A sneak preview for the upcoming live-action remake of “The Little Mermaid” is now playing at Walt Disney Presents in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
In addition to the brief screening, props from the film are on display around the lobby, and an Ariel meet and greet will be opening at this location on May 26 to coincide with the movie’s official wide release.
The neon-lit marquee out front prominently displays this limited time showing, as numerous posters adorn various surrounding walls, lampposts, and automatic doors.
The props featured inside are original and include an engagement ring, spyglass, jade mermaid, Triton’s conch shell, and a statue from Ariel’s Grotto.
A summary of the plot is also posted in one of the display cases:
In this live-action reimagining of the classic animated film, a curious young mermaid named Ariel (Halle Bailey) desires nothing more than to explore the mysterious world beyond the sea. Against the wishes of her protective father, King Triton (Javier Bardem), the princess takes a forbidden journey to the surface, where she secretly rescues a human prince. Determined to reunite with the handsome Prince Eric (Jonah Hauer-King), Ariel visits the evil sea witch, Ursula (Melissa McCarthy), and crafts an ominous deal that will ultimately place her life and undersea kingdom in peril. This display features original props from the film.
‘The Little Mermaid’ Arriving in One Week
Oscar-nominated Rob Marshall, known for his work on the film adaptation of “Chicago” and Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns,” directs “The Little Mermaid.” In addition to the aforementioned stars, Noma Dumezweni will portray a new character — Queen Selina, Eric’s mother. Entertainment Weekly published an exclusive story on the production, with interviews, stills, and behind-the-scenes photos.
Jodi Benson, who debuted the original voice of animated Ariel, united with Bailey at the film’s premiere.
This isn’t the first time Bailey and Benson have interacted. According to the Los Angeles Times, Benson makes an on-land cameo in the new film and was on set for its filming, serving as on-set support. “She told me how proud she was of me and how I’m handling everything, and encouraged me to just go for it,” Bailey said regarding Benson. “I appreciate her for being so warm and welcoming to me because she’s the GOAT, and it was important to me to get her stamp of approval.”
Beyond Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Ariel will be greeting guests elsewhere around the world, too. In California, Disneyland patrons will soon find her on the promenade near “it’s a small world.” In France, she will appear in a “joyful, limited-time celebration” at Walt Disney Studios Park in Disneyland Paris. The interactive “musical moment” will include the songs “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl.”
Are you excited for this latest take on the classic “Little Mermaid” tale? Will you be at the cinema when it comes out near the end of this month? Let us know in the comments.
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Don’t sleep on this quiet Disney quick-service option. Some of Disney’s best treats await you. The Mara Every Walt Disney World Resort Hotel has quick-service dining available for Guests. And, some of them offer great options! You can see a list of the best resort quick-service restaurants right here. The best part is that you […]
Walt Disney World’s 2023 is the year of cleaning up Chapek’s costly catastrophes. We’re not even halfway through, and arguably the biggest announcements and changes have all been about “undoing” damage done by Umbrella Bob during his reign of terror. Okay, that is slight hyperbole. Not every single decision that’s now being corrected was made […]
Disneyland has officially paused Fantasmic until at least Labor Day to fix damage from a fire that destroyed the Murphy Audio Animatronics dragon. This post covers the latest news, plus a possible reimagining and replacement entertainment for the California summer tourist season. For starters, Disneyland released a new statement: “Our goal is to always deliver […]
Earlier this week, Disney announced the permanent closure of the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser following the September 28 voyage, and reports indicate this was a last-minute decision that took many who work at the location by surprise. However, sources close to the project have indicated that the immersive experience was scheduled to close temporarily a few weeks later.
Prior to this week’s announcement, the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser was internally expected to halt the sale of reservations dated after December 2023. Based on recent internal reports, this may have been to facilitate a series of updates and changes across the entire experience.
Rumors have been swirling for quite some time that the Starcruiser would face a transformation, either to feature a different set of storylines and characters or to become a more traditional, themed hotel. It was assumed that an announcement would be made regarding the closure that included information about the Starcruiser’s future. However, the statements made by Disney this week seem to confirm that it will not return as the 2-night immersive experience it was before, no matter what it does eventually return as.
Imagineers were reportedly on the Halycon as recently as this week working on a revamped Gaya dinner show, as well as going over new merchandise that was on the way, and new spiels for bartenders at the Sublight Lounge. Obviously, this is not the kind of investment of time and money you would put into something you plan to close permanently.
Per sources, all of the cast of the Starcruiser (and these creatives) were surprised by the announcement, having received no warning that this was a possibility.
