THE excitement displayed by my two little girls (aged three and five) as we walked into the Echo Arena's cavernous surroundings was infectious. Dressed, like hundreds of others in attendance as Disney princesses, the chance to see their animated idols in person was almost too much for them and for the first time in I don't know how long they were even stunned into into silence as we took our seats a few rows back from the huge ice rink where tonight's Disney On Ice was presenting its new Worlds of Enchantment show.

First up a quick blast of Thin Lizzy signalled that the toys are back in town as Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Jessie and the Toy Story gang took to the ice and stage their escape from the rambunctious tots of Sunnyside Daycare.

For the adults the presence of Toy Story on the bill comes as a welcome relief from some of the more childish elements from Disney's back catalogue and there's plenty to enjoy especially as the Ken and Barbie characters flirt outrageously while the male doll tries on a variety of groovy costumes.

A glance across the arena shows there are plenty of famous faces sitting around our family in the audience, Liverpool FC stars including Ragnor Klavan, Dejan Lovern,and James Milner, basking in the glory of their Champions League victory over Manchester City.

After the Toy Story crew have left the stage it's time to dive into the The Little Mermaid’s enchanted undersea kingdom for what was my two's highlight of the evening. It's hard not to to warm to songs like Under the Sea and characters like Aerial and Flounder and join the boos and hisses which greet the dastardly Ursula. It's no surprise that almost 30 years on the Little Mermaid is credited with breathing life back into the art of Disney animated marked the start of the era known as the Disney Renaissance.

A quick interval gives a moment of reflection as the kids scurry off for more sugar. The lighting, costumes, props, set pieces and skating are all first class but the sound even where we are sitting close to the front seems a little quiet with it often hard to distinguish what's being said or sung on the pre-recorded vocals over the din of screaming children.

The second half starts with some genuinely thrilling high-speed stunts as Lightning McQueen, Mater and the crew of Disney/Pixar’s Cars race across the ice to gasps from my eldest who seemed stunned that the vehicles didn't skid right off the stage and into the audience.

It all builds up to a stunning finale as we enter the wintry world of Arendelle with sisters Anna and Elsa and pals Olaf and Kristoff from Disney’s Frozen, as they learn that true love comes from within. Or something. The audience were also treated to a special one-off appearance on the ice from former Saturdays pop star Frankie Bridge. After months of challenging training, Frankie became the first UK celebrity to ever appear in a live Disney On Ice performance as she joined the cast as a citizen of Arendelle, the snowy kingdom which is home to Anna and Elsa.

Perhaps, due to the setting, or the fact that Frozen seems to completely captivate most young girls, this was the most well received of the set pieces with ‘snow’ falling from the ceiling, and of course the pop banger which is Let It Go sealing the deal for most of those present. Even my cold heart melted a bit as Anna and Kristoff become a couple, both sisters are reunited and Elsa promising never to lock the castle gates again.

From wheels to waves, icy wonderlands to infinity and beyond, this really is the perfect watch all the family’s favorite Disney moments come to life. And a lot cheaper than flying to Florida.

Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Enchantment is in Liverpool from 11th-15th April 2018. For the complete list of tour dates and tickets, head to www.disneyonice.co.uk