Walt Disney World has introduced that “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Journey” is coming to Hollywood Studios in Fall 2024 as a newly-reimagined stage present. This submit shares the announcement and official particulars, plus our commentary concerning the upcoming addition. (Up to date June 10, 2024.)
Let’s begin with the announcement from Walt Disney World. “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Journey” is a totally reimagined theatrical manufacturing. The present is impressed by the Walt Disney Animation Studios traditional film, and can debut within the newly-refreshed theater in Animation Courtyard in Fall 2024.
As a part of the continued funding within the parks expertise, Disney Reside Leisure has been dreaming up revolutionary methods to carry new life to the beloved story of Ariel’s journey to be a part of the human world. When it opens, the present will characteristic beautiful new set items, cutting-edge results, and a daring new design that captures Ariel’s creativeness and feelings by means of her distinctive view of the world round her.
“The Little Mermaid – A Musical Journey” could have company flipping their fins to musical numbers impressed by the movie together with “A part of Your World,” “Poor Unlucky Souls,” and extra. The above idea paintings exhibits the “Kiss the Woman” scene in “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Journey.” In line with Walt Disney World, that’s “an all-new addition that captures the magic of this recent manufacturing.”
That’s not all that’s new in “The Little Mermaid – A Musical Journey.” The reimagined present options all-new bodily units, forged of puppets, stay performers, and beautiful visuals. In truth, Walt Disney World is treating it as an brand-new present as a result of a lot has modified as in comparison with its predecessor, Voyage of the Little Mermaid.
“We thought of what Ariel’s room could appear like and got here up with this collage model that you just’ll see woven all through the manufacturing,” stated Sarah Schmidt, Artistic Idea Artist & Illustrator for Disney Reside Leisure. “This new look actually knowledgeable each design determination – from scenic, to the puppets, even the customized digital content material being created for the present.”
To drag off this clever mix of sensible and projected scenic design, of actual and digital puppetry, the Disney Reside Leisure workforce is pairing some tried and true strategies (the blacklight puppets are again!) with state-of-the-art expertise.
“We’re utilizing some actually cutting-edge instruments like movement seize expertise, which you’ll have seen utilized in blockbuster movies,” stated James Silson, Present Director. “Principally, now we have a stay performer in a go well with coated in sensors, and the info captured from their efficiency helps us create a digital animation of the character, which our animators then use to carry them to life on stage.”
This cutting-edge digital imagery will probably be used all through the present to accent what is going on on stage, bringing to life characters like King Triton, Ursula, and even Ariel’s sisters, who kick the manufacturing off with an all-new “Daughters of Triton” quantity.
Earlier this yr, Walt Disney World posted a few audition notices for The Little Mermaid – A Musical Journey on Disney Careers. Submissions have been accepted by means of February 19 and in-person callbacks occurred in March and April in Orlando, New York, and Atlanta.
The primary casting name was searching for performers to play Ariel and Prince Eric. The discover signifies that Ariel is a singing function, in search of a lyrical pop soprano with belt to C, whereas Eric is a non-singing function. The opposite casting name sought puppeteers for each The Little Mermaid – A Musical Journey and Competition of the Lion King.
Whereas these audition notices didn’t share a gap timeframe, given the typical turnaround time between casting and opening, we’d count on The Little Mermaid – A Musical Journey to debut very early in its previously-announced Fall 2024 timeframe.
Previous precedent means that the present might open nearer to late summer time primarily based on these casting calls. Nonetheless, on condition that within the June 2024 replace, Walt Disney World didn’t present a gap date or timeline, maybe not. So at this level, we’re probably not positive what to anticipate. This isn’t a significant addition, so a strategic opening date isn’t actually essential.
The Little Mermaid – A Musical Journey might debut anytime between August and December 2024 and it actually wouldn’t come as a lot of a shock. We’re inclined to imagine it’ll open earlier in that timeframe…however who is aware of.
As recommended above, this can be a reimagining of Voyage of the Little Mermaid. “Kiss the Woman” and “Daughters of Triton” are all-new additions, however different songs will probably be ported over from Voyage of the Little Mermaid.
There have been rumors concerning the destiny of Voyage of the Little Mermaid since Summer time 2020. If I recall accurately, rumblings on the time indicated that the theater had been gutted and the stage present completely retired. Even then, it was unclear what “gutted” meant–the seats have been in fairly tough form, and different exhibits (MuppetVision being a chief instance) have seen a variety of updates during the last couple of years. Had these occurred suddenly throughout the closure, one may’ve dubbed that “gutted” and erroneously concluded it was being completely retired.
It wasn’t (and isn’t) in the slightest degree shocking that Voyage of the Little Mermaid would finish its prolonged run–the present is actually sufficiently old to purchase a spherical of drinks from BaseLine Faucet Home. It had been displaying its age for years with circa-1992 innovative results consisting of lasers and different outdated lighting.
Like a number of exhibits in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Voyage of the Little Mermaid was/is overdue for an replace or outright alternative. Personally, I preferred its blast-from-the-past vibe and comforting Nineties high quality–however I however notice that the present wanted to be overhauled or outright changed. That is very a lot excellent news from that perspective–I’m not lamenting the change.
Following these rumors, Walt Disney World refreshed the outside of the constructing and saved up the marquee. Subsequent stories recommended that the Voyage of the Little Mermaid may stay on–with a alternative present within the spirit of the unique arriving “quickly.”
I began listening to these rumors in both late 2021 or early 2022 (it’s been lengthy sufficient that my reminiscence isn’t 100% correct). Actually, I assumed the thought had been deserted as a result of it had been so lengthy.
