Ride: Under the Sea - Journey of The Little Mermaid
Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland
Descend below the waves (without ever getting wet) for a musical adventure awash with scenes from the animated classic.
Ride Information
| Park | Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland |
| Ride Type | Omnimover |
| Thrill Type | Slow ride, Dark |
| Height Requirement | Any height |
Curated Review
The "Under the Sea - Journey of The Little Mermaid" attraction at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is a gentle, musical dark ride that immerses guests in the world of Ariel and her friends.
Based on reviews and other public feedback, here is a curated review of the attraction.
Overall Verdict
The Journey of The Little Mermaid is a delightful and non-thrilling "Omnimover" dark ride that serves as a must-do for fans of the 1989 animated classic and an excellent respite for families with young children. While some seasoned Disney fans find the technology and staging underwhelming compared to the park's more ambitious dark rides, its charm, high capacity, and beloved soundtrack make it a solid, dependable attraction. It is a whimsical "shell-abration" that guarantees a dose of nostalgia and air conditioning.
The Experience
Guests begin their adventure at Prince Eric's castle, near the base of the rockwork structure in Fantasyland. The queue itself is interactive and well-themed, winding past a waterfall and tide pools where children can play an engaging game involving virtual crabs sorting human treasures.
Upon boarding a colorful clamshell vehicle, you travel "under the sea" to revisit the classic moments of The Little Mermaid film. The ride is a slow, seven-minute tour through key scenes:
- Ariel's Grotto: Seeing her collection of "gadgets and gizmos aplenty."
- "Under the Sea" Musical Number: A vibrant, large-scale scene filled with nearly 200 brightly lit audio-animatronics of sea creatures, led by Sebastian the crab.
- Ursula's Lair: Encountering the massive, 7.5-foot-tall, 12-foot-wide animatronic of the Sea Witch as she sings "Poor Unfortunate Souls."
- The Surface: Traveling past Prince Eric and Ariel during the "Kiss the Girl" scene before emerging to celebrate Ariel’s happily ever after.
The Good: What People Love
- A Perfect Family Ride: With no height requirement and a gentle, slow-moving system, it's ideal for all ages, particularly toddlers and preschoolers.
- The Nostalgia and Soundtrack: Reviewers consistently praise the opportunity to relive the classic movie moments and sing along to iconic songs like "Under the Sea" and "Part of Your World."
- High Capacity & Low Wait Times: The continuous loading Omnimover system is very efficient, meaning the line moves quickly. Many guests ride it when they need a low-stress break.
- The Queue & Ambiance: The exterior rockwork and cavernous queue are beautiful, and the interactive tide pool game is a favorite for entertaining children while waiting.
- Air Conditioning: Located entirely indoors, it's a popular choice for guests needing a break from the Florida heat and sun. As one reviewer noted, it is a "relaxing and taking in the Little Mermaid story" experience.
The Bad: Common Complaints
- Outdated Animatronics: A frequent critique is that many of the animatronics, particularly Ariel and Flounder, are simplistic or "very plastic-looking" and merely spin in place, making the ride feel less advanced compared to newer Disney attractions.
- Lacking Immersion: Some reviewers feel that the main "Under the Sea" show scene is too brightly lit, which can expose the theatrical rigging and ceiling structure, breaking the illusion of being underwater.
- Weak Finale: The climactic moment of Ursula’s defeat is often criticized as being "phoned in," lacking the dramatic impact expected from a major Disney attraction.
- Not a "Must-Do" for Everyone: For visitors without small children or a deep attachment to the film, many reviews suggest it's not worth waiting more than 15–20 minutes, classifying it as a "B-level" dark ride.
Top Tips from Reviewers
- Skip the Mid-Day Heat: Like many indoor dark rides, waits can peak in the afternoon when people are seeking shelter from the heat. Ride it during the first two hours of the park opening, or the last two hours before closing for the shortest waits.
- Look for Hidden Details: The queue area, built on the site of the former 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction, features an imprint of the Nautilus submarine in the rockwork as an homage. Also, keep an eye out for a Hidden Mickey made of coral in the "Under the Sea" scene.
- Use the Queue Game: If the line is long, take advantage of the interactive tide pool game to keep kids entertained.
Summary
The "Under the Sea - Journey of The Little Mermaid" attraction at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World is a gentle, musical dark ride that immerses guests in the world of Ariel and her friends.
