Disney on Ice: For the Young and Young at Heart

 

Disney on Ice
Photo by Kirsten Bilger

Many have grown up with Disney movies from the time they were little kids to adulthood. These movies are more than just singing and falling in love, however. Disney movies teach us what it means to have a dream and to have the courage to chase after that dream. Disney on Ice was proud to present this year’s theme “Dare to Dream” to celebrate the dreams people have and the courage that is inside us all to chase those dreams.

The show kicked off with the story of “Beauty and the Beast.” Belle’s dream of wanting more from life comes true when she finds an enchanted castle with a beast as the master. Becoming a prisoner, Belle gathers her courage and begins to see the beauty in the castle. As time goes on, she also begins to see a gentleness to the Beast. However, Gaston appears to take Belle back. The Beast, who has come to love Belle, stops Gaston. In the end, the Beast is turned back to his human self from the love that he and Belle share.

Disney on Ice
Photo by Kirsten Bilger

Next came the story of “Cinderella.” The tragic story of how Cinderella came to live with a wicked step-mother and two wicked step-sisters after the loss her father was told, but not shown. Instead, the story began where the fairy godmother appears to Cinderella to help her get ready for the ball. After the ball began, Cinderella appeared, catching the prince’s eye. They dance together as partygoers’ watch. Then, at the stroke of midnight, Cinderella hurries back home, leaving behind her glass slipper. The prince decrees that whoever is able to fit in the shoe will be his wife. Although the step-mother and step-sisters try to hide Cinderella, Cinderella makes her appearance and shows them the matching slipper. The prince and Cinderella dance together and have their happily ever after moment.

Disney on Ice
Photo by Kirsten Bilger

Afterwards, the 2010 movie “Tangled” made a debut. Flynn Rider discovers Rapunzel’s tower while fleeing from Max, a palace horse. Rapunzel, having been locked in a tower all her life, knocks him out with her frying pan. When Flynn comes to, she demands that he take her to see the lanterns. To demonstrate her escape from her tower, Rapunzel and Flynn were harnessed to a sheet of yellow silk. The sheet rose higher so that both were flying through the hair. When they landed, Rapunzel was finally free from her tower. As the two make their journey, they begin to fall in love, which was demonstrated with their song and dance to “I See the Light.” In the end, Rapunzel learns she is the lost princess, is reunited with her family and marries Flynn.

The 2013 movie “Frozen” followed. It began with Anna introducing Hans to Elsa and announcing that they were engaged. After Elsa refuses to bless the marriage, Anna accidentally removes Elsa’s glove, and her ice powers are revealed. To stop the winter brought on by Elsa, Anna must go out and find her. With help from Kristoff the Iceman and Olaf the bumbling but lovable snowman, Anna is able to find Elsa in her castle. Here, a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling as fake snow began to fall. As Anna approaches Elsa, Elsa accidentally strikes Anna’s heart with her ice power. Kristoff returns Anna to her kingdom and Hans returns, showing his true colors as the villain. As Hans attempts to kill Elsa, Anna makes the decision to save her sister, despite the fact that Anna is turning to ice. With Anna’s love for Elsa winter comes to a stop.

Disney on Ice
Photo by Kirsten Bilger

Finally, a more recent movie released in 2016, “Moana” brings the show to a close. It follows the life of Moana and her destiny to find the demigod Maui to restore the heart of Te Fiti. After sailing past the reef for the first time in her life, Moana finds Maui and the adventure begins. The two of them sail to the land of monsters in order to retrieve Maui’s hook. After Tamatoa, the shiny crab, the two are able to sail to Te Fiti and restore the heart. Although there were complications along the way, like Maui having troubles shapeshifting and Moana questioning her destiny, the two bring peace to the seas.

Whether it is Belle finding love with a Beast, Cinderella rising above her step-mother and step-sister, Rapunzel leaving her tower and finding love, Anna rescuing Elsa and reestablishing a sisterly bond, or Moana leaving her village behind to follow her destiny, each heroine has a dream and the courage to follow their dream. This empowers all audience members to follow their dream and have courage despite any complications that may arise.

Do you have the courage to chase your dream?

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