Disney On Ice Birmingham runs at bp pulse LIVE from 28 October to 8 November 2026, and a pre-booked taxi is one of the easiest ways to get children there and home again. Book a pickup that includes a child seat, agree a meeting point for the end of the show and allow for doors opening about an hour before the start.
This guide covers the show times, the rules for children, where taxis drop off and how to time your pickup around a show that lasts up to two hours. It also explains child seats in taxis and what to tell us when you book.
Details last checked on 23 October 2026. Times, rules and prices can change, so confirm them on your tickets and the venue’s event page.
Disney On Ice Birmingham at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Show | Disney On Ice presents Discover the Magic |
| Dates | Wednesday 28 October to Sunday 8 November 2026 |
| Venue | bp pulse LIVE, Perimeter Road, Birmingham B40 1NT |
| Doors | About an hour before each show |
| Running time | About 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, including a 15 to 20 minute interval |
| Tickets | From £18 plus fees, sold through AXS |
| Children | Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over |
| Ticket format | Mobile only |
| Bags | A4 size or smaller, no rucksacks, no storage at the venue |
bp pulse LIVE sits on the NEC campus and used to be called Resorts World Arena. It is a different venue from Utilita Arena Birmingham in the city centre, so check the postcode on your tickets before you book a taxi.
Disney On Ice Birmingham show times for 2026
The performance times below match the venue’s event page and the AXS and Ticketmaster listings on 23 October 2026.
| Date | Show times |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 28 October | 2:30pm, 6:30pm |
| Thursday 29 October | 11:30am, 3:30pm |
| Friday 30 October | 11:30am, 3:30pm |
| Saturday 31 October | 10:30am, 2:30pm |
| Sunday 1 November | 10:30am, 2:30pm |
| Friday 6 November | 6:30pm |
| Saturday 7 November | 10:30am, 2:30pm, 6:30pm |
| Sunday 8 November | 10:30am, 2:30pm |
The run opens in half-term week for many Midlands schools. Weekday matinees start at 11:30am and 3:30pm, while weekend shows start at 10:30am and 2:30pm. There are no performances from Monday 2 to Thursday 5 November, but check your own ticket, because times can change.
What parents need to know before booking
Age rules and baby tickets
Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over with a valid ticket. For babies, bp pulse LIVE says children under one who sit on an adult’s knee at a children’s show generally don’t need a ticket. However, it advises checking the event details before you book, because rules can vary by show.
Mobile tickets and no re-entry
bp pulse LIVE is a mobile-only venue, so your tickets sit in the AXS app or the venue app. If you can’t use a phone, tickets can be printed at the box office for a £2 fee per ticket. There is also no re-admittance once your ticket is scanned, so make sure everyone has what they need before you go in.
Charge your phone before you leave home. You will need it for tickets and for messaging your driver at the end.
Costumes, bags and buggies
Children can dress up, because the venue’s costume ban applies only to guests aged 14 and over. Standard themed clothing such as t-shirts and hats is welcome for everyone.
Bags must be no bigger than A4, with a maximum of two compartments, and rucksacks aren’t allowed. The venue has no storage facilities, so every bag stays with you. For buggies, Disney On Ice says most venues provide facilities, usually at the security desk, but it advises checking with your venue. Premium family packages include a cloakroom for bags and buggies, subject to availability.
Food and drink
Outside food and drink aren’t allowed, apart from items needed for a medical condition, which need an exemption form in advance. Food and drink are on sale inside, including self-serve Express Bars. Feed younger children before you arrive, so you aren’t relying on queues at the interval.
Why a taxi works well with children
Door to door with tired legs
With young children, small things make the journey harder. There are coats, snacks, a pushchair, a tablet for the car and a child who wants to be carried. A pre-booked taxi collects you from your front door and sets you down at the designated drop-off point, so nobody carries a bag across a car park.
It also means both parents can enjoy the day. Neither of you has to concentrate on the road while the children talk about the show, or fall asleep afterwards.
The exit queue after a family show
bp pulse LIVE says the NEC campus has more than 16,000 parking spaces, and pre-booking saves up to £5. Even so, a busy family performance means a slow exit from the car park. A taxi avoids that queue, and our bp pulse LIVE and Utilita Arena winter travel guide explains the other parking and train options.
Taxi, train or driving: a family comparison
| Factor | Pre-booked taxi | Train | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Young children and a pushchair | Door to door | Birmingham International is next to the venue, but you may need to change trains | You carry everything from the car park |
| Tired children after the show | Pre-arranged pickup | Station crowds | Car park exit queue |
| Group of five or more | One larger vehicle | Several tickets | One car if it fits everyone |
| Planning the cost | Fixed fare agreed when you book | Per-person fares | Fuel plus parking |
Your fare is agreed when you book, which helps with a family budget. Our guide to fixed-price and metered taxis explains how that works.
Child seats in taxis: what the law says and what to ask
What the law says
Children normally need a child car seat until they are 12 years old or 135cm tall, whichever comes first. Licensed taxis and private hire vehicles have a limited exemption if a suitable seat isn’t available. A proper child seat is still the safer choice, so ask for one when you book.
What to tell us when you book
Child seats are available on request, so tell us each child’s age when you book. Mention any pushchair and the number of bags too, because that affects the vehicle we recommend. For larger families, the Mercedes V-Class takes up to seven passengers, which suits two adults, several children and grandparents.
