
It’s been more than two years since Walt Disney World Resort reopened after its forced COVID-19 closure. Since then, most of the COVID health and safety procedures — like mandatory face masks, social distancing, and temperature checks — have come and gone. All Disney World Resort hotels are open and almost all dining spots are back open. Things seem to be almost where they were pre-pandemic. Almost.
And now, we are one step closer to a “normal” Disney World experience.
Just a few days ago, Disney announced that The Great Goofini, Astounding Donald, and others were returning to Pete’s Silly Sideshow in the Fantasyland area of Disney’s Magic Kingdom Park. According to Attractions Magazine, The Little Mermaid Meet and Greet at Ariel’s Grotto will reopen on January 22, after having been closed since 2020.
The rumor turned out to be true: The Little Mermaid meet at Magic Kingdom reopens Jan. 22, and Enchanted Tales with Belle reopens Feb. 19.
The rumor turned out to be true: The Little Mermaid meet at Magic Kingdom reopens Jan. 22, and Enchanted Tales with Belle reopens Feb. 19. https://t.co/xPUcg6a9HH
— Attractions Magazine (@Attractions) January 17, 2023
It’s been a long time since Princess Ariel last greeted Guests at the Magic Kingdom. Here’s more on the exciting experience for Little Mermaid fans:
Be Part of Her World
The Little Mermaid greets friends from land and under the sea in her shimmering ocean retreat.
Venture into a seaside grotto, where you’ll find Ariel among her treasures. She has gadgets and gizmos aplenty, and she’s always happy to make new friends—especially human ones.
She wants to be where the people are, so stop by and make her dream come true!
Now, it is important to note that the Walt Disney World Resort website has not yet been updated to show that the meet and greets are returning. If you are visiting the Magic Kingdom on January 22 or later, you can check the My Disney Experience app to see the operating hours for the Ariel meet and greet.
The grotto area opened in 2012, along with the rest of the Fantasyland expansion — which also saw the opening of Pete’s Silly Sideshow. Ariel’s Grotto is attached to the popular attraction Under The Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid. On that attraction, Guests board a clamshell as Scuttle takes them through the classic Disney princess tale that we all know and love.