Disney on Ice Presents Dare to Dream

After our most recent experience at Disney on Ice, I was torn about bringing Bug along to Disney on Ice Presents Dare to Dream. In addition to his issues with the sound, this particular show focuses heavily on princesses. In fact, it tells the stories of Tiana, Cinderella, and Rapunzel. But when I asked, he said that he wanted to go, so I thought I’d give it another try. I’m glad I did because, although it got off to a rocky start, we all had a wonderful time.

After the standard welcome from Mickey, Minnie and the gang, the show kicks off with The Princess and the Frog. The costumes were gorgeous and the music upbeat, but this is my least favorite of the Disney princess movies. Bug is also terrified of the Shadow Man and has been ever since he first laid eyes on him in the movie. We spent the first act trying to calm him down. LadyBug, on the other hand, was entranced. She loves the skating and costumes.

The next act was Cinderella. My kids enjoyed the goofiness of the step sisters and were impressed by Cinderella’s transformation from rags to ball gown. I personally enjoyed the ball scene, but I can be sappy like that. I think the entire audience enjoyed singing along to "Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo."

The glimmering star of the show was the re-telling of Tangled, which is probably my favorite princess movie of all time. I’m not alone on this opinion, either, as the buzz that rippled through the arena was loudest of all for this act. We enjoyed seeing all of the characters, especially Maximus, who managed to retain all of his spunk and charm in his transition to the ice. But the highlight of this – and the show as a whole – was the aerial silk routines performed by Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. They spun and soared through the air on golden silk cloth and it was beautiful. My kids were captivated and even my hard-to-impress, not-remotely-romantic husband thought it was pretty cool.

Toward the end of the Tangled act, they do the lantern scene from the end of the movie. I’ve seen this particular part twice as it also happened in Treasure Trove, but it brought me nearly to tears both times. They bring a little girl out to the edge of the ice and she hands Rapunzel a lighted lantern. Rapunzel and Flynn Rider launch the lantern to the sky and the whole arena sparkles with glowing lanterns. I love the magic of it, but moves me most is the special moment it creates for the lucky little girl who gets a hug from Rapunzel and sets off the lantern storm.

Dare to Dream is my favorite Disney on Ice in a long time, although it’s partly due to the fact that my son was able to calm down enough for me to relax as well. And although it’s heavy on the princess-vibe, there is plenty in it for boys as well!

Disclosure: We received complimentary tickets to the show for review purposes. There was no promise of a positive review and the opinions contained in this post are my own.