The question now is if and when the Halcyon will return to service in some shape or form down the road, but perhaps the fact that updates were in development means we may see the changes come to fruition, even if the Starcruiser experience does return in a totally different form.
Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Closing Permanently
Currently, bookings for the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser are paused through May 26 to allow Disney to work with those booked on voyages after the scheduled final voyage on September 28. Once bookings resume next week, discounts will not be offered to Disney Vacation Club members and Cast Members as they have been recently, and voyages will be charged at their full cost.
The announcement comes after months of disappointing occupancy. The Galactic Starcruiser debuted just over a year ago, and while bookings were at capacity for a while, the current operations had reached a point where there were only enough guests to fill one dinner service.
Before the Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser opened, it went through waves of selling out followed by mass cancellations. Right before the grand opening in March 2022, several months were completely booked. Despite generally positive reactions, cancellations increased after opening.
The Starcruiser offered a three-day, two-night immersive “Star Wars” adventure on a fictitious cruise ship where guests became part of a conflict between the Resistance and the First Order. It included an excursion to Batuu, themed meals, and live entertainment.
It also has a high price tag, with trips starting at $4,809 for two guests for a standard cabin, which has one queen-size bed and two twin-size bunks. The price increases if you add more guests, with a family of four looking at upwards of $6,000 for a standard cabin. Guests can also reserve larger rooms, such as the Galaxy Class Suite that sleeps up to six people in two bedrooms. The even larger Grand Captain Suite sleeps up to eight guests at an even higher price point.
Moana’s role is changing and we can’t wait to see how this unfolds. Moana’s Story Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped, and no one knows why. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana is […]
I was eyeing the latest Disney Pins released this week for the 2023 PRIDE Collection, and it reignited a debate in me about the whole topic of Disney Pins. I have a handful of them; some have been given to me, and others I purchased because they were significant at one time or another. However, I’ve never participated in the whole act of pin trading and always wondered if I was missing something.
It’s difficult for those of us that live far away. When boarding an international flight, the idea is to take as lightweight luggage as possible to leave the maximum room (baggage allowance) to return with all of the goodies and merch you can’t get at home. So, the idea of leaving home with my entire collection of something seems a little counterintuitive on the off chance that I might choose to trade one of the items. Even so, I have a feeling that even if I lived closer to the magic, I likely just don’t have the pin trading gene. Ear headbands, however, are a whole different story. Take my money, Disney, take it now!
I wanted to do some crowd-sourcing for opinions on this topic to see where Disney fans stand on this. Every week I see countless new pins hit the shelves, waiting for collectors to add them to their beloved lineup, and I want to know a bit more about those people and how they have cultivated their collections. Do you buy any pins you can find? Or perhaps just a specific genre like Marvel, Valentine’s Day, or Pride? And then, when you have chosen one that you want to purchase, what makes you decide to trade it with someone else? I’ve often wondered if maybe one strategy would be to acquire a few that you aren’t too emotionally attached to so that you do have room to trade within your collection.
Let me know if you are a pin trading fan, and if so, how do you decide which direction your collection will go in? Share your strategy!
When you’re strolling through the parks, you can see a whole lot of food and drink options. They come in all shapes and sizes. And sometimes they even come with giveaways and prizes. Now we just found a unique sweepstakes that’s ketchup-based in Disney World that you have to know about!
We’re talking about Heinz Saucemerica, which runs from June 1st, 2023 through August 31st, 2023 for restaurants.
Starting June 1st, 2023, the ketchup sauce packets at restaurants will have new state-inspired designs.
Heinz Saucemerica
There are a total of 50 new designs, one for each state, which makes your dining experience that much more fun, almost like they are collectibles. It seems like these have debuted a little early though, because we found them in Disney’s Animal Kingdomalready!
We saw New Hampshire, New Jersey, Georgia, and Nebraska here.
Over the next three months, you should be seeing many of these different ketchup packets in all your local restaurants. Best of luck to you if you are planning on collecting these state-inspired ketchup packets, and stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news and more!
Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.
Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission.
It’s true — even those of us who frequent the Disney Parks every day still make mistakes!
Even the pros make mistakes sometimes!
Over the years, we’ve made TONS of mistakes, actually — but they’ve allowed us to be able to provide you all with advice so that you don’t end up making the same mistakes we did (and sometimes still do.)
From outfit choices to leaving things behind, here are 11 mistakes we’ve made in the past that have MAJORLY inconvenienced us, the Cast Members, or the visitors around us at Disney World. Don’t be like us — read through our mistakes to make sure that your trip goes as smoothly as possible, you’ll be as comfortable as possible, and you’ll be as courteous to others as possible. Without further ado, here are all the BIGGEST mistakes we’ve made at Disney World.
