There was never any doubt who Harlow and Brooklyn Stacey's and Hudson Banks' favourite characters were.
"Woody," Brooklyn said, dressed as Woody from Toy Story.
"Jessie," Harlow said, in an outfit to match her pick.
"Buzz," Hudson said, so close to simply gesturing to his immaculate costume.
Harlow likes Toy Story because Jessie's best friend is Bullseye the horse. Brooklyn likes that Woody and Buzz are best friends, even if they sometimes disagree.
On Thursday, they were in the thick of it as the cast of the returning Disney on Ice ensemble spun in gravity-defying leaps across the Newcastle Entertainment Centre ahead of the opening of Magic in the Stars last night.
The new production includes 56 new and classic Disney characters - the most of any one show to take the ice together - brought to life by a troupe of international figure skaters in a show of acrobatic feats, high-flying stunts, special effects and vibrant costume and set designs.
At rehearsal Hudson, 6, estimated that he liked Disney on Ice so much he could have seen 100 shows. Brooklyn thought the real number was closer to two, but the trio were excited to see their favourite stories come to life.
Hudson's mum, Madison, said she brings the children to see the show each year.
The children would be in their Toy Story costumes for the opening night, she said, and then on Sunday night they were mixing it up with stylings including Belle from Beauty and the Beast and The Incredibles.
"It's all the characters from when we were younger, and all the new ones," she said.
"It's fun. The kids love it. We grew up with Disney. When I was in my late teens, my husband and I would come. It's magical."
Ensemble skater Joe Walsh, on his first visit to Australia with the cast from the other Newcastle across the pond, said the performers were keenly aware of their discerning audience.
Mr Walsh will play Bruno from Encanto for the show's run through Sunday, June 12, with three shows a day.
"It's as if you could drag them out of the TV and put the characters on the ice," he said. "That's what we're going for."
Mr Walsh, who began skating at 13 after stepping onto the ice of the first time during a family holiday to Disneyland in Paris, said there were several roads that had drawn the cast together. Many are former competitive skaters who have turned to a second-act career as a performer. Others have come up in the theatrical side of the show and donned a pair of skates to take their performance onto the ice.
All, he said, where drawn by the ineffable feeling of bringing a much-loved character to life.
"When we present these characters and come out into the audience and see the faces light up, it's really very magical," he said. "It's special."
The performance links timeless Disney tales in an extravagant variety show. Tickets and show terms and conditions are available via Ticketek.
