Planning to take the kids to Disney On Ice this year? You’re not alone. The popular skating spectacular tours Australia every winter and is one of the most anticipated family events of the school holidays.
Disney On Ice is a magical experience for children who love Disney characters, but between tickets, food and merchandise, the cost of a family outing can quickly add up.
After attending Disney On Ice many times over the years, here are some practical tips to help parents save money, avoid common hassles and make the most of the experience.
Planning to attend the show this year? You can see Disney On Ice presents Magic in the Stars across Australia during the 2026 winter school holidays, including performances at Newcastle Entertainment Centre. See our guides to Disney On Ice Australia tour dates and Disney On Ice Newcastle show times for the latest ticket information.
Choose the best session for your family
When booking tickets, think about what time of day will work best for your children.
Morning and afternoon performances are usually easier for younger kids. Evening shows can finish quite late, especially if you have toddlers or children who normally go to bed early.
Save money on tickets
If you’re trying to keep costs down, weekday performances are often cheaper than weekend shows. Thursday and Friday sessions in particular tend to have lower ticket prices than Saturday or Sunday performances.
Some venues also offer early access to tickets through pre-sale promotions or email lists, so it can be worth keeping an eye out to get the best tickets.
All children two years and older must have a ticket. Children under two years old are admitted free provided they sit on a parent or guardian’s lap.
Arrive early and plan ahead
Large arenas can get busy before the show begins, particularly during school holiday sessions. Doors usually open around 45–60 minutes before the performance, so arriving early helps avoid long entry queues and gives kids time to settle before the show begins.
It also gives you time to visit the bathrooms, find your seats and take photos before the arena lights dim.
Many families like to take a photo with the rink as a backdrop before the show starts. It’s a fun way to capture the moment and the kids’ excitement before the performance begins.
If you plan to buy merchandise, browsing before the show or during intermission can also be less stressful than leaving it until the end when crowds are trying to exit.
It’s also a good idea to check the venue website beforehand to see if there are restrictions on large bags or backpacks, as some arenas have bag policies that can slow entry at security.
You don’t need the most expensive seats
Many parents assume they need front-row seats for their children to enjoy the show, but that’s not necessarily the case.
Disney On Ice productions are designed so the skating, costumes and effects can be seen from all areas of the arena. Mid-range seating often offers great value while still giving families a good view of the action.
When choosing seats, think about your child’s personality. Children who are easily distracted may spend the show watching people walk past if you sit right next to an aisle.
On the other hand, aisle seats can be very helpful if you have toddlers who might need bathroom breaks or a quick walk during the show.
Help kids feel comfortable during the show
Disney On Ice shows are lively productions with bright lights, loud music and plenty of excitement.
For children who are sensitive to noise, bringing ear protection such as noise-cancelling headphones or ear defenders can make the experience more comfortable.
Younger children may also find it helpful if you explain how the show works beforehand. Some kids expect characters to interact with them like they would at a theme park, so letting them know it’s more like a stage performance can help manage expectations.
The arena lights usually dim when the show begins, which can surprise toddlers, so preparing them ahead of time can help them feel more comfortable.
Because the show is performed on an ice rink, the arena can feel cooler than expected. Bringing a jumper or light jacket for the kids is a good idea.
Encourage kids to dress up
Many kids love wearing Disney costumes or themed clothing to the show. Even a simple Disney t-shirt, tiara or character accessory can make the outing feel extra special.
Save money on Disney merchandise
Merchandise stands are a big part of the Disney On Ice experience, but the prices can be surprisingly high.
If you want to save money, a tip is to purchase Disney items at Big W, Kmart or Target ahead of the show and present it to your kids as a “Disney on Ice goody bag” at intermission. (My kid and her friends loved it).
This works a treat and prevents kids from pestering you to buy expensive things at Disney on Ice. Fill the goody bag up with Disney plushies, stationery, stickers, jewellery and some chocolate or sweets. (Look for sales on Disney stuff between now and the Disney on Ice show to save even more.
Same with glow in the dark items. There’s plenty of them for sale at Disney on Ice. Save money and bring your own glow in the dark sticks, necklaces, headbands and bracelets and glow away at the performance.
If you are planning to buy something at the venue, waiting until intermission can sometimes help avoid impulse purchases when kids first see the merchandise stands.
Eat before you arrive
Food and drinks inside large entertainment venues can be expensive, and queues during the interval can be long.
If possible, eat before you arrive at the arena. Packing a small snack for younger kids can also help keep everyone happy during the performance.
Many venues allow one sealed bottle of water per person, although policies vary between arenas.
Plan for the intermission
Disney On Ice productions usually run for around 90 minutes to two hours, including a short intermission.
When the interval begins, bathroom lines tend to form quickly. If your children need the toilet, it’s best to head there straight away before the queues build up.
Some parents also use intermission as the perfect time to hand out their Disney goody bags or snacks.
Think about transport and parking
Depending on the venue and the size of the crowd, traffic around the arena can be busy when the show finishes.
If public transport is available nearby, it can sometimes be easier than waiting in car park traffic after the performance.
Small things that make the night easier
A few simple preparations can make a big difference when attending a large family event.
Bringing wipes or hand sanitiser can be useful after snacks or sticky treats. Charging your phone beforehand is also helpful, especially if you plan to take photos or store digital tickets on your device.
Playing songs from Disney movies like Frozen, Encanto or Moana before the show can also build excitement for younger children.
FAQs
For many families, Disney On Ice is a memorable experience for children who love Disney characters. The combination of music, costumes, storytelling and impressive skating routines makes it a lively and entertaining show.
While tickets can be expensive for larger families, many parents feel the experience is worth it for the excitement and lasting memories it creates.
Choosing weekday performances or mid-range seats can also help make the outing more affordable.
Disney On Ice shows usually run for around 90 minutes to two hours, including a short intermission halfway through the performance.
This break gives families time to visit the bathrooms, grab snacks or stretch their legs before the second half of the show.
Disney On Ice is most popular with children aged 3 to 10 years, although older kids and adults can enjoy the show too.
Toddlers can attend, but the bright lights, loud music and darker arena environment may feel overwhelming for some younger children.
If you’re attending with toddlers, daytime performances are usually easier than evening sessions.