Welcome to the magical world of Fantasyland in Magic Kingdom, where dreams come true and fairytales come to life. One of the most popular attractions in this land is the Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid. This ride takes you on an enchanted journey through the world of Ariel, the Little Mermaid, and her underwater kingdom. In this article, we will take a comprehensive look at the Little Mermaid ride at Disney World, its history, what to expect, and tips for making the most out of your visit.
The History of the Little Mermaid Attraction
The Little Mermaid is a classic fairytale that has been beloved by generations. Disney first brought Ariel to the big screen in 1989, and since then, she has become one of the most recognizable Disney characters. The Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid attraction made its debut in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland in 2012. The ride was created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the original Disney film and has been a staple of the park ever since.
More on Disney World Rides:
- All the Countries in It’s a Small World
- Disney World Dark Rides
- Water Rides at Disney World
- Minnie and Mickey’s Runaway Railway
What to Expect on the Journey of the Little Mermaid
The journey begins as you make your way through the winding queue, surrounded by underwater scenes and colorful sea creatures. As you approach the loading area, you will board a clamshell that takes you on a musical journey through the world of Ariel and her friends.
During the ride, you will see some of the most memorable scenes from the movie, including the iconic “Under the Sea” number, as well as some new, exclusive scenes created just for the attraction.
One of the highlights of the ride is the use of Audio-Animatronics, which bring the characters to life in a way that is both lifelike and enchanting. You will also be treated to a stunning display of special effects, including shimmering lights, mist effects, and projections that transport you to the underwater kingdom.
The Queue Adventure
Visitors have the opportunity to admire breathtaking waterfalls and seashells while engaging in a fun and interactive game with the crabs! When the crabs appear on the screens, they will pause, displaying any treasures they may have found. Be sure to take note of anything valuable they may be holding. Once you enter the grotto, you will be greeted by Scuttle, who will entertain you with his captivating tales and humorous jokes.
The Little Mermaid Ride Experience
“Under the Sea” is a unique and immersive ride experience that utilizes an omnimover system. Before boarding the ride vehicles, guests will step onto a moving sidewalk similar to the one in attractions like “Peter Pan’s Flight” or “Haunted Mansion.” Passengers will be seated in clamshells, each accommodating two to three guests.
The clamshells will take you on a journey beneath the sea, slowly rotating to reveal various stunning scenes. At one point, the clamshell will tip backwards slightly, allowing you to go under the water.
You will be mesmerized by Ariel’s performance of “Part of Your World” in her treasure trove, an array of fish dancing to “Under the Sea,” an up-close encounter with the villainous Ursula as she sings “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” a serene boat ride with Eric and Ariel under the moonlight accompanied by Sebastian’s performance of “Kiss the Girl,” and finally, the happy couple, Eric and Ariel, bidding farewell to King Triton on their wedding day.
Ride Accessibility For The Little Mermaid Ride at Disney World
This gentle and leisurely ride, which lasts approximately seven minutes, does not have any height restrictions.
Guests with special needs must transfer to a standard wheelchair in order to board the ride. If you require the moving sidewalk to slow down or stop in order to board, simply inform a Cast Member.
For visually impaired guests, an audio description is available, and guests with hearing loss can use handheld captioning devices.
The clamshells can accommodate up to three guests, depending on size and configuration (for example, two adults and a small child).
Wait Times For The Little Mermaid Ride at Disney World
Wait times for the ride are usually quite reasonable depending on how busy Magic Kingdom is. With a continuous loading system even when it is busy the line moves pretty quickly compared to most Disney World ride.
I have rarely used a FastPass/Lightning Lane for this ride over the years as I have never really struggled to get on to the ride.
Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid Facts
- The “Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid” attraction features 183 characters, with over 70% appearing in the iconic “Under the Sea” scene.
- The Audio-Animatronics figure of Ursula the sea witch is 7 and a half feet tall and 12 feet wide.
- The grand mural in the loading area is so large that if turned on its side, it would reach a depth of more than 14 fathoms.
- Over 20,000 live and artificial plants decorate the interior and exterior of the attraction, enhancing its beauty and charm.
- For those who have visited Disney California Adventure, you will quickly recognize that Walt Disney World’s adaptation of “The Little Mermaid — Ariel’s Undersea Adventure”.
Experience a Magical Encounter with the Little Mermaid
After you embark on the thrilling ride, you will be delighted to find Ariel’s Grotto, the perfect spot for a meet and greet, conveniently located just to the left of the exit. Prepare to be enchanted as you have the opportunity to meet the beloved character in person. However, it’s best to be aware that due to its popularity, there may be a queue as everyone who has just experienced the ride will be eager to meet Ariel.
Discover all the locations to see Ariel at Disney World here.
Meet Ariel at the Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast
The Little Mermaid Ride at Disney World
I have always enjoyed Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid. The Little Mermaid ride at Disney World is a great dark ride telling the story of the animated movie really well. With it usually being an easy ride to get on it is a must see attraction for your time at Magic Kingdom during your next Disney World vacation. A wonderful ride for all ages.
More Disney World Attractions
Discover the Best Rides and Shows at Magic Kingdom
Ranking the Disney World Roller Coasters
Heights for Rides at Walt Disney World
Princess Castles at Walt Disney World
About the Author
