Live-action Disney show here in UK that beats Florida & Paris parks – from £44pp

THE 02 stadium in London’s Greenwich has been the scene of many raucous gig nights for my friends and I over the years. 

So it was weird to revisit the giant white dome yesterday with my three year old, as we and thousands of other families attended the matinee of Disney On Ice presents Dream Big. 

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But, despite sipping on a coffee instead of a beer, I was soon singing along with just as much gusto to ‘A Whole New World’, from Aladdin, as I ever did to my favourite chart-toppers. 

If you’ve never heard of the show, which tours the UK regularly with different themes, it’s what it says on the tin – Disney characters singing, acting and dancing their way around an ice rink. 

This time, the serotonin-boosting musical extravaganza features storylines and songs from many of Disney’s favourite princesses.

The likes of Jasmine, Ariel, Belle, Moana, Cinderella and Elsa, belt out the tunes, alongside some impressive ice skating routines. 

The original stars like Mickey, Minnie and Goofy are also in attendance, to link up the different skits. 

Here in Britain, we’re severely lacking in Disney attractions, but this was a perfect 90-minute blast of what the company does best; feel good, musical, show stopping performances. 

In fact, it was better than nearly all of the shows I’ve seen at either of Disney World or Disneyland Paris.

Some movies, like Coco and Tangled, they just rip a great tune from, while others like Moana, The Little Mermaid and Aladdin take several songs and condense the entire storyline around a few key scenes.

Then of course, a third of the entire show and 90 per cent of the pyrotechnics budget is dedicated to Elsa and her Frozen crew – Disney know their audience.

Although I’ll admit to whooping as loudly as my pre-schooler when Let It Go came on, as the tune is an absolute banger.

The Disney attention-to-detail in the costumes and props is evident everywhere, with the cutlery characters in ‘Be Our Guest’ from Beauty and the Beast positively shining.

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And the battle scene involving Prince Philip and a fire-breathing dragon from Maleficent drew audible gasps from much of the crowd. 

They’re not singing live, but given how impressive the skating is, that’s understandable and it’s really quite amazing how they tie everything together on ice. 

My son hasn’t seen most of the films and he was still completely captivated throughout. 

As were my mum friend and I, who both sheepishly admitted to feeling either quite emotional or elated when several of the songs came on. 

Actually screw it, I’m not embarrassed, it was fantastic.

A pure moment of escapism and a chance to experience some Disney magic for under £50pp, without schlepping under the Channel or over the Atlantic. 

Disney On Ice presents Dream Big is playing at London’s 02 Stadium until December 31, with tickets still available from £44 at disneyonice.com. Or alternatively, Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero will visiting Cardiff, Leeds, London, Liverpool, and Glasgow from February 23 to March 26, 2023.

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