I assume not. On the one hand, I’m at all times comfortable to see extra normalcy restored at Walt Disney World. And that is extra than simply that–it’s a stage present that has been overdue for an replace for not less than a decade getting a correct reimagining. Equally, it’s nice to see Disney Reside Leisure get some love (and finances).
The Little Mermaid – A Musical Journey can be much-needed ’spherical out the day’ capability at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which ought to assist offset the park’s top-heavy trip roster. So all of that’s nice information. I don’t wish to diminish any of that.
However (in fact there’s a however…) it’s additionally a bit tough to get enthusiastic about this given the encircling circumstances. Initially, as a result of even with a alternative for Voyage of the Little Mermaid, the Residents of Hollywood and Jedi Coaching Academy are nonetheless MIA. To not point out an precise fireworks present at DHS.
These could look like minor issues, however Disney’s Hollywood Studios has the very best wait instances (on common) of any park at Walt Disney World. The park actually wants extra to supply that doesn’t contain 60+ minute standby waits or Lightning Lanes. (See Walt Disney World Might Repair the Visitor Expertise by Bettering These Issues.) The one fast repair for these points is leisure.
Actually, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, Magnificence and the Beast – Reside on Stage, and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular all ought to’ve been refreshed in early 2019 earlier than the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. That was the time to do all of this, when the park was gearing up for a large attendance improve and would badly want added capability. Walt Disney World didn’t try this; they have been extra preoccupied with slicing leisure prices as a substitute.
The following greatest time to do that would’ve been Summer time 2020 when there was one other (albeit unanticipated) lull and Walt Disney World would’ve had a possibility to make modifications with out taking away wanted capability from Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
However I assume you may argue that there was an excessive amount of uncertainty and development was tough because of the dynamic. (It didn’t cease different initiatives round Central Florida, together with at Common–however let’s simply faux Disney is, one way or the other, totally different and couldn’t probably have constructed throughout the downtime.)
The following greatest time to do that would’ve been someday in 2021 or 2022. By that time, issues have been going again to regular and pent-up demand was arriving in full power. Regardless that the capability was very a lot wanted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the mission might nonetheless have moved ahead since Voyage of the Little Mermaid wasn’t being proven, anyway. The capability had already been misplaced; it was a nonfactor.
As a substitute, we’re getting an announcement now for The Little Mermaid – A Musical Journey coming in Fall 2024. A reimagined model of an present present that’s been ‘quickly unavailable’ for almost 4 years…coming nearly one other yr from now. Perhaps I simply wakened on the improper facet of the mattress–or perhaps it’s the distinction of this information with what Common is doing–however it’s actually tough for me to get enthusiastic about Walt Disney World belatedly doing what they need to’ve finished years in the past, and taking without end within the course of.
For 2024, I’d’ve anticipated one thing extra. That whole nook of the park is nicely previous its prime, with Star Wars Launch Bay being a tragic shell of its former self. Shifting these meet & greets to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (some sort of ‘portal’ or some story nonsense if essential to sidestep timeline points) and reworking that house into the long-rumored clean slate darkish trip–or actually the rest–could be welcome.
Once more, Disney’s Hollywood Studios wants much more to do, and this can be a very underutilized nook of the park. Supposedly, Josh D’Amaro and Bob Iger wish to redevelop areas like this to enhance capability! (For no matter it’s value, we imagine them. As mentioned in Why a fifth Theme Park Will NOT Be Constructed at Disney World within the Subsequent Decade, that is the extra environment friendly method.)
I’m positive The Little Mermaid – A Musical Journey will probably be a enjoyable stage present that we’ll actually get pleasure from. I’m already wanting ahead to taking Megatron to it! So I’m not attempting to be a debbie downer or adverse nelly or no matter.
I’m only a bit annoyed by Walt Disney World’s lackadaisical method during the last a number of years. It looks like the one issues finished with a way of urgency are upcharges, cutbacks, and Disney Trip Membership development. For every little thing else, there’s the implicit expectation that we, as followers, ought to merely be appreciative about no matter Walt Disney World–an costly trip vacation spot–chooses to provide us.
Actually, it additionally bothers me that there was loads of finances to develop two new stage exhibits for Disney Jollywood Nights, the arduous ticket Christmas social gathering at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, however not carry again or refresh leisure for normal day company.
It’s no secret to anybody in park administration that DHS wait instances are excessive. That individuals depart the park early out of frustration. That extra steadiness is required within the attraction and leisure lineup. And but, they selected to allocate assets to that versus expediting The Little Mermaid – A Musical Journey (and extra).
To be crystal clear, this isn’t a knock on the creatives or workforce at Disney Reside Leisure engaged on The Little Mermaid – A Musical Journey or Disney Jollywood Nights. Regardless that I didn’t love the occasion as an entire, these Christmas stage exhibits weren’t the explanation why–they have been completely implausible (and I actually hope they stay on, a method or one other). It’s not the fault of creatives that one factor will get finances and one other doesn’t. They’re enjoying the playing cards they’ve been dealt.
Let’s hope that subsequent yr and in 2025, they begin being dealt higher playing cards, as a result of it’s not simply the exhaustion of pent-up demand that’s going to be an issue for Walt Disney World. There could be loads of individuals who defend every little thing Disney does, however there are additionally a variety of longtime followers beginning to get annoyed. And, as we mentioned in Is Common “Beating” Walt Disney World?, the opening of Epic Universe is correct across the nook.
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Your Ideas
What’s your response to The Little Mermaid – A Musical Journey? Are you merely excited on the prospect of a newly-reimagined stage present and one thing else to do at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Or is your response extra blended, with frustration that it’s taking so lengthy to perform so little? Suppose we’re being too harsh or completely truthful? Do you agree or disagree with our take? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions—even once you disagree with us—is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!