Top Tips for Disney on Ice
Melbourne Magic In The Stars 2026
Parking, Merch & What to Know

Where to park, public transport and best ways to get to Disney on Ice

If you’re coming during peak hour or a big sports night, expect extra traffic. I recommend arriving at least 1.5 hours early – queues for parking, bag checks and merch can be long. We even ran out of time to grab food before the show and we arrived an hour early!

Alternatively I’d suggest to park closeby, grab a bite to eat first, and then head to the arena around 20 min before the show once the masses are inside.

• Eastern Plaza at Melbourne Park is your closest undercover parking – but it needs to be prebooked (mainly!) and books out fast.
  • Bookings open 1 month before the event (set your alarms for next year!) and close at midnight the night before event days.
  • Note that actually entering and exiting the carpark can take a long time (up to 1h).
  • Event parking bookings are $20 or $30 for drive-ins, but drive-in spaces are limited during major events. You can try your luck arriving around 1.5h early, this is what a friend shared with me and worked for her. 
• Your best bet is street parking just across from Swan Street Bridge on Kings Domain at Alexandra Avenue (around $15) – which is about a 5–10 min walk along the Yarra and crossing the bridge to get to Rod Laver Arena. 
• Wilsons Parking or Flinders Gate parking. From here, take the tram #70 for two stops to Rod Laver Arena or it’s a 10-15 minute walk.
• Federation Square parking offers the same walk/tram combo but is more expensive.
• First Park on Little Collins is a 20 min walk (or tram ride) away.
• If your plan is to use public transport, the number 70 Swan Street tram runs along Flinders Street and stops at Rod Laver Arena Stop 7b. During Disney on Ice special services are put on to run only between Flinders Street station and Rod Laver Arena (three stops).
• Or take the train – it’s a 20 min walk from Flinders Street Station or 15 mins from Richmond Station.

Tip: if you sign up for Crown’s rewards membership, you can score free parking in July at Crown. Just a heads-up – you’ll need your physical license (they didn’t accept the VicRoads app), so parking there only sets you back $10.

From Crown, it’s about a 20-30 minute walk to Rod Laver Arena, depending on little legs – or hop on the tram!

Bag rules – and what you can actually bring in

Rod Laver Arena policy states that bags are fine as long as they fit under your seat – for family events like these there are no strict size limits like A4 sizing or smaller. We brought a backpack and saw plenty of other families with nappy bags or small kids’ backpacks.

Just pack small gift bags or a reusable grocery bag to transfer over some essentials to take inside as a backup. 

Bringing essentials like earmuffs, sensory or regulation toys, drink bottles, snacks, nappies and wipes, is absolutely OK. Just don’t bring glass, cans, alcohol, or anything for resale which is not allowed of course. I also packed little showbags with Disney gifts and snacks – no issues there!

Plastic or reusable water bottles can be taken in up to 750ml. 

Hot tip: I grabbed cute themed goodies at Kmart, Reject Shop, Miniso and online at Amazon or Temu. Perfect for making the day feel extra special without the merch prices.

The best seats for Disney on Ice and ticket prices

I honestly don’t think there’s a bad seat at Rod Laver Arena. Even right up in the upper tier, you’ll get a magical view of the full rink – it’s a well-laid-out venue and not too massive.

My tip is to aim for seats with a bit of height so even younger kids can easily see over heads. The ‘nosebleed’ sections (A Reserve Upper) actually give you a great view of the ice dancing formations, aerial acts and dazzling set pieces. Since the action plays out on all sides of the rink (not just the front), you’ll still feel part of the magic no matter where you’re sitting.

I don’t really see the need to splurge on front-row seats. While they feel a bit more immersive, you do miss out on seeing the full staging and special effects from that close up.

My top picks:

• A Reserve Lower, front of the rink in Section 1, middle rows 7–10
• In 2025, we sat in A Reserve Lower Section 16, Row U (back row) seats 280-284 and still loved the view from the mid corner, which you can see in the video at the top of this page.
• This year (video’s view) we sat in A Reserve Lower, Row B. So just on the 2nd row in the middle corner. I do have to say, higher up you still have a better overall view! 

