'Disney on Ice' takes over Barcelona's Palau Sant Jordi for seven shows

The touring production 'Vive Tus Sueños' ('Live Your Dreams') arrives in the Catalan capital for seven performances from February 19 to 22.

Disney stories from Moana, Frozen, Coco, and Beauty and the Beast come to life, guided by Mickey and Minnie Mouse.

More than 100 people are involved in making the spectacle happen, including 45 professional skaters and a touring crew that moves from city to city. 

Barcelona is the final stop of the Spanish tour, after Valencia and Madrid.

For Rubén Barrera, host of the show and an ice skater from Madrid, the show carries special meaning. "I'm celebrating my 10 years with the company," he says.

But his connection to the show dates back to 1992, when he first saw Disney On Ice as a child. "I started skating because I saw a performance about Peter Pan on ice with this company. This is a dream came true, 100%."

A decade into his career with the show, the sense of wonder has not faded. "I saw all the characters, Mickey, Minnie, skating, and I couldn't believe it." he says. "We're creating these memories that stay with you for the rest of your life."

Performing at that level requires more than technical precision. "It's not just skating," Barrera says. "It's a sport, but it's also a way to perform."

Training includes strength work, flexibility, choreography, and constant rehearsal. "And of course, I watch the films. For being in character, yes, that's very important." he says.

Alicia Sánchez, who co-hosts the show alongside Rubén and has spent 11 years with the company as a professional ice skater, says adaptability is essential.

"You have to think about a thousand things at once," she says. "You have to take a step and you also have to talk. You have to save your breath so your voice can stay at the same pitch."

Sánchez has performed in cities across the world; this is her third time in Barcelona. "Here in Barcelona the audience is warmer," she says. "I feel it's because we're by the sea, close to the Mediterranean. People are more lively."

For her, the most emotional moments happen when children see their favorite characters up close. "To see their little faces when Belle greets them or hugs them – it's priceless," she says.

Carla Linares, PR and Communication Manager at Proactive Entertainment, highlights the scale of the production. "Disney On Ice first came to Spain in the early '90s," she explains. 

"It's already a tradition here. Families come back year after year."

This year's edition balances recent hits with classics and introduces an automated light-tracking system. "The skaters wear a sensor and the spotlights follow them," Linares says. "It enhances the immersive factor of the show."

As the Barcelona shows begin, anticipation runs high. "Every city has a different audience," Barrera says. "But when you see the kids talking about the show even after it's over, that's magic."

His message echoes the show's title: "Live your dreams. Be ready for them."