A ride building that spent two months hidden behind barriers is finally showing a little of its refreshed exterior. At Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort has rolled up some of the scrim covering The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, though the scaffolding is still very much in place.
An Unannounced Facade Project
Plywood barriers first showed up outside the Disney California Adventure Park attraction in August, catching guests off guard because Disneyland Resort had never shared any plans to refurbish the ride in Paradise Gardens Park.
As the weeks passed, the purpose became clear. Cast members were repainting the Little Mermaid (1989)-inspired building and handling general maintenance. Barriers eventually surrounded almost the entire structure, with the entrance left open, and scrim printed with a replica of the facade wrapped around it. The ride has run that way for two months: completely covered outside, unchanged inside.
A First Look at the Result
On October 21, WDWNT reported that much of the themed scrim had been rolled up and fastened to the upper layers of scaffolding. Plywood and scaffolding still block a good portion of the building, but the lifted fabric exposes the refreshed facade for the first time.
The scrim is only tied to the metal framework, so it could come back down if Disneyland Resort decides more maintenance is needed. The Southern California Disney park hasn’t said when it expects the project to wrap up, and nothing suggests the building’s architecture has been redesigned. The work appears to be a repaint and general upkeep.
Inside Is Unchanged
Even with all the construction outside, The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure remains open and operational. Disneyland Resort hasn’t announced a refurbishment or closure for the interior, so guests can still ride while the exterior work continues.
Did the refurbishment outside The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure affect your visit to Disney California Adventure Park? Share your story with Disney Dining in the comments!