Ticket prices (as of 2026) – weekends are more expensive than the weekday shows:

Front Row: $149–$195  
Platinum: $96.35–$109.80
VIP: $89.35–$93.35
A Reserve: $66.35–$75.35
A Reserve Upper: $44.20–$55.35
B Reserve: $29.05–$35.20
Under 2s are free on your lap

Sessions:

Thu 2 Jul: 7pm
Fri 3 Jul: 11am, 3pm & 7pm 
Sat 4 Jul: 10am, 2pm & 6pm
Sun 5 Jul: 10am, 2pm & 6pm
Mon 6 Jul: 11am & 3pm 

Tickets available via Ticketek (no affiliate link here!). Pre sale access with code: D37RM. General public tickets go on sale on April 28. 

If you’re wondering about VIP, Platinum or Front Row seats – these are just premium seating categories based on location and view. They don’t come with any extras like merch packs, priority access, or character meet-and-greets. In previous years, front-row guests sometimes got a little extra interaction with performers and stage performers entertainment, but this year that hasn’t been the case.

While Disney On Ice sometimes offers add-on Character Experience with games, sing-alongs, crafting, and meet-and-greets with characters like Elsa or Mickey – this wasn’t part of the 2026 Melbourne season. It may return in future years, so it’s worth keeping an eye on when booking.

You can get your hands on a Magical Pass – which is a premium ticket add-on that upgrades your show experience. It includes premium reserved seats with great views, a collectible event lanyard, and an exclusive character greeting before the show.

But don’t worry – there’s still a cute themed photo opportunity inside the arena that’s perfect for snapping a quick family pic! However they do charge $40-$50 and you are not allowed to take photos with your phone unless you pay… 

If you’ve spotted Obstructed View tickets, no need to stress. These seats usually mean you’re sitting behind a railing which might slightly block your (kid’s) view when seated – but you can easily see past or through it once the show kicks off. You won’t be behind any poles or pillars, and the overall view is still great.

Consider timing around naps and bedtime

One of my biggest tips for taking little ones to Disney on Ice is thinking about your session time. If your child usually naps at a certain time or has an early bedtime, plan around that. The evening sessions can feel pretty late for toddlers or babies. A morning or midday weekend session might be a better pick if you want them to enjoy the whole show without hitting meltdown mode, while the evening shows are a great option for a date night or with older kids.

Disney Merchandise tips

Learn from my mistake and don’t queue up at the first stand you see. There are merch stands everywhere, including inside the arena at each gate. Walk to your gate first and then grab your merch there!

Prices for 2026:

• Bubble wands & light-up wands: $55
• Snow cones in souvenir cups: $23–$25 (+$8 for a character spoon or free plastic spoon)
• Plush toys: around $50
• Dolls and misc: around $22-45
• Other merch like accessories: $15–$30
• T-shirts: $35-$45, jumpers/hoodies: $75
• Dotted Disney ears (plastic): $35
• Popcorn buckets: $30
• Anna & Elsa card board photo op: $40-$50 

The best hack? Snow cones come with unlimited refills! Yep, just bring your cup back during the show for as many top-ups as you like – it’s a rare win for value.

Hot tip: bring your own bubble or light-up wand if you want to save:

• Kmart has them for about $10
• Disney-themed wands at Toymate and Target.
• There’s also a $44.95 one on the Disney Store, if you order ears with it as well you don’t have to spend money on shipping (free over $100) so you’ll still save some cash!
• Princess Bubble Wand on Amazon or a Snowflake Light Up Wand on Amazon.

Don’t forget to unpack them at home, insert the batteries and fill with bubble mix before the show. Also, grab a big bottle of bubble mix to refill later at home!

We did end up buying the bubble wands at the arena, and I do love that they don’t have music, they output a lot of bubbles and last longer.

Just a heads-up – the Kmart bubble wands make a sound that can’t be turned off.

Prams, baby change, sensory needs, food and arena tips

If you’re bringing a baby or a child with sensory sensitivities, a little prep can go a long way in making your Disney on Ice experience smooth and magical.

• No prams inside Rod Laver – use the free pram cloak at Centrepiece
• Watch snippets of the show on my Instagram Highlights before you go, so you / your little one knows what to expect.
• Book seats near an aisle or door so you can easily pop in and out for breaks.
• Earmuffs are a must for sensory-sensitive kids (or babies!). The show is not overly loud, but too loud for babies or overwhelming for young kids. You can also grab a pair of earmuffs at Chemist Warehouse.
• And definitely pack some hand sanitiser… because let’s be honest, kids and big crowds mean lots of sniffles!
• There’s a beautiful high tea experience at The Railyard on level 3 if you’re making a day of it
• Food is available on site or head outside to the food trucks with burgers, fairy floss, ice cream and twister potatoes

Accessibility and sensory tips

Rod Laver Arena is a KultureCity certified sensory inclusive venue, which means there’s real, practical support in place for families who need it.

