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SALT LAKE CITY — Disney On Ice is coming to Salt Lake City Wednesday and the classic show is adding a few new elements.
Along with seeing the traditional Disney princess, Ariel from “The Little Mermaid,” Utahns will see characters from “Toy Story 3,”“Cars” and “Tinker Bell” during this year’s Disney On Ice performance. Skaters like Sarah Nolan will bring the figures to life at the EnergySolutions Arena.
Canadian native Nolan said she began skating on homemade ice rinks when she was around 2 years old. After seeing Disney On Ice “Aladdin” when she was 5 years old, she knew she wanted to perform as a skater.
“Ever since then, I told my mom, ‘I have to do this,’ ” Nolan said. “In high school, I decided that this is what I had to do. It didn’t matter where I was going to be, I had to be performing. And that was it.”
Nolan has been performing with Disney On Ice since 2006 as part of the chorus. She said she typically portrays the salsa fish and sea horses from “The Little Mermaid” as well as an Army man from “Toy Story 3.” She said the added storylines and characters make Disney On Ice more dynamic and helps the show appeal to a wider audience.
“We offer so much for all ages in our show,” Nolan said. “It’s not our traditional Disney On Ice with the princes and princesses. In ‘Toy Story 3,’ you’ve got all of the big toys and they are huge and colorful and it’s awesome. The kids just love it. The Barbie and Ken characters perform for the kids, but they are really directed towards the adults. There are some really funny jokes in the second act. People of all ages just love our show.”
The characters of Mater and Lightning McQueen from “Cars” have animated eyes that blink and move and molded rubber, talking mouths. The cars are also programmed to allow them to jump up and down and have working headlights and taillights.
Even with all the new features and technology, Nolan said her favorite part of skating for Disney On Ice is seeing the reaction from the children and adults in the audience.
“It doesn’t matter what performance you are doing or where you are putting it on, the kids are just entranced by everyone out on the ice,” she said. “Seeing those kids smile is the most amazing experience I’ve ever had. That goes for adults too.”
Disney on Ice Worlds of Fantasy will run from Wednesday to Sunday. Click here to buy Disney On Ice tickets.
