I have wanted to see Disney On Ice for a long time now. I used to watch the previews on DStv growing up and think, “Wow, this looks so cool… but am I too old to go to a show like this now?” It’s funny how, as older children and teens, we are so self-conscious about anything youthful or childlike.
Yet now, as a new parent, I rejoice at any moment where I can feel like a child again, especially as I get to experience the world through my child’s eyes now.
Now, more than ever before, it’s a chance for me to strip back all the hard moments in life and just focus on the here and now. On the simple, heady magic of existing and being alive and breathing.
Disney On Ice: Creating Magic Moments We All Live For
Some moments in life, more than others, allow unadulterated joy to occur quite naturally, even in a crowded space. Like when you join in on multiple Mexican waves at a FIFA World Cup match or sway together at an Imagine Dragons concert, everyone singing their hearts out, hoarse from all the prior screaming and cheering.
Or (perhaps you know where I am going with this) the excitement you feel as you watch your favourite Disney princess or character twirl across the ice, doing ballet jumps on a frozen terrain or performing balancing acts in full costume, suspended high above the icy stage, as hundreds of people, from the ages of five months to eighty years, watch on in breathless amazement.
These moments are great. It’s the stuff we all live for. But, as a parent, they become truly iconic. Core memories you will play over and over and over again as time goes on.
Because there are few greater joys than giving your child(ren) a magical childhood moment. Something special they will hopefully keenly and fondly remember, even when they are much older. And seeing Disney On Ice performing live is definitely one such milestone moment.
Faith, Trust and Just a Little Bit of Pixie Dust
What I didn’t fully anticipate, as our little family waited eagerly for our turn to see Disney On Ice – Mickey’s Search Party live at GrandWest on 10 July 2026 (the first day of performances in Cape Town), was that sometimes, these same experiences heal something inside you too.
They allow to believe in faith, trust and just a little bit of pixie dust once again. (Something you probably haven’t done since you were four.)
In those moments, the queues, venue technicalities and production mechanics behind it all cease to matter. You’re an adult with all the same responsibilities and burdens, yes – yet, there’s a bit of youthfulness inside you again too, as you queue in line to choose a Disney-themed plushie friend – this time, for your child, not you – to cuddle and cherish. Or excitedly wait in your seat for the lights to dim, so the show can begin…
This post is about my experience creating moments of childlike magic with my little family at Disney On Ice – Mickey’s Search Party, thanks to Showtime Management, who invited us to attend.
Feel Like a Child Again with Disney On Ice – Mickey’s Search Party
From the moment the show started (to a catchy intro tune – not my favourite but I am still singing it days later. Check it out!), it was electrifying and utterly enchanting.
The excellent live hosts Isabella Newhuis and Brandon Glass, who are also highly talented principal skaters, were outstanding, as was every single member of the cast who made this production spellbinding and fun from start to finish.
Split into two Acts, with one 15-minute-long intermission in between acts, the show runs for about two hours. And it’s two hours of action-packed fun, laughter, singing, stamping and clapping and above all, skating artistry. Expect to see everything from impressive trampoline flips to cool pyro tricks, skating prowess, air lifts, interactive Toy Story and Coco props and even larger-than-life stilted characters on skates.
Mesmerising from Start to Finish
The story behind Mickey’s Search Party is simple, yet intriguing to follow along as an audience member.
In essence, Captain Hook’s pirates, including Mr Smee, have captured Tinkerbell and locked her away in a lantern. She can only be freed once the Magic Meter is full again, so it’s up to Mickey and his friends, which includes the excited audience and Stitch (who has made his South African Disney On Ice debut), to help Tink break free from the mean pirates – and hopefully tell them to scram once and for all!
The magic meter is filled by following clues from an ever-changing map, which Brandon and Isabella guide the audience through.
I won’t add any spoilers (I went into the show blind, not knowing much about the plot or segments and for me, it was part of the magic of the show) – but just know that each clue leads you into a different story.
Each part of the story manages to stay true to the original Disney movies in part, while also adding a new layer of freshness to the stories, as the masterful skaters perform incredible stunts, dances and showcase colorful displays that leave you mesmerised and filled with childlike wonder.
What I really loved is how the live hosts and the friendly cast all interact with the audience, even when they are out of breath or busily skating about.
So be sure to stamp your feet, sing and clap and wave to them; it really adds to the spirit of fun!
Naturally, all the little ones loved every moment of the story – but there were some undoubted favourite appearances, including Ariel and Eric, Moana and Maui, Olaf and of course, the ever-beloved Elsa and Anna from Frozen.
Moments of Wonder from Young and Old
My personal favourites scenes/plotlines were the Beauty and The Beast and Toy Story segments, Moana and Maui’s joint routine (the songs are my personal Disney favourites and, on top of that, I absolutely love Moana‘s tale), Ariel and Eric’s stunning, jaw-dropping aerial routine done to Kiss the Girl and the grand finale, which brings out the whole cast, including some fun surprise appearances from the likes of Snow White and other Disney friends!
Bubbles, smoke screens and sparks, clever prop use and utterly beautiful set backgrounds all add to the magic of the show. But we especially loved how, even when changing up the set and props, every single cast member makes the action seem organic or humourous.
For example, there are small moments when maybe a prop accidentally gets dropped in the middle of a skating movement so the cast naturally works it into the story.
Another wonderful thing for us to see as adults was how, even with the simplest action, every cast member is busy at all times and stays in character throughout.
Finding the Magic Again with Disney On Ice
While the show may be quite overstimulating, bright and loud at times for babies and small children (although our weary baba still managed to sleep through the last twenty minutes, despite fireworks, sound effects, cheering and plenty of applause around us…), it really depends on the child.
