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Disney On Ice 2026: Is It Worth It? Denver Coliseum Review

DC

Dave Chung

Denver local Β· youtube.com/davechung Β· April 5, 2026

Updated

June 18, 2026

My kids had been asking about Disney On Ice for months, and I finally stopped putting it off. We headed to the Denver Coliseum for the 2026 show, and I went in with moderate expectations β€” it's a touring ice show aimed at young kids, so I wasn't exactly bracing for Cirque du Soleil. What I found was something that mostly delivered on its premise, with a few moments where the price tags made me do a double take.

Is Disney On Ice Worth Seeing in 2026? 🐭

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What the Show Actually Is

The production is built around a mix of classic Disney characters and a noticeable lean into live-action era songs β€” so if your kids are deep into the recent Disney catalog, they'll recognize a lot of it. Mickey and Minnie both show up, and the Disney Princesses get a solid chunk of the runtime. The skating itself is genuinely impressive in spots. The performers are doing real work out there, and the production values β€” lights, costumes, the basic spectacle of it β€” hold up for what this is.

The Coliseum Experience

The Denver Coliseum is a fine venue for this kind of show. Sightlines are decent from most sections, and if you're strategic about where you sit, you can bring the ticket cost down considerably. The lower bowl near the ice is the premium experience, but honestly, my kids were just as locked in from the mid-level. For a show like this, being slightly further back doesn't diminish much β€” the characters are recognizable from anywhere, and the ice surface gives you a wide view no matter where you're seated.

Parking at the Coliseum is one of those situations where you want to arrive early or you're walking further than you planned. It's not a dealbreaker, just factor in extra time.

The Food Situation

The $20 cotton candy is real, and yes, that's what we paid. Concession pricing at these shows is what it is, and the Coliseum is no different. I'd say go in prepared β€” either eat before, pack some snacks if they allow it, or just mentally commit to the theme park markup and move on. The kids are going to see the cotton candy and that's going to be the end of that conversation.

What Worked and What Didn't

The show runs at a good pace. My younger one stayed engaged the whole time, which I wasn't fully expecting. The character moments β€” especially the surprise appearances β€” landed well. Kids near us were losing it in the best way when certain characters came out, and that energy is genuinely fun to be around even as an adult who's mostly there on parental duty.

The live-action song selection is where it gets a little mixed. If you grew up on the 90s animated classics, some of the setlist will feel unfamiliar. That's not really a criticism β€” it reflects where Disney's catalog is right now β€” but it's worth knowing going in, especially if you're hoping for a nostalgia hit alongside your kids.

Is It Worth Going?

For families with younger kids who are actively into Disney, yes β€” this is a solid afternoon. The show delivers what it promises, and seeing your kid's face when Mickey skates out is one of those low-key great parenting moments. Just be realistic about the concession costs, think about where you sit before you buy tickets, and you'll have a good time. It's not a cheap outing, but it's a legitimate experience that holds up for its audience.

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