Review of Dallas Disney on Ice: Rockin’ Ever After

I decided – spur of the moment – to take the Princess Cupcake to see Disney on Ice, Rockin’ Ever After produced by Feld Entertainment.

Like, I decided yesterday morning to take her that evening. Got tickets online and texted the hubs that he should meet his ladies at El Fenix for dinner prior to our big Girls Night Out.

I also swore him to secrecy to not tell the Cupcake where we were going.

Which he happily obliged as it also meant he didn’t have to go.

I questioned my sanity on our way to downtown Dallas, a thunderstorm lit up the sky, my car tire light was flashing angrily at me, and the Cupcake told me she didn’t nap that day at school… only moments before she was zonkers for the rest of the not long enough for a full-fledged nap of a drive.

Despite my worried thoughts that the night would conclude with me carrying 40 pounds of sleeping preschooler through the downpour to a car with a flat tire, I persevered.

Over shrimp tacos and chicken nuggets, the Cupcake was eyeing all the little girls dressed up in their Disney princess costumes curiously, and mumbles something about what she wants to play with when we get home.

“We’re not going home right away.”

“We’re NOT? Where are we going?”

Daddy chimes in. “Mommy has a special surprise for you. You’re a very lucky girl. You should know that.” Yeah, lucky because I only got two seats and he gets the TV at home to himself.

“What IS IT Mommy?” She is literally about to burst with the idea of a secret surprise and must know immediately. “PLLLLLLEEEEEAAAAAASSSSSEEEEE MOMMMMMMMYYYYY TELL ME!!!!”

“Why don’t you guess? What do you think it is?”

“A new necklace?” Well geez. If only I had just done that for a mere fraction of the cost of my spur of the moment surprise…

“Nope.”

“A new dress?”

Shook my head. This kid was easy to please.

“A new toy?”

“Kinda, but not really.” Alright, I admit. I knew I was going to get her a toy.

“Are we going to the MALL?”

“Not going to the mall.” She loves the mall. At not yet 5, she thinks it’s a funtastic place. I’m in so much trouble.

When we got close to the American Airlines Center, she said, “Is that the MALL?” still trying to get me to crack. Lips were sealed.

We ran through the raindrops, slipped inside and even though she didn’t know exactly what was going on – it didn’t matter because she had laser beam eyes on the Disney Princess toy booths dotting the hallways.

I didn’t say a word, just found a place in line and let her pick out a toy – a pretty iridescent horse with purple and pink saddle and mane. (Note: when the souvenir salesman says, “Would you like a program too?” While it seems innocuous, it’s a $20 upsell. Just sayin.’) And she still had no idea why we were in a sea of people and these little toy booths with whizzing LED’s spinning madly everywhere. I had the fact that she had zero recollection of going to Disney on Ice a little over a year ago workin’ for me.

We went straight to our seats, which for a last minute decision were amazingly good. 7 rows up from the ice, stage left. And they weren’t the most expensive seats either but I suspect purchasing just a pair gave us better lower bowl options. I was worried about being positioned on the side, but the view turned out great. No, the skaters weren’t looking at us all the time, but have you ever seen an ice skater stay in one place? I would say the trade off for a side-facing seat versus a front facing on upper deck seat was the smart buy.

The curtain came up and the Princess Cupcake’s eyes were big as saucers. She was on her feet staring intently as Mickey and Minnie introduced their “talent show” and burst out of the curtain dancing to “Oh Mickey you so fine, you so fine you blow my mind, Oh Mickey…” which I’m fairly certain she’s never heard before. The energy was fantastic, the little girl in front of me literally held her Ariel wand up with both hands through the entire first 20 minutes. I don’t even have that kind of arm strength, but golly, she was into it and wanted Mickey to see her!

Part One of the show featured the stepsisters from Cinderella (and yet, strangely no beloved Cinderella), it told Ariel’s full story, and a portion of Rapunzel’s story. Disney on Ice actually only mentioned Rapunzel’s magical hair, and I’ve got to say, with all the amazing costumes, lighting effects and blacklights, my expectation was that they’d snazzy up her “glowing” hair — but they didn’t. Or furthermore, it was curious that they didn’t show the Queen and King (which is only the Cupcake’s favorite part of Tangled when the Princess is reunited with her family). Have no fear, Maximus stole the show, as per usual.

The first half of Disney on Ice: Rockin Ever After was jammed with classics like Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Madonna’s Vogue (which were dancing fish from Little Mermaid, so cute), We Got the Beat, and who doesn’t love the reggae sounds of Kiss the Girl?! I was thoroughly entertained. Rockin’ Ever After indeed!

Then… just when you’re thinking, “Wow, this is fantastic!” It’s intermission. The only time when the Cupcake can get a cup of sticky colored ice that costs more than a bottle of wine. Thankfully, they included wipees in the spoon package – and that. was. brilliant.

The next half of Disney on Ice: Rockin’ Ever After was not nearly as exciting if you’re a fan of late 80’s and early 90’s music, because there wasn’t any like Act 1. But it did feature the newest Disney Princess Merida from the movie Brave.  I have to stand up for my girl Merida and say that I think Disney on Ice sold her story way short. I’m only hypothesizing here — but perhaps since Brave is still available in stores, they were not allowed to go further than just a preview? Anyway, Disney On Ice did a splendid job with the set-up for the storyline, the arguing with mom, the parade of suitors, the arrow shooting, but then abruptly announced Merida “learned she could shape her own fate!” and NEXT. It was onto the Princess #4.

I can’t speak for everyone, but for my little Disney fan, the magic of Brave is in the transformation of the Queen to the bear, the saving of the mama bear and the Princess and the Mom Queen making amends. It was as if Disney on Ice threw away all of those storyboards that actually give meaning to the title.

Yeah, I found that to be totally weird. Did the Cupcake care? Uh no. But she did ask where the bear was.

Only briefly. All questions about the bear were immediately forgotten when fan-favorite Belle took the stage. Again, the story was abbreviated — thank goodness they let Beast stay in the show!  I was hoping to see Papa, or the witch as she cast the spell, or anything more than brief lipservice about the rose… again, nada. I did find the poor gal who skated as Chippy hilarious though. It has got to be a tough job to skate with one arm out of a full body teacup costume and your head all squished down like that. (And I thought I had bad days at work. :))

After the Beast turned into the Prince it was time to go. Mickey and Minnie’s talent show had concluded, it was 9:30 and the Princess Cupcake was slumped over in her seat with her head laying on the armrest asking me to rub her belly. She is her father’s daughter after all. I suspect she was overserved on the rainbow icee.

As earlier suspected, I did end up carrying 40 pounds of preschooler through the wet parking lot, but it wasn’t raining, my tire wasn’t flat and we both had an awesome time. Pat on the back to mom for sticking to her brilliant idea for an early surprise birthday present for the Cupcake.

If you don’t have tickets to see Disney On Ice: Rockin’ Ever After, get online and get them. Only you will be bothered by the storyline omissions. Feld Entertainment puts on a great show full of professional, enthusiastic skaters who look like they’re having the time of their lives. Your little Princess’ eyes will twinkle with delight and you’ll have as much fun watching her as you do the whole Disney gang.