Facts at a Glance About The Little Mermaid—A Musical Adventure
| Park: Hollywood Studios. Location: Animation Courtyard. Height Requirement: None. Lightning Lane Multi Pass: Yes. Lightning Lane Single Pass: No. |
| Quick Notes: Live Broadway-style musical show featuring live actors, puppetry, special effects, projection effects, film, music and scenes from Disney’s The Little Mermaid. |
| Disney Warnings: None |
| Our Additional Cautions: Includes darkness, loud music, loud sound effects, flashing and moving lighting effects, projections, theatrical fog, simulated storm effects, Ursula the sea witch, and some scenes that may be scary for very sensitive guests. The pre-show area can feel crowded, and the lack of windows and relatively low ceiling can make it feel tight. Some bubbles are released from above. |
| Length: The show is approximately 20 minutes. |
| Special Needs & Other Info: You can remain in your wheelchair or ECV during this show. Reflective Captioning, Assistive Listening, Audio Description. |
Overview of The Little Mermaid—A Musical Adventure
The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure is a completely reimagined stage show inspired by Disney’s animated classic, The Little Mermaid. Guests follow Ariel’s journey as she dreams of becoming part of the human world and falls in love with Prince Eric.
The production combines live performers, large-scale puppetry, digital projections, theatrical effects and many of the beloved songs from the movie. Musical numbers include favorites such as “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” and “Kiss the Girl.”
This attraction should be suitable for all ages and is one of the best family-friendly shows in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We consider it a major attraction well worth seeing.
Queue and seating information for The Little Mermaid—A Musical Adventure
The outdoor queue is covered for much of its length. Guests then enter an indoor waiting area before being admitted into the theater. Depending on crowd levels, the waiting area can feel crowded, especially shortly before a performance begins. It’s air-conditioned and dimly lit. There is no seating, and it’s dimly lit.
The theater features padded theater-style seating. Most guests should find the seats comfortable, though some people of size may find them somewhat tight.
Wheelchair/ECV information: Guests using wheelchairs and ECVs can remain in their mobility device throughout the performance. Accessible seating is available in the rear sections of the theater with companion seating nearby. Cast Members will direct guests to the appropriate entrance and seating areas. Guests with wheelchairs and ECVs are directed to stay to the left in the waiting room. Stay to the left also when the door to the theater opens to get to the wheelchair/ECV seating in the rear. The back row has cut-outs for wheelchairs along with at least one companion seat for each wheelchair/ECV space.
Details about the show
The theater is dark for portions of the performance. Unlike the former Voyage of The Little Mermaid show, this production relies heavily on modern projection technology, large digital backdrops, theatrical lighting and special effects to bring Ariel’s story to life.
Guests will encounter scenes featuring King Triton, Sebastian, Flounder, Prince Eric and Ursula. The Ursula scenes are dramatic and include dark lighting, loud music and special effects that may be frightening for those who are very sensitive.
Several scenes feature moving lights, projections, theatrical fog and simulated storm effects. The music can become quite loud during some musical numbers. Those who are sensitive to loud noises, flashing lights or highly stimulating environments should be aware of these effects.
The show moves quickly from scene to scene and focuses on the major moments from Ariel’s adventure. Fans of the movie will recognize many familiar songs and story elements throughout the performance.
Our Additional Cautions
Although The Little Mermaid—A Musical Adventure is generally considered a family-friendly attraction, guests with sensory sensitivities should be aware that the show contains a variety of special effects and environmental factors that may be uncomfortable for some individuals.
The theater is dark throughout much of the performance. Several scenes utilize bright projection effects, rapidly changing lighting, theatrical fog, and dramatic visual transitions. While we would not classify the attraction as having extreme strobe effects, some lighting sequences may be problematic for guests who are sensitive to flashing lights or visual overstimulation.
The sound level varies significantly throughout the show. Musical numbers are often performed at high volume, and some scenes contain sudden sound effects, crashing waves, thunder, magical effects, and dramatic musical crescendos. Guests with hearing sensitivities, sensory processing disorders, or other challenges such as autism spectrum disorders, PTSD, or anxiety may wish to bring hearing protection.
Some bubbles are released from above to simulate water bubbles.
Fog/Haze Effects: The show utilizes theatrical fog and haze during select scenes, particularly during Ursula’s appearances and certain magical sequences. These effects appear to remain primarily on or near the stage and do not seem intended to reach or surround the audience. However, guests seated closer to the front of the theater may notice some haze drifting into the seating area, as is common with this type of indoor theater effect.
Guests who are uncomfortable with villains should be aware that Ursula appears during several scenes. Her scenes feature dark lighting, loud music, special effects, dramatic dialogue, and an overall more intense atmosphere than the remainder of the show. While most children and sensitive guests enjoy these scenes, highly sensitive guests may find them unsettling.
The theater can become crowded while guests enter and exit before and after performances. Individuals who experience anxiety in crowded environments should be aware that there may be periods of close proximity to other guests.
Unlike many attractions in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this is a seated theater presentation. Once seated, guests are generally able to remain stationary for the duration of the performance, which may be beneficial for individuals who need a break from walking or from more physically demanding attractions. I
Check out The Little Mermaid—A Musical Adventure on video:
Here’s another video that includes a view of the theater with seats before the lights go down:
Check out other rides & attractions in Hollywood Studios
Animation Courtyard
Commissary Lane
Echo Lake
Grand Avenue
| Hollywood Boulevard
Pixar Place
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Sunset Boulevard
Toy Story Land |
SEE RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS IN THE OTHER PARKS:
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