Ariel's Grotto
Ariel’s Grotto is a meet and greet location located in Fantasyland.
| Ariel's Grotto | |
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| Ariel meeting guests within Ariel’s Grotto. | |
| Land | Fantasyland |
|---|---|
| Attraction type | Meet and Greet |
| Opening date | 1996 |
| Closing date | April 12, 2010 |
| Reopened | December 6, 2012 |
| Fastpass + | Yes
Park= Magic Kingdom |
| Based on | The Little Mermaid |
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Contents
Attraction Description and History
Original Ariel’s Grotto (1996-2010)
Ariel's Grotto initially opened in 1996 as a water play area and meet and greet on the shores of the lagoon that had once held the attraction 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Ariel's Grotto featured a small water play area themed after the 1989 Disney movie The Little Mermaid. Originally, a waterfall fell into the lagoon, serving as the backdrop for a large statue of King Triton (Ariel's father). Besides just being a play area, Ariel’s Grotto also gave guests the opportunity to meet Ariel in her mermaid form.
In 2004, the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea lagoon was removed. At this time, Arielle's Grotto continued to operate, although the waterfall and statue of King Triton were removed.
New Fantasyland Ariel’s Grotto (2012-Present)
On April 12, 2010 the original Ariel's Grotto was closed to make way for the New Fantasyland expansion. When the new area opened in 2012, a new version of Ariel's Grotto reopened adjacent to the new Under the Sea- Journey of The Little Mermaid Attraction. The new version of Ariel's Grotto does not feature a water play area like the original; however it does allow guests to meet Ariel in her mermaid form.
