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Disney Moves Ariel Out of Both U.S. Resorts’ Current Locations
Calling all mermaid fans: Ariel is heading out of her castle again. Starting October 28, Disney says, the live-action Ariel meet and greet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be temporarily unavailable at Walt Disney Presents, and she’ll greet guests at Echo Lake instead.
Sound familiar? According to the report, Disney’s wording matches last October’s announcement, right down to the date. We’ve pulled together what’s official, what isn’t, what happened last year, and some news about Ariel and another princess at Disneyland. Every claim is tied to its source, and anything that’s a guess is labeled as one.
One quick note on sourcing: the Hollywood Studios details come from Disney’s statement and the report’s own visits, while the Disneyland details come from separate reporting that uses the word “reportedly.” We’re keeping the two apart on purpose.
At a Glance
- Starts: October 28, according to Disney.
- Where: Echo Lake, near 50’s Prime Time Cafe.
- What’s affected: The Ariel meet and greet at Walt Disney Presents, which Disney calls temporarily unavailable.
- End date: Not announced.
- Who takes over the castle space: Not announced.
The Official Line
Disney’s statement, attributed to Walt Disney World: “Meet Ariel at Walt Disney Presents will be temporarily unavailable beginning October 28. Ariel will be greeting guests at Echo Lake, near 50’s Prime Time Cafe.”
The report says that matches the update it reported last October, when the change took effect on October 28, 2025.
What Disney Isn’t Saying
There’s no end date this time. And, like last year, Disney hasn’t said who will take over the space inside Walt Disney Presents.
The report reads “temporarily” as a hint that Ariel is headed back indoors eventually. That’s the report’s take, and Disney hasn’t confirmed it.
Where to Find Her
The report visited Ariel’s Echo Lake spot on its first morning last year. She met guests near a closed Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular gift shop, between the stunt show and 50’s Prime Time Cafe. Large potted tropical plants framed the space, and Ariel wore the ruffled light blue dress from the film.
According to the report, Disney’s description points to the same area this year.
Echo Lake Check-In
Heads up: the scenery looks different. The report says crews drained Echo Lake in August for a refurbishment. In its October 15 update, Gertie was freshly painted and the scaffolding was gone from the Dockside Diner ship, but the lake was still empty.
Disney hasn’t said when the water will return. The report expects it soon, which is its own prediction and not a Disney announcement.
Ariel’s Castle Set
The live-action meet and greet debuted at Walt Disney Presents on May 26, 2023, according to the report. It sits at the end of the gallery and took over the former Sulley meet-and-greet area. The scene is set on the terrace of Prince Eric’s castle, with a large video screen showing the sea at sunset behind Ariel.
Last Year, Play by Play
- October 28, 2025: The same change took effect.
- November 8 through December 24, 2025: Santa Claus took over the castle set in Walt Disney Presents.
- Through the end of the year: Ariel stayed at Echo Lake.
- January 12, 2026: Ariel moved back to her castle terrace.
This Year’s Calendar
Disney hasn’t named a holiday character for the space this year. The report notes the timing lines up with last season. Disney Jollywood Nights opens November 7 and, for the first time, continues into January, with a final night on January 5.
The report suggests that if Disney follows last year’s pattern, Ariel could return to Walt Disney Presents sometime early in the new year. That’s a projection, and Disney hasn’t confirmed it.
Over at Disneyland
Elena, from the animated series Elena of Avalor, had been meeting visitors outside Royal Hall in Fantasyland as part of Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month offerings. With that celebration ending, her appearances have reportedly concluded.
Disneyland’s Live-Action Ariel
Her meet and greet near “it’s a small world” debuted in May 2023. She wore the blue dress from the film’s “Kiss the Girl” sequence, and the themed spot included treasures, maps, King Triton’s trident, and Scuttle. More than three years after her debut, those regular appearances have reportedly ended.
What We Don’t Know at Disneyland
The report says this involves the live-action Ariel and doesn’t mean the animated Ariel has been removed. Disneyland hasn’t given a detailed public explanation for either departure, and there’s no indication that either character has been permanently banned.
Disneyland also hasn’t confirmed whether either character will return for special events, seasonal offerings, or future entertainment changes, according to the report.
Tips for Tracking Characters Down
At Hollywood Studios, look for Ariel at Echo Lake near 50’s Prime Time Cafe starting October 28, and watch for word on how long it lasts.
At Disneyland, the report suggests checking the app and asking Cast Members about character availability, though the app doesn’t always list every encounter. The report also notes that meet-and-greets aren’t guaranteed, even for characters who’ve appeared for years. If a character is the highlight of your trip, check ahead and stay flexible.
Your Turn
Who are you hoping to meet this fall? Tell us in the comments where you’ve found Ariel, and share your best tips for tracking down characters on a busy day.
