Princess Wishes dazzles

Dreams do come true for little princesses.

Right now, they can marvel at seven of Disney’s Princesses and its most famous fairy, Tinkerbell, ice dancing. The royal crew is part of the Disney On Ice: Princess Wishes production playing through Sunday, Jan. 27.

It’s Disney’s 27th ice show. And they have it down to a science. It is Disney, of course, and magical tales are its specialty. Fireworks are, too.

And if you happen to have a princess age 7 and younger, she’s probably already begged you to go to the show. Is it worth it? For the most part, yes.

The show has plenty of nice skating routines. But she’s going to be dazzled by the stories, which essentially highlight favorite scenes from “Aladdin,” “Snow White,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Mulan II” and “Cinderella.” The only missing princess is Pocahontas. My little princess noted that immediately, but the show was already nearly two hours, including an intermission, so I don’t think Pocahontas was really missed.

The best stories and productions featured Jasmine, Belle, Ariel and Aurora. Cinderella was funny, as Drizella and Anastasia bumbled around. Lacking pizzazz were productions with Mulan and Snow White. They just didn’t have the same spark, or connection to the crowd.

In scenes from “The Little Mermaid,” which ended the first act and started the second act, Sebastian called out to the crowd to get in the mood. The ships crews did flips, generating plenty of “oohs” and “ahhs” from young viewers and their parents. It’s tough doing a flip on the ground. Add an ice rink and some skates, and flips are pretty impressive.

“Sleeping Beauty” mesmerized little ones, as evil Maleficent tried to keep Prince Phillip away from Aurora. She even appeared as the dark dragon, with the help of several skaters, spewing out fire before her demise

Belle ice danced with utensils for a big production of “Be Our Guest.” Beast didn’t show, though.

The finale was fabulous, with fireworks and dazzle, as you’d expect.

Everything is in the details. Cinderella’s skates looked like sparkly glass slippers. The lighting helped set the scene - making the ice look like water or thorns or branches. And the music and conversation were nicely edited from those film favorites. Credit is given to the original voice talents in the program.

Goofy’s brief appearance to take some little girls from the audience out on the ice in his boat generated plenty of buzz. Most little girls pointed out how lucky the five who got to take a ride were. A few called it unfair, but it’s only because you know that they wanted to be on stage.

A word of caution, budget something for the concessions or practice saying no. Many items were $10 to $20, and you’re little one will beg for something. Mine did.

I took my 7-year-old daughter, who’s almost out of her princess phase. She didn’t seem excited until we got to the door and she saw other girls dressed up as their favorite princess. “I have that dress, and that dress,” she’d say. Watching her face during the show, I could tell she was still loves those princesses.

She gave the show 4 stars. I give it 3 ½ stars.

Arizona Moms Editor Yvette Armendariz shares stories about raising her kids and tips for busy parents in her Time-starved (goddess) Mom blog. She and her husband are raising two children, ages 8 and 11.