Disney on Ice returns to Spokane
Disney friends Tiana and Prince Naveen from "The Princess and the Frog" perform in Disney on Ice. Photo courtesy of Sallie Palmieri Rego, Feld Entertainment
Qalo
Disney friend Elsa from "Frozen" performs with Disney on Ice. Photo courtesy of Sallie Palmieri Rego, Feld Entertainment
Disney friend Moana performs in Disney on Ice. Photo courtesy of Sallie Palmieri Rego, Feld Entertainment
Disney on Ice will return to the Spokane Arena with “Dream Big,” a figure skating show holding six performances from Oct. 22 through 24.
The show features Disney friends including Mickey, Minnie, Miguel, Moana, Elsa, Belle and Genie played by world-class figure skaters.
Coeur d’Alene resident Shiloh Qalo, a cast member of a different Disney on Ice tour, said experiencing special moments with the kids during the show was her favorite thing about performing with the company.
“It’s always really unique because we perform for a live audience and our show is extremely interactive,” Qalo said. “It’s always super, super special because there is these beautiful moments with these children who you know watch these movies all the time nonstop and they know it forwards and backwards.”
Qalo, 24, played Disney friend Moana in Disney on Ice Road Trip Adventures, performing in the VIP show, a non-skating portion where audience members with upgraded tickets could interact with the Disney characters.
“To just see (the kids’) reaction and how special it was for them, that’s what makes it extremely rewarding for us,” Qalo said. “Definitely for me.”
Qalo got her start in Disney working at a Disney resort in Hawaii, where she underwent extensive training to become a Disney friend. It was there she heard Disney on Ice Road Trip Adventures was looking for more friends of Moana to join the show.
Qalo said she toured all over the east coast with the new show, visiting a new city every week, for about eight months before the tour was put on pause because of COVID-19 concerns in spring of 2020 and has yet to regroup.
“We perform on the floor with the children, so that’s what made it really special,” Qalo said. “So I think it just depends on the state of the world.”
She said she would love to go back on tour if the show regroups but it would depend on the current situation and any distancing restrictions.
Tickets for Disney on Ice in Spokane are available at TicketsWest.com starting Tuesday, although preferred customers may purchase in advance.
COVID-19 health and safety policies in accordance with the venue will be followed.
