Disney On Ice Dare to Dream

Last night my kids and I went to Disney on Ice Dare to Dream at the Allstate Arena. What a fabulous show! You expect a good show for Disney on Ice, but we were really wowed by how great it was!

The show highlights 3 main stories -- Princess and the Frog, Cinderella and Tangled. The Disney characters, Mickey & Minnie, Pluto, Donald Duck and Goofy, started the show with a New Orleans theme, skating and singing to “When the Saints Go Marching In” as well as other songs. The costumes and skating were both great. I felt like I was sitting in a theater in Walt Disney World!

Princess and the Frog had a cool, creepy start when they skated to “Transylvania Central.” My son liked the skeleton skaters and the villains in this scene. I didn’t really know all the details of this Disney story going into the show (although my 5 year old daughter apparently did), but I loved all the New Orleans music and skating. They used smoke and bright lights to hide the changes of Princess Tiana into a frog and then back into a human. It was done very well and was seamless.

The second story was Cinderella. I’ve never been much of a “princess person”, but I think I’ve been converted! They did a great job with this story, balancing both the beautiful dresses and skating and even some humor that poked fun at Cinderella’s stepsisters. The ball scene was beautiful with all the skaters in huge, sparkly dresses, making everyone wonder how they skate in those?!? The most spectacular part of the story was when Cinderella came out in her carriage that was pulled by “horses”. The horses were skaters with huge horse headdresses that were skating in unison pulling a beautiful lit-up carriage. It was really amazing! When the prince was looking for whoever fit the single glass slipper, a few little girls from the front row were “fitted” with the slipper by the performers.

The final story was Tangled. All the shows were great, but they definitely saved the best for last! Several songs from the movie were included and the best was the bar scene where the group of fabulously costumed thugs sings I’ve Got a Dream along with Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. Lots of people in the crowd singing along to that one! Maximus the Horse skated throughout this story with some very talented skaters inside the costume. Rapunzel and Flynn Rider did some spectacular acrobatic moves with long ribbons that hung down from the ceiling. They were literally flying through the air holding onto the ribbons.

The show ends with all the Disney princesses coming out in white and gold costumes. My daughter wondered why they weren’t in the dresses she was used to seeing them in, but still loved how “pretty” they all looked. Even Mickey & Minnie had white and gold sparkly costumes. The dance ended with fireworks and all the characters lined up on the stairs of the castle.

The show lasted about 2 hours, which included a 15 minute intermission. Each story included about 6-7 songs. Mickey & Minnie started the show, came out in between each story, then starred in the final song. It was a show that absolutely wasn’t just for princess loving girls. There was a group of childless women sitting behind us who loved every minute! Lots of adult humor and entertainment infused throughout the show. I can’t say that I would have went without kids, but I think I loved it just as much as my daughter and son. Lots of appeal for boys as well as girls.

After the show, we hung around for a short presentation done by the production crew. They told us some of the behind-the-scenes info on what it takes to put the production together. We learned that the scenery fits into 13 semi trucks, they travel with 2 washers & dryers, there are 178 costumes and over 1100 costume pieces! Four of the skaters came out in regular clothing and did some skating tricks for the crowd. It was fun to see and worth the extra time we stuck around. The extra time also helped to empty out the parking lot so we just walked to our car and pulled out.

Our seats could not have been better. We were straight in front of the the castle in section 115, right above the extra folding chairs they set up for the “VIP” section. I do think it made a difference to follow the stories when the characters are facing you all the time. Seats on the side would be fine, but if you can in the front section, its probably worth it.

Parking at the Allstate Arena was $13. There were many empty seats for our show, so you I don't think it would be a problem getting last minute tickets if you need to. All the food and drink prices inside the Arena were ridiculous, as expected. Lots & lots of Disney vendors set up all over to buy any kind of overpriced Disney toy you could imagine! We did end up with a Rapunzel flag, but it was $8, so I didn’t feel too bad about it.

Definitely a show that your whole family will enjoy. Highly recommended! You can get more information about Disney on Ice Dare to Dream on the Kidwinks site. It was a great way to start our weekend!