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Disney Movie Night – The Little Mermaid

August 15, 2016 by Naomi M. 31 Comments

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Welcome to this month’s Blogorail Yellow Loop. Today we are sharing movie night ideas based on Disney movies from the 80s.


The Little Mermaid DVD

Disney Movie Night – The Little Mermaid

We are celebrating Disney movies from the 80s on the Blogorail today!  When I approached the kids about their favorite Disney movie from the 80s, Songbird started up her computer to see which movies came out during that decade.  Of course, The Little Mermaid was her choice!  

There is much more to The Little Mermaid than a princess, sand, and sea on the big screen.  The Little Mermaid also became a big part of the Disney Parks.  Let’s take a look at the movie and the attractions it inspired.

The Little Mermaid was released in theaters on November 17, 1989.  Ariel was the first Disney princess since Aurora was released almost 30 years earlier.    

If you haven’t seen The Little Mermaid (although I bet you have), Ariel is a mermaid who falls in love with a man who lives on land.  Prince Eric.  Ariel trades her voice to a wicked sea witch in order to get legs.  Ariel has only until before the sun sets on the third day to get Prince Eric to fall in love with her and kiss her with the kiss of true love.  Well, you can imagine that Ursula, the sea witch, is not going to let Prince Eric fall in love with Ariel.  On the off chance you haven’t seen the movie, I’m not going to give it away, but it is quite the tale.  

The Little Mermaid was such a hit that it spun off a prequel, a sequel, and a TV show.  It has also been instrumental in adding to the attractions and merchandise in the Disney Parks.  I know my daughter has purchased (ok, begged for us to purchase) The Little Mermaid merchandise as Ariel was my daughter’s favorite princess, for a time.

Ariel's Grotto DLR

Our first experience with Ariel in the parks was at Disney California Adventure Park.  We first went to Ariel’s Grotto in 2007, and my daughter was enchanted.  The dining area was decorated to make it look like we were truly dining under the sea.  But Ariel wasn’t the only princess here.  We met with Ariel before entering the dining room, and other princesses came around to the tables.

Little Mermaid World of Color

The Little Mermaid was also given a big part in the World of Color at Disney California Park.  The World of Color is a “water show” with animation projected on water screens.  If you have not seen this show, it is a MUST SEE if you are visiting the Disneyland Resort!  

Little Mermaid DLR

Then, in 2011, The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure opened.  In the attraction, we rode in “clamshells” which is really an Omnimover vehicle, like in the Haunted Mansion.  My daughter could not wait until this ride opened!  

Little Mermaid Disneyland Dole Whip Hair

Did you ever hear about “Dole Whip” hair-gate?  This is a picture of Ariel in a scene with the song “Under the Sea” right after the ride opened.  Even though the style of her hair is just as it is in the movie, I guess several people started commenting on her Dole Whip or Soft-serve ice cream hair.  After some time, the attraction was shut down for a few days to give her a different hair style.  

Little Mermaid DLR Mr Limpett

The imagineers added a little hidden character tribute to the Don Knotts character, Mr. Limpet, from The Incredible Mr. Limpet.  You have to be looking hard to find it as it is behind the clamshells as you come around the back wall of the “Under the Sea” scene.  

Little Mermaid WDW

So, let’s hike over to the East coast to see Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid.  I’m not quite sure why it is named differently on each coast.  However, I will say that I think the theming is much better over on the East coast at Walt Disney World.

Little Mermaid WDW 5

It just seems like there is so much more to see at Walt Disney World, and it really works with the other attractions in the area.  I wish Disney California Adventure Park had had more room to pull something like this off out there.

Little Mermaid WDW 3

Notice that they skipped the Dole Whip hair on Ariel from the beginning.

Little Mermaid Grotto WDW

While Walt Disney World doesn’t have an Ariel-themed restaurant, there is a special place to meet with Ariel.  Ariel can be seen at her Grotto next to her attraction.  

Besides being a fun movie, The Little Mermaid has left a lasting impression on the Disney parks.  Of course, you might also see Ariel on the Disney cruise ships, too.  

What is your favorite Disney movie from the 1980s?

For more ways to beat summer boredom,
check out the other great posts from the Blogorail!


Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail Yellow | Disney Movie Night | The 80s Loop:

  • 1st Stop – Disney Nouns | Condorman
  • 2nd Stop – This Roller Coaster Called Life | The Little Mermaid
  • 3rd Stop – Dad for Disney | The Fox and the Hound
  • 4th Stop – The Disney Chef | Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

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Filed Under: Disney Tagged With: Disney, Disney Movies, The Little Mermaid

About Naomi M.

Naomi is a homeschool mom of two, one of whom is on the Autism Spectrum. When she is not working or schooling with the kids, she likes to kick back in the recliner to read or to plan the next family adventure.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lee says

    August 15, 2016 at 11:09 pm

    I had forgotten about the TV show. I like how you mentioned all the theme park tie-ins! And Mr. Limpet? Too cool! Nice post.

    Reply
    • Sara says

      September 2, 2016 at 12:58 pm

      Neat picture s

      Reply
  2. Jessica Cox says

    August 17, 2016 at 2:37 pm

    My tweens favorite movie is The Little Mermaid , I love noticing all the little hidden characters.

    Reply
  3. Julie Wood says

    August 17, 2016 at 4:00 pm

    I love the Little Mermaid movie and this Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid at Disney World looks amazing. I want to take my kids there someday. It would be so much fun.

    Reply
  4. shelly peterson says

    August 17, 2016 at 4:32 pm

    I love the movie the Little Mermaid. Great pick for a fun family movie night!

