Disney On Ice Brings Hero Magic to Newcastle
- wcpmedia
- 3 days ago
- 8 min read
The Newcastle Entertainment Centre is set to transform into a dazzling realm of colour, music, and skating magic as Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero glides into town from 3–6 July.
Bursting with heart, spectacle, and beloved characters, this enchanting production invites Novocastrians of all ages to step into the worlds of their favourite Disney heroes, where courage, adventure, and unforgettable memories await
on the ice.
Returning with dazzling new features, Find Your Hero promises to be one of the most spectacular productions yet from the entertainment powerhouse Feld Entertainment. It’s more than just a show—it’s a cherished tradition that continues to evolve with each tour, drawing families back year after year. It’s a sign of just how beloved the Disney tradition is with Newcastle audiences that it is the only non-capital city included in the tour every winter.
Hosted by the ever-charming Mickey Mouse and joined by his classic Disney companions, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy, the show whisks audiences into seven iconic Disney tales. These beloved characters act as guides on a magical journey celebrating courage, determination, and the hero within us all.
Join Mirabel from Encanto as she embarks on a heartfelt mission to save her family's cherished Casita while discovering that true strength lies in accepting ourselves and recognising the gifts we each possess—even when they’re not magical. Her story teaches that being true to yourself and loving those around you is what truly makes you special, a message that resonates with audience members of all ages.
Young voyagers will be enthralled to witness Moana's determination as she ventures on an action-packed and daring voyage alongside the mighty demigod Maui. Her quest to save her island becomes a journey of self-discovery as she embraces her role as a wayfinder and uncovers her true identity amidst the vast ocean.
Fans of Frozen will once again delight in experiencing the magical bond between sisters, journeying alongside Anna, Elsa, and the lovable snowman Olaf on their quest to protect the kingdom of Arendelle. Their heartwarming tale showcases the strength found in unity and acceptance and the magic that lies in sisterhood, love, and sacrifice.
Dive Under the Sea with Ariel as she tests the power of true love in her pursuit of happiness. Get tangled in adventure with Rapunzel as she courageously explores the world beyond her tower for the first time. Witness Belle's compassion as she boldly tames the fearsome Beast, revealing the gentle heart beneath his rough exterior. Through these timeless stories, discover that courage, determination, and heart are all essential parts of the hero within you!
What makes Disney On Ice such a treasured experience isn’t just the storytelling—it’s the way these tales are told. With mind-blowing world-class figure skating, high-flying aerial acrobatics, unexpected stunts, intricate set designs, elaborate costumes and cutting-edge visual effects, Find Your Hero is both a theatrical and athletic marvel. With some of the most advanced ice-skating technology ever seen, the enchantment and thrills are dialled up to breathtaking levels that will have audiences gasping in awe and instantly transported to each magical world as the journey unfolds. Every moment of this immersive experience is designed to wow the audience.
Featuring a cast and crew of approximately 100 individuals, this ensemble includes over 50 professional skaters, many of whom are former Olympians (the youngest performer is 19 and the oldest is 55!) as well as technical crew members, costume designers, and support staff. The team tours extensively, bringing the magic of Disney to audiences worldwide. The dedication, athleticism and sheer talent are awe-inspiring, with cast members performing stunts at speeds that exceed 32 kilometres per hour, often executing up to 300 rotations per minute and sometimes having as little as
30 seconds to switch elaborate, often heavy costumes between scenes.
Feld Entertainment’s Disney On Ice has captivated audiences since 1981, when it debuted as Walt Disney’s World on Ice. Over four decades later, the franchise has performed in more than 545 cities across 68 countries and 41 languages, entertaining an estimated 320 million guests. Each year, performers travel over 2.25 million kilometres, bringing Disney magic to life on the road.
The company remains the largest employer of professional ice skaters globally, with over 400 athletes on contract at any given time, many of whom are former Olympians. Skaters must undergo rigorous training—more than 550 hours of rehearsals—to be show-ready, and the selection process is highly competitive. Auditions are held globally, and skaters are encouraged to submit tapes via the Feld Entertainment website.
Beyond technical skill, it takes a special kind of passion and perseverance to thrive in this fast-paced environment.
Among the international cast bringing this production to life are Ida Sjölin from Sweden and Quentin Lourenco-Aubry of France— seasoned performers who not only share the ice and a passion for skating, but also a romantic connection. Fittingly, the real-life couple portrays Rapunzel and Flynn Rider in the Tangled sequence, bringing an added layer of chemistry to their performance.
Ida first dreamed of performing in Disney On Ice after watching a show as a five-year-old. “I told my mom that’s what I wanted to do when I grew up,” she recalls.
“So, she enrolled me in skating training the following year, when I was six."
"All I ever wanted was to be a Disney Princess, and now I can live my dream. Dreams really do come true!”
