In January 2025, my wife and I took my two-year-old daughter to Disney on Ice at Newark’s Prudential Center.
The three of us had a great time and were spellbound by what I described at the time as “a surprisingly high-concept show [that] marries the magic of musical theater and ice skating to create a spectacle for the young ones and an artful — sometimes mildly humorous — reimagining of modern Disney classics.”
Couple that with the fact that our little girl went from ambivalent about Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald and Elsa to full-on worshiping them and a second visit to New Jersey Devils’ home arena was a no-brainer.
We couldn’t have been more right.
Disney on Ice has a number of different shows and this year’s ‘Mickey’s Search Party’ was just different enough from ’25’s ‘Frozen and Encanto’ to justify the trek to the Garden State.
If you’re on the fence about attending one of these ‘Disney on Ice’ programs with a young one, here’s a closer look at what the show is like and, most importantly, how interested our toddler was in the show.
‘Mickey’s Search Party’ opening
Early on in the easy-to-understand for tots storyline, Mickey and the gang establish they have to save Tinkerbell in a high-energy opening sequence complete with audience participation, graceful skating and Mickey hilariously asking “how we doing Newark?”
From the jump, our daughter was much, much more excited about the proceedings than she was last year. A goofy grin stretched across her face as she bore witness to the perfect level of mischief, mayhem and silliness for kids.
Heck, I even whispered to my wife “this is like an ‘intro to slapstick’ course.”
Entertainment level: 8/10
Kid’s interest level: 10/10
“Beauty and the Beast”
Don’t worry about the “finding Tinkerbell” narrative too much. Your kids won’t and if you allow yourself to be taken by the acrobatic moves the gifted skaters pull off while dressed as Disney characters (!), there’s more than enough entertainment to be had.
So, now that Tinkerbell is out of mind (she won’t appear again for awhile), let’s focus on the “Beauty and the Beast” section of the afternoon.
My wife, who is a bit of a skating fanatic, pointed out spirals, triple loops and layback spins that Belle pulled off with relative ease. Having watched quite a bit of professional competitions with her, this seemed on par if more impressive than what even the most elite athletes deliver at the highest level of the sport.
Hyperbole? Maybe but when Lumiere and Cogsworth pop in for comic relief followed by silverware skating to Disney’s all-time greatest banger “Be My Guest” (fight me on that one) and it’s hard not to be anything but wowed.
The only problem was our daughter’s investment in the show was beginning to wane. She wasn’t familiar with these characters. Regardless of how cool what was happening on the ice, the kid needed to see faces she knew.
Entertainment level: 9/10
Kid’s interest level: 7/10
“Toy Story”
While “Toy Story” isn’t part of my kid’s media diet yet, the inventive graphics, aerial acrobatics and the crowd stomping their feet for the green army men and Woody certainly made her perk up.
This certainly deviated from last year’s “Toy Story”-less show; here, the military men climbed fire poles (this looked harder than actual boot camp where you don’t wear skates), marched in formation and wheeled out Legos. That’s all they needed to do to impress my kid.
The very existence of the Lego’s brought her right back.
What impressed me most was the inflatable Rex; I could barely walk in a Grimace costume with cut-out eyeholes on Halloween.
A large ball was tossed into the crowd, which reminded me of the recent, viral DisneyWorld Indiana Jones debacle but nothing of the sort happened at Prudential Center. Fun, energetic stuff all around here.
Entertainment level: 9.5/10
Kid’s interest level: 8.5/10
“Moana”
Within moments, the lighting team reset from Andy’s bedroom to the fictional tropical island of Motunui in Polynesia. The new scene featured Moana sailing on a boat in one of the show’s most impressive technical feats (and a nice use of Prudential Center’s flexible multipurpose space).
Our “Moana” belted (well, lip-synced) a sweet revue of greatest hits that ran the gamut of impactful and light; heavy yet jaunty.
Like last year, pyrotechnics were worked into the show again. As impressed as I was by the fire and ice, my daughter was unmoved. Once again, she’s not quite into “Moana” at this age and the eye-popping visuals and catchy songs didn’t move her.
Her loss. This rocked.
Entertainment level: 10/10
Kid’s interest level: 6/10
Inter-“Stitch”-al
For a quick moment, Stitch rocked out on guitar; injecting some life into the show. Sure, the visuals were stunning but we were missing levity.
Then, the non-character hosts lost us.
As charismatic as these non-characters were — they taught an audience member how to play guitar — the kids need the faces they know to stay engaged. While brief (and likely to make sure the characters were well-rested/equipped for costume changes), this was easily the low moment of the afternoon.
Entertainment level: 5/10
Kid’s interest level: 3/10
“Coco”
We’re so back.
“Coco” gave the show a freewheeling, stripped-down energy complete with more climbing, limber skaters oscillating and waving on stilts and 20-feet skeletons on ice that put the Halloween decorations in our neighborhood to shame.
Once again, “Disney on Ice” has captured the spectacle of film while marrying musical theater to the ice. This was a full sensory experience that could only be described as magical.
I must have pointed and said “look at that!” to my daughter at least five times during this segment.
Entertainment level: 10/10
Kid’s interest level: 6/10
Intermission
This was much needed. Kids get antsy after awhile and my little girl was no exception.
Families filed out in droves to go to the bathrooms, grab snacks and merch (my daughter scored an oversized Olaf mug that she instantly fell in love with).
