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Disney World Solves ‘Two Mermaids, One Park’ Problem

animated ariel and live-action ariel both hugging fans

One of the biggest questions that have occupied Disney Fanatics’ minds since the premiere of the new live-action Little Mermaid movie — besides, of course, whether or not this new “Scuttlebutt” rap is as bad as everyone says that it is — has been how the Disney Parks are planning to operate with two very different versions of Ariel the little mermaid swanning through Character Meet and Greets.

Disney is known for being fastidious when it comes to characters’ accuracy and avoiding any duplicate characters in the Disney Parks, but since there is now both an animated Ariel from the 1989 Little Mermaid movie and a Halle Bailey version of Ariel from the new Disney film, there was quite a quandary being presented!

a disney character performer playing ariel the little mermaid while meeting a guest

Credit: Disney Parks Blog

With a Tail, or Without a Tail?

Some Disney fans have been worried about whether or not they will get to meet the “new Ariel” with a mermaid tail, while other concerned Disney parents have worried about how they will explain two different mermaids to their children.

However, Disney has just assuaged those concerns by revealing its Ariel Meet and Greet schedules — and revealing that both Ariels will be available!

Halle Bailey as Ariel

Credit: Kucuk_Deniz_Kizi_18, Flickr

Halle’s Ariel Arrives

Disney is labeling the Halle Bailey version of the Disney princess as Ariel “from the live-action story,” and Disney World Guests can meet the live-action Ariel in Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney Presents.

So far, this is the only live-action Ariel destination, but Little Mermaid fans will be happy to hear that the Disney Park finally has something mermaid-themed, since Voyages of the Little Mermaid has closed!

Ariel

A Cast Member and Disney performer playing Ariel. Credit: Disney Photo Snapper

Jodi’s Ariel Remains

As for the Ariel “from the animated story” who was voiced by Jodi Benson, this Ariel can be seen sporting her fire-engine red hair in the Magic Kingdom, especially in the location that was aptly-named Ariel’s Grotto.

The animated Ariel has frequently participated in Cinderella’s Royal Table and the Festival of Fantasy Parade as well, so the Magic Kingdom is a sensible choice!

princess ariel sara james

The animated Princess Ariel in The Little Mermaid / Credit: Disney

Only one challenge remains for Walt Disney World Resort when it comes to Ariel appearances in the Disney Parks now — and that is Fantasmic!

However, Ariel’s role in Fantasmic! is a hazardous and expensive one for Disney, since Ariel’s role in that Disney World show makes her vulnerable to hazards like this recent fire, so removing Ariel from that show would most likely be a win-win for Disney.

Are you pleased to learn that both versions of Ariel will still be on hand for Meeting and Greeting in Disney World? Is this how you expected Disney to approach the situation?

About Sharon

Sharon is a writer and animal lover from New England. Sharon's two main focuses in her work are Disney's correlations with pop culture and the significance of Disney princesses (which was the basis for her college thesis). When she's not writing about Disney, Sharon spends her time singing, dancing, and cavorting with woodland creatures!

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