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Looking to score some serious ‘Aunty points’, I grabbed my niece, told her to put on her favourite Disney outfit and headed along to Newcastle’s Utilita Arena to celebrate Disney’s 100th Anniversary with Disney On Ice presents 100 Years of Wonder.
With Disney celebrating its 100th anniversary and having been in Disneyworld during the park’s 50th-anniversary celebrations in 2022, I was expecting nothing short of a masterpiece on ice and I was not disappointed. The iconic ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’ opened the show and as my heart swelled with nostalgia, Mickey and his friends began the show with a quest to find Mickey’s most cherished memory. With the help of families in the audience, and a ‘mouse-pad’ the gang heads on an adventure through years of Disney magic, reliving popular moments from the stories we know and love.
The costumes were vibrant and faithful to the characters, bringing them to life in a way that felt straight out of the animated classics and the attention to detail was incredible. As Woody, Jessie and Buzz made their way across the ice doing the ‘Hoedown Throwdown’, a dance which I revelled in showing Oakley I could do as audience participation was encouraged, I could have sworn I saw a snake slither out of Woody’s boot. It was clear that the cast and crew put a tremendous effort into creating a truly immersive experience.
We sailed away with Moana and Maui on a voyage to return the Heart of Te-Fiti and save her island, and without giving too much away the dramatic climax had us on the edge of our seats. ‘Lived Our Story’ alongside the Princesses, from Cinderella and Prince Charming to Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, who put on a fantastic acrobatic display that will leave you with your mouth hanging open in disbelief.
The highlight of the show must be the skill and artistry of the skaters. The choreography was beautifully executed, with graceful movements combined with daring stunts that kept the audience on the edge of their seats. I was even impressed with the coordination of being able to run across an ice rink on skates! Their precise movements alongside the seamless integration of special effects made the performance extra special.
The stories explored by Mickey and friends catered to fans of all ages. Spanning through 100 years of Disney classics we saw the timeless tales of Snow White and Beauty and the Beast. Took a trip to a frozen Arendelle where royal sisters Anna and Elsa discovered the power of love prevails. We dove under the sea where we kept swimming with Dory, Marlin, Nemo and friends. Before eventually arriving in Colombia where we meet the Madrigals for the first in in Disney On Ice UK. An extraordinary family harbouring a secret (We don’t talk about Bruno) who live in a magical Casita in Encanto.
The standout element of the show? The music of course. Disney fans young and old recognised the iconic Disney tunes and performed live they filled the arena with a sense of joy, familiarity and nostalgia creating an infectious enthusiasm among the audience with many singing along with their old (and new) favourites.
The incredible thing about Disney On Ice is that it succeeded in bringing beloved characters to life and left the audience with a sense of wonder and awe. Whether it was inciting old Disney nostalgia in those of us who grew up on VHS copies of the movies, or the first introduction to Disney and the magic it creates, it was truly a memory-making experience for the entire audience.
Disney On Ice is a heartwarming and spectacular journey through Disney history and to see the stories we know, and love performed on the ice is a magical experience and makes the show a must-see spectacular.
And if you’re still not convinced- take a look at our newest ‘mini-Echo’ reporter and her reaction! I’m convinced I’ve scored enough ‘Aunty Points’ to see me through next year!
Disney On Ice presents 100 Years of Wonder will be performed at Utilita Arena Newcastle until December 10. Buy your tickets here.
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