First Time Skaters at Olaf Rink

[karisma99]

Hi All,
I want to take my 5 year old ice skating at DTD Olaf rink tomorrow. Neither my husband nor I have ever ice skated. Do you know if they have those walker type devices to help the newbies skate/hold on to?

 

[figment_jii]

I haven't seen anyone use any type of devices on the ice...mostly it looks like beginners hold onto the walls.

 

[lorijohnhill]

Thanks! I was wondering about this also.

What is the cost for skating and skate rental?

 

[figment_jii]

From the Disneyland website (https://disneyland.disney.go.com/en...disney-district/winter-village-ice-skating/):

Adults – $17
Children (ages 3 to 9) – $15
Active Military – $10
Annual Passholders: Adults – $15; Children (ages 3 to 9) – $13
Guests of the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort: Adults – $15; Children (ages 3 to 9) – $13
Please note: All prices include tax, skate rental and helmets.

 

[karisma99]

I found the rates on their website:
https://disneyland.disney.go.com/entertainment/downtown-disney-district/winter-village-ice-skating/

Prices

Adults – $17
Children (ages 3 to 9) – $15
Active Military – $10
Annual Passholders: Adults – $15; Children (ages 3 to 9) – $13
Guests of the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort: Adults – $15; Children (ages 3 to 9) – $13
Please note: All prices include tax, skate rental and helmets.

 

[karisma99]

I haven't seen anyone use any type of devices on the ice...mostly it looks like beginners hold onto the walls.

Yikes! That is what I was afraid of. LOL! This should be interesting.

 

[bcla]

It's not that hard if beginner skate boots are used. They may look ugly, but you probably want rubber boots with a figure skate type blade. This means a relatively straight blade sharpened with two edges for better stability and maybe a toe pick.

I found that the rubber boots were more stable for ankles that weren't strengthened from use. Hockey skates are the most maneuverable but require more experience.

I also worry about head protection. Even though it looks dorky, maybe bring a bike helmet? The first time skated I landed on my forehead. It wasn't serious (just abrasions) but it sort of makes me wonder why more skaters don't wear helmets.

 

[karisma99]

I also worry about head protection. Even though it looks dorky, maybe bring a bike helmet? The first time skated I landed on my forehead. It wasn't serious (just abrasions) but it sort of makes me wonder why more skaters don't wear helmets.

On the site it said the price included the skate rental AND helmet. So I think we will be covered for head gear. I didn't even think about that though. Excellent point.

 

[figment_jii]

It's not that hard if beginner skate boots are used. They may look ugly, but you probably want rubber boots with a figure skate type blade. This means a relatively straight blade sharpened with two edges for better stability and maybe a toe pick.

Those are interesting looking and I can see where it would be more stable than a single blade. Are those the kinds that are rented at the Olaf ice rink? I didn't look when I was there, but that would be good to know for the future.

 

[figment_jii]

On the site it said the price included the skate rental AND helmet. So I think we will be covered for head gear. I didn't even think about that though. Excellent point.

The site actually goes further and says that the helmets are required.

Safety First
Skates are available for rent; helmets are mandatory for your safety and will be provided free of charge. All Guests will be asked to sign a waiver before being admitted to the rink

 

[lorijohnhill]

Thanks! I should have looked before asking...

We may have to try this. My daughter would love it!

 

[Hojoanaheim]

When I was by Olaf's rink last week, there were little children with skates that had 2 blades on them. Multiple children had these, so I am guessing that these are available for rent. Seems like 2 blades will make it a lot easier for the kids to skate. Sorry, I didn't check to see what size the 2 blade skates go up to, but I'm sure you will have a lot of fun in any skates.


Kriss

 

[bcla]

When I was by Olaf's rink last week, there were little children with skates that had 2 blades on them. Multiple children had these, so I am guessing that these are available for rent. Seems like 2 blades will make it a lot easier for the kids to skate. Sorry, I didn't check to see what size the 2 blade skates go up to, but I'm sure you will have a lot of fun in any skates.


Kriss

That's a pretty standard figure skate blade. You can easily find those up to adult sizes.

An old HS friend used to work at a skating rink as a college job. He wore hockey skates and could fly and stop on a dime. When I got these ugly looking boots with the double edge blades, he was telling me that they were the easiest for a beginner because the skater tended to stay vertical. With a single edge blade you'll need stronger ankles to control them.

Also, back then I didn't see a single helmet. That rink is gone now. It was a full Olympic size rink, which is unusual in this country. They also used an antiquated ammonia refrigeration system and claimed they couldn't afford to replace it with a modern system. It was pretty much otherwise in a residential area, and the neighbors worried about their possibility of leaks.

 

[lorijohnhill]

When I was a kid we skated on a frozen pond, twig obstacles and all. A helmet never even crossed our minds. Of course, we didn't wear helmets while bicycling either. I do, however, really like the idea of my daughter wearing a helmet for both activities!

 

[ClaraOswald]

That's a pretty standard figure skate blade. You can easily find those up to adult sizes.

An old HS friend used to work at a skating rink as a college job. He wore hockey skates and could fly and stop on a dime. When I got these ugly looking boots with the double edge blades, he was telling me that they were the easiest for a beginner because the skater tended to stay vertical. With a single edge blade you'll need stronger ankles to control them.

Also, back then I didn't see a single helmet. That rink is gone now. It was a full Olympic size rink, which is unusual in this country. They also used an antiquated ammonia refrigeration system and claimed they couldn't afford to replace it with a modern system. It was pretty much otherwise in a residential area, and the neighbors worried about their possibility of leaks.

I've never seen figure skates with 2 blades. How odd.

Never worn a helmet while skating either but I suppose it makes sense. Ice is hard. Though I can honestly say I've never fallen and hit my head. I just knew to take it slow. When I fell, it was always on my rear. Padded pants would have been nice...ha!

I've always found that lacing my skates as tight as possible, even if it kind of hurt, made skating easier. If the skates are loose, it's pretty impossible to skate.

 

[Disneyland 1951]

You see little kids skate for the first time.
They have one or two Cast Members on the ice that will help keep them safe and give basic instructions.
Even the kids that only hold on to the rail and slowly go around have big smiles on their face!!

 

[karisma99]

We ran out of time this weekend and didn't get to try it. We are going back this weekend for our birthday and see if we can fit it in. I really want to try. I think she will love it.

 

[ncdj2013]

http://howtohockey.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/skateBlade.jpg[/img]

I found that the rubber boots were more stable for ankles that weren't strengthened from use.

.

The support is ALL about the boot not the ankle.Good Figure skating boots are very stiff. Rental skates not so much.

 

[bcla]

I've never seen figure skates with 2 blades. How odd.

Never worn a helmet while skating either but I suppose it makes sense. Ice is hard. Though I can honestly say I've never fallen and hit my head. I just knew to take it slow. When I fell, it was always on my rear. Padded pants would have been nice...ha!

I've always found that lacing my skates as tight as possible, even if it kind of hurt, made skating easier. If the skates are loose, it's pretty impossible to skate.

It thought they were pretty standard for beginner skate boots, like this one:

They're usually called "grooved" blades because the sharpening process that creates two edges means there's a cupped groove. The technical term seems to be "hollow". Apparently figure skaters generally learn to use one edge at a time, but beginner skaters will probably not get how to do that and skate on both edges. Apparently hockey skates also have this, but I thought that the high-level players were using single edged blades.

I think the stability might also have had something to do with the radius of this "hollow", where one type is better for beginners.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I thought you meant two blades like this - http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/img-thing?.out=jpg&size=l&tid=25507159 (which I found when I googled after reading your post.)