Feb 15

The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice calls Atlanta, Gwinnett home for 11 days

www.gwinnettdailypost.com

By: Jon Gallo

Published: February 14, 2018


If you can’t make it to Disney World or Disneyland, don’t worry: Mickey, Minnie and all their friends are coming to Atlanta and Duluth when The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice plays Phillips Arena before heading north to the Infinite Energy Area in Duluth.

“We want to bring the same joy to everyone as they would experience if they went to Disney World or Disneyland,” Antonia Mitchell, who plays Jasmine from “Aladdin,” said. “All the magic that Disney is known for will be coming to you. You get to be part of the magic.”

Mitchell should know. For the past four-and-a-half years, the 26-year-old California native has skated in Disney on Ice shows throughout the world. She spent her first four years as an ensemble skater — a performer who plays numerous unnamed secondary characters — before earning her promotion to become everyone’s favorite Persian princess.

“I have a lot in common with Jasmine,” said Mitchell, who has performed with Disney in every continent, except for Antarctica. “She’s strong, but she’s also curious. She’s also opinionated.”

Mitchell seizes the spotlight when she skates with Aladdin, who is played by Bob Goodwin, who is Mitchell’s boyfriend.

“Ever since I started skating for Disney it’s been just a great experience,” said Mitchell, who studied ballet in college before leaving to pursue a career on ice skates, which she first laced up 20 years ago. “It’s special being part of Disney since it touches so many people’s lives.”

The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice will play 10 shows at Phillips Arena through Feb. 19 before heading to Gwinnett, where it will play seven shows Feb. 21 through 25.

The Wonderful World of Disney on Ice has something for everyone; Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy are the hosts who introduce iconic characters that span generations. The first set includes many of the animals from “The Lion King,” including Simba, Mustafa, Rifiki, Timon and Pumbaa before the show transitions to Snow White with her seven dwarves. It’s then Michell and Goodwin’s turn to take the ice along with the Genie before transitioning to “The Little Mermaid,” with Ariel and her buddies, Sebastian and Flounder, before the first act closes with Rapunzel and Flynn Rider skating together.

“The show has something for everyone since so many of Disney’s best movies are worked into the show,” Mitchell said. “You have movies that parents grew up watching and movies their kids grew up seeing.”

Several of Disney’s newer movies take over following a 15-minute intermission. Buzz Lightyear and Woody from the “Toy Story” franchise get their time to shine, as do Dory, Nemo and Marlin from “Finding Dory.”

And of course, it wouldn’t be a Disney show if the venue isn’t turned into the winter wonderland that is Arendelle, where Anna and Elsa, with the help of Olaf, show the audience the power of love among sisters.