“Moana” is among the movies and characters that are showcased in “Disney on Ice: Magic In the Stars” in Vancouver. (Photo courtesy of Disney on Ice)
Two numbers into the musical-driven “Disney on Ice: Magic In the Stars” and I was riveted. The song being played was “Friend of Mine” from “Aladdin” and the performers on the ice were not merely figure skating. Several wore hockey skates and flew between ramps, crushing blades down on slick slopes that intersected with the frozen rink at Pacific Coliseum. It was a mix of competition, high-intensity acrobatics, and Disney charm.
Mickey and his friends, who started the show, had given way to a Winter X-Games-type troupe of daredevils who had me marvelling at their athleticism. As did Sydney Berrier, one of the star performers who would command the rink a few acts later to swing above the crowd while tethered to an “acro-pole” — a thick piece of bamboo designed specifically for her feats as Raya, one of the new Disney heroes.
It turns out the more daring and more athletic the show, the more it was aligned with the goals of the cast and producers.
High-flying Sydney Berrier is one of the stars of “Disney on Ice”. She uses a unique acro-pole to perform as Raya. (Adrian Brijbassi photo for Vacay.ca)
“In the past few years we’ve moved into more bigger ‘wow’ elements. Before, you would see princesses and the kind of figure skating that you might see on the prime-time Olympics. Now there is more of a traditional circus show — with flying from the sky and fantastical performances. The princesses are still there and we’ve added this extra element that has elevated and catapulted the show,” said Nathaniel Viera-Davis, who has been performing with Disney on Ice for 17 years and is one of a whopping 54 cast members.
Among the new additions is a group of five young men who bring hip-hop and street-dance to the show. They’re from England and Germany, and turn the “Aladdin” scenes into enthralling, high-adrenaline entertainment that reminds you of why the world is so constantly amazed by the Disney brand. There are also numerous funny gags throughout, including during “Frozen” when a skating reindeer — operated by two performers hidden in its belly — does its best to look graceful on the ice.
Mathew King (centre) plays Buzz Lightyear during the “Toy Story” section of “Disney on Ice: Magic In the Stars”. (Photo courtesy of Disney on Ice)
Canadians will want to pay special attention to the “Toy Story” segment because Buzz Lightyear is played by Mathew King, who hails from Watford, Ontario, and was a competitive figure skater, reaching the national finals in 1997. Back at Pacific Coliseum for the first time since that momentous event, King has successfully shifted his career into the world of entertainment. He has spent nearly a decade with Disney on Ice and echoed Viera-Davis’s point about the show making a conscious effort to pump up the vigor.
“There is definitely more of a ‘wow’ factor. There was an effort to add more Disney magic and more crowd interaction. And we can see that working really well in the show. We have a great time when the audience gets involved. It really adds a dynamic element,” he said.
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Canadian Mathew King shows some of the props used during “Disney on Ice: Magic In the Stars”. King has been with Disney on Ice for more than nine years. (Adrian Brijbassi photo for Vacay.ca)
Other highlights include “Encanto”, which brings the upbeat Colombia-inspired music of Lin-Manuel Miranda to an unusual location for it. But the warm-weather songs are well suited for the ice rink, allowing for the ensemble cast to zip around as they recreate the frenetic tale of Mirabel and her family from the magical house. The “Moana” sequence is captivating for its fire-and-ice theme while other acts include plenty of romantic ice dancing with princes and princesses that connect with the iconic aspects of the show.
Ultimately, though, it’s still the main Disney characters that captivate the youngest attendees. Kids are often star-struck at the sight of Mickey Mouse and friends. That universal appeal is the enduring value of “Disney on Ice” productions, King noted. “It might be the only time they get to see these characters because not everyone will have the chance to visit the theme parks. When we see the kids get dressed up and be so excited to have this show for them, it just makes you realize how special it is to be a part of it,” he said.
MORE ABOUT DISNEY ON ICE
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Location: Pacific Coliseum (see map below)
Prices: Tickets range from $30 to $100. Cyber Week savings offer deals of up to 35% off online. Meet-and-greet tickets can also be purchased for select characters.
Show Length: The show takes place multiple times each day and lasts about 90 minutes, including a 10-minute intermission, and runs at Pacific Coliseum until December 1. Vancouver is the last Canadian stop for the “Magic In the Stars” show this year.
Other Canadian Dates: “Disney on Ice” performances continue in eastern Canada with shows in Quebec and Ontario scheduled through March 9, 2025. The themes of the shows may differ from city to city. Check the Disney on Ice website for details.
