REVIEW- DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS INTO THE MAGIC - M&S BANK ARENA, LIVERPOOL - 28/02/2026
- Sarah Monaghan
- Mar 2
- 6 min read
Disney On Ice Presents Into The Magic – A Sparkling Family Adventure in Liverpool
From the moment the lights dimmed and the enormous ice rink burst into colour, Disney On Ice Presents Into The Magic at the M&S Bank Arena Liverpool delivered a spectacle that felt truly magical.
The arena itself becomes part of the experience. From our seats in Block 10, the scale of the production was immediately striking — a vast ice surface surrounded by thousands of excited families, glowing toys flickering throughout the audience and an impressive central set structure already hinting at the adventures to come.
“For Alice and Leo, this was their very first time seeing Disney characters live…” and “their excitement was completely infectious.” That sense of anticipation was echoed across the entire arena, creating an atmosphere that felt electric even before the first characters appeared on the ice.
Disney On Ice has been captivating audiences worldwide for decades, combining elite figure skating with theatrical storytelling and beloved Disney characters. Into The Magic celebrates courage, friendship and adventure through a series of Disney worlds, each brought to life with large-scale staging, vibrant costumes and impressive technical effects.
Seeing a production of this size unfold live highlights the extraordinary logistics behind arena theatre — moving scenery, lighting rigs, projections and a large ensemble of highly skilled skaters working together seamlessly.
For us, there was also a nostalgic element. Lawrence and I had previously seen Disney On Ice back in 2015 in the same venue, but “experiencing it again through our children’s eyes made it feel completely new.”
Rather than following a single narrative, the production unfolds as a series of Disney adventures. Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy appear at the beginning to introduce the show and return at the end for the grand finale, framing the experience with classic Disney charm.
The opening Beauty and the Beast sequence immediately establishes the production’s scale. A towering castle structure dominates the rink, complete with sweeping staircases and balconies that create a dramatic focal point. The segment begins with Gaston, LeFou and Belle before the castle opens to reveal Beast, Lumière and Cogsworth. The iconic Be Our Guest number transforms the rink into a vibrant celebration, with large ensemble choreography creating striking patterns across the ice. The sequence culminates in the romantic Tale as Old as Time duet, featuring elegant lifts and graceful skating that perfectly capture the fairytale atmosphere.
The Coco segment introduces a bold visual contrast, using ultraviolet lighting and neon-accented costumes to create a glowing Day of the Dead atmosphere. Skeleton characters move in rhythmic formations while Miguel’s energetic performance adds humour and personality. The lighting design here is particularly effective, making the costumes appear illuminated against the darker ice surface.
Tangled combines comedy, romance and spectacle, with Maximus the horse proving a particular highlight — especially for Alice, who absolutely loves that character. Seeing him brought to life on the ice was a lovely moment for her and added an extra layer of excitement to the scene.
Rapunzel and Flynn’s sequences incorporate both skating and aerial choreography, adding vertical dimension and excitement while maintaining strong storytelling. One particularly magical moment involved a child from the audience being invited to hold a lantern before releasing it as it soared up into the air, creating a beautiful interactive moment that had the whole arena watching in awe. The lantern-inspired lighting during I See the Light adds to the atmosphere, creating one of the most visually enchanting scenes of the first half.
The large ensemble numbers I’ve Got a Dream and Something That I Want are especially impressive, with energetic choreography and synchronised skating patterns that fill the entire rink with colour, movement and excitement.
After the interval, Cinderella brings classic fairytale charm. The sequence begins with the Fairy Godmother casting her spell before Cinderella makes a breathtaking entrance in a beautiful transparent carriage that glides across the ice. The ballroom scene that follows features elegant choreography between Cinderella and the Prince, with sweeping lifts and romantic skating. The glass slipper search adds humour and audience interaction, with characters coming into the audience to pretend to try the slipper on spectators’ feet before finally finding Cinderella, leading to a joyful happily-ever-after dance.
