A look back at 40 years of Disney on Ice

Walt Disney World isn’t the only Disney entertainment property celebrating a major milestone this year. Since 1981, Disney on Ice has been bringing Disney music, characters, and live entertainment to audiences across the world. In honor of the 40^th anniversary of Disney on Ice’s very first show on July 14, 1981, Chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment, Kenneth Feld, reflected on how it all got started.

Feld created Disney on Ice after recognizing that traditional touring ice shows like Holidays on Ice and Ice Follies weren’t appealing to families and younger audiences.

“I knew in order to succeed, we needed to bring families in,” Feld said during a virtual roundtable interview.

Feld calls the first show concept a risk, citing the challenge of integrating numerous Disney characters without diminishing the quality of the ice skating.

“We wanted to have as many Disney characters in one show as possible. The only place you could see more Disney characters would be if you were going to Disneyland or Disney World.” But, he said, “We didn’t want this to be just a kids’ show, so the integrity of the ice skating was very important.”

World-class ice skaters, including some former Olympic medalists, have brought credibility to the ice skating from day one, and the creators’ commitment to quality Disney storytelling has brought the heart.

Feld recounts an emotional moment during the first-ever performance on July 14, 1981. Walt Disney’s daughter, Diane Disney-Miller, attended with her husband, Ron Miller, then president of Walt Disney Productions. After the show, Disney-Miller remarked to Feld, “My father would have loved this.”

“That was a moment for us and it really spoke volumes,” Feld said. “It was something that really pushed us to continue to make sure we always had the quality and the Disney ethos in every single show and everything we do.”

Linda Fratianne also joined the virtual conversation with Feld as part of the 40th anniversary celebration. Fratianne is a two-time world champion, four-time U.S. champion, Olympic medalist, and was a featured skater for the first 10 years of Disney on Ice. Fratianne, who grew up visiting Disneyland as a child, said she didn’t hesitate to say yes when she was asked to join Disney on Ice. “It was the dream job for me… something I absolutely loved doing every night,” she said.

40 Years of Disney on Ice — An Infographic History

With performances spanning 68 countries and six continents during its 40-year history, Disney on Ice has brought countless Disney characters and stories to audiences across the globe. Here’s an infographic showcasing Disney on Ice through the years and across the world.

Tickets are available for upcoming Disney on Ice performances in various cities, including Pennsylvania in August and and in Oklahoma City in September. Disney on Ice: “Mickey’s Search Party” comes to the Amway Center in Orlando, Fla. on Sept. 3-5. You can sign up for ticket presale alerts here.

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Have you ever seen a Disney on Ice performance? What did you think? Let us know in the comments!