Live‑Action Ariel Meet & Greet Returns to Original Location at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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Guests will once again be able to meet Ariel in person at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Starting January 12, 2025, her meet-and-greet will return to its original spot inside the Walt Disney Presents theater, after a brief time in a different location within the park.

Relocation History and Return Details

Starting October 28, 2025, Ariel’s meet-and-greet location changed from Walt Disney Presents to a new spot near 50’s Prime Time Café. This move freed up indoor space at Walt Disney Presents so Santa Claus could meet guests during the Christmas season. While guests could still meet Ariel, the new location wasn’t as elaborately themed as the original.

I’m so excited Ariel’s meet-and-greet is moving back into a real theater! The temporary spot at Echo Lake just didn’t feel magical enough. It was mostly outside with hardly any decorations – just a few plants and a treasure chest. But this new indoor space? It’s amazing! They’ve completely transformed it to look like Ariel’s seaside home, like you’re actually meeting her on the castle terrace. It’s so much more immersive and really feels like you’ve stepped into her world!

I was so excited to check the park’s calendar, and it says the main attraction will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.! Of course, things can change depending on the park’s overall plans for the day, but that’s the current schedule as I understand it.

Background on the Character Experience

Guests first had the chance to meet Ariel in person at Walt Disney World on May 26, 2023, just as the live-action version of The Little Mermaid came out. The meet-and-greet was designed to feel like Ariel’s underwater world and was initially located inside Walt Disney Presents, an exhibit hall showcasing Disney’s latest projects and entertainment.

Disney’s 2023 live-action remake of The Little Mermaid didn’t perform as well as expected at the box office, earning around $570 million worldwide. This is lower than the $1 billion+ earned by many other Disney remakes. After theaters take their share, Disney made approximately $285 million from ticket sales. The film’s production costs reached $379.8 million, much higher than initially predicted. Even without considering marketing expenses, the movie didn’t make enough money at the box office to cover its production costs, resulting in an estimated loss.

At Ariel’s Grotto in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland, guests can meet Ariel, the red-haired princess from the classic 1989 animated movie.

Summary

Starting January 12, 2025, guests will once again be able to meet Ariel in person at Walt Disney Presents in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The meet-and-greet had been temporarily located at Echo Lake. Be sure to check the official Disney website or app for the most up-to-date times and availability.

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2026-01-09 23:56