Ariel from the Little Mermaid is a favorite princess to meet. It is so fun to see her in her mermaid form, and also in her human form, just like the movies! If you are planning a trip to the Disney parks, you may be wondering where to meet Ariel at Disney World?
The Little Mermaid is a popular Disney movie and one many children look for when they are on a trip to Disney World. Disney’s The Little Mermaid movie is a favorite for many kids, adults and myself. When planning a trip to Disney, many guests want to make sure they have a chance to see Princess Ariel.
Let’s dive in to all the places that you can see this popular underwater princess! Here is everything you need to know if you want to see The Little Mermaid, Ariel, and her friends at Disney World.
Where to Meet Ariel at Disney World?
If you are looking for the best Disney Park to meet Ariel, the Mermaid, head to Disney’s Magic Kingdom. Magic Kingdom is where you will have the most opportunities to see Princess Ariel.
The Magic Kingdom
At Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park, there are many great ways to see Princess Ariel and her friends.
- Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid is the Ariel ride at Disney World for Little Mermaid fans.
- Ariel’s Grotto – Ariel Meet & Greet where you can interact with Ariel.
- Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade – You can see her in her mermaid form on the float each day.
- Holidays – You’ll see Princess Ariel and Prince Eric in the Once Upon a Christmastime Parade. This parade takes place during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. You can also meet Princess Ariel & Prince Eric during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
- Cinderella’s Royal Table – You can meet Ariel in her human form at this dining experience with Cinderella and other princesses. You should note that Disney will not guarantee which princess will be there during your dining experience.
There are many other great places throughout Walt Disney World where you can see her. Here is a list of where at Walt Disney World you have the chance to see Princess Ariel and her friends from The Little Mermaid.
Hollywood Studios
- Fantasmic Nighttime Show – Ariel is on the boat in her mermaid form at the end of Fantasmic.
- Voyage of the Little Mermaid – This show is currently closed for a brand new show that is set to open the end of 2024.
- Meet Ariel at Walt Disney Presents – This is the only place at the Walt Disney World Resort that you can meet the live action Ariel from the new film.
Epcot
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall – This Princess Story Book Dining is a character dining experience located at the Norway Pavilion at EPCOT. This character dining allows guests to dine with several Disney Princesses, including Ariel. The princesses do change, so it is not guaranteed that you will see Ariel during your reservation.
Is Ariel’s Grotto Still at Disney World?
Opened in 2005, Ariel’s Grotto is an immersive meet-and-greet area where guests can come and meet Ariel in her mermaid form. Since its opening, it has opened and closed many times.
Ariel’s Grotto closed in 2010 for the expansion of New Fantasyland behind Cinderella’s Castle.
It reopened along with the New Fantasyland, but in 2020 closed again due to the pandemic. I’m so excited to announce that Ariel’s Grotto reopened in 2023 where she meets with guests daily.
Is There a Live-Action Ariel Meet and Greet?
After the release of the live-action movie there is a brand new Ariel meet and greet with the live action Ariel. She looks so similar to Halle Bailey who plays her in the movie.
In this character meet that you will get to see her as Ariel in her human form just like in the new movie. You can meet her at the Walt Disney Presents Theater located in Animation Courtyard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
What Questions Should I ask Ariel?
- What’s your favorite adventure with Flounder and Sebastian?
- What’s the funniest thing Scuttle has ever told you?
- Does Prince Eric still eat Seafood?
- What is your favorite human treasure that you have found?
- Do you miss your human legs? (mermaid form) Do you miss your mermaid tail? (human form)
- How many thingamabobs do you have?
- Where is Melody?
- Does you still use a dinglehopper to comb your hair?
- How are Eric, Sebastian, Flounder or King Triton?
Other Places to Meet Ariel
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort
Characters can appear on Disney Property Resorts from time to time. We ran into Ariel at Port Orleans Riverside during our stay. The resort characters are spontaneous so you never know when or who you will run into at the Disney Resorts!
Art of Animation Resort
If The Little Mermaid is your favorite Disney movie and make sure to book your stay at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. This Disney Resort has a whole section dedicated to The Little Mermaid movie.
It’s complete with themed The Little Mermaid rooms that have been recently renovated. There is also a pool with Ariel, Flounder, and her friends.
The Electric Water Pageant
Disney’s longest-running original parade. The Electric Water Pageant, has an electric light float where you can see King Triton and hear the music from The Little Mermaid movie. This parade is on Bay Lake at night.
Sebastian’s Bistro – Caribbean Beach Resort
This Little Mermaid themed restaurant features a number of friends to Ariel. You will be disappointed as she is no where to be found in this all-you-care to enjoy Latin and Caribbean inspired bistro, but there are some cute nods to the movie.
At roughly $38 per adult, this is one of the best deals for dining on property. They addressed my sulfite-allergy with care, and the food is absolutely delicious. I would highly recommend coming to Sebastian’s Bistro in spite of no Princess Ariel character dining.
Can You Meet Ariel at After-Hours Parties?
Disney has many after-hours parties and events guests can visit to enjoy extra magic on their Disney vacation.
During Mickey’s No So Scary Halloween Party, my husband and I dressed up in Little Mermaid getups. We stumbled across a short line forming, where a friendly cast member informed of who was coming. My husband dressed as a handsome Prince Eric, and I dawned on the Ariel costume. The meeting location was across from Ariel’s Grotto.
Interacting with both Ariel and Prince Eric was a much better experience than the previous meeting we had at Ariel’s Grotto. My husband’s interaction included an invitation to join them sailing around the harbor of Prince Eric’s Castle. Ariel seemed interested in my dress design tastes, and if I’d like to borrow some of her clothes under the sea.
The character’s meet and greet only lasted about 30 minutes before Ariel and Eric headed off to return bout 45 minutes later. So waiting around for the Ariel meet and greet ate into a good amount of the party.
Is the Bon Voyage Breakfast back yet?
Disney has not announced a return date for the Bon Voyage Breakfast that also closed during the pandemic.
Trattoria al Forno hosts breakfast at the Boardwalk Resort. The Bony Voyage breakfast was a unique character dining experience that had two famous Disney couples: Ariel and Prince Eric and Rapunzel and Flynn Rider.
Related Questions
Can you meet Jodi Benson at Magic Kingdom?
Jodi Benson is the voice of the original Ariel. She does come to Disney World often. You will find her in EPCOT for different events, such as the Candlelight Processional. She has also been there from time to time signing autographs and books during different festivals.
Which Park at Disney World Has Ariel?
Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s EPCOT all have chances to meet Ariel at Disney World.
Read Also: Guide to Meeting Princess Jasmine at Disney World