Her dream became reality in 2017 when she auditioned in Örebro, Sweden, in her final year of high school and joined Feld Entertainment. She never considered any other career and included musical theatre training in her education. Since then, she has travelled the world with Disney On Ice, bringing smiles and joy to audiences in over two dozen countries. “I love to portray a character, especially when you get to make a kid’s day by interacting with them,” says Ida.
“My favourite memory is performing my dream role as Rapunzel for the first time in Sweden in front of my coach and family. It was the most special moment – fulfilling a lifelong ambition.”
A multi-talented artist, Ida also enjoys singing, painting, reading fantasy (“anything with a touch of magic”) and fire acrobatics. She has big plans for her own entertainment production company, VIS Productions, once her skating career winds down. For now, though, she’s enjoying every moment on the ice with no plans to slow down.
“The best thing about touring is all the places you get to see,” she says.
“The worst is missing family gatherings like Christmas and birthdays. We rely a lot on FaceTime, but the friendships and memories you make on the road are worth it. We support each other – it’s another family.”
Joining her on tour is Quentin Lourenco-Aubry from Bordeaux, France, who began skating as a child and rose to win the French National Championships in the first division at just 14. A long-time member of Disney On Ice, he joined Feld Entertainment in 2012 after auditioning in Toulouse.
“Performing makes families happy—and that’s everything,” says Quentin, for whom family is important and who counts his grandfather’s watch as his most prized possession. He also lists Brazilian jiu-jitsu among his talents and considers himself a pretty good cook.
Quentin’s path to Disney On Ice was more circuitous than Ida’s.
“I discovered a natural talent for skating when I was seven years old on a school excursion,” said Quentin.
“Our teacher took us to an ice rink, and the local skating coach saw me on the ice. I’d never skated before, but he saw something in me, took me on as part of the ice-skating team, and I went on to compete at a national level.
“When I turned 18, my local ice rink closed down, which meant that to continue in the sport, I would have needed to move to Paris, which I couldn’t afford to do. I started looking around for other options and had no idea that this was even an opportunity. I saw a Disney on Ice show with a friend and sent in a video straight away, and a few months later I was working on Disney On Ice.”
Both performers agree that life on the road has taught them resilience and adaptability. Maintaining their athleticism is a key component to their success, as is their drive to grow their skills on the ice.
“It’s tough work physically,” said Ida.
“It’s demanding and we make sure we eat right, work out, stretch our bodies, warm up and listen to our Athletics Coach who travels with us. Avoiding injury is paramount.”
“And we’re always keen for ‘ice-time’,” adds Quentin.
“As principals, we are allowed to warm up on the ice before the show starts. Often, we get ‘ice-time’ in the mornings before an evening show or after a show has finished for the night. They call it ‘open-ice’, which is a free-forall – everyone gets out on the ice to practice their skills and tricks, to train and take on new challenges. We learn from each other and support each other. And no, we never get sick of being on the ice. We love it.
“We usually begin as a single ensemble skater when we start out. In my case, I started in the ensemble, then became Andy from Toy Story 3. Learning to skate in pairs is a whole different skill set and takes a lot of trust to get in-sync with each other There is always something more to learn, new challenges to take on, new tricks to master – lifts, acrobatics and aerials – every year we try to add more to our repertoire.”
Life on the road includes taking advantage of a crate full of books (the ‘library’), board games and puzzles which the cast and crew share. Ida and Quentin often watch the Disney films for inspiration to give more of that magic to the children in the audience. The couple are looking forward to their first visit to Australia, although Ida voices concerns over the spiders she may encounter! One thing is certain: both performers believe in the power of Disney magic and relish bringing that joy to audiences all around the world. And for those who have ambitions to perform on the ice, they have plenty of advice.
“My advice to kids who want to be performers?” Ida says.
“Work on being quick on your feet—the show world is fast. Acting skills help, too, so maybe take an acting class. And always be kind and motivated. Follow your dreams, work hard and believe in yourself.” Quentin agrees, adding, “It’s true what they say, if you do what you love, you never have to work a day in your life. I want to be doing this for a long time to come. Whilst some skaters get injured and have to retire, others keep going into their 60s!”
For many Novocastrians, Disney On Ice has become more than an annual event—it’s a cherished family tradition that bridges the generations with the power to bring a nostalgic joy to the oldies and magical wonder to the little ones.
“It’s such a magical, multi-generational experience,” says a local mother of three who’s attended the show every year since her eldest was a toddler.
“My kids are mesmerised every time, and I always get a bit teary during the songs. It’s nostalgic for the adults, thrilling for the kids, and just such a joyful thing to share.”
Indeed, this year’s production promises plenty of those goosebump inducing moments that have made Disney On Ice a family favourite for decades. Whether it’s the spectacular skating, heartfelt performances, or iconic soundtracks, Find Your Hero invites every audience member to step into a world of courage and wonder—and maybe even discover a little hero within themselves.
WHAT: Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero
WHERE: Newcastle Entertainment Centre
WHEN: 3–6 July 2025
TICKETS: www.DisneyOnIce.com
