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Credit: Ed Aguila, Inside the MagicWalt Disney World Resort has announced a delayed opening of “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The reimagined Animation Courtyard show was previously slated to open this fall. The previous iteration, “Voyage of the Little Mermaid,” was shuttered due to COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions and has not returned to operation since.
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While the official reasons behind this extended closure have not been explicitly disclosed, Walt Disney Imagineering previously announced significant renovations and updates across Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
New Show: “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure”
Following the closure of “Voyage of the Little Mermaid,” Disney is developing an exciting new show titled “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure.” This reimagined production pays homage to the original animated classic and introduces innovative elements that will captivate audiences of all ages.
The updated Disney Princess show aims to transform the Animation Courtyard theater into a vibrant space that reflects Ariel’s enchanting underwater world. With the anticipated introduction of cutting-edge technology, “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” is designed to evoke the emotions and experiences woven through Ariel’s story.
It promises to feature vibrant set pieces that bring the underwater realm to life and advanced effects that ensure an immersive experience. The production is slated to include a range of musical numbers that fans of the original film will recognize, such as “Part of Your World” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls.”
Initially set to debut in the fall of 2024, recent updates have pushed back the premiere date to the summer of 2025. Disney Parks Blog shared this update:
“As we continue to look forward to ‘The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure,’ at Disney’s Hollywood Studios we are taking the next steps and filing permits for an all-new marquee. Work on the exterior of the building will begin soon, in preparation for the premiere of this fully reimagined show in summer 2025. We look forward to sharing more details on this exciting new experience soon.”
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Reporter Scott Gustin shared concept art and behind-the-scenes photos on X (formerly Twitter). According to Gustin, Walt Disney Imagineers will soon begin removing the “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” marquee.
NEW: Disney says the debut of “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” theatrical production at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been moved from fall 2024 to summer 2025.
Work is expected to begin in the next few weeks to remove the old show marquee.
NEW: Disney says the debut of "The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” theatrical production at Disney's Hollywood Studios has been moved from fall 2024 to summer 2025.
Work is expected to begin in the next few weeks to remove the old show marquee. pic.twitter.com/DG4KadifeN
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) October 14, 2024
Shifts in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Attractions
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has long been home to an array of entertaining shows, with “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” holding a cherished place in guests’ hearts. Since its closure, many questions surrounding the fate of similar attractions have arisen.
As part of the planned reformulation, “The Little Mermaid—A Musical Adventure” is set to replace the previous show and incorporate fresh perspectives on the beloved narrative.
The connection to future attractions is at the heart of the transformation occurring at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, especially with the anticipated debut of a Monsters, Inc. (2001) themed land and coaster. As these new additions are developed, some existing attractions are expected to disappear to make way for newer experiences.
When Chairman of Disney Experiences Josh D’Amaro announced the highly-anticipated “door coaster” at D23 Expo 2024, he shared concept images suggesting two potential locations for the Pixar-themed land.
One image suggested it would replace the Muppets Courtyard and Muppet*Vision 3D, near Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Another placed it in the current Animation Courtyard, a short walk from Toy Story Land and Sunset Blvd.
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The ongoing development of “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure” suggests that Walt Disney Imagineering won’t remove the entirety of Animation Courtyard to make way for Monsters, Inc. However, Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t announced an official location for the new land and ride.
What changes should Walt Disney Imagineers implement for “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure?” Share your opinion with Inside the Magic in the comments.