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INDIANAPOLIS (WISH)– Disney fans can watch their favorite stories “come to life” as their favorite characters take the ice at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Disney On Ice Presents “Mickey and Friends” will feature classic characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy, but will also bring in some of the new and popular ones like Moanna and Elsa from the movie Frozen.

It’s a performance ensemble skater and performer Hallie Joseph has been waiting for after the COVID-19 pandemic prematurely canceled her last visit to Indianapolis. She talked about how she and her castmates feel about being back in front of audiences again.

“Getting to come back has made it all the better,” Joseph said. “We take it as more special and we don’t take it for granted.”

Justine Lopez, who’s been a part of the Disney on Ice for more than a decade spoke about what brings her back year after year. “It’s really just seeing all the kids and all the families and their smiling faces,” she said. “Knowing what all of us are bringing out there, they’re enjoying it with us.”

Lopez says one of her favorite parts about the show is getting the input of the audience and finding new ways to interact with them such as when they get to pick out Minnie’s outfit during the show.

“We love to bring Disney Land and Disney World to the audience,” Lopez said. “We have Ariel and Repunzel flying 30 feet in the air and our Princess Powers segment where you get to see your favorite modern and classic princesses come out.”

Disney On Ice presents Mickey and Friends is playing at Gainbridge Fieldhouse from Jan. 19 to 23.

Find tickets for the event online.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Bankers Life Fieldhouse will welcome guests back to the arena for the “Disney on Ice” show. But this time around, it’s going to be different.

The show has been on hiatus since March because of the pandemic.

A Marion County Public Health Department spokesperson said they are reviewing the risk mitigation plan for the show planned for January.

The show will follow COVID-19 safety standards and introduce a new “Guest Wellness Enhancements” plan to help keep families safe at its live events.

“Having to be on the sideline and not being able to bring the joy and magic to families like you’re used to doing on a nightly basis is somewhat disheartening,” said Jenifer Maninger, Feld Entertainment senior global public relations director.

The title of the show this year is “Dream Big.”

“Every story begins with a dream. I think we are seeing this right now, now that people are taking this time. They wouldn’t normally have this long of a pause in their life. They’re just taking a look to see, ‘What is my dream?’ We are seeing a lot of people pursue passions that they weren’t before,” said Maninger.

The “Guest Wellness Enhancements” plan includes: ticketless entry, pod seating, seating capacity at 25% and required face masks.

“We’ve stayed in isolation until we we could put a plan in place where we felt not only our skaters and crew and staff were safe but also where we could safely bring families into venues so they, too, can enjoy the magical experience of ‘Disney on Ice’ in a safe environment,” said Maninger.

Daniel Davis doesn’t have children but he said if he did, he would take them to show. He said he supports live entertainment coming back to Indianapolis as long as it’s done safely.

“I think it’s great. It’s been a real bummer with everything being shut down; it’s great,” said Davis.

Even though the show will not be able to accommodate a full audience, Maninger said they’re just happy to get back on the ice.

“Families should feel confident we have done everything possible to make sure we are taking their wellness in consideration,” said Maninger.

Coronavirus links

Indiana coronavirus timeline

With information from the Indiana Department of Health through March 4, 2021, this timeline reflects updated tallies of deaths and positive tests prior to that date.