    Reply
  5. Sara Zielinski says

    August 17, 2016 at 8:00 pm

    This was one of my favorite movies as a kid.

    Reply
  6. Natalie says

    August 17, 2016 at 8:46 pm

    The Little Mermaid was one of my favorite movies growing up!

    Reply
  7. ELF says

    August 18, 2016 at 11:37 pm

    What a thorough blogpost! Thank you for sharing all of that fascinating information (and I loved Mr. Limpet, lol). I think The Little Mermaid was a favorite during that time…but so was Toy Story, although I am not sure exactly when that one came out.

    Reply
  8. Maggie Steele says

    August 20, 2016 at 2:50 am

    The Little Mermaid is almost my favorite but is narrowly edged out by Oliver and Company.

    Reply
  9. Sara Zielinski says

    August 22, 2016 at 12:57 pm

    I love the little mermaid.

    Reply
  10. Sherry Compton says

    August 23, 2016 at 8:20 am

    When my daughter was in school, the music of the little Mermaid was so popular. She had to sing it in her school choir. They did a performance with all the songs. I think she can still sing them today. Too bad about them closing the ride. I didn’t see it at first but after you mentioned it, it did look like soft serve ice cream. 🙂 Looks like a fun park.

    Reply
    • Naomi M. says

      August 23, 2016 at 8:44 am

      Hi Sherry! They didn’t close the ride for long. Just long enough to change out the hairstyle.

      Reply
  11. Dotty J Boucher says

    August 23, 2016 at 9:14 pm

    I would love to see this live, it looks amazing and I know the children would be so excited to see this all.

    Reply
  12. Sally Gearhart says

    August 24, 2016 at 12:09 pm

    I was 13 when this movie came out and it was my favorite Disney movie from that moment. I still know all the words! The Lion King comes in a close second for me though. I love all your pics, it looks like so much fun and I would love it!

    Reply
  13. mary says

    August 27, 2016 at 5:24 pm

    This was my first return to Disney movies as a young adult. I actually had a date to this movie. Can’t remember the guy so well but the movie is still with me. It was wonderful then and just as wonderful today.

    Reply
  14. Jamie Muckel says

    August 29, 2016 at 8:30 pm

    I love the little mermaid great movie and story.

    Reply
  15. Bethany Kreiter says

    August 30, 2016 at 11:40 am

    I really like the idea of a movie themed night. I want to do this with the new movie Kubo and the Two Strings.

    Reply
  16. Stacy T says

    August 31, 2016 at 4:45 pm

    The Little Mermaid is one of my all-time favorite Disney movies (along with Mulan and Beauty and the Beast). I recently became a Disney World annual passholder, so now I can finally get to experience the “new” ride at Magic Kingdom (with a fast pass of course). I enjoy the show at Hollywood Studios, but I have been wanting to ride Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid since I heard about it. It looks amazing from the outside.

    Reply
  17. Lindsay Giedosh says

    September 4, 2016 at 12:57 am

    What a gorgeous attraction! The Little Mermaid is one of my favorite Disney movies

    Reply
  18. Geri Sandoval says

    September 5, 2016 at 6:27 pm

    Love the Little Mermaid movie, I remember when my granddaughter was growing up, we saw it over and over. Maybe one day now that she is a teenager we can take her to Disney World and she can ride the Roll Coaster, just maybe she may say I’m to old for that grandma. LOL

    Reply
  19. Kimberly Flickinger says

    September 5, 2016 at 9:00 pm

    I loved this movie as a kid. Thank you for sharing your movie night.

    Reply
  20. kelly schirado says

    September 8, 2016 at 8:39 pm

    I love Ariel

    Reply
  21. Carrie Smith says

    September 10, 2016 at 4:55 pm

    My favorite Disney movie is Beauty and the Beast, but my favorite from the 80’s is Little Mermaid! My friends and I used to argue over who got to play Ariel when we went swimming 🙂

    Reply
  22. Dana Matthews says

    September 11, 2016 at 9:27 pm

    The Little Mermaid is special to me. My oldest niece and I watched this over and over when she was small. Beautiful pictures!

    Reply
  23. Amy Orvin says

    September 12, 2016 at 7:55 pm

    I have always loved the little mermaid! Although, I haven’t seen the movie in years.

    Reply
  24. Sarah L says

    September 15, 2016 at 1:23 am

    Wow, that little mermaid sure gets around. Haven’t seen it in ages.

    Reply
  25. Tammy Woodall says

    September 15, 2016 at 9:07 am

    My whole family (including all adults) loves “The Little Mermaid”.

    Reply
  26. steph y says

    October 4, 2016 at 2:38 pm

    I still have my vhs of the original release of the movie. My sister almost watched it everyday. I had to hide it from her because I was afraid she was going to ware it out.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Movie Night - Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back - The Disney Chef says:
    August 15, 2016 at 8:12 pm

    […] 2nd Stop – This Roller Coaster Called Life | The Little Mermaid […]

    Reply
  2. Disney Movie Night | The 80s says:
    August 16, 2016 at 8:59 am

    […] Disney Movie Night – The Little Mermaid with This Roller Coaster Called Life […]

    Reply
  3. Magical Blogorail: Disney Movie Night - 1980's Condorman ~ Cool Nouns says:
    June 25, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    […] 2nd Stop – This Roller Coaster Called Life | The Little Mermaid […]

    Reply

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Naomi is a homeschool mom of two, one of whom is on the Autism Spectrum. When she is not working or schooling with the kids, she likes to kick back in the recliner to read or to plan the next family adventure. Read More…

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