Tips for Taking Kids to Disney on Ice

Over the weekend we had the chance to see Disney On Ice Dare to Dream at the Spokane Arena in Washington. My girls were very excited and dressed up in anticipation of the show! Disney On Ice has a full schedule of shows throughout the year, so chances are it’s coming to a city near you! I definitely recommend planning a family night out to see this magical performance.

Disney On Ice is a fun way to spend a special night with your family. We’ve gone with our kids ages 4 and 6 at the time, and they had no problem sitting through the show. Here are some tips we learned to create a fun family night out. If you are considering seeing one of the magical Disney On Ice shows, you should!

Pick The Right Show For Your Family

The Disney On Ice Dare to Dream show combines the individual stories of Beauty & the Beast, Cinderella, Elsa & Anna, Rapunzel and Moana into a 2 hour live performance. This was a perfect show for my girls to see because they love all things sparkly and glamorous. All of the costumes were very colorful and detailed, worn by characters brought to life by the talented ice skaters. You can choose from a variety of shows that travel to different US cities throughout the year. Each Disney On Ice show highlights a different combination of beloved Disney characters.

Plan Your Night & Get There Early

Disney On Ice is a memorable performance that is very kid friendly and easy to attend with the whole family. I remember seeing an enchanting Disney On Ice show as a kid with my family. The props and special effects have come a long way since then! My girls were excited to see their favorite Disney princesses live on the ice. It was really special to take my kids to the city to see a show that was designed just for them! When you plan your Disney On Ice night out, it’s very helpful to get there early so kids can go to the bathroom and get fully situated before the show begins. There is also an intermission which you can use to get snacks or visit the bathroom again.

It was so fun for my girls to watch Belle explore the Beast’s castle, dance alongside cakes and spoons during the Be Our Guest song, and break the spell which transforms the Beast back into a prince.

Disney On Ice Dare to Dream – Belle & the Prince

Dress Up in Costumes

We attended the Disney On Ice Dare to Dream performance highlighting all the favorite princesses and my girls were excited to dress up as Elsa & Anna. Lots of kids dress up for Disney On Ice so my girls fit right in! You can shop ahead of time to find the perfect Disney princess costume for your little girl. Disney On Ice unfortunately doesn’t allow adults to wear costumes so that kids won’t be confused by who are attendees vs. performers. You can always wear your favorite Disney t-shirt or Elsa braid accessory!

Bring Some Glow in the Dark Toys

The Disney On Ice performances are in a dark arena with spotlights that light up the ice. Kids can bring their own glowing wands and crowns to the show or pick up some glow in the dark accessories at the event center for $15-$20. Holding a glow toy can make the show interactive and give your kids something to wave as they watch the spectacular show.

Eat Dinner Before & Enjoy Snacks At the Show

Our family ate dinner before we arrived at Disney On Ice for the 7pm show. Halfway though the show there’s an intermission and families can purchase drinks, popcorn, snow cones and other snacks. There’s even a selection of drinks for adults. Prices reflect typical event pricing so we shared a soda and a soft pretzel with cheese. Just enough for a little snack before the second half of the show!

Moana put on a colorful show with lots of props and special effects that well represented the movie. We watched Moana sail her boat beyond the reef to find Maui the Polynesian Demi-God, encounter Tamatoa the Crab and battle Te Kā. My kids were amazed to see the Moana movie and songs come alive in a spectacular performance on the ice.

Going to Disney on Ice is a great opportunity to spend a special family day together. Kids can wear a dress up outfit and see their favorite characters retelling beloved stories on the ice. A live performance is much different than an animated show and each Disney on Ice show magically brings classic stories to life. Kids, teenagers and adults will enjoy seeing Mickey & Minnie, Moana, Aladdin & Jasmine, characters from Toy Story and more reenacting the highlights from many Disney stories.

Find Disney on Ice Tickets »

Shows vary based on location, but chances are you can find Disney on Ice coming to a town near you!

photo credit: Disney on Ice

Why Go to Disney on Ice

Fun Family Event

Disney on Ice is a great family night out. It’s important for families to spend time together, especially after a busy week of kids being in school and parents working. The Disney on Ice shows are scheduled for afternoons, evenings and weekends so you can easily find a time that fits your schedule.

Great for All Ages

The Disney on Ice show is colorful and energetic to capture the attention of toddlers, kids and teenagers. My 3-year-old and 6-year-old girls loved the enchanted princess show we saw last year. The lights, sounds and special effects created a magical experience for our family.

photo credit: Disney on Ice

Dress Up, Souvenirs and Snacks

A highlight of Disney on Ice shows is the opportunity for kids to dress up as their favorite Disney characters. We saw many kids dressed up for the show last year. Additionally, this event is a great place for kids to wear their Halloween costumes to get more use out of them! Before/after the show and during intermission, you can purchase fun Disney on Ice souvenirs and accessories such as light-up wands, crowns and swords. You can also enjoy a variety of concessions including snacks and drinks.

Going to Disney on Ice is a memorable and valuable family night out, perfect for kids of all ages. Which show is coming to a location near you?

Katie Wallace

Hi, I’m Katie! I live with my husband and 4 kids in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I love Jesus, coffee, creative projects, photography, and traveling. I’ve previously worked as a web designer, journalist, and barista. I hope you enjoy our creative projects and family adventures!