1. We Wore White.
We know, we know. It’s classic. It’s summery. It can be easily matched with EVERYTHING so you can wear it again and again throughout your trip. We definitely see the appeal and why you’d want to pack something white.
When this melts it will be ALL OVER your beautiful white clothes.
BUT. Unless you’ve pre-treated your clothes with stain repellent the same way you’ve treated your expensive couch at home, leave the white clothing in your closet! From melting chocolate, to drippy popsicles, to who knows whatever that liquid was that you sat in while riding Dumbo, there are so many recipes for disaster once you’ve added white clothing into the occasion. Trust us and opt for black or patterns instead.
2. We Wore Uncomfortable Shoes.
Disney World is the PLACE for taking millions of photos. That being said, we all like to dress like Disney World is our own personal runway from time to time. However, Disney World is also the place to casually walk half marathons all over the parks each day. From Doc Martens, to TOMS, to strappy leather sandals — we’ve worn them all to Disney World.
Just think of your poor feet and all the walking you will do
And they all led us ASTRAY and down the road to Blisterville. Please. Opt for something comfortable. There are plenty of stylish options that will keep your feet happy and won’t distract from your runway-worthy Disney ‘fit. We love to opt for Hoka ONE ONE sneakers or Teva sandals.
3. We Left Our Phone in a Ride or Bathroom Stall
We get it. Sometimes things happen and you drop your phone or leave it behind. However, most of the time these things can be easily prevented by simply putting it away! Keeping it in a small park bag while on rides or in the bathroom will keep it much safer than holding it, setting it down somewhere, or keeping it in your pocket where it could fall out.
Better keep your belongings safe!
As people who have left their phones on rides and in the bathroom, and as ex Cast Members who have had to attempt to retrieve phones, trust us when we say that investing in a simple and easily accessible park bag is the way to go when it comes to your phone, tickets, MagicBand, and more. As a little extra encouragement: If you drop your phone on the ride, maintenance at Disney can’t access it until the end of the day or whenever their next ride walk-through is. As simple as it seems to retrieve it, it isn’t simple. Put your phone away!
4. We Went On a Water Ride While Wearing Denim
Wearing denim to the Disney Parks is a… choice… in itself, but if you find yourself walking around Disney World in some jeans, overalls, or denim shorts, take heed of some very valuable advice. Avoid water rides at all costs!
Kali River Rapids
Denim is so uncomfortable when wet and takes forever to dry. It can also be the culprit for some serious chafing if you aren’t careful. If you must wear denim for the sake of your Disney outfit, don’t go on Kali River Rapids, and say a prayer that it doesn’t rain.
5. We Didn’t Research A Ride Beforehand
It’s always a good idea to know what you’re gettin’ into before you get into it. Especially if you have littles. There have been instances where a ride didn’t seem that scary, but then we and our children come off shaking in our boots.
We recommend always doing proper research on Disney’s rides and considering whether or not they are a good choice for you and your family.
6. We Forgot To Pack Enough Baby Care.
A good rule of thumb when packing anything is to pack way more than you think you will ever need. This includes diapers, snacks, and extra sets of clothes for the littles. We have forgotten extra diapers way too often and have had to purchase diapers from the parks while kicking ourselves, because we know we have plenty at home or in the hotel room.
You can also buy more diapers at the resorts!
If you do forget diapers, you can always grab them from select merchandise locations or at the baby care and First Aid centers in the parks.
7. We Forgot To Pack a Phone Charger.
As much as we hate to admit it, visiting Disney World requires quite a bit of planning throughout the day on your phone. From checking wait times, to booking Lightning Lanes, to taking photos, to locating your car at the end of the day — it’s all so much easier with a phone. That being said, the battery can run out FAST, so you don’t want to be stuck at Disney World with a dead phone and no charger.
Fuel Rod Station
If you do forget a charger, you can run and grab a Fuel Rod from several merchandise locations throughout Disney World. They’re portable batteries for your phone that you can switch out again and again! However, it’s simpler to let this serve as a reminder to pack a charger for the parks.
8. We Didn’t Check the Forecast.
Central Florida is the type of place where you’ll want to check the forecast every morning. And then again at lunch time. And then again at dinner. And then again at bed time just to make sure tomorrow’s forecast hasn’t changed again.
Rainy days!
Continuously check the forecast so that you can plan to be inside when the rain hits, and so you can know whether or not to grab your rain jacket or umbrella when headed out the door. We recommend choosing a jacket, poncho, or umbrella that can easily be compacted to fit into your park bag.
