Disney’s Hollywood Studios Is Doomed (But There Is One Tiny Ray of Hope)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is in the midst of a pretty controversial transformation, but the reimagining of The Little Mermaid show is currently our one tiny ray of hope.

Originally debuting in 1992, Voyage of the Little Mermaid brought Disney’s iconic 1989 animation to life with a live performance. However, after the show was closed during the COVID-19 pandemic—during which time, rumors claim it developed some pretty serious mold issues—it was never reopened, and fans began speculating about its future.

Credit: Disney

Now, there’s a new production on the horizon. The announcement of The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure was initially slated for a 2024 fall debut but was later pushed to summer 2025, with Disney now issuing a casting call for the key characters: Ariel and Prince Eric.

This fresh take on the beloved classic promises to feature not only the iconic songs like “Part of Your World” and “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” but also new, innovative puppetry and cutting-edge digital imagery, including motion capture technology to bring characters like King Triton and Ursula to life. The new show will be performed daily in the Animation Courtyard, marking a significant shift for the park.

How Else is Disney’s Hollywood Studios Changing?

This reimagined show is part of a broader shift within Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Over the years, the park has moved away from its original focus on Hollywood filmmaking and movie-making history and towards immersive experiences centered around popular franchises like Star Wars and Toy Story. While this shift has delighted fans of those specific franchises, it has also led to the decline of classic attractions that celebrated the art of filmmaking, such as Muppet*Vision 3D.

Credit: Disney

To say that the closure of this iconic attraction, a favorite among park-goers and a final creation from Jim Henson, has stirred disappointment is an understatement. Fans are especially vocal about this loss, even as Disney plans to relocate the Muppets – but not in a way that preserves their original home.

The timing of these changes is significant. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is grappling with capacity issues, and the closure of beloved attractions like Muppet*Vision 3D to make way for a new Monsters, Inc. (2001)-themed land leaves many wondering if the park is sacrificing its old-school charm for more generic, IP-driven attractions.

Credit: Disney

But with all that being said, we’re optimistic about The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure. Large-scale productions, à la Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, were once the park’s pillars. Retaining some semblance of that is proof that, even if it’s buried in soulless new concrete buildings, some spark of the OG Disney’s Hollywood Studios vision survives.

How do you feel about The Little Mermaid: A Musical Adventure?