The Little Mermaid – Ariel's Undersea Adventure has practically vanished behind construction materials at Disney California Adventure Park, as an extensive exterior refurbishment continues to expand across the attraction's building.
Construction Spreads Across the Building
Scaffolding wrapped in dark scrim fabric first appeared on the exterior of the Little Mermaid (1989)-inspired ride in early August. Over the following weeks, additional construction equipment moved in, including plywood barriers that blocked guest access to much of the surrounding area, with locked wooden doors reserved for cast member entry into the work zone.
As the project progressed, Disneyland Resort gradually replaced most of the initial black scrim with themed fabric that matched the attraction's existing exterior. At this point, nearly the entire building sits hidden behind construction materials.
What Guests Are Seeing Now
Over the past week, multiple Disney Park guests have reported that the show building housing The Little Mermaid – Ariel's Undersea Adventure is now almost completely concealed. Photos shared by X (formerly known as Twitter) user @laughingplace show only a small portion of the roof, featuring King Triton's Trident, still visible above the scrim:
The Little Mermaid is completely covered in scrims except for King Triton's Trident #Disneyland
The Little Mermaid is completely covered in scrims except for King Triton’s Trident #Disneyland pic.twitter.com/phlbxGt2Qd
— LaughingPlace.com (@laughingplace) September 22, 2026
WDWNT also documented the attraction's exterior on September 21, capturing a photo showing one remaining section of unthemed black scrim still covering part of the building above the outdoor queue.
Disneyland Resort will likely replace that section with matching themed fabric as construction continues.
The Ride Remains Open
Despite the extensive construction, The Little Mermaid – Ariel's Undersea Adventure has continued to operate throughout the project. Disneyland Resort hasn't publicly addressed the refurbishment, which appears to involve repainting and other general maintenance work. The attraction's official webpage currently lists no upcoming closures.
Has construction ever impacted your visit to Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park? Disney Fanatic would love to hear about your experience in the comments!
