Ariel Meet & Greet Returning to Original Location in Hollywood Studios

Ariel Returns to Her Original Grotto at Hollywood Studios

The Ariel meet and greet is officially returning to its longtime home at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Guests will soon be able to visit the live-action mermaid back at her original location in the Animation Courtyard, moving from her temporary residence to the beautifully themed grotto space fans know and love.

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After a brief stint at Echo Lake near the 50’s Prime Time Café—a temporary move that began on October 28 to accommodate holiday character experiences—Ariel is officially heading back home. According to the Walt Disney World website, the Ariel meet and greet will return to its permanent location at Walt Disney Presents starting January 12.

Fans can drop by to visit her under the sea during the newly listed operating hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

Returning to her permanent home is a major upgrade, as the original Ariel meet and greet space is intricately designed to resemble the terrace of Prince Eric’s seaside castle. This stands in stark contrast to the temporary Echo Lake location, which featured minimal theming—consisting mostly of a few tall potted plants and a small wooden treasure chest.

The live-action version of Ariel has been a staple at Disney’s Hollywood Studios since May 26, 2023, debuting the same day the Oscar-nominated adaptation, directed by Rob Marshall, premiered in theaters.

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