Events can be hugely enchanting. Magical even. Disney On Ice is the perfect example. After all, it is not just another show. It is a mega-production that travels around the world. One that surprises families with the wonders of Disney. And last December that happened in Utrecht: Royal Dutch Jaarbeurs hosted Disney On Ice. Quite a sensation that required careful planning. Because: "Without ice, no event."
Feld Entertainment and Jaarbeurs have been working together for almost a decade. We are more than producer and venue. We are partners. And what's more: Jaarbeurs is flexible, has experience with international productions and is strategically located. From the station you can walk straight to the event and the halls can be adapted to what we need.Matteo Tagliabue, Regional Marketing Director at Feld Entertainment
We spoke to Matteo Tagliabue, Regional Marketing Director at Feld Entertainment, the event’s organiser. The aim of the show? “To bring the magic of Disney to your neighbourhood,” he says. “Not everyone can go to Disneyland or book a Disney cruise. That’s why we’re bringing the Disney characters – from classics to new heroes – to families all over the world, right here in your own country. By enjoying a show together with your family, you create a memory that will last a lifetime. And that’s what we do it for.”
A massive production
Disney On Ice tours the world and performs in dozens of countries every year. These are major productions that attract thousands of people. At Jaarbeurs , for example, the total number of visitors reached 70,000 in ten days. A show of this scale also requires serious preparation and close collaboration. As Matteo says: “When you’re putting on such a large-scale production, you need a partner who understands what you need and who thinks along with you.”
Strategic partner
According to Matteo, the decision to choose Jaarbeurs as the event venue was an easy one: “Feld Entertainment and Jaarbeurs have been working together for almost ten years. We’re more than just the producer and the venue. We’re partners. What’s more, Jaarbeurs is flexible, has experience with international productions and is strategically located. It’s just a short walk from the station to the event, and the halls can be adapted to suit our needs.”
Down to the last detail
What followed was a collaboration lasting several months, during which technical teams held intensive discussions and logistical plans were drawn up. Every detail was discussed. From the height of the roof to welcoming visitors in an additional hall that was transformed into a foyer. And of course… the ice. Because, as Matteo says with a laugh: “No ice, no event.” That ice surface requires a specific setup, he explains: “We lay a special structure, connect pipes and cables to it, and run a liquid through it. Then we build up the ice layer by layer. It takes about 48 hours to lay. This is done by a specialist team, who are responsible for the ice throughout the entire production. Their sole task is to ensure the ice remains in perfect condition. They continuously monitor the temperature and quality. Because if anything goes wrong, there’s no show. A power cut? Our worst nightmare!”
Thinking ahead and working together
Although Feld Entertainment provides its own refrigeration systems, technical equipment and ‘ice team’, Jaarbeurs is the partner responsible for ensuring the venue remains in optimal condition for building and maintaining the ice. Matteo: “And they do that perfectly. We have various agreements in place to ensure that the ice and the hall remain at the correct temperature. Jaarbeurs thinks proactively. Solutions to any potential problems are devised in advance.”
Working together to create a unique experience
Matteo looks back on fantastic days, spectacular shows and a unique collaboration. He says it’s clear that Jaarbeurs and Feld Entertainment share the same goal: to create a wonderful experience for visitors. “And that’s what makes our collaboration so strong. The moment when everything comes together is unique. Because when, after weeks of setting up and preparing together, you see all those smiling faces, you know what it’s all for. It’s simply magical.”
A new tradition in Utrecht
Although he cannot yet officially confirm it, Matteo hints that a new tradition is taking shape in Utrecht. “Disney On Ice aims to become a regular Christmas tradition in the Netherlands. How special is it when families, generation after generation, return together to experience this magical moment?” Jaarbeurs is therefore proud to be hosting the event once again: from 19 to 28 December, Disney On Ice returns to Utrecht, ready to enchant young and old alike with a spectacular show.
Photos © Disney