The Frozen segment is understandably one of the biggest highlights. Snowflake projections ripple across the ice while Anna, Elsa, Olaf and Kristoff appear in beautifully detailed costumes. A raised staircase platform emerges from the rink, allowing Elsa to perform from an elevated position during Let It Go, enhanced by swirling lighting and falling snow effects that create a powerful theatrical moment.
The show concludes with Moana, delivering a vibrant and energetic finale. A full-size moving boat glides across the ice carrying Moana and Maui, while ocean-inspired lighting washes across the rink. Maui’s energetic appearance brings humour and excitement early in the sequence.
A standout visual moment follows with the arrival of Tamatoa the giant crab, whose large-scale puppet design dominates the ice. During the Shiny number, disco-ball style lighting scatters sparkling reflections across the arena, creating a dazzling, immersive atmosphere that feels both theatrical and playful.
The story builds towards an uplifting emotional climax with Moana’s journey of self-discovery before the production transitions into a joyful grand finale, with characters from across the Disney worlds returning to the ice together. Seeing Mickey, Minnie, the princesses and heroes all skating side-by-side creates a wonderful sense of scale before the characters wave goodbye to the audience — a heartwarming ending that leaves the arena buzzing with happiness.
Set, Lighting, Costumes and Choreography
The production design throughout is exceptionally strong, demonstrating the scale and technical sophistication audiences expect from Disney On Ice.
The central set structure acts as a versatile storytelling hub, transforming throughout the show from castle to village backdrop to storybook gateway. Curtain reveals allow for dramatic character entrances, building anticipation between segments.
Lighting plays a crucial role in shaping each world. From glowing neon tones in Coco to icy blues in Frozen and warm golden hues in Beauty and the Beast, the lighting constantly reshapes the atmosphere. Projections across the ice surface add texture and movement, while the finale lighting — including sparkling reflections across the arena — creates a breathtaking visual spectacle.
There are occasional loud sound effects and flashes of lighting, which add excitement but may be worth noting for younger or more noise-sensitive children.
Costumes are vibrant, detailed and instantly recognisable, with standout designs including the glowing skeleton costumes in Coco, Elsa’s shimmering ice dress, Moana’s island-inspired outfit and Belle’s iconic yellow gown.
The choreography balances storytelling with technical skating skill. Romantic duets, comedic sequences, synchronised ensemble formations and impressive lifts are all performed with precision and energy. Watching large groups of skaters move in coordinated patterns across the rink reinforces the sheer scale of the production.
The skating cast deliver consistently strong performances, combining athletic ability with character portrayal to ensure Disney personalities feel authentic and recognisable.
Each performer demonstrates impressive technical control while maintaining expressive characterisation. The princess performers bring elegance and grace, while comedic characters such as Goofy and Maui add humour and personality.
Standout moments include Belle and Beast’s romantic lifts, Miguel’s energetic skating, Elsa’s commanding presence during Frozen and Moana’s confident, adventurous performance.
The ensemble cast deserve particular recognition for maintaining precision and energy throughout the large-scale group numbers.
The arena atmosphere plays a significant role in the overall experience. Despite being seated in the upper tier, visibility remained excellent, with clear sightlines across the entire rink.
Merchandise stands were positioned throughout the venue, helping reduce queues, although prices are premium (we paid £33 for a bubble wand). However, the glowing toys throughout the audience contribute to the magical environment, especially during darker scenes.
The excitement from younger audience members — many dressed as their favourite characters — adds an additional layer of joy that enhances the performance itself.
Disney On Ice Presents Into The Magic delivers exactly what family live entertainment should — spectacular visuals, beloved characters and unforgettable shared moments.
The combination of world-class skating, imaginative staging, iconic Disney music and arena-scale production creates an experience that feels magical from beginning to end.
Most importantly, it captures the sense of wonder that makes Disney stories so enduring. Watching the audience sing along, cheer and react collectively creates an atmosphere that is both joyful and memorable.
⭐ A magical, memory-making experience that brings Disney stories to life in the most spectacular way.
Sparkling, spectacular and full of heart — Disney magic at its finest.
Disney On Ice Presents Into The Magic is touring the UK throughout 2026.
You can find more information about the show and book tickets on the official Disney On Ice website.
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