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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2018 |
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The official website of Disney-MGM Studios gives you an idea of what to expect: “Journey into the magical world of dancing fish, calypso-ing crabs and curious merfolk in this thrilling theatrical experience. Join Ariel for an exciting voyage from the ocean floor up to where humans live. It’s an undersea party of live performers, colorful puppets, special effects, film clips and enchanting music with Flounder, King Triton, Sebastian and others.” In short, it’s a live show retelling the story from Walt Disney Pictures’ The Little Mermaid (1989). |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2016 Outdoor queue (at least it’s covered) |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2018 Lobby with a nautical theme |
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If you come in from the bright outdoors, you probably won’t be able to admire the artifacts in the indoor lobby. It’s too dark. But that doesn’t matter. You’re in here so that your eyes become accustomed to the low light level in the theater—your next stop. When the doors open, don’t rush in too quickly. You’ll have to go all the way to the end of your row of seats, leaving no empty seats to your left. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2018 Auditorium, like an undersea cave |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2015 Reusing footage from the 1989 film |
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The 17-minute show omits many details from the 82-minute film, but it presents the highlights creatively. It helps that The Little Mermaid film has brilliant songs by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman, and three of them are featured in this show. |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2016 “Under the Sea” with blacklight puppets controlled by puppeteers dressed in black |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2018 “Part of Your World,” sung by Ariel (seen here with her dinglehopper) |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2016 “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” sung by Ursula, the Sea Witch |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2013 A remarkable presence on the stage at 12-foot-tall and 10-foot-wide |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2016 Using parts of the 1989 film to advance the plot |
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A 75-second film montage advances the story from the point when Ursala gains Ariel’s voice to the death of Ursala. The montage works best if you’ve seen the film. |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2016 Eric at Ariel’s rock |
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The show has a strong ending. King Triton, on the screen, observes, “She really does love him, doesn’t she, Sebastian?” “Well, it’s like I always say, your majesty,” replies Sebastian, a puppet, “children got to be free to lead their own life.” “Then I guess there’s just one problem left,” says Triton. “And what’s that, your majesty?” asks Sebastian. “How much I’m going to miss her.” With that, Triton magically turns Ariel into a human, accompanied by laser effects on the screen and theatrical smoke at Ariel’s rock. |
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Photo by Chris Bales, 2015 Magically gaining legs |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2015 Eric approaching Ariel, having learned she can talk—and was the one all along |
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Photo by Chris Bales, 2015 Finally a couple |
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The show ends with laser fireworks on the ceiling above the stage and rousing music as Eric carries off the love of his life. It’s time to applaud for the talented singer-actress who plays Ariel, singing and speaking live at each show, while the other voices are pre-recorded. Also, it’s time to applaud for the “invisible” puppeteers in the black costumes who bring Ursala and the other puppets to life—and for the performer inside Max, the dog. Good show! |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2013 Exiting from the very dark theater into the very bright daylight |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2013 Of course, a gift shop at the exit |
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You still have some of your souvenir budget remaining, right? You must know someone who wants an Ariel doll. |
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Voyage of the Little Mermaid opened at Disney-MGM Studios on January 7, 1992. Although the park had only been open since May 1, 1989, it was the third show to use the same space. |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2006 Attraction marquee, as it looked in 2006 (compare to the first photo in this article) |
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When the park opened, the theater was The Walt Disney Theater, the final stop on the two-hour Backstage Studio Tour. After a clever opening sequence featuring Mickey Mouse, Chernobog (the winged demon from Fantasia), and Michael Eisner, guests saw a short “sneak preview” of a new Disney movie, coming soon to their local movie theater—such as the trailer for The Little Mermaid (1989). Then, the theater was home to Here Come The Muppets. The short-lived (June 15, 1990 - September 2, 1991) stage show featured walk-around performers in Muppet costumes. It was reasonable to think the next show in the renamed Animation Courtyard Theater would also have a short run. In an article for YourFirstVisit.net, Disney historian Jim Korkis wrote, “Voyage of The Little Mermaid was meant to be a temporary placeholder show, designed to last perhaps two years. It was only budgeted at approximately five and a half million dollars.” However, the show was an instant success. It appealed to all ages—at least to all ages of Disney fans. The animated movie had also been a big success, and the strengths of the movie carried over to the much shorter theme park show. With its music and fast pace, it was more repeatable than most theme park theater presentations. And let’s not forget that the show took place in a dark air-conditioned theater—a perfect escape on a hot, sunny Florida day. |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2009 Animation Courtyard Theater in 2009 |
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There were minor changes over the years. On the exterior, a new marquee replaced an awkward earlier marquee. Inside, Ariel’s seat changed from a shell to a rock. Costumes were updated. There were a few edits. But, overall, the show remained remarkably similar through its long run. When Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid was under construction in Fantasyland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, there were predictions online that Journey would replace Voyage. After all, the big-budget, immersive ride would present the same story using the same characters. The show was growing old. Even the attraction names were similar. The ride opened December 6, 2012—but the show stayed anyway. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the four theme parks of Walt Disney World did not open on March 16, 2020. Nobody knew it yet, but that meant the final performance of Voyage of the Little Mermaid was on March 15, 2020. Disney’s Hollywood Studios reopened July 15, 2020, with limits on attendance and controlled guest density. Voyage of the Little Mermaid remained “temporarily unavailable,” but so did many other elements of the park, including character greetings and paper menus. Two years later, the parks were essentially back to normal, but Voyage of the Little Mermaid was still missing. The attraction’s official webpage was gone. |
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Artist Concept Only / © 2023 Disney The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, set to open in Fall 2024 |
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On December 19, 2023, the Disney Parks Blog announced that a new show based on The Little Mermaid would be coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Instead of just bringing back the old show with a few adjustments, the blog promised a fresh new show, The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure: “Disney Live Entertainment has been dreaming up innovative ways to bring new life to the beloved story of Ariel’s journey to be part of the human world. When it opens, the show will feature stunning new set pieces, cutting-edge effects, and a bold new design that captures Ariel’s imagination and emotions through her unique view of the world around her.” The concept art showed Ariel and Eric in the “Kiss the Girl” sequence from the movie, a scene omitted by the old show. The original show ran for 28 years. Let’s see if the new show can top that. |
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© 2024 Werner Weiss — Disclaimers, Copyright, and Trademarks Updated January 12, 2024 |
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