Magic on ice: Disney’s beloved stories skate into MOA Arena

One Saturday morning, the Mall of Asia Arena felt less like a concert venue and more like a gateway down memory lane.

Outside, families lined up in sequins, capes and mouse ears in anticipation of Disney on Ice, a long-running, live family entertainment show that brings Disney’s animated films and characters to life through figure skating, music and theatrical storytelling.

From the opening number, the show wasted no time sweeping viewers into the Disney universe, led by the ever-energetic Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, who served as cheerful hosts for the night. Joined by Donald Duck and Goofy, the classic Disney friends welcomed the crowd and guided them from one story to the next. Familiar Disney melodies filled the arena, drawing cheers from children and knowing smiles from parents who had grown up with the same characters.

The ice came alive with appearances from Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog. Meanwhile, Jafar, Genie, Aladdin, Jasmine and the magic carpet skated through the desert. The lovable cast of Toy Story, including Jessie, Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Rex and Hamm followed suit.

Asha and Princess Raya from Raya and the Last Dragon makes their first appearance on Disney on Ice. Their fellow Disney Princesses Aurora, Cinderella, Belle, Snow White and Rapunzel came after.

Then there were the townsfolk of Arendelle. Frozen characters Elsa, Anna and Olaf skated through snow-dusted scenes that drew some of the loudest applause of the evening. Moana followed, with Moana and Maui powering across the rink in bold, rhythmic choreography inspired by ocean waves and island beats.

Disney on Ice has been enchanting Filipino audiences for decades, first arriving in the Philippines in the late 1980s and becoming a regular fixture of the local entertainment calendar in the years that followed.

Early productions were staged in venues such as the Araneta Coliseum, introducing generations of Filipino families to the spectacle of world-class figure skating paired with Disney storytelling. Over time, the show grew alongside its audience, returning almost yearly with new titles, updated technology and stories that reflected each era of Disney’s evolving portfolio.

The opening of the Mall of Asia Arena marked a new chapter in that relationship. With its larger scale and modern facilities, the venue allowed Disney on Ice to expand its visual ambition, bringing more elaborate sets, lighting and effects to Manila.

Parents found themselves singing just as loudly as their kids, proof that nostalgia was as much a star of the night as the characters themselves.

As the show built toward its finale, the rink filled with a jubilant parade of characters — from Mickey and Minnie to princesses, heroes and sidekicks — skating together in a celebratory curtain call that drew the audience to its feet.