Something unexpected just happened in Disney’s Hollywood Studios—and if you love The Little Mermaid, you’ll want to know about it.
A Long-Closed Store Is BACK
After being closed for over five years, the In Character Shop in Animation Courtyard has finally reopened to guests! The shop quietly began welcoming visitors again on Sunday, May 25, 2025, and while the signage may be missing, this is officially the same space listed in the My Disney Experience app.
Hours are currently listed from 9AM to 8PM daily, so if you’re heading to Hollywood Studios, you might want to add it to your park-day plan!
Why It Closed (and Stayed Closed)
If this spot isn’t ringing a bell, don’t worry—it hasn’t been open in a while.
Cast Members told us that the shop originally closed in 2019 due to heat issues. It never reopened, even after the park-wide pandemic closure in 2020. Around the same time, the neighboring “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” stage show also closed and didn’t return.
That’s made Animation Courtyard feel a bit… forgotten. But that’s changing now.
Let’s Talk Merch
We stopped in to take a look, and the shop is filled with plushes, apparel, accessories, and souvenirs—much of it themed to The Little Mermaid, the Disney Princess lineup, and classic Mickey & Friends characters.
You’ll also spot framed artwork of Ariel, Flounder, and Sebastian behind the register area—giving the space a fresh-but-familiar undersea vibe. It’s not a full remodel, but it definitely feels refreshed and ready for guests again.
Perfect Timing
Why reopen the shop now? Because something very exciting is happening next door.
On May 27, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will debut a brand-new stage production: “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure.” It’s taking over the former Voyage of the Little Mermaid theater, just steps away from the reopened store.
Also premiering the same day is “Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After” over at Sunset Showcase Theater—meaning the park is about to see a lot more foot traffic in this area.
Reopening the In Character Shop right before two major entertainment launches? That’s what we call good timing.
So Here’s the Deal:
The In Character Shop is BACK, it’s themed for The Little Mermaid, and it’s perfectly placed for a post-show shopping break. If you’ll be in Hollywood Studios this week, swing by Animation Courtyard and take a peek—you just might find a new favorite souvenir.
