The live-action version of Ariel will begin her character meet and greet at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort on May 26, the day of the new “The Little Mermaid” adaptation’s release.
We previously posted about Walt Disney World, Disneyland Resort, and Disneyland Paris hiring Halle Bailey look-alikes. At Disneyland Paris, Ariel will appear in a limited-time “celebration,” which may begin on May 26, too.
Ariel at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
An Ariel meet and greet will open at Walt Disney Presents in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where Sulley from “Monsters, Inc.” used to appear (he can now be found at Pixar Place). For a limited time, a sneak peek and props from the film will be available at the Walt Disney Presents Theater.
Ariel at Disneyland Park
Ariel will greet Disneyland guests on the promenade near “it’s a small world.”
Live Action “The Little Mermaid”
Oscar-nominated Rob Marshall, known for his work with “Chicago” and Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns,” directs “The Little Mermaid.” The remake stars Halle Bailey as mermaid princess Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian the crab, Awkwafina as diving bird Scuttle, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, Javier Bardem as King Triton, and Melissa McCarthy as Ursula. Noma Dumezweni will portray the new character Queen Selina, Eric’s mother.
The full trailer debuted during the Oscars, and a teaser trailer was released in April. Alan Menken, who wrote the score for the original 1989 “The Little Mermaid,” made some lyrical updates for the live-action remake, with help from Lin-Manuel Miranda.
“The Little Mermaid” will be released in theaters on May 26, 2023. Bailey and Jodi Benson, who voiced the animated Ariel, united at the film’s premiere.
This wasn’t the first time that Bailey and Benson had interacted. According to the LA Times, Benson makes an on-land cameo in the film and was on set for the filming of “The Little Mermaid.” Benson was a source of on-set support for Bailey. “She told me how proud she was of me and how I’m handling everything, and encouraged me to just go for it,” Bailey said regarding Benson. “I appreciate her for being so warm and welcoming to me because she’s the GOAT, and it was important to me to get her stamp of approval.”
Check out some of the live-action-inspired merchandise now available at Walt Disney World Resort:
- New Live Action ‘The Little Mermaid’ MagicBand+ at Walt Disney World
- Live Action ‘Little Mermaid’ Loungefly Mini Backpack Available at Walt Disney World
- PHOTOS: New Merchandise With Prices For ‘The Little Mermaid’ Live Action Remake in Walt Disney World
For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.