A Popular Character Meet and Greet Is MOVING In Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is going through some major changes! The theme park is adding two new lands and retheming one of its most popular attractions.

Hi Ariel!

Throughout these changes, we’ve seen a lot of construction walls, and some familiar faces even had to move locations. Luckily for us, Ariel is swimming back to her original meet and greet spot!

Ariel from the Live Action Little Mermaid is returning to her home in the Animation Courtyard. The popular meet and greet was moved for a limited time to Echo Lake, where she met guests outdoors near the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular.

She’s in Echo Lake!

Disney had shared online that this change was temporary, but we weren’t sure when she would be moving back home until now! On Disney’s website, we noticed that Ariel’s meet and greet location at Walt Disney Presents is showing times again for January 12th, 2026.

©Disney

Disney didn’t clarify why the change occurred, but we had a few guesses. Animation Courtyard is currently undergoing a complete transformation to become The Walt Disney Studios, inspired by the film studios in Burbank. The new area of the park will include “The Magic of Disney Animation,” which is inspired by Walt Disney Animation Studios and the Roy E. Disney Animation Building. The new building will even see characters come to life to take over the studio, which we can’t wait to experience.

©Disney

They’re also adding a new playground inspired by Alice in Wonderland, and they’re updating the Disney Jr. show in the area as well. It’s very possible that demolition and construction could have impacted the meet and greet area and exit. Ariel will still be located near 50’s Prime Time restaurant until the switch on the 12th.

Live-Action Ariel Meet-And-Greet in Walt Disney Presents

Until the switch, her meet and greet location is outside, which can be impacted by weather, so be sure to check the My Disney Experience App for location changes and times throughout your trip. According to the app, you can find Ariel at 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 2:45 PM throughout the day. Remember, this is subject to change daily, so always triple-check times.

Look at the twirl.

This is the only spot where you can meet the live-action Ariel in Disney World. If you’re looking for the cartoon version of the beloved mermaid, you can say hello to her over in Magic Kingdom! We’re eager to see if Ariel’s meet and greet at Walt Disney Presents changed at all. Be sure to keep following DisneyFoodBlog for more Disney updates, changes, and more.

Update On 2 New Lands Coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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