Disney Replaces Original Ariel in New Animated ‘Little Mermaid’
Disney Junior’s Ariel: The Little Mermaid features an entirely different version of the iconic character from the 1989 animated classic. The series, with its second season arriving on Disney+ January 28, reimagines Ariel as an eight-year-old attending magic camp rather than the teenage princess who dreams of life on land.
Reimagined Little Mermaid
Ariel: The Little Mermaid casts Mykal-Michelle Harris as the voice of young Ariel, replacing Jodi Benson’s portrayal from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ original film. This version depicts Ariel as a child, years before the events of The Little Mermaid (1989), and explores Caribbean-inspired underwater settings rather than the original’s European aesthetic.
Season two, “Crystal Cavern,” debuts on Disney+ January 28 after premiering on Disney Junior in November. The storyline follows eight-year-old Ariel, Flounder (Gracen Newton), Sebastian (Kevin Michael Richardson), and their friends as they explore the Crystal World—a magical undersea realm. New characters include adventurous mermaid Akiko (Kai Zen) and her crystal axolotl, Axyl.
Jodi Benson—the original Ariel—appears in season two as Marina Neptina, young Ariel’s favorite singer, creating a connection to the classic film while maintaining the reimagined character’s separate identity.
Disney Junior announced the streaming release on Tuesday:
Our vision is crystal clear! 💎✨
Season 2 of Disney Jr.’s Ariel: The Little Mermaid is coming to #DisneyPlus Jan 28th.
Our vision is crystal clear! 💎✨
Season 2 of Disney Jr.'s Ariel: The Little Mermaid is coming to #DisneyPlus Jan 28th. pic.twitter.com/1OWAv6nszS
— Disney Jr. (@DisneyJr) January 27, 2026
Cultural Reimagining
Season one, “Mermaid Tales,” established the series’ departure from the original film’s European inspiration. Young Ariel attends magic camp with “tauntie Ursula” (voiced by Glee star Amber Riley)—a drastically different relationship than the villain role Ursula plays in the 1989 film.
Disney consulted Dr. Patricia Saunders, professor of English and hemispheric Caribbean studies and director of graduate studies at the University of Miami, to authentically represent Caribbean culture throughout the series.
The Caribbean influence represents a significant shift from the original Little Mermaid‘s Danish fairy tale roots and European castle architecture, aligning more closely with the 2023 live-action remake’s casting choices.
Listen to the Music of the Series
The series follows the musical tradition of The Little Mermaid, featuring several original songs. Season one’s soundtrack is available on digital platforms. Season two’s soundtrack releases January 30 across all digital music services.
What are the most-played Disney Junior shows in your family? Disney Dining would love to hear from you in the comments!
No wants to see this version of Ariel look at the stats she does not sell.
I’ll agree with the other reply about the selling of this one.We won’t be watching it.But I do understand y’all had to go with color but y’all should have made a new princess or something else instead of taking the aerial that everybody knows and make something new like that. I mean that to me, is just ridiculous, but don’t jump on me about the color thing. Because it doesn’t matter to me. What people’s color skin is to take the original and do away with. It is a slap in the face to original Disney content stuff. I mean, this is as bad as taking the song of the south and Bob iger right before he leaves is double down on not bringing out a vault which I bet. If y’all brought it out of vault. Y’all would see a lot of sales and y’all would see a lot of viewership watchin that mean even Whoopi Goldberg say that it wasn’t racist, and you ought to bring it out and when somebody like that says something other which I’m not a Whoopi Goldberg fan? I used to like her stand up. And I did, like the sister act movies. But her on the view, she needs to stay out of politics. Just like, I think Disney ought to stay out of it. And stay out of trying to coerce people into things. But Disney’s lost me. I’m 61 now I’ve been enough. I will help my grandkids go one more time. Maybe 2I won’t pay for the ticket. So I’ll only pay for it in my house to stay in. And some gas money to get there. Also I think y’all ought to stay out of alcohol in the magic kingdom.But I guess i’ve already made that decision.I guess mister american jew himself.Iger decided that was a great deal
Why change the skin color and story of the original Little Mermaid? It’s not racist to question this. Would people like a new Princess and the Frog with a white Tiana and prince? My daughters loved all the Ariel movies when they were little, but are confused as adults as to why Disney feels the need to change her skin color and story! We fid not see the Haley Bailey version, but a few people we know who saw it said it was AWFUL! Make a new story for God’s sake! Stopessong with Disney originals that we know and love!