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Photo by Chris Bales, 2000 Ariel’s Grotto entrance arch and Scuttle’s Landing |
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Pass below the large, colorful sign reading “Ariel’s Grotto, Home of the Little Mermaid.” You’ve now arrived at… a collection of tables and chairs! |
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Yes, this is a place where you can sit in the shade with a tray of food. Relax with a Frozen Coke and soft pretzel from Scuttle’s Landing. Or bring real meals from Pinocchio’s Village Haus to this overflow seating for the popular eatery. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2007 Seating in the shade |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2007 Plenty of tables |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2009 Or stand in the sun on a cold day |
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Enough about the seating area! You and your family came here to visit Ariel, the star of The Little Mermaid (1989), in her very own Grotto. Get your autograph book and PhotoPass card ready. But there’s more before you meet the princess with the tail of a fish. A bronze likeness of her watches over a play area for children. |
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Photo by Chris Bales, 2000 Bronze mermaid with sea stars on the base |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2006 Bronze mermaid with most sea stars missing and water turned off |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2006 Large play area with tall sea anemones |
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Photo by Chris Bales, 2000 Say “hi” to Sebastian |
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Kids might want to play around the bed of giant sea anemones if it’s a hot day. As they run around on foam-like pavement, arcs of water will fly over them—perhaps drenching them. Have a seat and stay dry. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2006 A bench for the parents to sit while their kids play |
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The real attraction here is meeting Ariel. You might have to wait. Ariel is a popular princess. Even though Ariel lives under the sea, you can stay dry when you visit her—unless the water squirting in the play area already got you wet. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2006 Wait time |
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Read the poem on the wait-time sign. Or make up a tune and sing it:
Listen to me, under the sea Ready? Let’s go. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2006 Shell path to Ariel |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2006 Inside the Grotto |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 2006 Ariel’s PhotoPass photographer |
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You’ve made it to Ariel. Her cave is decorated with colorful sea stars, seaweed, and assorted found objects—treasures from the human world, such as tarnished tankards and pan lids. You can sit next to Ariel or stand next to her. However, she can’t stand next to you. |
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Ariel’s Grotto opened in 1996 at the edge of a large, clear lagoon, which had been the home of the Magic Kingdom’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea from 1971 to 1994. Disney likes the name “Ariel’s Grotto.” It’s the name of the restaurant that replaced Avalon Cove at Disney California Adventure and it was one of the features of Triton’s Garden at Disneyland Park. |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 1998 From the Skyway |
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Photo by Allen Huffman, 1998 At the edge of the former 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea lagoon |
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A waterfall from the top of Ariel’s Grotto poured into the lagoon. It served as the backdrop for a bronze sculpture of Ariel’s father, King Triton, in the lagoon, with water squirting from his trident. |
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Photo by Chris Bales, 2000 King Triton, with his trident missing |
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The defunct 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction was removed completely in 2004. Although the lagoon was gone, Ariel’s Grotto remained in place—just without King Triton and the waterfall. At some point, the arcs of water in the play area were turned off. The original Ariel’s Grotto closed April 12, 2010, in preparation for construction of the New Fantasyland, also known as the Fantasyland Forest. |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2012 The new Ariel’s Grotto |
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The New Fantasyland brought a new Ariel’s Grotto in a new location. Despite an official opening date of December 6, 2012, various previews (or “dress rehearsals”) allowed guests to visit Ariel in her new digs beginning in October 2012. |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2012 Ariel in her new Grotto |
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From its external rock work to its interior design, the new Ariel’s Grotto has a level of detail, quality, and “texture” that far exceeds the original version. |
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Photo by Werner Weiss, 2012 Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid |
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Best of all, Ariel now also has a ride—Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid—adjacent to her Grotto. |
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© 2024 Werner Weiss — Disclaimers, Copyright, and Trademarks Updated March 22, 2024 |
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