Credit: Disney For many Disney fans, meeting their favorite characters is a highlight of any trip. Whether it’s a hug from Mickey, a royal wave from Cinderella, or a bubbly greeting from Ariel, these interactions create some of the most magical memories families bring home. And now, fans of the beloved mermaid will need to head somewhere new to find her at Walt Disney World Resort.
Starting October 28, Ariel’s meet and greet will officially move from its current location inside Walt Disney Presents to a new space along Echo Lake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. While this change might feel small to some, for frequent parkgoers and character lovers, it’s actually a pretty meaningful shift.
A Familiar Face in a New Spot
For years, guests could meet Ariel inside Walt Disney Presents, an attraction tucked away near Animation Courtyard. It was a quieter, more hidden corner of the park — and that’s partly what made it such a special spot. Many visitors stumbled upon the meet and greet almost by accident, often finding short wait times and a more relaxed character interaction.
But as of October 28, that cozy location is going dark, at least for now. Ariel will instead greet guests across from 50’s Prime Time Café on Echo Lake. The new greeting spot will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., giving plenty of opportunities for fans to get their photos and autographs.
Disney hasn’t said how long this move will last, which adds an element of uncertainty. It could be a temporary shift for just a few weeks—or it could stick around for much longer.
Why the Relocation Matters
If you’ve ever navigated Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you know how much the layout of character meet and greets impacts crowd flow. Echo Lake is a highly trafficked area, home to big attractions like Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! and the Hollywood & Vine character dining location. By placing Ariel here, Disney is moving her from a tucked-away corner to a much more visible and accessible spot.
That means more guests will likely stumble across the meet and greet without having to plan ahead. For Ariel fans, that’s great news — but it could also mean longer lines. Her previous location often had minimal waits, but this new spot will bring a lot more foot traffic.
There’s also a bigger picture here. Disney’s Hollywood Studios has been undergoing a series of smaller but noticeable updates lately. Character experiences, in particular, have been shuffled around. This move seems to be part of that ongoing evolution.
Timing That’s Not Exactly Coincidental
The timing of this shift isn’t random. It lands just days before Disney Jollywood Nights kicks off for the 2025 holiday season. Echo Lake plays a major role in the park’s holiday festivities, featuring themed decorations, lights, and entertainment.
Some fans believe Ariel’s move could be tied to these preparations. Removing her meet and greet from Walt Disney Presents might free up space for other entertainment offerings or behind-the-scenes operational changes. Others have speculated it’s a way to create a more festive character experience in a prime holiday location.
Echo Lake is famously beautiful during the holidays, with its retro Christmas decor, glittering tree, and floating ornaments. Adding a beloved Disney Princess to that backdrop might give guests another memorable holiday photo opportunity.
A Nod to Ariel’s Staying Power
It’s also worth noting just how long Ariel has held onto her Hollywood Studios meet and greet. Characters often rotate in and out of the parks based on popularity, new film releases, or seasonal offerings. Yet Ariel — in both her classic animated look and her live-action-inspired version — has managed to stick around.
For some Disney fans, that’s surprising. Ariel’s original film came out in 1989, and while she’s remained a staple of the Disney Princess lineup, newer characters often take center stage. The fact that Ariel continues to have a daily presence at Hollywood Studios speaks volumes about how beloved she remains.
One fan on a popular Disney forum summed it up well: “Very happy to see this meet and greet has survived this long. Guess there are metrics worth keeping both versions of Ariel around.” That kind of loyalty from guests plays a big role in how Disney decides which characters stay in the parks.
Fans React to the News
As with any change at Disney World, fans have opinions. Some are excited to see Ariel in a brighter, more central location. Others are a little sad to lose the more peaceful atmosphere at Walt Disney Presents.
Several forum users guessed the move could be tied to Jollywood Nights preparations. Others joked that they wouldn’t be surprised if Ariel’s “temporary” move ends up lasting years. One commenter wrote, “I suspect it’ll end eventually. Until it doesn’t and we see it still there in 10 years and wonder why they never replaced her with a more recent character.”
It’s a fair point — Disney has a long history of calling something “temporary” and then quietly keeping it around for much longer than expected. For example, several entertainment offerings across the resort started as short-term test programs and became long-term staples.
What This Could Signal for the Park
Beyond the practical move itself, Ariel’s relocation might hint at bigger changes brewing at Hollywood Studios. The park has seen multiple shifts over the past few years, from updated entertainment offerings to ride refurbishments and character line-up changes. Moving Ariel could be part of a broader effort to reimagine how guests interact with characters in the park.
Character meet and greets are a powerful tool for Disney. They shape guest flow, add a personal touch to park visits, and often generate long lines that are easier to manage in strategic locations. Echo Lake’s central position makes it a smart place to draw crowds without overwhelming one of the park’s narrower walkways.
Meeting Ariel This Holiday Season
For guests planning trips in the coming weeks, the good news is that Ariel will still be available daily. If anything, her new location might offer an even better backdrop for holiday photos. Echo Lake will be decked out with its signature Christmas tree and shimmering water reflections, making for some pretty stunning shots.
If meeting Ariel is on your must-do list, it may be wise to visit earlier in the day to avoid peak crowds. With her new placement in a busier area, the lines could grow quickly, especially as the holiday season gets underway.
What Happens Next
Disney hasn’t given an end date for the relocation, which leaves fans wondering whether Ariel will eventually return to Walt Disney Presents or stay at Echo Lake indefinitely. Given how these things usually go, it’s entirely possible this “temporary” change could become the new normal.
Either way, this move is a reminder that nothing at Walt Disney World stays the same forever. Even something as seemingly simple as a meet and greet can shift overnight, often signaling larger operational plans behind the scenes.
A New Era for Ariel’s Meet and Greet
Ariel’s relocation might not be a massive headline-grabber like a new ride or land, but it matters to a lot of fans. Character experiences are often at the heart of why families come to Disney World. For many, meeting Ariel isn’t just a photo op — it’s a bucket-list moment.
And now, those moments will happen under the twinkling lights of Echo Lake. Whether this is just for the holidays or for years to come, it marks a new chapter in Ariel’s long run at Hollywood Studios.
Guests who’ve loved visiting her at Walt Disney Presents may feel a little nostalgic. But for newcomers who find her in this bustling, festive spot, it might become their favorite new memory.