“What an experience,” “Great show,” “Amazing Show,” “It was everything I thought it would be and more,” — these are just some of the fan reviews for Disney On Ice’s newest touring production “Follow Your Heart.”
Skating into an arena near you in 2017 is Disney’s latest ice spectacular “Follow Your Heart.” As with previous Disney ice shows you can count on tradition, princesses and pixie dust sprinkled in with some of the newest characters to join the wonderful world of Disney.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald and Daisy Duck join friends Goofy and Pluto in the spectacle on ice. Fresh from a successful summer splash at the box office is Dory and Hank from Disney Pixar’s Finding Dory. Joining in on the fun in the new production are emotions Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust from Disney Pixar’s Inside Out.
Mickey and company were in Philadelphia for an extended stay over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. Opened to fans of all ages on December 23rd, they have been skating as many as three shows a day through January 2nd at the Wells Fargo Center. There are very few acts, if any, that can take over the home of the Philadelphia Flyers and Sixers and displace hockey and basketball fans for more than two weeks. But this is nothing new since Disney On Ice has become a part of the region’s holiday tradition for more than three decades.
As with previous shows, each production of Disney On Ice is designed with the Disney fan in mind. Each element of the show is carefully planned so fans experience their favorite Disney moments and this year’s production is no exception.
Fans can “just keep swimming” with Dory and friends as they set out to find the blue dang’s parents and discover the devotion of family. Audiences can cheer with the emotions from Inside Out as they boost Riley’s spirit to win the big hockey game.
Whether it is a new fan favorite or classic Disney characters, there really is something for everyone in the new production. There are more than 60 characters that lace up their skates and take to the ice telling Disney stories from under the sea to the wintery world of Arendelle. Olaf and Kristoff join forces to reunite royal sisters Anna and Elsa from Disney’s Frozen, while Buzz Lightyear, Woody and Jessie help the audience celebrate friendship. By the way nothing says kick-line-on-ice like Olaf and the skaters in a production number from the Frozen” segment of the show.
And no Disney ice extravaganza would be complete unless the royal court of princesses were on hand to grace audiences with their fairytales. Snow White, Ariel, Rapunzel and Tiana are just a few of the Disney royalty trading their tiaras for skates in the retelling of their Disney storybook fables.
Attention to detail is always one of Disney’s hallmarks and that does not get glazed over in the ice production. Whether it is transforming the arena into an extraordinary aquatic ocean through a series of vibrant rainbow digital projections to the deep dark recesses of the forbidden west wing in the Beast’s castle, the creative team leaves no chunk of ice unturned.
That also applies to the cast members according to show director Patty Vincent. “One of the most magical things about Disney On Ice is the performers’ ability to authentically showcase the best qualities of Disney characters,” Vincent says. “At our shows, moms and dads are able to witness the production through the eyes of their children,” the director admits that it also allows parents to reconnect with their favorite characters and make them feel like a child all over again.
After ringing in 2017 in Philly, the show glides into the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio starting January 6th, with stops in February at the TD Garden in Boston and the Rogers Center in Toronto in March. A complete list of tour dates is available online here.
So place on new year’s resolution list to make unforgettable memories with the Mickey and all your Disney friends when Disney On Ice’s “Follow Your Heart” skates into your hometown in 2017.
Feld Entertainment responsible for producing the Disney ice shows currently has eight different Disney ice productions playing to audiences around the world.