LONDON, Sept. 12, 2025 -- Today's heroes aren't just found in capes or costumes, they're in classrooms, communities, and everyday moments. While many children still associate heroism with beloved Disney characters (44%), a new study exploring modern-day heroism polling 2,000 UK parents and children aged 5–11 reveals a broader shift: Brits are just as likely to see heroic qualities in real people around them as they are in films and TV (66%).
When asked to identify the most important traits of a hero, children chose bravery (57%), helping others (44%) and kindness (28%), placing these above more traditional traits like strength (41%) and speed (18%). Commissioned by Disney On Ice in anticipation of its new tour, Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero, the research uncovers how families define heroism in 2025.
More than half of children associated the word hero with 'superheroes' (57%), with Disney characters following closely (44%). However they also looked closer to home, with over a third (39%) of kids connecting the word 'hero' to parents or caregivers, and 35% to emergency service workers. Teachers (24%) were cited far more often than celebrities and influencers (9%), and only 16% said they find heroes on social media.
Regardless of age, Disney continued to inspire parents with the meaning of true heroism with eight in ten of them still believing that Disney characters help to teach what it means to be a hero (81%). When asked to name the most heroic Disney character, Moana came out on top among children (22%) for her bravery and determination, while Elsa came in second.
Taking the findings into account, the Disney On Ice cast put TV stars and athletes Montell Douglas and Zack George through a series of daring challenges on ice putting heroic qualities to the test. From high-speed sprints and precision lifts to balance and agility tests, Montell and Zack were put through their paces in a friendly competition designed to test both physical ability and teamwork. Their goal? To see how their own heroic qualities matched up to those of the Disney On Ice pros and prove that bravery isn't limited to the screen or the stadium.
Montell Douglas said, "As a young athlete, I was inspired by the people around me – coaches, teammates, and family – who showed resilience and drive every day. Taking on something new like skating with Disney On Ice reminded me how important it is to embrace challenges, even if you stumble along the way."
Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero skates into the UK from the 29th October 2025 – 4th January 2026, where audiences will discover what it truly means to be a hero, as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and friends from the Disney kingdom come together to bring timeless tales to life. The show will be visiting Birmingham, Nottingham, Newcastle, Aberdeen, Belfast, Manchester, Sheffield and London, with tickets on sale now at www.disneyonice.co.uk.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N44CWRG200g
Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2771729/Disney_On_Ice.jpg
View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/kindness-is-cool-new-survey-from-disney-on-ice-reveals-evolving-definition-of-heroism-among-todays-youth-302554937.html
