As the green army men spilled onto the ice at the beginning of the Disney On Ice Presents Disney-Pixar's Toy Story 3 performance, I felt like I was at a rock concert. With the music blasting and the lights going all around, my family was really digging the show.
A remix of the 1970s song "The Boys Are Back in Town" (except "toys" not "boys") set the backdrop as all of our favorite Toy Story characters took the ice. Throughout the first act, some of best scenes from the first two shows are brought to life: Buzz Lightyear's battle with the larger-than-life Emperor Zurg, his attempted rescue of the three-eyed aliens and an upbeat hoe-down with Woody and Jessie.
It was a hard act to follow. The music was great, keeping my 5-year-old bopping around in my lap. And it was action-packed, which kept my 7-year-old rapt (if your kids like Transformers, they will appreciate Emperor Zurg). My youngest kept exclaiming "wow" each time the skaters would spin or do a jump.
The second act closely follows the storyline of Toy Story 3, and kids who love the movie will also enjoy this act. We are introduced to Barbie and Ken, whose love blossoms during a technical set of lifts, and, of course, our favorite fluffy villain Lotso. Several of the songs appeal to our generation, such as Barbie and friends in legwarmers skating to "We Got the Beat" from the Go-Go's. The pace is a bit slower in the second act, but there is a rousing finale at the end.
As you might expect with Disney, there are toy and food vendors everywhere at the performance. They even work the aisles at intermission. Your child will beg for the light-up toys or the Woody and Jessie hats. We opted for snacks instead, but even those are tied to some other product – popcorn comes in a plastic Disney tub and cotton candy with an alien hat. If you see the show, I recommend having some cash on hand; there weren't many families walking out of the show empty handed.
The run time for the performance is two hours. There is lots of action to keep young kids' attention and some freedom for wiggling around since it takes place in an arena. There were plenty of tots who did well at the opening night performance. However, I wouldn't take young children who are sensitive to noise or who get over-stimulated easily because of the fast-paced action and lights. Also, bring a coat to keep warm.
My whole family enjoyed the Disney On Ice performance. It was the perfect show for both my kids since it didn't feature the Disney princesses (my daughter would be in bliss, my son less-than-thrilled). Get your tickets soon; the show is only here through Sunday, Nov. 13.
IF YOU GO
Where: Comcast Arena, 2000 Hewitt Ave. in Everett; ShoWare Center, 625 W. James St. in Kent.
When: Everett: Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 5 at 11:30 a.m., 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 6 at 1 and 5 p.m.
Kent: Nov. 9 through 11 at 7:30 p.m.; Nov. 12 and 13 at 11:30 a.m., 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $16 to $65.
Contact: 866-332-8499 (Everett) or 866-973-9613 (Kent); www.disneyonice.com.
Taryn Zier is a freelance writer based in Lake Forest Park and mother of two children, ages 5 and 7.
