JADAR

★★★★☆

Disney on Ice: Road Trip Adventures is a family-friendly skating show that invites you to join Mickey and friends as they go on their road trip, taking the audience with them across the world to meet their favourite characters along the way.

Just as a quick warning to parents and Disney fans… Disney knows how to hook you in, and the merchandising is inescapable! They’re located at every corner of the arena and eagerly wheeled into the rink seating area before the interval had even begun. While it’s always refreshing to see such a range of products on offer, you’re probably going to end up with a lighter wallet by the end of the show, whether it be the light-up wands, plushies, or sweet-treats with accompanying buckets: i.e. pop-corn, cotton candy and snow-cones.

In the centre of the surprisingly warm arena, the rink is dotted with platforms and ramps teasing at the fun tricks to come, boxed sections for the characters to stand and interact with the audience, and two enormous sets of screens in the centre and end that helped to transport us from the icy fjords to the vibrant savannah. While I wasn’t a big fan of its simplistic use in the Aladdin ‘Friend Like Me’ segment,

where it played video clips of genie before a skater appeared in his human form, I loved how it slotted together during the longer Frozen and Moana numbers, yet it was to the detriment of a tangible set.

A lot of the segments were themed around the more popular or recently adapted movies but they hold a special place in my heart (whether it be the original or their newer counterparts), especially with such detailed costuming for characters that are tricky to translate to the ice.

We’re first introduced to our road-trip hosts as they entertain us with a quick dance warm-up, some lucky audience members (including a kid dressed as Captain America) appearing on the big screens across the stage.

The show itself is roughly 2 hours long with a short 15-minute interval but it soars by when you’re having fun singing and dancing along to the numbers and watching incredible displays of ice-skating talent. Being a family show, I questioned how intense the dancing would be, after all the cast are dressed in restrictive and sometimes heavy costumes, but Disney surprised me with the sheer amount of talent and the impressive choreography that went behind each routine. I also have to congratulate them on the aerial acrobatics which were unexpected yet magical touches.

Between each story piece, Mickey and friends make reappearances in their tour ‘bus’, with several antics ensuing, including losing control of the vehicle as The Incredibles “save the day”. While the segment felt a little goofy (pardon the pun), it has the usual charm and mischief of a Disney action “bit”. However, I can’t deny how strange this particular segment felt with Mr Incredible’s oddly extended forehead, Elastigirl’s random dance routine through the action (and her flimsy stretching arms), Violet’s giant Zorb, and Dash’s mis-timed car stop moment.

Similarly, the Toy Story segment felt just as odd with the combination of the show’s traditionally ‘off’ lip-syncing, a weird ‘game’ of throw the ball in the bin for the closest rows, and a pantomime “It’s behind you” section with Forky hiding in the trash. It felt a little over-bloated even for a Toy Story fan like me, but I’ll admit I loved the cartoonish depiction of Duke Kaboom.

Another segment had Mary Poppins floating above the rink, kite in hand, before her “practically perfect” landing. Meanwhile, the lamplighters swirled around levitating and slanted lamp posts, performed bike tricks over the ramps, and danced in a splendidly synchronised sweeping group number.

Moana was beautifully choreographed with a sense of gentility and fluidity in our ocean-based heroine’s solo ‘How Far I’ll Go’ before her brief journey on the Zamboni boat. There was also an enchanting group number with ‘Where You Are’ as the tribe encircle the excitable Moana and an admittedly exciting routine of ‘You’re Welcome’, despite Maui’s terrifying mask and hulking stature.

Then we cross the fjords for Frozen (the story that’s in almost every Disney on Ice show since its release). A gorgeous flurry of snow and some videoed ice fractals later and we have Elsa’s stunning (albeit a little whiplashing) transformation in ‘Let it Go’ with some of the most intricate and difficult ice skating I’ve seen to date. There are so many impressive leaps, spins and one-legged skating moments in this one routine.

While the set pieces here are less engaging than 100 Years’, the skill behind each second of skating is truly undeniable. Even Olaf had his time in the sun with accompanying bumblebee, flower and sun dancers heightening the crazy routine.

Then there’s the performance of one of my all-time favourites: The Lion King, which came in guns-blazing with several numbers culminating in swinging monkeys, an excitably pouncing Simba, and puppet performers creating realistic illusions of stomping zebras, giraffes and flamingos, not unlike its musical counterpart. ‘He Lives in You’ even includes my favourite skating trick as Nala was spun around by her feet, head narrowly missing the floor! Simba and Timon’s faces were a little distracting, but the supple movements of each skater made up for small costume niggles.

In Agrabah, we’re treated to an undeniably empowering performance of ‘Speechless’ and an eye-watering rendition of Aladdin and Jasmine’s ‘A Whole New World’, replacing the flying carpet with an acrobatic Jasmine gliding freely through the air. That, topped with a luscious spectacle of flowing capes, feather fans, pyrotechnics, ribbon aerialists, and the pleasantly pompous beat of ‘Prince Ali’ made Aladdin one of the highlights of the evening.

The show concludes with a slightly bland but nice inclusion of the Disney princesses with the ‘princess party’ routine, before a full ensemble dance to the theme park favourite ‘Get Your Ears On’ for the finale. It ended a little less strongly than it begun but I enjoyed how the finale effectively acts as their curtain call as the skaters take their final bows before waving us off.

Despite a phenomenal production and a glorious inclusion of circus tricks and tricky skating feats, the set did feel a little bare at times, especially when you compare it to some of Disney’s previous productions like Let’s Celebrate and 100 Years of Wonder, which included large set pieces, including a rising pride rock, more giant Zambonis and kites, and more practical effects that really blow the audience away.

Perhaps having a few shortened mash-ups taking us through other places while Mickey’s car malfunctioned would have been a nice touch and could have brought us swift transitions with nice set pieces and props transporting us to France for Beauty and the Beast or under the sea with The Little Mermaid, to replace some of the slightly awkward “interactive” bits and bring in more beloved Disney content.

Speaking of comparing the show, it’s also hard not to notice certain reoccurring numbers due to popular demand. This isn’t an issue for someone new to Disney on Ice but it is a trait that may be a bit frustrating for returning fans if they want to see some of the other things from Disney’s extensive catalogues.

Ultimately, while some of its moments are more kid-orientated and the set often feels rather sparse for a show of its stature, this year’s Disney on Ice showcases a range of fantastic dance routines, soaring acrobatics, stunning visuals, surprisingly well-adapted and detailed costumes, and a generous pinch of Disney nostalgia that anyone can enjoy. It brings Disneyland magic to the UK in the most awe-inspiring ice-skating and acrobatics-filled experience I’ve seen to date.

Disney on Ice: Road Trip Adventures runs at AO Arena, Manchester until December 15 2024 and tours the UK until January 5 2025.

Photo: Disney on Ice