The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure
Disney's Hollywood Studios · Animation Courtyard
Overview
The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure sits in Animation Courtyard, the same area that spent 1989 to 2015 as a working animation studio tour before that closed and the space gradually filled with live shows instead. This one's a straightforward 20-minute stage retelling of the 1989 film's plot and songs, indoors and air-conditioned, aimed squarely at guests who already know Ariel's story rather than trying to win over anyone unfamiliar with it.
ParksLog Verdict
Duck in only if you're already in Animation Courtyard and a showing lines up — the 20-minute runtime costs little, but there's nothing here that competes with the park's bigger shows for guests without young Little Mermaid fans in tow. Pair it with Walt Disney Presents next door rather than making a special trip.
About this experience
Relive Ariel's enchanting story in this dazzling theatrical production inspired by the animated classic The Little Mermaid.
Best For
- The Little Mermaid and Ariel fans
- Families with young children
- Guests seeking indoor air-conditioned entertainment
- Fans of Disney musical productions
Tips
- Check the daily entertainment schedule for show times — as a newer addition, performance frequency may vary by season.
- The indoor theater provides air-conditioned relief — a useful option during peak Florida summer heat.
- Combine with Walt Disney Presents in the same Animation Courtyard area for a complete stop.
Details
History
The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure debuted in 2024 at Animation Courtyard, one of the more recent live entertainment additions to Hollywood Studios. Animation Courtyard has hosted various live shows and character experiences throughout the park's history, originally anchored by the Disney-MGM Studios animation tour that ran from 1989 to 2015.
Fun Facts
- The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure debuted in 2024, making it one of Hollywood Studios' most recently added live entertainment offerings.
- The show is inspired by the 1989 animated film, which was a pivotal production in Disney's animation renaissance and was the first Disney animated film to be adapted into a Broadway musical (opening in 2008).
- Animation Courtyard, where the show plays, originally housed the Disney-MGM Studios animation tour — a working animation studio open to guests that ran from the park's 1989 opening until 2015.