By 1996, post-millennials were living in a world that had
already been introduced to modern Disney classics such as Aladdin, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast and Pocahontas. Although the year brought The Hunchback of Notre Dame, 1996 didn’t
have nearly as many major Disney releases as years past.
Estefany was born in the year 1996 but her introduction to
the magical world of Disney began in 2001 with its fourth animated feature
film, Dumbo. Although a traumatic
experience (many tears were shed when Dumbo was separated from his mother), the
magic stuck. Nearly 16 years later, Estefany expanded her Disney horizons by
attending opening night of Disney on Ice:
Follow Your Heart.
Walking into the venue, she had no idea what the evening had
in store. She was greeted with vibrant colors and elevated spirits. Children in
costumes walked past holding souvenirs that lit up, spun or had two round
ears. The smell of cotton candy wafted through the air and the taste of
multi-colored snow cones were practically on the tip of the tongue.
As the lights went down and the music started, the magic was
as real as ever. With 38 speaker enclosures and 2,400 watts of power, it’s hard
not to be impressed. Introductions were made and the show’s ringleaders emerged
– Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy.
In addition to the traditional ringleaders, Disney/Pixar’s Inside Out Emotions made their Disney on
Ice debut to tie each storyline together. Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust
help Riley gain the confidence she needs to win her hockey game – all while
princesses, toys and sea creatures alike tell their own stories.
Each Princess solo was more fascinating than the last. Merida
and Tiana had solo sets to their theme music while Cinderella, Ariel, Mulan,
Jasmine and Rapunzel share their sets with their leading men. Ariel and Eric as
well as Rapunzel and Flynn add a special element to their sets as Ariel flies
30 feet off the ice during a Spanish web and Rapunzel soars a remarkable 35
feet during an aerial silk act.
Three additional Princesses get their own full storyline
within the show. Belle, Snow White and the sisters of Frozen danced their way
across the ice as they shared their narrative. From “Be Our Guest” to “Let It
Go”, each performer skated elegantly.
A special treat to the first act is a scene from Fantasia,
conductor Mickey and dancing broomsticks included. It’s another elegant
performance with spectacular costumes and choreography.
The second act included full storylines from Finding Dory
and Toy Story. First was the under-the-sea adventure where Dory finally
remembers her family and searches for them with the help of Nemo and Marlin as
well as a massive octopus named Hank. The impressive 152 suckers on Hank’s tentacles
was one of the stand-out props of the show, which had a total of 181. Toy Story
was introduced by the sounds of “Woody’s Roundup”, the theme song from Woody’s
show in the second film. Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Ham, Rex and a variety of green
army men accompany their set and deliver one of the final performances of the
night.
Between the 60 characters and the interwoven storylines, each
individual element of the show is clearly well thought out and intricate. For
being nearly 21 years old, Estefany bore the same expression as the children
around her: pure joy. Pun intended. This show was not just for the young; it
was for the imaginative, the creative, the whimsical and – most important – the
child within.