It’s official. My three-year-old is a screamer. Just like how I imagined Justin Bieber fans exercise their lung power to show their undying love and devotion to their pop idol, my child had just two words in her mind: “Mickey and Minnie”.
We were at the Disney Live! Mickey Music Festival at the du Forum at Yas Island on Thursday evening and my child was chanting their name feverishly. She wasn’t alone. Hundreds of children just had their favourite Disney cartoon characters on their mind that evening. And we know that children can often be the toughest, harshest critics. If they are bored, they will squirm in their seats and just turn their faces away. But there was no such awkward moment that evening.
Every song, every fairytale and every dance move was lapped up by the young fans. The show kicked off 12 minutes after its scheduled 7pm start and began with a video projection that took us into the adrenaline-charged make-up rooms of Donald Duck, Goofy and Minnie Mouse.
The air was thick with anticipation and you could cut the tension with a wand. And before you knew it, dancers burst into the stage and guitar-toting Donald Duck made his dramatic entry. It was then followed by the clumsy tall dog Goofy (the tall dog can do a split or two) and the squeaky-but-delightful Minnie Mouse.
But the award for a rockstar entry should go to Disney’s eternal highlight Mickey who goaded his frenzied fans to clap their hands and stomp their feet. Everyone obliged.
We were ushered into the world of fairytales with a fitting Middle Eastern folk tale: Aladdin. Whether you are young or old, it’s impossible not be sold into the happily-ever-after endings. My child loved the antics of the shiny flying red carpet and the beefy genie.
If that doesn’t rock your boat, there’s always Sebastian, the famed red crab from The Little Mermaid, who brought alive the beauty of the under sea or Woody from Toy Story to enjoy.
While the show is priceless, the merchandise and the ice lollies don’t come cheap (Dh70 for a yellow mug of flavoured crushed ice). But such practicalities are forgotten, when the bunch of Disney characters dance to Who Let The Dogs Out and Oh, Mickey, you’re so fine in the grand finale. Going by my toddler’s shrieks, it was a happy ending for her.
Don’t Miss It
Disney Live! Music Festival at du Forum, Yas Island is on till March 2.
With a total of seven shows, the tickets are available at Ticketmaster.ae and Virgin Megastores. Regular tickets are priced at Dh150 (bronze), Dh250 (silver), Dh375 (gold) and Dh1,000 (VIP).
