Disneyland Covers up Original ‘The Little Mermaid’ Ariel at California Theme Park
Construction materials appeared outside The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure Park this weekend, and the scaffolding and scrim now surrounding much of the ride building suggest a more involved exterior refurbishment than a quick touch-up.
Barriers and Scrim Take Over the Facade
WDWNT reported on August 8 that plywood construction walls and scaffolding had appeared outside The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure in Paradise Gardens Park at Disney California Adventure Park. The outlet shared a photo showing construction activity, which begins at the main attraction entrance and extends down the right side of the building.
Behind the plywood walls on the right side, scaffolding has been erected across nearly the entire facade and covered with black scrim fabric. The only element remaining visible on that side of the building is a cast-member-only door, itself surrounded by scaffolding and scrim.
The construction presence stops short of the main guest entrance. The towering columns and decorated walls at the Paradise Gardens Park entrance remain fully visible to guests as they walk through the area.
Despite the clear scale of the exterior work, The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure remains open and operating normally. Disneyland Resort has not announced any upcoming closure for the attraction, and the refurbishment activity appears to be confined entirely to the building’s exterior rather than the ride system inside.
Disneyland Resort has not issued any statement about the project, which is consistent with how the resort handles construction that doesn’t force a guest-facing closure.
Still Open for Business
Guests visiting Disney California Adventure Park can continue to experience The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure as normal throughout the exterior refurbishment. The construction walls and scaffolding may alter the visual approach to the attraction from certain angles, but access to the ride and its queue remains unaffected.
Has construction ever impacted your visit to Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park? Tell Disney Dining about your experience in the comments!
