Disney Ice

The dual rinks of the new Disney Ice complex were opened to the public this week, with an open skating session Sunday and a series of classes that started Monday for children and adults. Designed by Santa Monica architect Frank O. Gehry, the 90,000-square-foot skating complex at Lincoln Avenue and Clementine Street in central Anaheim serves as the home training rink for the Mighty Ducks pro hockey team. The team has been practicing since Labor Day.

Indulge your inner child — as well as your actual child — at "Dare to Dream," the latest Disney on Ice production. Disney's newest princess stories will be on display alongside a host of classic favorites in this winter performance. Long Beach Arena, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. Thu. to Sun. Times and prices vary. (562) 436-3636; http://www.longbeachcc.com.

Surrounded by youth hockey players scrambling around the ice, David Wilk shouted words of encouragement as he skated effortlessly, waving a hockey stick and smiling ear to ear. "We've come to the promised land of hockey," Wilk said later, catching his breath. The youths, who come from some of Anaheim's most troubled neighborhoods, were in the middle of practice last week at Disney Ice, the new, downtown community ice rink that will be unveiled during a dedication ceremony Wednesday.

'Disney on Ice: Toy Story 3' Where: Citizens Business Bank Arena, 4000 Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario When: Through Jan. 1; see website for showtimes Price: $16, $21, $26, $45 and $70 Info: (800) 745-3000, http://www.disneyonice.com

Hercules is buff and brave in "Happily Ever After," the ice show based on an animated Disney film. As in the movie, Herc initially is not, however, the sharpest blade on the ice. Hercules is a wannabe hero who has a lot to learn about life, love and Lava monsters--though his heart is always in the right place. When the search was on for a world-class skater to portray the mythical golden boy, L.A. native Troy Goldstein came to the mind of the show's choreographer.

From Mickey to Mulan, Pinocchio to Pumbaa, Cinderella to Simba, Belle to Buzz Lightyear, to infinity and beyond--it's not such a small world after all. Condensing Disney's history into the two-hour "Disney on Ice: 75 Years of Disney Magic" was a daunting task that undoubtedly required a bit of that ol' Disney magic. The result is an ice show that puts together numerous aspects of the Disney conglomerate, including characters, music and theme park attractions.

Renowned international entertainment producer Kenneth Feld, who in the past year has opened live entertainment spectacles in cities throughout Europe and Japan, this week unveiled one of his acclaimed touring ice spectacles here featuring all the familiar Walt Disney characters. "Walt Disney's World on Ice Salute to Sports," a lavish live musical production staged entirely on ice, opened here Tuesday night.

A community ice rink downtown? It could happen. The City Council Tuesday will consider a joint proposal by the city and the Walt Disney Co. to build a 100,000-square-foot rink to serve as a practice site for the Mighty Ducks hockey team and as a community youth center. It would be built on three acres at the southwest corner of Lincoln Avenue and Clementine Street.

Four favorite Disney stories spring to life in a special-effects-filled showcase of skating skills and musical thrills at Disney on Ice: Worlds of Fantasy . "Cars," "The Lion King," "The Little Mermaid" and "Tinker Bell" glide across the ice in front of backdrops that include an undersea kingdom and the magical world of Pixie Hollow. Audiences are invited to arrive an hour early for a tour of the extravaganza's dazzling gowns. At Ontario's Citizen's Business Bank Arena (today through Sunday)

'Disney on Ice: Toy Story 3' Where: Citizens Business Bank Arena, 4000 Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario When: Through Jan. 1; see website for showtimes Price: $16, $21, $26, $45 and $70 Info: (800) 745-3000, http://www.disneyonice.com

Four favorite Disney stories spring to life in a special-effects-filled showcase of skating skills and musical thrills at Disney on Ice: Worlds of Fantasy . "Cars," "The Lion King," "The Little Mermaid" and "Tinker Bell" glide across the ice in front of backdrops that include an undersea kingdom and the magical world of Pixie Hollow. Audiences are invited to arrive an hour early for a tour of the extravaganza's dazzling gowns. At Ontario's Citizen's Business Bank Arena (today through Sunday)

From Mickey to Mulan, Pinocchio to Pumbaa, Cinderella to Simba, Belle to Buzz Lightyear, to infinity and beyond--it's not such a small world after all. Condensing Disney's history into the two-hour "Disney on Ice: 75 Years of Disney Magic" was a daunting task that undoubtedly required a bit of that ol' Disney magic. The result is an ice show that puts together numerous aspects of the Disney conglomerate, including characters, music and theme park attractions.

Hercules is buff and brave in "Happily Ever After," the ice show based on an animated Disney film. As in the movie, Herc initially is not, however, the sharpest blade on the ice. Hercules is a wannabe hero who has a lot to learn about life, love and Lava monsters--though his heart is always in the right place. When the search was on for a world-class skater to portray the mythical golden boy, L.A. native Troy Goldstein came to the mind of the show's choreographer.

Walt Disney's World on Ice is making its final Southern California appearance for the season, staging its last four nights at Long Beach Arena through Sunday. And the show, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," pretty much features the world on ice. The skaters include Olympian Serguei Tartykov of Russia and Canadian national champion Karen Preston in the roles of the Prince and Snow White, along with a cast of skaters from the United States, England, Ukraine, Sweden, Brazil and Australia.

The dual rinks of the new Disney Ice complex were opened to the public this week, with an open skating session Sunday and a series of classes that started Monday for children and adults. Designed by Santa Monica architect Frank O. Gehry, the 90,000-square-foot skating complex at Lincoln Avenue and Clementine Street in central Anaheim serves as the home training rink for the Mighty Ducks pro hockey team. The team has been practicing since Labor Day.