For years, that darkened theater tucked away in what used to be Animation Courtyard just sat there… collecting dust and plenty of fan speculation for over 4 years. When Disney finally announced a reimagined Little Mermaid stage show for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, expectations were… high. Maybe too high.
Now that The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure has officially been swimming along since May 2025, the big question is whether “new” automatically means “better.”
The updated production replaces Voyage of the Little Mermaid, which ran from 1992 until its early 2020 closure. That original show, for many, was peak Disney-MGM Studios nostalgia: blacklight puppetry, campy charm, that distinct water smell in the preshow and theater areas… and a slightly chaotic Ursula.
The new version keeps the musical heavy-hitters with “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea,” “Poor Unfortunate Souls,” and “Kiss the Girl” all still here, and the basic plot remains unchanged. You begin in Ariel’s grotto, follow her deal with Ursula, and end (as expected) with happily ever after.
Structurally, it’s almost beat-for-beat the same story as the 1989 film. But stylistically, that’s where opinions start to split.
First, Let’s Talk About That Preshow Room…
Before the curtain even rises, something feels off.
The old preshow waiting area used to be packed with nautical treasures, shipwreck props, and atmospheric details that made you feel like you’d stumbled into Ariel’s world. There was texture and character.
Now? It’s largely empty with minimal decor, outside of some wood and metal paneling. Please forgive the not-so pretty photos, I just couldn’t believe this was the first stop inside the “new and improved” show!
— There’s certainly plenty of wall and shelf space to add something.
After a five-year closure, I expected a refresh, but to also feel at least some of those warm and fuzzy feelings from before. Whether it was budget, timeline, or maybe Disney figures everyone’s all on their phone anyway, this area feels sterile. It’s the first hint that some of the original charm didn’t survive the renovation.
Two Humans, Some Puppets, & Lots of Screens
Back to the show. One of the more interesting creative decisions: there are only two live actors onstage – Ariel and Eric. Every other character appears as a puppet or on massive digital screens.
And to the show’s credit, Ariel’s mermaid sequences are impressive. She never touches the ground; instead, she glides across the stage via a concealed robotic arm system that gives her surprisingly fluid underwater movement.
Select scenes are absolutely better lit now, and more vibrant. This is especially noticeable during the Ursula segments. Here’s a quick before and after:
However, there are a lot of screens… and they’re noticeable. Massive animated backdrops dominate the show, creating what feels at times like a 3D video game interpretation of the original 2D film. That’s where I struggle. The Little Mermaid is considered one of the crown jewels of the Disney Renaissance era. The updated animation style in the show doesn’t quite match that legacy. The frame rate and digital sheen can feel off, especially when placed next to physical puppets and live performers.
— Ursula appears as a 3D animated character in some scenes
— And what video game is this from? (Sarcasm)
And let’s not forget little Sebastian, the beloved crab puppet who has… evolved. Where the original was small, scrappy, and adorable, the new version looks much larger and more stylized. Dare I say, he looks like he’s had a little Beverly Hills makeover. And when pairing the puppet with the modern screens behind him, the visual mix feels uneven.
Listen, it’s not that technology doesn’t belong in stage shows. Disney has used screens beautifully in other productions and nighttime spectaculars. But here, the balance between practical effects and digital animation feels mismatched. King Triton’s new look is certainly not helping…
Is It Better Than the Original?
That depends on what you value. If you loved the quirky, slightly chaotic, very-1990s theatrical magic of Voyage of the Little Mermaid, you may find yourself missing the grit and personality. The old show wasn’t perfect, but it had heart.
For the reimagined show, the general consensus seems to be: first-timers enjoy it enough, kids love it, and those that have memories from the first version are conflicted… or don’t like it at all (hi, me).
A Theater in Transition?
There’s also a bigger picture here: Animation Courtyard, as we knew it, is gone. With the upcoming reimagining of the Magic of Disney Animation on the horizon, this corner of the park is clearly in evolution mode. Maybe The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure is a bridge for something else to bring new life back into the theater in a few years…
Honestly, I’m glad something is back. On a blazing hot Florida afternoon, it’s a comfortable, air-conditioned 20-ish minute break. It’s cute and colorful, and gives families a place to sit.
But is it a must-do? I wouldn’t say so. It’s certainly not worth burning a Lightning Lane selection on. If the wait is short, go for it. If not, you won’t feel like you missed a defining Studios experience.
