Recently, my family and I attended the latest Disney on Ice show, Celebrations! This opportunity was provided to us by Jennifer Bisbee of Bisbee and Company. You may remember there was a contest.

We invited my husband’s coworker to come along with her daughter so that our daughter could have a playmate around her age instead of just mom and dad. Even though we are the most fun parents in the world. Right as we walked into the arena, I nearly ran into the big table full of souvenirs. Nothing better than a huge Tinkerbell flashy light-up thingy staring my daughter right in the face.

Somehow we made it past the flash, twirl, and sparkles and into our seats. Our view was really nice. Thanks Jennifer!

The show’s theme was celebrations which meant all types of parties and holidays were, well, celebrated. Some of those featured were:

• Halloween with the Disney Villains
• Valentine’s Day Royal Ball with the Disney Princesses
• Brazilian Carnivale parade
• Hawaiian luau party
• and a Japanese Cherry Blossom festival

My husband and I really liked the Halloween segment which featured Jack Skellington. There was also the Fantasia-inspired brooms’ dance in which the brooms were neon – an awesome visual effect in the dark. And both equally as hard to get shots of! Man, Jack Skellington was fast!

Baby girl loved all parts of the show. While the princesses were extra special for her and our 4 year old guest, they really had a great time all throughout. They enjoyed the music and songs, twirling ice skaters, and of course the many Disney characters. Even Cruella De Vil got some love from my daughter’s friend, who apparently has a special thing for the villain.

Two things I didn’t like about the show, but that definitely don’t make or break it:

1. During the Disney Princesses ball, the fairy godmother said, “You can’t be a princess without a prince!” Which fit the context since they were looking for Mickey at the time, but still sends the wrong message to impressionable 3 year olds. Because you can in fact be a princess with no prince around. At least I think so.
2. Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen, from the not-yet-released The Princess and the Frog were to be the big highlight of the show. It was one of the most stressed points in the press release. And yet, when Princess Tiana came out on the ice, there was no introduction. She came out just like any other princess and you could tell the whole arena was like “Who is that?” She barely got a clap. For her being a new princess and the movie currently being promoted, I think a simple “Introducing Princess Tiana!” would have been good.

Regardless, the show was really fun. And the girls had a great time, which is what truly matters. The husband even enjoyed himself – and not the fake “I’m being a good daddy!” excitement, but the “I actually had a good time” type.

Have you had a chance to catch a Disney on Ice show? What was your favorite part?

Last year around this same time, I took my daughter to see Disney on Ice. It was a spur of the moment thing, since a friend of the family had discounted tickets and asked if we wanted to go.

My daughter was only 2 1/2 at the time and had never been to Disney World. But, she did watch Playhouse Disney and I thought “Why not?”

So we went. And we watched as the performers skated around in their costumes and did lovely flips and twirls and sang. My baby girl was enjoying it for the most part even if she was a wiggly toddler.

Then, the Lion King came on. And, well, the Lion King can be kind of dark and ominous and scary. For a 2 year old anyway. Especially one who had never seen the movie and didn’t know what in the world was happening to Simba’s dad! But, she knew Simba was sad. That much she could tell.

And so my baby girl decided to be empathetic…for Simba. And she cried. And was  scared.

I felt so bad for her because I had brought her here thinking it would be fun and instead she was scared! But…we made it to the end of the show and she enjoyed the Little Mermaid and Tinkerbell segments much more.

This year, she’s much less wiggly, more willing to sit and watch a show, and has been to Disney twice.

So, when I was contacted by Jennifer Bisbee and offered to attend the latest Disney on Ice show with my family, I got all excited at the opportunity to try again. And…of course…one of you gets to go and take your family as well! Just don’t stalk me and my family or anything. Ok?

Show Information

Disney On Ice presents Celebrations! will be the first time audiences see Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen, live on ice, from the upcoming film, Walt Disney Pictures’ The Princess and the Frog. You’ll get to see Disney characters celebrating holidays and festivals from around the world, including:

• Halloween with the Disney Villains
• Valentine’s Day Royal Ball with the Disney Princesses
• Brazilian Carnivale parade
• Hawaiian luau party
• and a Japanese Cherry Blossom festival

The Prize

I’ve been told I can give one of you four tickets for the opening night show on Friday, September 11 at 7:30 p.m in the Amway Arena.

How to Enter

1. If you’d like to enter this contest, simply leave a comment below and let me know why you wish to go see Disney on Ice.
2. For an extra entry, you can tweet about this contest with a link back to this post and include @modernmami in your tweet. You must leave a separate comment with a link to your tweet for your entry to count.

All entries must be in by Saturday, September 5th at 11:59 pm EST. The winner will be chosen using Random.org and will be notified via email. (Please be sure to provide a valid email address with your comment.)

You can also purchase your own tickets via www.DisneyOnIce.com.

Updated 9/14/09: Contest is closed. Winner has been chosen and show has passed.