The magical world of Disney is not just seen in the movies, theme parks, cartoons, cruise ships, and merchandise. Today, people around the world get an amazing treat because they have the opportunity to catch a Disney on Ice Show. This traveling caravan, featuring top athletic ice performers, moves from place to place.
It’s not surprising that many young ones and young-once-upon-a-time love the Disney on Ice Show. The spectacular production features heartwarming Disney stories, dazzling light, captivating music, and lavish costumes. These elements work together to create a spellbinding show for families worldwide. Today, even in places with no snow, like Abu-Dhabi, the Disney ice show is a big hit.
Getting to know Aladdin and Princess Jasmine
Principal skaters Bob and Antonia, playing Alladin and Princess Jasmine shared how excited they are to be in this wonderful city. Antonia, from California, and Bob, from Canada, share that it is their first time to be here. They feel very excited to do the show and explore the place. Both have been with Disney on Ice for a decade.
Bob shares that he never thought he would be part of something like this as a child. He says, “Like many Canadians, I wanted to play hockey. Then I went into a skating program that kind of translated to competitive figure skating and skating in pairs. Then you get older and realize, ‘hey, I like performing for a larger audience on a different scale.”
That’s the reason why he came to Disney on Ice. Ice skating has become an important part of his life, and the show allows him to pursue his passion. At the same time, performing in the show is a great outlet that allows him to make kids and their families happy.
Meanwhile, Antonia started her ice-skating dream when she was young. She narrates, “Well, I started skating when I was six years old. As you grow up, you give it your all competing. But as you get older, there are only so many outlets that you can continue with skating. Or many people who grow up skating stop at a certain age, like high school. I feel so lucky that I had this opportunity to continue skating with Disney on Ice to continue my love for skating and performing. It has taken us to amazing places like here.”
Inspiring other kids to pursue their passions
Since Bob and Antonia have built a rewarding career with Disney on Ice, they are the perfect role models for children who aspire to embark on this profession. They both agree that it is a fun career since it takes them to places while giving them a purpose to make families happy. Thanks to innovation, even environments that don’t have snow can now explore ice-skating opportunities. Kids can now pursue their love for ice and continue doing it when they grow up if they wish to.
Bob says he remembers being 5 or 6 and seeing his first Disney on Ice Show, which was Beauty in the Beast in 1995. Seeing the impact of the show and its impact was immense. He says children today are as lucky because they can get the same start. There are skating programs and great skaters, even in Abu-Dhabi. The ability to come and see the show with the various characters and aspire to be like them is a great dream to have.
He adds, “Skating has become more accessible all over the world. So if you come and see what you like and want to be doing (in the future), grab a pair of skates, and go out into the ice. It’s a great hobby and a great learning experience for kids and adults. Everyone can ice skate!”
Working hard behind the glamorous costumes
Both Antonia and Bob share that it’s not just all glamor to play a prince and princess. Together, they have to collaborate to execute successful overhead works, spins, and tricks. And to be able to do all that with perfect timing takes practice. They work on presentation and performance both on and off the ice. Even if they have been with Disney on Ice for more than ten years, it’s still a journey where they always strive to improve.
These two stars reveal that they don’t just practice on the ice. They also have to do off-ice training, like doing warm-up stretches to work their muscles and working on jumping jacks to get their heart rate going. Since ice skating is such an athletic sport, they have to do various moves to hone their flexibility, strength, and other aspects like coordination and endurance.
Bob works on his shoulders because he has to do many overhead lifts, so he has to prepare for the heavy moves. Similarly, Antonia says she must do extra core exercises because she still needs to retain her balance to hold intricate positions while in the air and power gliding on ice.
We love it when all the kids come dressed as their favorite princes and princesses
Bob and Antonia
Striving for a connection with the audience
The Disney on Ice show travels all around the globe, and no matter where they are, the show stays consistent. Although it’s Bob and Antonia’s first time in Abu-Dhabi, this is the second show of Disney on Ice in the emirate. However, it is completely different than before to provide the audience with an unforgettable experience.
There are more characters from Toy Story to Finding Dory favorites. Of course, classic princesses like Belle, Little Mermaid, and Snow White are all present. Modern princesses like Elsa and Moana are also huge crowd favorites. Bob says as performers, they always feel excited to combine the artistry and Athleticism of skating with beautiful stories.
He says, “We love it when all the kids come dressed as their favorite princes and princesses. We are always talking backstage, saying, ‘oh did you see cinderella or two Cinderella’. She gets an opportunity to wave and make it a special experience not just for the families but for ourselves as well.”
Antonia shares that they also have a lot of memorable fan encounters since they have been doing this for ten years. She notes that it is really touching to have these moments because it’s always pleasant to encounter fans and have a special connection with the audience.
Watch the interview
Here’s the full interview we had with Bob and Antonia:
