Kids redefine heroism in UK study commissioned by Disney on Ice
British adults and children are increasingly defining heroism by qualities found in real people rather than just fictional characters, according to a new study commissioned by Disney On Ice.
The survey polled 2,000 UK parents and children ages 5 to 11 and found that 66% of respondents see heroic qualities in people they know, a number on par with the percentage who find heroes in film and television.
The study, commissioned by Disney On Ice ahead of its new tour, “Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero,” explored how families in 2025 define heroism. While 57% of children still associate the term “hero” with superheroes, 44% connect it to Disney characters.
However, a significant portion of kids also look closer to home, with 39% identifying parents or caregivers as heroes and 35% pointing to emergency service workers. Teachers (24%) were also cited far more often than celebrities and influencers (9%), and only 16% of children said they find heroes on social media.
When asked to identify the most important traits of a hero, children prioritized bravery (57%), helping others (44%), and kindness (28%) over traditional traits like strength (41%) and speed (18%).
Despite the shift toward real-life heroism, Disney characters continue to influence how families perceive heroic qualities. Eight in 10 parents (81%) believe that Disney characters help teach what it means to be a hero.
Moana was named the most heroic Disney character by children (22%), who praised her bravery and determination.
Disney On Ice presents Find Your Hero will tour the UK from Oct. 29, 2025, to Jan. 4, 2026, with performances in Birmingham, Nottingham, Newcastle, Aberdeen, Belfast, Manchester, Sheffield, and London. Tickets are on sale now.
