Ariel’s Undersea Adventure: The Little Mermaid Ride Experience

Overview of The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure

The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure is a traditional dark ride at Disney California Adventure within the Disneyland Resort in California. The ride operates similarly to Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion, featuring vehicles that traverse through the enchanting underwater world of The Little Mermaid.

During the experience, guests board vibrant multi-colored clam shells accessed via a moving walkway in front of a beautifully themed mural. The total duration of the ride is approximately 5 and a half minutes. Although the scenery can feel somewhat rushed, the ride does pause at select points, allowing visitors to appreciate the surroundings based on the specific clam shell’s position.

Fans of The Little Mermaid movie will find themselves amongst recognizable characters. More than 200 animatronic figures perform to beloved songs from the film, as Scuttle the Seagull provides narration akin to the beloved movie.

While interactive rides like Toy Story Mania captivate me, it’s clear that The Little Mermaid ride will enchant young children and those who have cherished childhood memories of the film.

Entrance to The Little Mermaid Ride

The entrance is conveniently located on the right side of the building, framed by green columns, topped with an image of Ariel above the door.

Little Mermaid Mural

While queuing for The Little Mermaid ride at Disney California Adventure, guests can admire a hand-painted mural crafted in collaboration with the original animators of the film, depicting Ariel accompanied by Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle. The mural also showcases Prince Eric with his loyal dog Max, along with King Triton and other characters.

The Clam Shell Cars

Passengers experience the ride in pastel-colored clam shells, which do not stop. Guests board from a moving walkway, with each vehicle accommodating either two adults or a parent with two small children.

Scuttle Narrates the Story

Scuttle the Seagull, who provides insights on human behavior in The Little Mermaid film, narrates The Little Mermaid Ride at Disney California Adventure, enhancing the overall storytelling experience.

Ariel’s Grotto

Ariel makes her first appearance in the ride, showcasing her grotto from The Little Mermaid movie.

Under the Sea Scene

This captivating ride features 128 audio-animatronic characters, including 50 spinning starfish. The splendid scene unfolds with a medley of singing and dancing performers orchestrated by Sebastian the crab from his clam shell, accompanied by a school of fish.

Animatronic Ariel in Under the Sea

The second animatronic portrayal of Ariel is featured in the Under the Sea segment, where she gracefully dances to an orchestral arrangement by various fish and crustaceans, performing the Oscar-winning song from The Little Mermaid. Glen Keane, Ariel’s original animator, suggested treating her flowing hair as a character of its own, resulting in a “soft swirl” reminiscent of a delightful soft-serve ice cream cone.

Singing Clam Shells

The Singing Clam Shells are just one part of the 128 audio-animatronic figures present in the Under the Sea sequence of The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, located at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim.

Ursula the Sea Witch

Disney imagineers innovatively designed a special skin for Ursula the Sea Witch, enabling her to undulate rhythmically to the melody as she performs Poor, Unfortunate Souls from The Little Mermaid. Standing at an impressive 7.5 feet tall and 12 feet wide, Ursula is the largest of the ride’s 200 animatronic figures.

Missed Kiss Moment

Similar to the movie, the ride creates a poignant moment where Ariel and Prince Eric miss the significant kiss beneath the moonlight, which could transform Ariel into a permanent human. The couple is depicted in a boat, perpetually leaning in for a kiss that eludes them time and again.

A Royal Wedding Finale

The wedding scene in The Little Mermaid serves as the romantic conclusion to The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, CA. Sebastian the crab conducts an orchestra of marine creatures as King Triton oversees the enchanting wedding of his daughter Ariel to Prince Eric, framed by a dazzling fireworks display.