but we didn't". 

One thing that I don't really care for is the high priced concessions, toys, light up wands, and swords that not only are for sale every seven feet in the lobby, but also by barkers going up and down the stands.   We always eat right before the show, and promise a snack on the trip home.  Thus far, we have somehow duped our kids into not expecting to go home with one of these gimics, but I'm not sure how much longer our luck with last.  Oh, and really... there are kids everywhere, and you're selling swords?  Why is that a good idea?

Special note to parents of boys:  These shows seem to be aimed primarly at girls.  Lots and lots of princesses!  This works out great for my two girls but it may not be as exciting for boys.

The bottom line:  This is a show that everyone in my family enjoys, and I'm sure the next time it comes near, we will go see it. Choose your seats wisely, and if nothing else... get there on time!