Walt Disney's World On Ice The Spirit of Pocahontas

Walt Disney's World On Ice: The Spirit of Pocahontas was a Disney On Ice show that ran from 1996 to 2000. The show had a brief overhaul to include more Disney stories at the start.

## Show Summary

### Prelude (1998-2000)

The show begins with Mickey and Minnie helping us remember some Disney favorites including a small snippet from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves: Snow White wishes at a wishing well, wishing to meet the prince of her dreams. Meanwhile the Seven Dwarves come out to sing Heigh Ho, finding a dandelion. Doc suggests they make a wish with all of them trying to figure out what they wish. Mickey and Minnie then follow the magic carpet which leads to the next short story, Aladdin. The next short story is Beauty and the Beast, where Belle learns to see that inner beauty is what counts. Mickey and Minnie recall on their love, and waltz to So This is Love.

### Act 1

Mickey and Minnie tell the audience how much nature means to us and introduce the audience to some natural wonders and amazing animals, leading into the introduction of the narrator of the story: Grandmother Willow.

Here she takes over the narrating duties for the story of Pocahontas, which starts at the port of England, where the audience is introduced to the crew of the Susan Constant preparing to set sail for the New World. The brave Captain John Smith and young sailor Thomas are joined by the greedy govenor Ratcliffe who has plans to to find the riches waiting at the journey's end. On their way, the ship gets caught up in a big storm, with Thomas being blown overboard. John Smith saves his life.

Grandmother Willow tells the audience that the people of the tribal family share in a deeply rooted tradition which revolves around nature, as the audience is introduced to the Powhatan tribe in Pocahontas's village as warriors returning from battle tell of their victory. Her father, Chief Powhatan, gives Pochahontas her mother's necklace as Kocoum, his bravest warrior, has asked for her hand in marrige. Pocahontas expresses her worries about the marragie to her best friend Nakoma while she takes a journey beyond the riverbend with Meeko and Flit.

From a hidden vantage point, the natives observe Ratcliffe ordering the colonizers to dig for gold. Smith has no interest in digging for gold and ventures into the forest where he meets Meeko. Back in the village, Kekata warns his tribe of danger. In the same forest, John Smith meets Pocahontas. Frightened at first, she listens to the spirit of the wind. He talks about the English kingdom, and she tells him about he could learn so much from her people and respecting nature.

### Act 2

The second act starts with Grandmother Willow explaining to the audience of the fear and mistrust which exists between the Powhatan tribe and the colonists.

As they build a fence around their settlement, the colonists are unaware that they are being watched until Percy (Ratcliffe's dog) barks. In the chaos, the warrior Namontack is shot. As Kekata tries to heal Namontack, Powhatan warns Pocahontas to stay away from the strangers until they learn more about them. John Smith reveals to Pocahontas of Ratcliffe's quest for gold. Pocahontas tells him that the land has no such treasure to offer, Grandmother Willow introduces herself to the stranger. He is frightened at first, but is able to learn from her.

In an effort to ahcieve peace, Pocahontas talks to her father while Smith pleads with Ratcliffe. Buth unsuccessful in their quest for peace. They meet again in the woods, and share their first kiss while Kocoum arrives. As they fight, Thomas arrives and kills Kocoum and Smith then sends Thomas away and is captured in his place. As Powhatan plans for John Smith's execution, Thomas rallies the colonists to rescue their friend. While both sides fear impending doom, Pocahontas sneaks in to see John Smith.

As the colonists arrive at the village, Pocahontas throws herself on top of smith saving him from Powhatan's club. In turn, Powhatan frees Smith, but Ratcliffe attemps to shoot the chief. Smith jumps in front of Powhatan and sacrifices himself to save him. Badly wounded, Smith returns to England leaving Pocahontas. But both of them know that in their hearts, they will always be together.

## Stories and Characters

### Hosts:

* Mickey Mouse
* Minnie Mouse
* Grandmother Willow

### Stories Represented

* Pocahontas
* Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (1998-2000)
* Aladdin (1998-2000)
* Beauty and the Beast (1998-2000)

## Trivia

* This is one of the two shows from the 1990s to have other Snow White, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast at the start of the show, with the other being Hercules.
* The Spirit of Pocahontas is also the name of the Disney MGM Studios and Disneyland Park show from 1995. Later shows changed the name to Forever Love featuring Pocahontas when Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, and Snow White were added.
* This is the first of two productions to feature Pocahontas, the other being 100 Years of Magic.
* This is the only Disney On Ice show that features a movie based on a real person, despite the extreme historical innacuracy that the film has gained over the past 25 years.

## Gallery

Pocahontas meets John SmithThomasKocoumWiggins, Ratcliffe, and PercyColors of the wind