A Trip to Disney On Ice and Philips Arena

When I was a child, the Holiday On Ice or Ice Capades was an annual family event. For one reason or another, I never took my older children to an ice show when they were young; so when I got the opportunity to take Brianna to the Disney On Ice Celebrations show at Philips Arena, I jumped at the chance.

Now, Brianna and I go a lot of places that are fun for both of us – some are more fun for me, some more fun for her. Disney On Ice was pure, exhilarating six-year-old fun! From the moment the lights dimmed and Mickey and Minnie skated their way across the rink, she and her first-grade friend Grace gleefully screamed, laughed and pointed with amazement. The princesses and their princes whirled and lifted across the ice. The Disney villains, including Cruella de Vil, Captain Hook, and every wicked stepmother and queen in Disney storyland, scared up some Halloween Fun. Pluto and Goofy spun out a lot; Peter Pan, Alice and her Wonderland menagerie, and all the other Disney characters made an appearance; and the lights and music added to the festivities. Score one for mom: the kids were thoroughly entertained.

And it wasn’t just the Disney On Ice show that was a hit, so was the visit to Philips Arena. Whether you go to see Disney On Ice, a Hawks or Thrashers game, or a concert, a trip to Philips Arena is usually an exciting experience for kids. And although eleven of us from Fayette County – mothers, grandmothers and kids – made this trip to the ice show, I would feel perfectly comfortable taking Brianna there by myself.

Here are some tips for traveling to Philips Arena:

1. From Fayette County, it is an easy trip. North on I-85, merge with I-75 into the Downtown Connector, and exit at Andrew Young International Boulevard, which swings left across the interstate and heads straight through Centennial Olympic Park toward Philips Arena, the Georgia World Congress Center, and the CNN Center.

2. Decide your parking strategy before you exit at Andrew Young. There are three parking decks within range of the Arena, but to me the easiest parking deck to access is the Centennial deck on the corner of Centennial Olympic Park Drive and Marietta Street. The easiest way to get to this parking deck is to turn left onto Centennial Olympic Park Drive right before Andrew Young International Boulevard enters Centennial Olympic Park. Then, go one block to Marietta Street, cross Marietta Street, and the parking deck entrance is immediately on your left. The CNN Center is on your right.

3. After you park, you can walk directly across Centennial Olympic Park Drive into the CNN Center food court. From here, you can access an entrance into Philips Arena.

4. We ate dinner in the CNN food court rather than in Philips Arena, but both have numerous fast food fare (Chick-fil-A, Wendy’s, Great Wraps, pizza, Chinese food, etc.) and public restrooms. You might glimpse an occasional homeless person pushing a cart; but any time I have been there, the CNN food court has been a comfortable atmosphere for families.

5. On the west end of the CNN food court, there is an entrance into Philips Arena. This entrance places you at HawkWalk, the Arena’s indoor street of retail stores and eating establishments.

6. The vendors in the Arena will appeal to your children. Be prepared to say “No” or be prepared to pay.

7. Since most event venues in Atlanta direct people out on the assumption that they live in Cobb or Gwinnett, you usually have to know what you are doing to leave an event and get back to Fayette County. There are numerous ways to maneuver to I-85/75 south – this is one of them. When you exit out of Centennial parking deck, you will have to turn left onto the one-way Centennial Olympic Park Drive. Stay on this until you get to Mitchell Street. Turn left and go to Washington Street. Turn right and follow the signs to merge into I-85/75 South.

Disney On Ice probably won’t come around for another year, but there are plenty of upcoming events at Philips Arena that you and your children will enjoy. For more information, visit the Philips Arena website.

See more of Sherri’s adventures on Brown’s Guide to Georgia.