If you’d like a fixed price for your journey, our Birmingham taxi service covers pickups across the city and nearby towns.
Where taxis drop off at bp pulse LIVE
The venue says to pre-book a taxi and use the designated pick-up and drop-off points. The NEC says other private hire passengers are dropped at the Piazza drop-off and pick-up area or the Atrium entrance. After the show, private hire pickups use a pick-up area at the Piazza or Atrium.
Check your event email for the point nearest the arena entrance, and share it with your driver. If anyone in your group holds a Blue Badge, the NEC says taxis can drop off at the main entrances, so mention it when you book.
Planning your pickup around the show
Working back from doors
Disney On Ice says doors open an hour before the show. bp pulse LIVE also asks guests not to arrive too early, because queuing facilities may not be set up until closer to doors, and toilets are inside the building. With children, arriving close to doors opening is usually kinder than waiting outside in the cold.
| Show start | Doors open (about) | Show ends (by about) |
|---|---|---|
| 10:30am | 9:30am | 12:30pm |
| 2:30pm | 1:30pm | 4:30pm |
| 6:30pm | 5:30pm | 8:30pm |
These times assume a two-hour show. The venue confirms running times closer to the event, so check your event page a week before you travel. We’ll suggest a pickup time for your address when you book.
Morning, afternoon or evening?
Morning shows suit children who tire by late afternoon, and you are home for lunch or an afternoon rest. Afternoon shows allow a slower start to the day. Evening shows end around 8:30pm or later, which is a long day for younger children, although a taxi means nobody has to drive home.
After the show
Because there is no re-admittance, decide before you leave your seats where you will wait. Agree a meeting point with your driver in advance, and message them at the interval with a rough finish time. Once the show ends, wait until your driver confirms they are close, then walk to the private hire pick-up area together.
Half-term traffic and roadworks
The show opens during October half-term for many Midlands schools, so expect busier roads around the NEC. HS2 and roadworks near Junction 6 can also affect journey times, and the venue has recently posted travel alerts for that junction. Check the NEC’s travel updates page before you leave, and allow extra time.
Premium family packages and taxis
bp pulse LIVE sells Premium Family Park & Lounge tickets for most performances. They include priority entry, a private lounge, premium seats and a cloakroom for bags and buggies, subject to availability. The parking benefit won’t matter if you travel by taxi, but the lounge and cloakroom may.
On Saturday 31 October at 2:30pm, the Premium option is a Family Pizza Party, with a pre-show experience that includes pizza and face painting. Each Premium booking must include at least one adult and one child. Check-in uses the Premium Lakeside Entrance, and the venue sends a digital itinerary seven days before the event, so share that entrance with your driver.
Accessibility and sensory support
bp pulse LIVE sells accessible tickets online for all events, subject to availability. You can also reserve a free Sensory Support Pack ahead of your visit, which may help children who find loud shows difficult. Tell us about any wheelchair or mobility aid when you book, so we can plan the closest practical drop-off.
Book your Disney On Ice taxi from Birmingham and the Midlands
NET Airport Transfers runs pre-booked, fixed-price taxis from Birmingham, Solihull, Coventry, Wolverhampton and Sutton Coldfield to bp pulse LIVE, and back again after the show. Tell us your show time, pickup address, number of adults and children, and any child seats or pushchairs. We’ll plan the pickup around doors and the end of the show. Book your Disney On Ice taxi online.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is Disney On Ice in Birmingham in 2026?
Disney On Ice presents Discover the Magic runs at bp pulse LIVE from Wednesday 28 October to Sunday 8 November 2026. Show times vary by day, so check your ticket.
Where is Disney On Ice in Birmingham?
It is at bp pulse LIVE on Perimeter Road, Birmingham B40 1NT, on the NEC campus. This is the former Resorts World Arena, not Utilita Arena Birmingham in the city centre.
How long is Disney On Ice Birmingham?
Disney On Ice shows run about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours, including a 15 to 20 minute interval. The venue confirms running times closer to the event.
What time do doors open at Disney On Ice?
Disney On Ice says doors open an hour before the start of the show. For a 2:30pm performance, that is about 1:30pm. Check your ticket for your exact time.
Do babies and toddlers need a ticket for Disney On Ice Birmingham?
bp pulse LIVE says children under one sitting on an adult’s knee at a children’s show generally don’t need a ticket. Older children usually need their own ticket, so check the event details before you book.
Can I take a pushchair to Disney On Ice at bp pulse LIVE?
Disney On Ice says most venues have buggy facilities, usually at the security desk, but it advises checking with your venue. Premium family packages include a cloakroom for bags and buggies, subject to availability.
Can children wear Disney costumes to the show?
Yes for children under 14. The venue doesn’t permit full costumes or costume masks for guests aged 14 and over, but themed t-shirts, jumpers and hats are welcome.
Do children need a car seat in a taxi?
Children normally need a car seat until they are 12 or 135cm tall. Licensed taxis and private hire vehicles have a limited exemption if no suitable seat is available, but a proper child seat is the safer choice. Tell your operator each child’s age when you book.
Where do taxis drop off at bp pulse LIVE?
The venue says to pre-book and use the designated pick-up and drop-off points. The NEC says other private hire passengers use the Piazza drop-off area or the Atrium entrance, so check your event email for the nearest point.
