Review: Disney on Ice Passport to Adventure at Manchester Arena

Last night I headed straight into Manchester after the school run with my little lady and two of her buddies. We were kicking off the 8th Birthday celebrations early with Disney on Ice Passport to Adventure at Manchester Arena.

We were lucky enough to be guests backstage and were able to say “Hi” to the main guy, Mickey Mouse, before heading into the arena to watch the show.

The show kicks off with some characters, who I’m reliably informed by my girl squad, are from Zootropolis. This is followed by the Disney A-list, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. The first display is from “It’s A Small World”. When Diva G was five “It’s A Small World” was my daughters favourite ride at Disneyland Paris. “Mummy, it’s my favourite” she whispered as illuminated archways and skaters paraded across the ice.

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Goofy are our hosts for the evening, taking us on an adventure around the world and our first stop is the plains of Africa for the Lion King. Rafiki the wise old baboon, a young Simba and Nala, and Timon and Pumbaa take to the ice with an abridged performance of the Lion King.

We left Africa and were transported to the streets of London, complete with pearly kings and queens, Big Ben and a British bobby, and the civilised world of Wendy, Michael and John Darling. The Darling children are joined by Peter Pan and my personal favourite Disney character – Tinkerbell.

Then the dancers’ flying skills are put to the test as Peter and Tink whisk the children off to Neverland to meet the Lost Boys and do battle with the fiendish Captain Hook and his pirates.

During the interval Olaf joined us, in the form of a slushy filled cup.

Happiness is sharing an Olaf slushy with your mates when you are almost 8yo.

We set off under the sea in the second half with the Little Mermaid Ariel and her fellow mermaids, along with Flounder and Sebastian, for a great dance routine to Under The Sea, with starfish, jellyfish and all manner of other sea creatures in absolutely brilliant costumes, and bubbles falling from the sky.

The effects were getting increasingly special but nothing compared to what awaited us when we reached Arendelle.

The finale was devoted to Frozen and excelled as the crowd sung along with all their favourite moments from the movie, including First Time In Forever, Love Is An Open Door, Let It Go and In Summer.

Fabulous special effects, including fireworks, real snow and fog, accompanied by the magical sound of children in the audience singing their hearts out as Elsa created her magical ice palace.