Disney On Ice heads back to RREC with Frozen and Encanto

RIO RANCHO — In a jam-packed week of hockey news coming out of Rio Rancho Events Center, the arena will be trading in its sticks and pucks this weekend for tiaras and sing-alongs.

“Disney On Ice,” the annual touring figure skating show put on by Disney, is making its yearly stop in the City of Vision this weekend. The tour has performed at the RREC every fall since 2021.

This year’s rendition will feature performances from the movies "Frozen" and "Encanto," as the company often switches up the show year to year. After its stop in New Mexico, the tour will continue around the country until the end of March 2026.

“I am from England, so I am lucky enough to be able to travel around with the company,” Disney On Ice ensemble skater Amelia Smith said.

While the tour caters to children and families, this is no ordinary mascot meet-and-greet. Smith has been skating since she was 7 years old, and the skaters on tour work day in and day out to put on the best show possible.

“We have people specializing in many departments,’ Smith said. “People out on the ice, people for training. Backstage, we have an amazing costume department. It takes a whole village to make the production happen.”

Making stops in 24 different cities across the United States, it can be a lot to manage for a skater from across the pond. But according to Smith, she enjoys traveling as it brings on new experiences.

Along with seeing new cities and trying out new cultures (will Smith be having any Dion’s Pizza?), the special moments out on the ice are what truly make the tour special.

“Special moments and interactions backstage with my cast mates and colleagues,” Smith said in her Disney On Ice profile. “The connections we create both on and off the ice that make us perform every day with the same spark of energy.”

Starting on Friday night, Smith and Co. will be bringing those special moments to create some Disney magic for local Rio Rancho families.

“With the show programming coming for Frozen and Encanto, you can expect to see all your favorite characters,” Smith said. “We have all these beautiful costumes, light and sound effects. There’s a lot for families of all ages to enjoy.”

Starting at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3, Disney On Ice will open a six-show weekend, including three shows on Saturday and two on Sunday. For more information, visit rioranchoeventscenter.com.