The Little Mermaid’ Attraction Opens June 3 in Disney California Adventure Park

ANAHEIM, Calif., June 2, 2011 – Guests will enter the enchanting story of “The Little Mermaid,” complete with characters and songs from the Academy Award-winning Disney animated motion picture, when they board The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, premiering Friday, June 3, in Disney California Adventure park at the Disneyland Resort.

Set in and around Ariel’s underwater world and located inside a new space on Paradise Pier, the new attraction combines the enduring appeal of a classic Disney “dark ride” with wonderful technological innovations to offer guests a personal journey into the scenes of the film. The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure adds to the excitement of Disney Soundsational Summer, June 3 through Sept 5, a season that offers guests even more ways to make special memories at the Disneyland Resort.

Adventurers on the attraction will feel as if they are descending below the ocean’s surface, one of the special effects that take this “dark ride” to a new level of sophistication. Once “under the sea,” guests will find themselves immersed in the classic story of “The Little Mermaid,” sharing Ariel’s adventure through advanced Audio-Animatronics technology, a magical cast of characters and a captivating musical score that will entice everyone to sing along.

“Being involved in this attraction is a dream come true for me,” said Lisa Girolami, Walt Disney Imagineer and Senior Show Producer for The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. “I watched the movie when it first came out and I’ve seen it many, many times since. To be able to create Ariel’s world and bring it to our guests, and then get to watch the faces of the kids and parents as they come through here, is just going to be the best thing ever.”

‘Out of the sea – Wish I could be – Part of that world’

The fun begins outside the attraction, where the building housing The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure is a new landmark along Paradise Pier. Its Victorian Exposition-style exterior, including a statue of King Triton and relief carvings of frolicking mermaids (Ariel’s sisters), was inspired by the spectacular pavilions found in the classic seaside amusement parks of the early 20th century.

“Many times I’ve thought, ‘Why didn’t we have a Mermaid attraction sooner?'” Keane said. “But now I’m glad we didn’t. They’ve done this one so well.”

Actresses Pat Carroll (left) and Jodi Benson (right), who voiced the roles of Ursula and Ariel in Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ are reunited at the all-new attraction ‘The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure’ at Disney California Adventure park in Anaheim, Calif., on Wednesday. The first-ever attraction based on the classic Disney film opens June 3, 2011. (Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland)

In The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure, Ariel’s story unfolds in colorful scenes filled with Audio-Animatronics characters and memorable music from the hit Disney animated motion picture, “The Little Mermaid.” The Disney California Adventure park attraction brings the popular motion picture to life in magnificent scenes where guests can sing along with Sebastian and friends, keep an eye out for the evil Ursula, and experience the romance of Ariel and Eric. Special effects transport guests “under the sea,” taking them into Ariel’s world in ways never before seen.