Ariel's Grotto

Ariel's Grotto is a meet-and-greet area at several Disney parks, as well as a former restaurant in Disney California Adventure based on Disney's 1989 animated film The Little Mermaid.[1]

Ariel's Grotto
Meet & Greet with Ariel as it appeared at Disneyland
Disneyland
AreaFantasyland
StatusRemoved
Opening date1996 (1996)
Closing dateAugust 17, 2008 (2008-08-17)
ReplacedAlpine Gardens
Replaced byPixie Hollow
Magic Kingdom
AreaFantasyland
(Enchanted Forest)
StatusOperating
Soft opening dateOctober 12, 2012 (2012-10-12) (current)
Opening date1996 (1996) (original)
December 6, 2012 (2012-12-06) (current)
Closing dateApril 12, 2010 (2010-04-12) (original)
Replaced20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage
Replaced byPooh's Playful Spot (original)
Disney California Adventure
AreaParadise Pier
StatusRemoved
Opening dateFebruary 9, 2001 (2001-02-09)
Closing dateJanuary 8, 2018 (2018-01-08)
Replaced byLamplight Lounge
Tokyo DisneySea
AreaMermaid Lagoon
StatusOperating
Soft opening dateMarch 14, 2005 (2005-03-14) (original)
Opening dateApril 15, 2005 (2005-04-15) (original)
September 29, 2020 (2020-09-29) (current at Mermaid Lagoon Theater)
Closing dateJanuary 31, 2020 (2020-01-31) (original)
Ride statistics
Attraction typeMeet and greet area (Magic Kingdom, Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea)
Restaurant (Disney California Adventure)
ThemeThe Little Mermaid
FastPass+ available

Disneyland

This was formerly a colorful grotto in which Ariel, in mermaid form, was available for autographs and photo opportunities. The meet-and-greet area was decorated with starfish, coral, and waterfalls.[2] King Triton's Fountain leading to the grotto featured a soft-surface "sandy beach" play zone dotted with jumping fountains.[2] On August 17, 2008, the area officially closed.[2] It has now been re-themed to Pixie Hollow, a Disney Fairies meet-and-greet attraction amid oversized 'plants' which gives guests the sense of being the size of a fairy.[2]

The King Triton statue that once spouted water into the ponds was moved to the rooftop of Ariel's Undersea Adventure in Disney's California Adventure and is a part of the decor.[3]

Magic Kingdom

In April 2010, the Ariel's Grotto attraction at Magic Kingdom was closed.[4] It reopened as part of the New Fantasyland expansion along with the ride Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid.[4] The similar meet-and-greet sits beside the attraction Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid.[4] It is in a cave, next to Prince Eric's Castle, surrounded by waterfalls and large rock formations.[4] This iteration of the meet-and-greet closed in March 2020 and reopened on January 22, 2023 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.[5]

Disney California Adventure
Ariel's Grotto, Paradise Pier, Disney California Adventure in 2010.

Ariel's Grotto was an "under the sea" themed restaurant that offered Character Dining. This gave guests an opportunity to dine with Ariel and other Disney Princesses. The restaurant was located on Paradise Pier, and featured American, Healthy Selections, and Vegetarian cuisine.[6] On January 8, 2018, Ariel's Grotto closed to make way for the Lamplight Lounge, a restaurant that opened with Pixar Pier on June 23, 2018.

Tokyo DisneySea

Ariel's Greeting Grotto was a character meet-and-greet attraction. Originally scheduled to close on March 31, 2020, it was early closed on January 31, 2020, in response to the coronavirus outbreak. However, on September 29, 2020, it was "reopened" inside Mermaid Lagoon Theater as a socially distanced greeting with Ariel in her mermaid form.

References
  1. Sehlinger, Bob (2007). Mini Mickey: The Pocket-Sized Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. Wiley. p. 137. ISBN 9780470085820.
  2. Weiss, Werner. "Triton's Garden". yesterland.com. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  3. Shaffer, Joshua C (July 17, 2017). Discovering the Magic Kingdom: An Unofficial Disneyland Vacation Guide - Second Edition. Synergy Book Publishing. p. 629. ISBN 978-0-9991664-0-6.
  4. Weiss, Werner. "Ariel's Grotto". yesterland.com. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  5. "Reopening Dates Announced for Enchanted Tales with Belle and Ariel's Grotto Character Experiences at Magic Kingdom - WDW News Today". wdwnt.com. January 17, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  6. "Ariel's Grotto". Disney California Adventure.
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