'Disney On Ice' at UBS Arena: What to know before you go

Rachel Marrero and her four children just might be Long Island’s biggest "Disney on Ice" fans. The family has seen the show at least 10 times in the past five years, and they plan to be in the audience again when its latest edition — adding characters and songs from last year’s mega-hit "Moana" and "Inside Out" sequels — hits the ice Nov. 12-16 at the UBS Arena in Elmont.

"Every time we go, their eyes light up," says Marrero, 36, of Seaford, about her children, who range in age from 18 months to 6. Her eldest, Savannah, plans to make the most of the day by dressing up as Elsa, the ice princess from "Frozen" (2013). Marrero. who's a "social media mom" content creator, expects to spring for the souvenir wands kids use to blow big bubbles they can hold in their hands. "It’s $40," Marrero says of the bubble wand, "but they’re only young once, and it’s ["Disney on Ice"] one of the most magical experiences you can take the kids to."

"Jump In!" showcases world-class figure skating, high-flying aerial acrobatics, thrilling stunts and dazzling special effects.

"Some of the most thrilling things in the show are in the new segments," says cast member Mike Bartram, 36, of Unstone, England, who portrays Prince Eric in a skating salute to "The Little Mermaid."

"You have all of the memories and emotions flying out on the ice," says Bartram, referencing character portrayals of Anxiety, Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger and Fear from the further exploits of a teen girl whose emotions are personified in "Inside Out 2." The ice show also features multiple characters and the song "Get Lost" from "Moana 2."

BE PART OF THE MAGIC 

The audience will be welcomed in a jump to the digital age with Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy clicking a Magical Mouse Pad to virtually visit the "Zootopia" metropolis, the "Toy Story" universe and the Madrigal family's home in Colombia from "Encanto." Looking for interactive fun? Audiences can dance the "Hoedown Throwdown" with "Toy Story’s" Woody, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear, and help "Zootopia" Officer Judy Hopps track down Nick Wilde as he hides beneath giant orange traffic cones.

In all, more than 50 characters will be portrayed by skaters in choreographed routines. And expect plenty of opportunities to sing along to Disney tunes such as "Let It Go" from "Frozen," "Try Everything" from "Zootopia," and the "Encanto" viral hit "We Don't Talk About Bruno."

"It’s a real spectacle," says Bartram, who says he last performed at the Elmont arena about three years ago. Bartram has skated in five traveling "Disney on Ice" productions specializing in royals like Belle’s Prince in "Beauty and the Beast," Flynn Rider in "Tangled" and that old Disney royal standby, Prince Charming.

Bartram, who says he is "a huge hockey fan" (he's disappointed that the New York Islanders will be out of town during the ice show's run), first put on skates to play the sport at age 11. But four years later, he switched to figure skating and ice dance at the urging of his sister's ice skating coach and his mother.

In "Jump In!," Bartram’s Prince Eric gives his blades a workout while using a Spanish web circus rope to guide Ariel through the air.

"She is 32-feet in the air and I’m on the ground controlling it to a medley of 'The Little Mermaid' songs, 'Kiss the Girl' and 'Part of Your World,' " Bartram says.

The high-flying thrills also include Rapunzel spinning around on a silk ribbon belayed by Flynn Rider  from "Tangled," and an airborne Louisa and one of her donkeys from "Encanto."

Ariel and Rapunzel also join a parade of Disney princesses along with Jasmine from "Aladdin" and Tiana, Disney's first Black princess, from "The Princess and the Frog" (2009).

Bartram says that as a Disney fan since childhood (his favorite movie: "The Lion King"), the best part of the show is "performing for all the kids and their families."

"I really appreciate looking out to see the kids in costumes," Bartram says. "It’s nice to see all the families making memories."