Sure, the kids love it. But what does Disney on Ice offer for grownups?

When Disney on Ice stopped in Fresno in 2015 on its “Frozen” tour, it set box-office records with a run of 10 performances that drew 36,000 people to Selland Arena.

Misti Reed was there with her daughter, Taylor.

They had been to Disneyland the year before, and it was a magical experience for the 6-year-old.

“Also, she was obsessed with ‘Frozen’ at the time,” Reed says.

So while the Clovis mother wasn’t sold on whether she would enjoy the live-action ice-skating spectacular, she knew her daughter would love it. With that in mind, Reed offers a few observations in advance of Disney on Ice’s latest tour, “Follow Your Heart,” which is in town for eight shows at Selland Arena, Feb. 1-5.

Easy access

Disney on Ice seems ready-made for parents’ schedules (and budgets). There is plenty of opportunity to catch a show – including early (11 a.m.) and matinee (2 p.m.) shows Friday and Saturday – and tickets are relatively inexpensive as these things go, Reed says. Tickets start at $15 and cap out at $65.

If you are a super-busy parent, “force the grandparents to go,” Reed says. The grands surely will find the experience rewarding.

It’s all Disney

OK, this is obvious but it’s worth repeating.

The Mouse brand also is a major draw for the show. While there are eight versions of Disney on Ice, a new production is created each year to incorporate different characters from the Disney (and Pixar) universe. So when “Frozen” won the Oscar for best animated film in 2014 and its signature song, “Let It Go,” was on repeat in everybody’s head, of course Anna and Elsa (and Olaf) would became part of Disney’s on-ice production.

This year’s new characters are from “Finding Dory” (including Hank the octopus – who, as those who have seen the movie know, is actually a septopus) and Pixar’s “Inside Out” (the emotions Joy and Sadness).

But the shows run the gamut of characters, Reed says. You will see Mickey and Minnie; Cinderella, Rapunzel and Ariel; Buzz and Woody; and many others. The costuming, set design and production necessary to bring it all to life is wildly innovative and Reed found the whole thing quite nostalgic.

It’s enough to pull in the Disney buffs, Reed says. She remembers seeing a few in the audience, sans children.

“I was actually pretty impressed,” she says.

“Watching it through your child’s eyes, the magic of Disney was there.”

The big sell

Because it’s Disney, be prepared to walk through a phalanx of merchandise on your way into and out of the show.

“They have a lot of stuff that they sell,” Reed says.

It’s very in-your-face and the kids will want.

For her money, Reed suggests going for something small, like a bubble blower.

“It’s worth every cent,” she says.

This story was originally published February 1, 2018 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Sure, the kids love it. But what does Disney on Ice offer for grownups?."