What Could Replace This Iconic Disney World Attraction?

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is losing yet another one of its staple attractions that has been a part of the landscape since its opening. Over the past decade or so, die-hard fans of the once-called Disney-MGM Studios Theme Park have watched several of the old favorites disappear, including the Studio Backlot Tour, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, the Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights, and The Great Movie Ride. Now, we learned that next up on the proverbial chopping block is the beloved stage show, “Voyage of the Little Mermaid.”

Read More: Classic Walt Disney World Attraction Confirmed to Be Closed Forever

Using a combination of live actors and puppets, the attraction was a staged retelling of Disney’s 1989 animated classic, The Little Mermaid, pairing the Beauty and the Beast stage show on Sunset Boulevard. It was a beautifully designed theater with a cool ambiance and enough colorful puppets to keep any child’s attention while parents got to cool off from the Florida heat. But a mold discovery sealed the fate of an admittedly aging attraction. And ever since Princess Ariel and Prince Eric got their ride and entire corner of Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland, the show wasn’t really needed anymore. So, as the curtain goes down for the last time, we have to ask, what will be put in its place?

Well, here are some ideas:

1. An Encanto Stage Show

Related: ‘Encanto’ Returning to The Happiest Place on Earth!

The showroom for “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” is already fitted for stage musicals, so it makes sense for Walt Disney Imagineers to simply refurbish and re-theme the theater for a new show! Since its meteoric success on Disney+, there has been a push from fans and some higher-ups at Disney to give the Madrigal Family a permanent place in the Parks. Although I admittedly am not a fan of this franchise, I admit that Disney’s Encanto offers a vibrantly colored experience with extremely catchy music that will keep any child or fan of this movie entertained. But also, just imagine how immersive the scene could be. A menagerie of animal puppets for the scene is Antonio’s room, Isabela showering everybody with all sorts of flowers, and Pepa always threatening to start a storm and drop a deluge on everybody. It could be pretty fun!

2. A Coco Stage Show

Related: Report: Pixar Gets First Broadway Show!

Keeping with the stage show idea, I can also see Disney/Pixar’s Coco being added to the mix. Disney Fanatic recently reported that Pixar Animation Studios’ first musical feature would be adapted to a Broadway show, and what better way to test the audience and potential than by running a shortened version first at Disney World? The Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure Park at the Disneyland Resort supposedly served as the testing grounds for Aladdin and Frozen before they made the push to broadway, so why can’t something like that happen at Disney World? Again, this franchise will offer loads of immersive entertainment for kids and adults of all ages. And, since Disney’s Hollywood Studios is becoming Disney World’s “Pixar Park,” it makes sense that out of all of the other places Imagineers can put a Coco attraction–outside of the Mexico Pavilion at EPCOT–, it would be in this space at this Park.

3. An Indoor Character Meeting Spot

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Another possibility could be that Walt Disney Imagineers decided to completely gut the building and do a quick fit to host an indoor Character spot. While it is good for a number of reasons to have character meet and greets spread out across the Park, having an all-in-one spot for characters like Olaf, Queen Elsa, Princess Anna, and everybody’s Pixar Pals would be a welcomed sight. Plus, “Voyage of the Little Mermaid” sits in the corner of the Park known as “Animation Courtyard,” which is already Character Experience heavy with the Star Wars Launch Bay, the Disney Junior Dance Party, and the Meet and Greet hub for Disney Jr. Characters like Doc McStuffings, Fancy Nancy and Vampirina.

Please note that this is pure initial speculation. There have been no plans officially announced by anyone at Disney concerning the attraction space. It is most likely going to sit closed and vacant for several months at least while the appropriate measures are taken to remove the mold and salvage the building. But we are always trying to look ahead at what Disney fans can expect on their next visit, and my gut is telling me that something like these three ideas will be what Imagineers bring to life in the near future.

Until we get official word on the replacement for “Voyage of the Little Mermaid,” we at Disney Fanatic will continue to update our readers on Disney Parks news and stories as more developments come to light.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this piece are the writer’s and may not reflect the sentiments of Disney Fanatic as a whole.