Backstage with Disney On Ice: costumes, choreography, and how the new show ‘Let’s Dance!’ combines EDM with Disney

What if Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy were DJs throwing their own EDM (electronic dance music) party? That’s the storyline of Feld Entertainment’s “Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance!,” which begins its nationwide tour in Orlando, Fla. on Aug. 30, 2024.

Ahead of the new production’s debut, we visited Feld’s headquarters to see a preview and learn backstage Disney secrets from the show’s director, choreographer, costume designer, and more creatives who bring the worlds of “The Little Mermaid,” “The Lion King,” “Moana,” “Frozen 2,” and “Wish” to life on ice.

DJs Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy

Adam Loosey and Suzanne Francis, show director and writer, respectively, of “Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance!,” were inspired by the aesthetic and atmosphere of a music festival when developing the narrative thread for the production.

Of course, this DJ turntable happens to be a magical one, and with each new tune selected, Mickey and friends, along with the audience, gets whisked away, as Loosey put it, into the production’s five featured Disney stories: “The Little Mermaid,” “The Lion King,” “Moana,” “Frozen 2,” and “Wish” (plus a special appearance by Stitch).

The backstage origins of EDM + Disney

“We’re really leaning into the concept of music being a great connector,” Loosey told us. “Music brings people together. It can take you to a memory. It can spark a moment, a feeling. It really does bring people together internationally, so we of course wanted to do that in a new and exciting way, which was, of course, DJ Mickey, DJ Minnie Mouse, DJ Donald, [and] DJ Goofy. They’re all here to put on their favorite tunes.”

They may be favorite tunes, but many of them have a new sound thanks to music director Scott Sene, who continued the show’s EDM approach into the soundtrack. Guests who arrive early can hear even more remixed Disney songs during a pre-show with a live DJ.

While the world of EDM may bring contemporary flair to Mickey and the gang, they’re still the same classic characters audiences love. Nowhere is this indicated more than their sign-off at the end of the show, during which each of them bids the crowd farewell with their signature Disney live entertainment parting line: “Be good!” (Donald), “Remember we love you!” (Minnie), and “We’ll be seein’ ya real soon!” (Mickey).

The debut of ‘Wish’ on ice

While Asha herself appeared in a Disney On Ice production last year, “Let’s Dance!” marks the first live production of Asha’s film, “Wish.” Appearing alongside Asha are Valentino, Star, and Magnifico.

In adapting the movie for the ice, costume designer Dawna Oak retained the characters’ wardrobes, but adjusted the length of the costumes. Most characters in the movie wear full-length clothing that nearly touches the floor — not exactly conducive to ice-skating.

“We were able to shrink everything up and reduce it to be able to skate so things aren’t dragging on the ice or unable to turn because they’re too full,” Oak said. “I feel like we did a really good job at condensing them and adjusting them for ice. But of course, they still have the sparkle that we all expect.”

Songs from Tokyo Disneyland and Disneyland Paris parades

While the majority of the songs in “Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance!” are from the show’s featured movies, two songs are borrowed from Disney theme parks around the globe: “Living in Color” from “Disney Harmony in Color Parade” at Tokyo Disney Resort and “Ready for the Ride” from “Dream … and Shine Brighter!” at Disneyland Paris. Talk about deep cuts!

Backstage peek at authentic choreography straight from Disney movies

Since “Moana” continues to be the top-streamed movie in America, many families attending “Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance!” might be quite familiar with the film’s choreography. If they pay close enough attention, they’ll notice the Disney On Ice dancers perform the exact same movements as the characters from the movie.

That’s no accident; Adam Blake, choreographer of “Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance!,” traveled to Los Angeles during the show’s pre-production to meet with Tiana Liufau, choreographer of the original “Moana” movie in 2016, and ensure authenticity to the show’s dance numbers.

“When you see the movement in the ‘Moana’ section ‘We Know the Way,’ it is actually her movement that she’s gifted to us,” Blake told us.

Disney On Ice by the numbers

96 people tour with “Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance!” in a caravan that includes 12 trucks and four buses. The show features 42 Disney characters and 208 costumes. The ice rink stage? It’s 140 feet by 60 feet, and made with 10,500 gallons of water.

‘The Lion King’ deconstructed

Audience members seated close to the ice rink should make a note to observe the custom textures printed on the animals in the show’s “Lion King” segment. Additionally, in contrast to most Disney character costumes completely concealing the human performer, these are designed to show the costumes’ inner workings a bit more.

“Seeing the exposed framework was intentional,” Oak said. “It’s sort of a deconstructed situation and we elevated the entire set with a lot more detail and texture and patterns and fuzzy things and stringy things and shiny things. It’s a very nontraditional approach to ‘The Lion King.'”

42 characters in ‘Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance!’

Disney On Ice told us the show stars 42 characters. We clocked 41; we’re missing one! If you attend the show, let us know in the comments who we didn’t catch.

A * indicates a character who appears as a prop or puppet rather than a full-body performer.

Mickey & Friends

• Mickey Mouse
• Minnie Mouse
• Goofy
• Donald Duck

‘The Little Mermaid’

• Ariel
• Sebastian
• Flounder
• Eric
• Chef Louie
• Ariel’s sisters
  • Attina
  • Alana
  • Adella
  • Aquata
  • Arista
  • Andrina

‘The Lion King’

• Simba
• Nala
• Rafiki
• Timon
• Pumbaa
• Zazu*
• Scar
• Kiara*
• Hyenas
  • Shenzi
  • Bonzai
  • Ed

‘Lilo & Stitch’

• Stitch

‘Moana’

• Moana
• Maui
• Hei Hei*
• Pua*
• Tamatoa

‘Frozen 2’

• Elsa
• Anna
• Olaf
• Kristoff
• Sven

‘Wish’

• Asha
• Valentino*
• Star*
• Magnifico

Discount code for Disney On Ice tickets

Enjoy this backstage peek at Disney On Ice and want to see the show for yourself? Attractions Magazine readers can save 25% on “Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance!” tickets purchased now through Sept. 8, 2024. At checkout, use code “FAN25X” for the discount.

‘Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance!’ video highlights

Full backstage tour of ‘Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance!’

Got some extra time? Stay a while and enjoy this half-hour video version of our backstage tour with the creatives and performers of “Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance!”:

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