Experiencing Disney on Ice!
Every year, Disney characters bring the coolness of summer with a large-scale event held nationwide called "Disney on Ice."
Disney on Ice is a skating show featuring Disney characters and is a popular event among a wide range of age groups, from children to adults. Children can enjoy the show while dressed in Disney character costumes, and it's not just a passive experience; it's a participatory event where the audience claps and stomps their feet with the MC and characters, creating an exciting atmosphere.
I had always wanted to go, and coincidentally, I received a notification through a newsletter I had registered for related to stage events. Going to a performance one year after studying abroad would be challenging, but since I had the opportunity, I checked it out and was able to get tickets. Finally, my dream came true.
The venue was "Ariake Arena," with the nearest stations being Shin-Toyosu on the Yurikamome line or Ariake Tennis no Mori station. On my way back, I walked to Toyosu station and also stopped by Lalaport Toyosu. Ariake Arena is also known as an Olympic venue. It has been used for volleyball and wheelchair basketball matches, featuring spacious areas.
Now that the Olympics have ended, it is also used for live concerts by famous artists like Perfume and Billie Eilish.
I had heard about Disney on Ice being held at Saitama Super Arena from someone I knew who went there, but I didn't know it was also held at Ariake Arena. Being in Tokyo, I was grateful for the relatively easy access.
100 Years of Wonder
This year's Disney on Ice is a story that traces 100 years of Disney history. Mickey Mouse and his friends hop on a magical car and embark on a journey to various Disney worlds. I entered the venue with high expectations after previewing the show on YouTube and blogs.
The show started with the "Mary Poppins Returns" segment. I'm familiar with Mary Poppins herself from both the movie and the musical stage, but I only saw "Returns" in bits and pieces on TV. Nonetheless, I was overwhelmed by the group dance performance of Mary Poppins, Bert, and the chimney sweeps, and I thoroughly enjoyed it even without a clear memory of the story.
Even if a family is not familiar with Disney and only the children are fans, Disney on Ice is still enjoyable.
The show also featured popular characters from "Moana," "Frozen," "Toy Story," and more.
I'm not very knowledgeable about figure skating, but the show presented numerous acrobatic performances on the ice, leaving me breathless with awe.
Especially the scenes where the skaters flew through the air in sync with the visuals projected on the large screens were breathtaking and enchanting.
Among them, the scene that captivated me the most was the one featuring the live-action version of "Aladdin."
It featured the live-action Aladdin, and the collaboration between Will Smith's Genie and the skaters was beautifully executed, making me feel like I had wandered into a magical world. Jasmine singing "Speechless" was also a unique selection from the live-action version.
Furthermore, what caught my interest was the display of photos during the show.
The large screen at the skating rink displayed photos posted on social media or taken by the MC during the show in real-time, creating a sense of unity throughout the venue. While witnessing that, I felt excited as if I had become a part of Mickey and his friends' journey memories.
Block H seats at Ariake Arena
Now, let me share my impressions from Block H seats at Ariake Arena.
The ticket I purchased was for trial seats, located in Block H on the 4th floor of Ariake Arena.
The ticket price was 2,500 yen, roughly equivalent to the cost of a casual lunch course, making it an affordable option for experiencing the show for the first time.
Advantages of Block H seats:
First of all, they offer a close enough view to feel Disney on Ice up close and personal, and I'd like to showcase that with a photo.
While it can't be said that the seats in Block H provide an unobstructed view of the stage, you still feel relatively close to it compared to what you might see in photos, allowing you to fully enjoy the charm of the show.
Additionally, depending on the show's production, Ariake Arena features large screens and skating areas, allowing even those in distant seats to witness powerful performances.
The lighting effects and large group dance scenes were particularly stunning from afar. In that sense, sitting slightly further away might actually be better.
Disadvantages of Block H seats:
However, there are some downsides to Block H seats.
Since the venue is spacious, the sound tends to echo, making it challenging to hear Mickey, Minnie, and the MC's lines during certain scenes.
However, despite some difficulty in hearing the dialogue, it didn't have a significant impact on the overall enjoyment of the show, as the visual performances were captivating.
Additionally, during intermissions or breaks, there were sales of glowing toys, stuffed animals, shaved ice, and other food items. However, for trial seats located higher up, there was a bit of distance to the concession stands, making it challenging to return during the break. If you plan on going, I recommend arriving early.
Next year's event is already scheduled!
I initially thought Disney on Ice was more geared towards children and attended the event with a "I'm just visiting" attitude. However, upon experiencing it, I realized that it is a wonderful show that can be enjoyed by adults as well. I saw groups of adults and individuals, not just families, enjoying the show just like me.
Furthermore, I was able to watch the show from trial seats at a great price and felt truly happy.
Since the announcement for next year's event has already been made, I hope that if you have the opportunity, you'll also experience the magic of Disney on Ice. I won't be able to attend next year due to my study abroad plans, but it seems that companies featuring "Encanto" will be touring!
Whether you opt for seats close to the skating rink or Block H seats at Ariake Arena, you are bound to have a memorable and fantastic experience.
No comments:
Post a Comment