Disney On Ice in the Countryside

Actually it’s Disney on Ice in Millstreet, a little village 45 minutes outside of Cork City.

People, take note: If you plan to see a show in the countryside, be sure you know where it is held:
before booking the last show of the evening.
before reserving accommodations 45 minutes away.
and finally, before realizing, as you travel by train with small children, that public transportation is limited.

We left early on Friday morning after two days of fighting Babydoll’s earache. I had begun my own battle of the ear nose and throat virus, but for Disney lovers across America, and into the far reaching island of Ireland, I pressed onward.

Our accommodation of choice was the Quality Hotel in Killarney. I’d like to say something intelligent like we chose it due to an outstanding recommendation or some incredible rock bottom price, but the truth be told, it was this vision of its pools and its resident dolphins as spotted by the girls online.

I came to know these dolphins well. Cutiepie would not swim freely unless I was standing atop of them while she was in the pool. Though I did my best to convince her that the Dolphins were merely paint on tile, evidently I was more convincing holding them down than I was at explaining them.

In case you haven't noticed, these talented gals here, well, they're the next greatest Irish synchronized swim team to grace the waters.

I meant to say..."next greatest Irish synchronized swim team to lovingly grace the waters."

After a full day of swimming, we sought out Mickey in Millstreet. All my worries for a dramatic journey were dashed as coordinating bus routes were easy enough to navigate and we soon found ourselves at the entrance of a large barn/shed/warehouse compound.

In a life long ago, I worked for Visa U.S.A. The conglomerate whose sole business is to sell a four letter word: V - I – S - A. Now that is branding and marketing! Imagine my astonishment, once we arrived in Millstreet: not a single sign for Disney on Ice. The building and its outposts are atypical Irish background, green, vast and no commercialism, no signage, no branding. It was surreal.

All I could think, was, "What would Walt [Disney] say, if he could see this?

The picture below is the girls and MP outside the arena--no fan fare here folks, oh no.

And yet, don't go turning over in your grave, Walt, cause, inside the Electric Light Parade shone brightly. Skating the rink were the Incredibles alongside the friendly cast of characters from the Magic Kingdom; a spectacular show. The girls ohhhhed and ahhed, and before long, we make the trek back to our hotel.

I'll leave ya all with the highlights for Babydoll and Cutiepie:

Permissable bouncing on the bed. (it's a hotel for goodness sake...and yet, there was Cutiepie: "But, mommy! But, whose beds are they?"--have I taught her good, or what?)

Restaurant meals- three in one day!

Booted out of reserved seats and having to walk through five swaying, bumpy locomotive cars to find new seats; each girl with a suitcase in tow. Builds character, I tell ya!