Sensory room
There’s a dedicated low-stimulus sensory room opposite Door 9 – soft lighting, calm environment, comfortable seating. A great option if little ones (or adults!) need a break from the noise and crowds at any point during the show.

Sensory kits – free to borrow
Head to the Information Desk at Gate 4 to borrow a free sensory bag, which includes noise-cancelling headphones, fidget tools, KCVIP badges and writable weighted lap pads (available on request). 

Before you go
Download the KultureCity app for a visual guide to the venue – really helpful for kids who benefit from knowing what to expect before they arrive.

Packing your own kit
Bringing your own sensory toys or comfort items is always a good call alongside what the venue provides.

Gate 4 accessibility line
When you arrive, head to Gate 4 and look for the line on the far left closest to the ticket box, facing the building. This is the dedicated queue for accessibility needs, wheelchairs and prams – it also bypasses the bag check so if you aren’t brining in bags you can use this queue as well.

Worth noting: prams are not permitted inside the arena (but I did see them in this queue for infants), my tip is to either leave it at home or be prepared to cloak it on arrival. For infants and children a baby carrier is a much easier option.

For the full accessibility guide visit rodlaverarena.com.au/plan-your-visit/accessibility

Pro tip – use the AMEX lounge

If you have an American Express card, this one’s a game changer. Head to Level 3 (take the lift opposite Door 14) and tap your physical AMEX card to access the lounge – no bookings needed, just bring the actual card.

The space is massive with comfy seating and outdoor access, plus your own private bathrooms. You can order food and drinks in there at an extra cost, and when we were done they packed everything into a takeaway box so we could bring it inside.

The best part? There’s a private door that opens directly into the arena so you bypass the gate lines completely and walk straight to your seats. For a busy show like Disney on Ice, that alone is worth it!

Where to shop for Disney outfits before the show

Important note: only kids 14 and under are allowed to wear costumes. Grown-ups, you can join the fun with Disney-themed clothing or iconic headbands, but full costumes aren’t allowed.

• Iconic headbands (aka Minnie ears):
  • Disney Store (I wore the Jasmine ones) from $24.90 on sale to $49.90 full price. Or check out if there’s a Disney pop-up store nearby.
  • Amazon $15.99 for a 2-pack
  • Shein $3
  • Spotlight $7
  • Kmart $5
  • Or support a small Aussie business like AnimalMe from $8.95 – $14.95 (I found code PLL10 for 10% off!)
  • My boys don’t like the “girly” ones so they like the Dumbo ears or the Stitch ears.
  • Kmart also has cool hats like the Floppy Ears ones or Simba and Stitch hats. We also spotted them at Queen Vic Market right across from the Dutch Poffertjes/Pancake truck.
• Disney jumpers: H&M, Big W, Target, Kmart
• Costumes for the kids: Temu, Amazon, Spotlight, Big W or Kmart.
  • Think princess dresses
  • For boys (boy mum here):
  • Olaf onesies
  • Simba
  • Beauty & The Beast Prince costume
  • Stitch onesie (Kmart or Big W have them too in size 6-8)
  • Reversable Woody and Buzz costume
  • Cars’ Lighting McQueen coverall
  • Dumbo onesie

Using a tracker or AirTag on my kids at busy events

One of my top tips for big events like Disney On Ice is popping a tracker like an AirTag onto your kids – just in case. I usually loop a keychain onto their pants, tuck it in a pocket or use a bracelet or pin.

You can even get special insoles with tracker slots for their shoes. It’s one of those simple things that gives you peace of mind knowing you’ll be able to quickly locate them if you ever get separated in the crowds.

My husband works for a tech company, so you can use code SIRI25 for 25% off their tracker tags here along with the keychain here.

Make it a magical family memory

Whether you splurge on a bubble wand, bring your own snacks or grab a snow cone for the refills, Disney on Ice is a dazzling night of heartwarming magic. It’s one of those core memories you’ll treasure – a night of Disney stories  and smiles.

Want more tips on family-friendly Melbourne events? Check out What’s On in Melbourne or follow me on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for more fun around Melbourne.