Disney on Ice's latest production Treasure Trove was full of gems.
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It was a packed house at WIN Entertainment Centre on Friday night and the action-packed performance didn't disappoint.
Audience members, both young and old, were taken on a magical journey through 50 years of Disney animated film with popular hosts Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and the ever clumsy Goofy.
The old favourites were there - Alice in Wonderland, Snow White, Peter Pan and Aladdin - and the colourful costumes and stunning sets lit up the icy stage.
But it was Disney's more recent offerings that proved the most popular with the youngest members of the entertainment centre.
The cast of Disney Pixar's Toy Story opened the show, and Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear warmed up the crowd a treat.
The hit of the night though was surely The Lion King, when the audience was taken on a ride through the wilds of Africa with Simba, Nala, Pumbaa, Timon and the wicked Scar.
The sets and special effects were great and the stampede of wildebeest was mesmerising.
The skills and the strength of the skaters often gets taken for granted, but it was a delight to see the cast swirl and twirl across the ice, expertly lifting their partners high in the air.
Elaborate costumes didn't stop them in their tracks and kudos to those who had to skate on all fours when portraying warthogs or crocodiles.
The audience joined in with familiar tunes like Hakuna Matata from The Lion King and Aladdin's Whole New World, while little Disney princesses and pirates clapped and cheered the performers on.
There's shows on throughout the weekend, and it's a great escape from the wet weather.
The team at Disney on Ice have entertained families with fresh offerings year after year, and this one certainly ticks all the boxes.
Kylie Wallace of Bomaderry is officially one of Disney On Ice’s biggest fans.
The mother of three, who was a finalist in Feld Entertainment’s nationwide search this year for the travelling production’s biggest fan, was back for more on Friday.
She brought her parents, nieces and two of her children to the Disney On Ice: Treasure Trove at WIN Entertainment Centre in what has become a family tradition.
‘‘My mum first bought tickets for me and my son 13 years ago for 101 Dalmatians and we’ve come every year since,’’ Mrs Wallace said.
‘‘It’s great to get the three generations enjoying the one show and there’s really something for all of us.
‘‘The kids love the colour and the action, and mum and I think it’s fantastic to see the skill of the skaters and all the different costumes and set designs.
‘‘The shows are all so different and this year’s show was great – the stampede scene in the Lion King section was just fabulous.
Disney on Ice: Treasure Trove opened in Wollongong on Friday and shows continue until Sunday.
The show spans 50 years of Disney animated film from the inaugural Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to the 50th film, Tangled.
All the favourite characters are there including the Disney princesses; Peter Pan and Captain Hook; Simba and Nala from The Lion King and Toy Story’s Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear.
- LISA WACHSMUTH