Disney on Ice: A review

So is it worth the hassle to take two small children out on a Friday evening, past their bedtime, when they are worn out from a busy week, to a large ice arena?

Yes!

Just remember to get organised to ensure it's the special evening you planned!

 

I was thrilled and delighted to win a family ticket for four from the women's on-line community website "In the Powder Room" to go and see Disney on Ice at the Sheffield Motorpoint Arena.

I had previously looked at the tour dates and prices and we'd decided that we couldn't quite afford it.  So it was wonderful to win this prize.

Despite being on a Friday evening, when the children were already worn out, they luckily managed to have a short nap en-route to the Arena, which refreshed them enough to have a great night.  Once we arrived at the car-park we had a picnic tea in the car, (what was I saying about planning ahead?) and changed them into their princess outfits (also packed in the car much earlier in the day). Rapunzel for the 5 year old, complete with long blond wig, and Snow White for the 3 year old, complete with red cape.

I'd been misled into believing it would be cold in the Arena (due to the ice rink, of course) so we went in with cardigans.  It was lucky we did.  Not because of the cold inside (it was, of course, really warm), but because it was chilly when we came out.

The show was brilliant.  It ticked the boxes easily because all eight of the Disney Princesses appeared in the show.  Yes; there are eight!  Meaning that, it really didn't matter which your child's favourite was; they were going to see her. *

There were circus skills on display; with sailors swinging from ropes (on Prince Eric's boat of course); and clowning around (who else but the Ugly Sisters); but most of all there was great professional ice dancing topped off with the most famous of all narrators; Mickey and Minnie Mouse, ably helped by Goofy.  And if this wasn't enough, the magic of the evening was supplied by none other than Tinkerbell!

This show is great fun, with something for all children (young and old) to enjoy.  Even I was open mouthed at the fire-breathing dragon (Maleficent obviously) and we cheered Prince Philip on as he leapt about with his trusty Sword of Truth.

I would have loved to have got some great pictures to show you, but we weren't ring-side.  However, if you want to see a clip, up and coming Disney on Ice shows around the world can be found at the Disney on Ice website, simply select your country and see what is currently touring.  

Other Disney Live shows in the UK can be found here

It's truly worth a visit.

And if you are visiting Disneyland Paris this summer, click here for some hints and tips to help your holiday go without hitch!

*I have since been corrected by my knowledgeable daughter who informs me that Mulan and Pochohontas were not in the show, therefore not all of the princesses appear; just most of them.

Disneyland Paris...More tips for survival

It's definitely worth staying in one of the official Disney hotels for the early access to the park that it provides.  From 8am until 10am the park is open for these guests, and it's the only time of the day to get on the Dumbo ride, the Carousel and the Teacups without waiting for 40 minutes in a queue.

So if you have the choice.  It's really worth it.

Also, you might want to reserve a table at the restaurant in Woody's Round Up village for 11.30am for lunch.  The characters make an appearance here, and it only opens at 11.30 - so if you are the first in the door you get exclusive access to plenty of characters.  They don't just sign your books.  They stay and dance with the children over dinner.  We had Minnie sitting at our table for a while; we danced with Mickey and Jessie and Goofy, and had big hugs with Woody.

Brilliant - and free! (other than the food of course)

Going to Disneyland Paris? Tips for Survival!

Don't.  And I'm going to repeat that for effect, even though it doesn't work nearly as well written as it does said. Don't, buy any clothes for your children, from Disneyland Paris, without trying them on first.

I'd promised myself that we'd buy a new princess dress for our Cheeky Monkey No. 1 while we were there.  The first shock was the price.  They cost roughly 59Euros with the smallest sizes sometimes, but not always, cheaper, and for those of you still trying to work that out in your head it's £52 or $86.  So it's not something to buy while you're there if you can really help it.  They are definitely cheaper at home.

However, I didn't know this, and had 'promised myself', so I figured 'Carpe Diem' and let her pick her favourite.  She picked the Rapunzel dress unsurprisingly, and I picked up a size 6 (meaning '6 years old') to try on.  She's nearly 5yrs old, and I figured that if I'm going to spend the money, I want her to get some wear out of it before it's too small.

 The size 6 was just right.  And I mean 'just right'.  So knowing my daughter she'd grow out of it within a week.  And frankly, after a large bowl of pasta, it would have been tight around the middle!

So we picked the next size up to try.  It was probably only about an inch, if that, wider around the middle, and was now just above the floor.  Any bigger and she'd be tripping over it.  And what size was it exactly?  An 8.  My 4 year old daughter was in a dress supposedly designed for an 8 year old!?

I similarly ended up with a size 6 for my 2 year old.

I should point out in the strongest terms that I don't have round children!  They are probably slightly smaller than average if anything.

So beware, and try on first.

Having said all that, she looked absolutely gorgeous!  Have fun!

Disney Princesses, Woody, Buzz, Eeyore, not forgetting Mickey and Minnie..... It's EuroDisney and how to survive it!!

We've just got back from four days at Disneyland Paris and am in desperate need of four days in a very dark, quiet, warm place where there's wine and pillows.

It was brilliant.  Our cheeky monkeys, are now 2yrs and nearly 5yrs respectively, are very different.  The eldest Cheeky Monkey No.1 was dead keen on meeting as many Princesses as possible.  We managed Ariel (twice), Tiana (twice), Snow White (twice), Cinderella and Wendy (does she count?).  The youngest (CM2) was more interested in Buzz Lightyear and shaking hands with Captain Hook.  I think we've inadvertently turned her into a tomboy.  She did indeed meet both, along with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Eeyore, Peter Pan, Woody, Jessie and Suzy and Perla (the mice that help Cinderella!).  And I saw Mary Poppins.... Is it pathetic to be a grown woman, and to be excited about that?

They came home with an autograph book full of signatures and had a brilliant time, including being chosen to dance with the Princesses in the Parade on our last night (just before we jumped on Eurostar to return home!)  It couldn't have been a more perfect end to the trip.

It's a place, though, that's full of potential pitfalls for the innocent traveller.  I'm going to try and post some tips over the next few weeks, to hopefully help make it the best holiday you've ever had too!

Today's Disney Tip (no. 1) - Pop out of the gates of the Disneyland park, and into the mini supermarket just inside the train station for baguettes, wine, papers, snacks, all at reasonable (sensible) prices.  The prices for food inside the park gates are high (7 Euros for one hot dog) and it's difficult to find quick food that's not an  ice cream or waffle.  All the places that sell actual food; the sort that contains something other than sugar; are all restaurants that have large queues at meal times.  (Fine if you reserve your table in advance and are ready to pay over 100 Euros to feed a family of four.)  If you can't stretch to that kind of food budget, the 5 minute walk out to the station is your answer.  You pass it going back to the hotels at any rate!