(Non-Animated) VIP Families Flock To Verizon Center For Opening Night Of Disney On Ice!

PENN QUARTER --

“To all those who come to this happy place, welcome with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.” -Walt Disney
The Verizon Center was temporarily transformed into the happiest place on earth on Wednesday evening, as the wonderful world of Disney came alive in Washington, during the latest production of Disney On Ice to hit the city.

Titled ‘100 Years of Magic’, the two-act show cuts a generous path across the full range of Disney properties, with 14 different scenes starring characters from everything from Finding Nemo to Aladdin to Pinocchio to The Lion King.

Washingtonian’s Cathy Merrill Williams and family.
And opening night was made even tastier for some of the District’s lucky VIPs, as the show hosted an exclusive launch party before the first show inside the Verizon Center’s second floor Acela Club.

Prior to the arrival of the show in D.C. yesterday, a handful of the city’s top restaurants had been invited to each create a special ‘Disney Dish’ for their customers inspired by one of Disney’s classic adventures over the past 100 years, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting DC Central Kitchen.

Suddenly, everyone wondered what happened to The Little Mermaid's Sebastian…
Each of the creative dishes were then taste-tested and judged during Wednesday night’s bash, by celebrity judges Tommy McFLY (94.7 Fresh FM radio personality), Nycci Nellis (TheListAreYouOnIt founder and ‘Foodie & the Beast’ program co-host), and Brian MacNair (DC Central Kitchen’s Chief Development Officer).

Since Nycci Nellis is always one of the city’s most stylish ladies, Tommy McFLY must be the tramp in this reenactment?
Chef Michel Richard’s Meatballs restaurant created a special ‘Chicken Little Balls’ and ‘Mouseketeer Chocolate Balls’ plate, while Ping Pong Dim Sum’s Corporate Chef Chie Korn Chow prepared a tasty ‘Ariel’s ‘Kiss the Girl’’ offering.

Chef Mike Isabella’s winning ‘Pooh’s Lost Honey Jar’ dish.
Ultimately, it was Graffiato Chef Mike Isabella’s ‘Pooh’s Lost Honey Jar’ that struck a chord with each judge’s sweet tooth and scored the top prize during the event despite blistering competition from the fellow chefs mentioned above, as well as Fiola Chef Fabio Trabocchi and Rosa Mexicana Executive Chef Tim Horst.

DC Modern Luxury’s Karen Sommer Shalett and family.
Watching the good-natured competition from surrounding tables, all throughout, was a who’s who list of D.C. notables and their families, including Washingtonian President and Publisher Cathy Merrill Williams, ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper, DC Modern Luxury Editor-in-Chief Karen Sommer Shalett, NBC4 anchor Eun Yang, Washington Life Associate Publisher John Arundel, restaurateur Bo Blair, and Venga President Winston Lord. Oh, and Mickey and Minnie too of course!

NBC4’s Eun Yang and family.
So, why just wish upon a star Washington? Tickets are still available for a smattering of shows via Ticketmaster!