(We tried buying Banz ear muffs but those stayed on for all of two seconds. So you can try this too if it worries you – but just know there’s a good chance it won’t help or work. I also wore my glasses and it helped me see the stage and characters perfectly.)
Our toddler loved certain acts, like Moana or Coco, and yet, those two scenes contain some of the loudest singing, sharp noises and other dramatic stage effects, so it’s not really something you can account for or predict.
The older kids, teens, parents and older audience members all certainly had a blast though. Everyone really seemed to get into the spirit of the show, especially by Act II!
What really stood out to me, especially as someone who loves arts and culture and also as a parent now, was how interactive, kind and friendly the entire cast is, as well as how exceptional their performances really are.
It’s hard enough to do some of these moves and routines in normal ballet or acrobatics events but to perform this seamlessly on ice skates? That’s a whole other level of amazing!
Disney On Ice – Mickey’s Search Party (South African Tour 2026): Need-to-Know Info
Below is some useful info for the remaining South Africa 2026 shows:
Cape Town Show Details (Grand Arena, GrandWest)
-
Dates: The Cape Town shows are running from Friday 10 July until Sunday 19 July 2026.
-
Times:
– Friday, 10 July – 11:00 am and 15:00 pm
– Saturday, 11 July – 10:00 am, 14:00 pm, 18:00 pm
-Sunday, 12 July – 10:00 am, 14:00 pm, 18:00 pm
– Thursday, 16 July – 11:00 am, 15:00 pm
– Friday, 17 July – 11:00 am, 15:00 pm
– Saturday, 18 July – 10:00 am, 14:00 pm, 18:00 pm
– Sunday, 19 July – 10:00 am, 14:00 pm, 18:00 pm
-
Note: Doors open one hour before the show starts.
-
Ticket pricing:
– Weekdays (Thursday, Friday and the 18:00 pm Sunday shows) – R200, R250, R350 or R450 per person.
– Weekends (Saturdays (all time slots) and 10:00 am and 14:00 pm Sunday shows) –R295, R395, R495 or R595 per person.
– Children under two years must have a Babes-in-Arm ticket purchased for them. Tickets are R100 per baby.
– Children two years and older must have a purchased seated ticket.
- Merchandise and snacks: You cannot bring your own food or drinks into the shows. However, you can grab a meal beforehand or afterwards. Alternatively, buy some tasty snacks and drinks from the official stalls, from Frozen-inspired snow cones to popcorn.
- There is also some great Disney-themed merchandise, from golden crowns, bubble makers and official Mickey and Minnie Mouse soft plushies. Note: Like at most concerts or major events, it is on the pricier side but some keepsakes feel worth it – we left with a Mickey Mouse plushie and I have no regrets. That’s a core childhood moment right there.
- Of course, you can also dress up in costume or bring your kiddies’ own play props along for the show! And don’t forget to take lots of photos. There are some fun photo stalls to use on-site too.
- Ticket bookings: For GrandWest tickets, please see here.
- When arriving for the show, please have a printed or scannable copy of your show tickets for every person attending, including Babes in Arms.
- Please note: Ticket Master is the only official ticketing agent for Disney On Ice.
Durban Show Details (Durban International Convention Centre (ICC))
-
Dates: The Durban shows are running from Friday 24 July to Sunday 26 July 2026. Due to high demand, a Friday show was thankfully added!
-
Times:
– Friday, 24 July – 10:00 am, 14:00 pm, 18:00 pm
– Saturday, 25 July – 10:00 am, 14:00 pm, 18:00 pm
– Sunday, 26 July – 10:00 am, 14:00 pm, 18:00 pm
-
Note: Doors open one hour before the show starts.
-
Ticket pricing:
– Friday, 24 July – 10am show (added by popular demand) – R350, R450, R550 per person.
– All shows, excluding Friday morning, – R250, R350, R450, R550 per person.
– Children under two years must have a Babes-in-Arm ticket purchased for them. Tickets are R100 per baby.
– Children two years and older must have a purchased seated ticket.
- Merchandise and snacks: You cannot bring your own food or drinks into the shows. However, you can grab a meal beforehand or afterwards. Alternatively, buy some tasty snacks and drinks from the official stalls, from Frozen-inspired snow cones to popcorn.
- There is also some great Disney-themed merchandise, from golden crowns, bubble makers and official Mickey and Minnie Mouse soft plushies.
- Of course, you can also dress up in costume or bring your kiddies’ own play props along for the show! And don’t forget to take lots of photos. There are some fun photo stalls to use on-site too.
- Ticket bookings: For Durban ICC, please see here
- When arriving for the show, please have a printed or scannable copy of your show tickets for every person attending, including Babes in Arms.
- Please note: Ticket Master is the only official ticketing agent for Disney On Ice.
In Closing
I am still utterly in awe of the production even several days later. It’s really one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences (although, quite honestly, I could attend it at least two or three times more and see something new and different every time, I’m sure).
In terms of events or productions I have attended over the years, this is certainly in my top two lifetime experiences. Not just as a mother but as a young-at-heart person too.
With Thanks
I would like to give a huge thanks to Showtime Management, particularly Debra and Jenni, who invited myself, my partner and my child as their media guests for the 10 July 2026 show. As ever though, all views and opinions remain entirely my own.
And to the Disney On Ice cast and live hosts, Feld Entertainment (Disney On Ice producers), GrandWest Grand Arena (Cape Town venue) and all sponsors and staff, thank you for such a wonderful experience from start to finish.
About the Author