Based on an analysis of Google Reviews and other public feedback, here is a curated review of the attraction.
Curated Attraction Review: Under the Sea - Journey of The Little Mermaid
Overall Verdict (of the Ride)
The Journey of The Little Mermaid is a delightful and non-thrilling "Omnimover" dark ride that serves as a must-do for fans of the 1989 animated classic and an excellent respite for families with young children. While some seasoned Disney fans find the technology and staging underwhelming compared to the park's more ambitious dark rides, its charm, high capacity, and beloved soundtrack make it a solid, dependable attraction. It is a whimsical "shell-abration" that guarantees a dose of nostalgia and air conditioning.
The Experience
Guests begin their adventure at Prince Eric's castle, near the base of the rockwork structure in Fantasyland. The queue itself is interactive and well-themed, winding past a waterfall and tide pools where children can play an engaging game involving virtual crabs sorting human treasures.
Upon boarding a colorful clamshell vehicle, you travel "under the sea" to revisit the classic moments of The Little Mermaid film. The ride is a slow, seven-minute tour through key scenes:
- Ariel's Grotto: Seeing her collection of "gadgets and gizmos aplenty."
- "Under the Sea" Musical Number: A vibrant, large-scale scene filled with nearly 200 brightly lit audio-animatronics of sea creatures, led by Sebastian the crab.
- Ursula's Lair: Encountering the massive, 7.5-foot-tall, 12-foot-wide animatronic of the Sea Witch as she sings "Poor Unfortunate Souls."
- The Surface: Traveling past Prince Eric and Ariel during the "Kiss the Girl" scene before emerging to celebrate Ariel’s happily ever after.
The Good: What People Love
- A Perfect Family Ride: With no height requirement and a gentle, slow-moving system, it's ideal for all ages, particularly toddlers and preschoolers.
- The Nostalgia and Soundtrack: Reviewers consistently praise the opportunity to relive the classic movie moments and sing along to iconic songs like "Under the Sea" and "Part of Your World."
- High Capacity & Low Wait Times: The continuous loading Omnimover system is very efficient, meaning the line moves quickly. Many guests ride it when they need a low-stress break.
- The Queue & Ambiance: The exterior rockwork and cavernous queue are beautiful, and the interactive tide pool game is a favorite for entertaining children while waiting.
- Air Conditioning: Located entirely indoors, it's a popular choice for guests needing a break from the Florida heat and sun. As one reviewer noted, it is a "relaxing and taking in the Little Mermaid story" experience.
The Bad: Common Complaints
- Outdated Animatronics: A frequent critique is that many of the animatronics, particularly Ariel and Flounder, are simplistic or "very plastic-looking" and merely spin in place, making the ride feel less advanced compared to newer Disney attractions.
- Lacking Immersion: Some reviewers feel that the main "Under the Sea" show scene is too brightly lit, which can expose the theatrical rigging and ceiling structure, breaking the illusion of being underwater.
- Weak Finale: The climactic moment of Ursula’s defeat is often criticized as being "phoned in," lacking the dramatic impact expected from a major Disney attraction.
- Not a "Must-Do" for Everyone: For visitors without small children or a deep attachment to the film, many reviews suggest it's not worth waiting more than 15–20 minutes, classifying it as a "B-level" dark ride.
Top Tips from Reviewers
- Skip the Mid-Day Heat: Like many indoor dark rides, waits can peak in the afternoon when people are seeking shelter from the heat. Ride it during the first two hours of the park opening, or the last two hours before closing for the shortest waits.
- Look for Hidden Details: The queue area, built on the site of the former 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction, features an imprint of the Nautilus submarine in the rockwork as an homage. Also, keep an eye out for a Hidden Mickey made of coral in the "Under the Sea" scene.
- Use the Queue Game: If the line is long, take advantage of the interactive tide pool game to keep kids entertained.
Summary
"Under the Sea - Journey of The Little Mermaid" is a charming and gentle retelling of a classic Disney love story. It shines brightest as a low-intensity, high-capacity ride perfect for families and anyone seeking a dose of nostalgia in an air-conditioned environment. While it may not feature Disney's most groundbreaking technology, it successfully transports guests to Ariel's world with its iconic music and beloved characters.
