Ice show at Echo Arena, Liverpool, is treat for Disney fans

Mar 10 2011 by Kathryn Quayle, Chester Chronicle

When you see the name Disney you can relax, settle into your seat and be confident of world-class entertainment.

And from the moment the lights dimmed at the Echo Arena, Liverpool, and the magical theme tune rang out it was a dream come true for Disney fans young and old.

Favourite characters Mickey and Minnie Mouse glided on to the ice with favourites Pluto, Goofy, Donald and Daisy and we were instantly transported across the Atlantic to Disneyland – the happiest place on Earth.

Disneyland Adventure was a fabulous, fun-filled theme park adventure that appealed to those who had visited a Disney park and those who hadn’t.

So the story goes… Mickey and the gang enjoy a magical day out in Disneyland, but when the evil fairy Maleficent casts an evil spell sending Minnie and Donald into a deep sleep Mickey calls on the Incredibles to help save the day.

The show managed to combine adventure and excitement with humour and mishap, some of it planned, some of it not – a Jungle Cruise monkey took an unfortunate tumble at one point.

Of course Mr and Mrs Incredible – with Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack assisting – manage to defeat Maleficent’s evil army, who plan to take the magic out of Walt’s kingdom.

And who knew that Disney favourites such as Snow White and Cinderella could skate so well!

Special effects and clever props provide the illusion of the well known attractions visited by millions each year.

Bright lights and hanging planets created an out-of-this-world feeling for Space Mountain, and black lights for The Haunted Mansion give a ghostly feel.

The costumes are colourful and capture the essence of the parks, with great attention to detail.

Scenes change seamlessly, transporting the audience from Frontier Land to Adventureland and over to Tomorrow Land and Fantasy Land, where Alice and the Mad Hatter were waiting to take two lucky youngsters from the audience for a spin in the tea cups.

There were some superbly choreographed big numbers involving swashbuckling pirates and grinning ghosts.

The latest offering from Disney on Ice was slick with world-class skating and a little audience participation, proving even Mickey Mouse and superheroes need a little help from their friends.