Credit: Disney For the second holiday season in a row, Ariel is packing up her seaside castle. Starting October 28, according to Disney, the live-action Ariel meet and greet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be temporarily unavailable at Walt Disney Presents, and she’ll greet guests outdoors at Echo Lake instead.
If that sounds familiar, it should: according to the report, the wording matches what Disney shared last October, right down to the date. We’ve kept every claim tied to its source and labeled what’s speculation. Here’s what Disney says, what it hasn’t said, how last year went, and what’s reported at Disneyland.
One note on sourcing: the Hollywood Studios details come from Disney’s statement and the report’s own visits, while the Disneyland details come from separate reporting that uses the word “reportedly.” We’ll keep those two categories apart so it’s clear which is which.
The Official Wording
Here’s how Disney describes the change, in a statement attributed to Walt Disney World: “Meet Ariel at Walt Disney Presents will be temporarily unavailable beginning October 28. Ariel will be greeting guests at Echo Lake, near 50’s Prime Time Cafe.”
What Disney Hasn’t Said
Disney hasn’t shared an end date this time. And like last year, it hasn’t said who will take over the space inside Walt Disney Presents.
The report reads the word “temporarily” as suggesting that the plan is still to bring Ariel back indoors once the change wraps up. That’s the report’s interpretation, and Disney hasn’t confirmed it.
Last Year’s Echo Lake Spot
The report visited Ariel’s Echo Lake spot on its first morning last year. She met guests near a closed Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular gift shop, between the stunt show and 50’s Prime Time Cafe. Large potted tropical plants framed the space, and Ariel wore the ruffled light blue dress from the film. According to the report, Disney’s description points to the same area this year.
Echo Lake Right Now
Echo Lake looks different at the moment. The report says crews drained the lake in August for a refurbishment. In its October 15 update, Gertie had been freshly painted and the scaffolding was gone from the Dockside Diner ship. The lake was still empty during that visit.
Disney hasn’t said when the water will return. The report says it should be soon, which is its own expectation and not an announcement.
Her Home at Walt Disney Presents
Ariel has called Walt Disney Presents home since the live-action meet and greet debuted on May 26, 2023, according to the report. The space sits at the end of the gallery and took over the former Sulley meet-and-greet area. Disney sets the scene on the terrace of Prince Eric’s castle, with a large video screen showing the sea at sunset behind Ariel.
What Happened Last Holiday Season
Last holiday season, Santa Claus took over the castle set, meeting guests in Walt Disney Presents from November 8 through December 24, 2025. Ariel stayed at Echo Lake through the end of the year and moved back to her castle terrace on January 12, 2026.
This Year’s Calendar
Disney hasn’t named a holiday character for the space this year. The report notes that the timing lines up with last season. Disney Jollywood Nights opens November 7 and, for the first time, continues into January, with the final night on January 5.
The report suggests that if Disney follows last year’s pattern, Ariel would return to Walt Disney Presents sometime early in the new year. That’s a projection, and nothing from Disney confirms it.
Meanwhile at Disneyland
Separate reporting says Disneyland Resort has ended regular meet-and-greet appearances for two characters: Elena of Avalor and the live-action Ariel from The Little Mermaid (2023). Both previously greeted guests at Disneyland Park.
Elena, from the animated series Elena of Avalor, had been meeting visitors outside Royal Hall in Fantasyland as part of Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month offerings. With that celebration over, her appearances have reportedly concluded.
The live-action Ariel meet and greet near “it’s a small world” debuted in May 2023. She wore the blue dress from the film’s “Kiss the Girl” sequence, and the themed spot included treasures, maps, King Triton’s trident, and Scuttle. More than three years later, those regular appearances have reportedly ended.
What’s Confirmed and What Isn’t at Disneyland
The report says this change involves the live-action Ariel and doesn’t mean the animated Ariel has been removed. Disneyland hasn’t given a detailed public explanation for either departure, and there’s no indication that either character has been permanently banned from returning.
The report says Disneyland hasn’t confirmed whether either character will return for special events, seasonal offerings, or future entertainment changes.
Finding Your Favorite Character
For visitors, the takeaway is to check before you count on a character. At Hollywood Studios, if Ariel is on your list, expect to find her at Echo Lake near 50’s Prime Time Cafe starting October 28, and check for updates on how long the arrangement lasts.
At Disneyland, the report suggests checking the app during your visit and speaking with Cast Members about character availability, while noting that the app doesn’t always list every encounter. The report notes that character meet-and-greets aren’t guaranteed, even when a character has been appearing for several years. If a particular character is the highlight of your trip, check ahead, and keep a flexible plan in case locations or schedules shift.
Tell Us About Your Ariel Plans
Are you hoping to meet Ariel this fall, at Echo Lake or anywhere else? Tell us in the comments where you’ve found her, and share any tips for tracking down characters on a busy day.