9. We Didn’t Grab the Free Water
Even when you think you aren’t thirsty and that you don’t need water, you probably do at Disney World. In that heat, it’s so easy to become dehydrated before you even know it. It’s annoying to carry around clunky water bottles and even more annoying to buy a $5 bottle of Dasani, but there’s always a solution.
Did someone say free water?
You can grab free water cups from quick-service restaurants and a few snack stands around Disney World. Take advantage of this and grab a few extra waters when you’re walking around the parks so that you never have to worry about getting dehydrated.
10. We Were Looking At Our Phones and Not The Walkway
Yes, Disney requires being on your phone A LOT. Yes, there’s a time and place to handle all the planning! There have been too many times that we were walking around the parks on our phone and have accidentally bumped into someone, gotten hit by a stroller, ECV, or wheelchair, and there have been times that we’ve even face planted.
Watch out!
If you need to be on your phone, step to the side or sit down while doing so. Watching where you’re going is important on crowded park days, especially when not paying attention could result in you getting injured or inconveniencing someone else.
Bonus: We Thought We Didn’t Need Sunscreen
Sometimes, we think we’ve gotten a deep enough “base tan” or we believe it when the forecast calls for clouds and rain all day. WEAR THE SUNSCREEN. Even with base tans and clouds, you can still seriously damage your skin by not protecting yourself from those UV rays.
Sunscreen in Disney Springs
Lather yourself and your kiddos up with some SPF and save yourself from painful shoulders, lobster faces, and we hate to say it — but skin cancer. Sometimes the effects of the sun aren’t even visible to the eye. It’s better to be safe and just put on sunscreen as a precaution. Plus, it’ll help you have glowy skin in the parks all day. Who can argue with that?
Well folks, there you have it. We hope that you can learn from the mistakes that we’ve made in the past to save yourself from some uncomfy park days. We’ll continue to keep you updated with all our best park tips and tricks, so stay tuned for more
This article contains sponsored content from World of DVC.
If you have been debating purchasing a Disney Vacation Club membership, but the price has deterred you, we have the perfect financial solution for you — and you will save thousands.
Being a Disney Vacation Club member is a goal for many Walt Disney World fans, considering it gives you the guaranteed option of having a place to stay at least once a year. You can choose your home resort, which is always a deluxe resort, and it is something you can share and pass down to your family for decades. Suppose you plan on visiting a Disney property for the next 40 years and want to stay in a deluxe-level resort. In that case, it is no question that DVC will provide you with savings in comparison to what Disney offers on their website for regular guests looking to book similar rooms. That being said, DVC memberships are quite costly.
You have to pay each year for your membership, pay added yearly fees, closing costs, and a hefty down payment. So, unless you have $35,000+ or more ready to pay (or you’re willing to finance at a high-interest rate), DVC may feel like an unattainable goal. Buying through Disney might not be affordable for many Disney fans, but purchasing a resale contract from DVC Resale Market is!
One of the best perks that DVC Resale Market offers is the low down payment options. As DVC Resale Market states, “by financing through Monera Financial, you are able to roll in the majority costs! In the past, if you were financing, closing costs used to be an additional out-of-pocket expense. But now with the ability to roll the majority of those costs in, buyers can take advantage of the current market, with the lowest out-of-pocket costs. Buyers who finance these contracts through Monera Financial will enjoy low upfront costs – under $2,000! This includes the down payment, closing costs, and loan origination fees. These listings are perfect for first-time buyers looking to dip their toes into Membership, or existing Members with a smaller budget looking to add on.”
Below, let’s take a look at the difference in savings per point that DVC Resale Market offers for each Disney Resort, in comparison to what you would pay if you purchased your contract straight through Disney.
As you can see, the savings can be immense, which can be the difference for many between affording a Disney vacation each year, and not being able to. Plus, with the rising costs that we have seen continue to escalate at Disney, DVC prices included, purchasing a contract now will lock you into a rate and deal that may never end up costing this low again.
If purchasing a DVC contract for less is something you are interested in, or you would like to learn more about how you can save, contact our friends at DVC Resale Market today! They are DVC experts and will be sure to find you the contract you want, at the resort you want, at the price you want. Click here to begin your magical Disney Vacation Club journey!
Are you looking to book a Walt Disney World Vacation? We have a way that you can go on a Disney vacation for the best price possible, with expert help! Plus, it’s 100% FREE! Our friends at Be Our Guest Vacations are Disney experts and will be able to create the most magical trip at the best price possible. Click here to begin planning! You will soon be on your way to Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and EPCOT, with the perfectly planned itinerary!