We rushed back to the seats and the back half of the show began.
“Peter Pan”/”Aladdin”
We meet Captain Hook after the break who gives the mostly harmless ice show a bit of menace.
No sign of Tinkerbell yet but a slightly educational bit teaching kids how to use clues really worked for me as a parent. Nice to see something of substance.
Things veer off from here a bit (like I said earlier, don’t think about the story too hard) and the gang brings a young audience member out to rub the lamp and bring the genie from “Aladdin” onto the ice. This is a real greatest hits!
Gymnasts flip on trampolines, jump over fellow cast mates like old pros and make stilts on ice look easy; they’re really bringing the circus to us in this chunk.
Entertainment level: 8/10
Kid’s interest level: 6.5/10
“Little Mermaid”
Wow.
Just when you think “Disney on Ice’ has played all their hands, they bust out the “Little Mermaid,” which is an aquatic, bubbly blast with no shortage of eye candy on display.
Characters mime swimming, the ice resembles the high seas and, in the show’s high-water mark, Ariel is held upside down by Eric in a dual twirling aerial that left us stunned.
To paint a clearer picture, Ariel held on by Eric’s skates in the air. This was more than an athletic feat; she defied gravity. Adults (myself included) clapped heartily. We knew this wasn’t normal.
Kids might not have been quite as enamored but that’s their loss.
Entertainment level: 10/10
Kid’s interest level: 5/10
“Frozen”
In the grand finale, snow floated down from the rafters.
Like last year, the fan favorite “Frozen” was a major part of “Disney on Ice.” However, this year, things weren’t quite the same.
To begin, the Arandelle fellers carted ice around while skaters jumped on half pipes. Now was my time for my daughter to chime in. “I can do that” she told me confidently.
Then, that unmistakable grin returned to her face when Olaf and Elsa glided into the spotlight. This is what we came for!
Entertainment level: 9/10
Kid’s interest level: 9.5/10
Grand finale
Talk about a sensory overload.
To close the show, all the characters (including cut-for-time players from “Tangled” and “Snow White” because why not) found Tinkerbell and cheerily danced.
Sorry for the spoiler.
Anyhow, this was exactly the whiz bang, confetti-heavy high we needed to go out on and left Newark already excited to come back again next year.
Entertainment level: 8/10
Kid’s interest level: 10/10
Final verdict
What a blast. ‘Mickey’s Search Party’ is lots of fun, fast-moving, good-natured and a nice mix of rip-roaring nostalgia and new-school sheen.
The only caveat? Making sure your kid has at least a little familiarity with the characters. Otherwise, mileage may vary.
If you want to go, there will be nine (!) ‘Mickey’s Search Party’ shows at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center from Jan. 29 through Feb. 1.
“Frozen and Encanto” is scheduled to hit Buffalo’s KeyBank Center on Jan 23-25 and Trenton, NJ’s Cure Insurance Arena from March 12-15.
Other ‘Disney On Ice’ shows in 2026
After ‘Disney On Ice’ leaves New York, ‘Mickey’s Search Party’ and four other traveling ice shows will hit arenas all over North America.
Below, you’ll find a quick description of each of the four ‘Disney On Ice’ shows (other than ‘Mickey’s Search Party’) you can catch live these next few months.
Get your dancing skates on.
Mickey and friends hit the turntable and remix Disney classics into “colorful worlds.” As an added bonus, characters from “Wish,” “Frozen 2,” “Moana,” “The Little Mermaid” and “The Lion King” all pop in for good fun.
Time to hit the road — um, ice.
At this show, a host of “Frozen 2” characters like lsa, Anna, Olaf, and Kristoff will whip the rink into a frenzy.
This enchanted show features a hodgepodge of old and new favorites ready to delight audiences of all ages. Just a few characters lacing up their skates for the show include Moana, Miguel from “Coco” and Rapunzel of “Tangled” fame.
We found a show that intentionally) runs hot and cold.
Fans of “Frozen” and “Encanto” will be delighted to find a showcase of both films along with appearances from other old standbys like Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Arielle and Belle.
Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy jet off on a “high-tech, interactive” trek along with friendly faces from “Mary Poppins,” “Aladdin,” “Moana,” “The Lion King,” “Frozen” and “Toy Story 4.” Allegedly, there’s also a princess dance party.
There’s no holding back at Jump In! Here, all your time-honored favorites like Moana and the “Inside Out 2,” “Toy Story,” “Frozen” and “Encanto” squads join forces for an entertaining show that will leave you with a smile on your face. Also, yes, Mickey and co. will be there as well.
Other fun shows for the whole family
There’s nothing quite like a wholesome night out with the whole gang (as hard as they are to make happen).
Thankfully, there are a gaggle of shows that will hopefully make your little ones smile.
Here are just five of our favorite shows for kids (and hopefully) parents, grandparents and everyone in between.
• Blippi
• Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus
Prefer something a bit more grown up? Take a look at our list of all the biggest 2026 concert tours to find something more your speed.
This article was written by Matt Levy, New York Post live events reporter. Levy stays up-to-date on all the latest tour announcements from your favorite musical artists and comedians, as well as Broadway openings, sporting events and more live shows – and finds great ticket prices online. Since he started his tenure at the Post in 2022, Levy has reviewed a Bruce Springsteen concert and interviewed Melissa Villaseñor of SNL fame, to name a few. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.
