After the closure of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea in 1994, the adjacent lagoon sat dormant—still full of water, still echoing the memory of submarines gliding beneath the surface. But in 1996, Disney transformed part of that space into a new meet-and-greet experience: Ariel’s Grotto, a tribute to the beloved princess from The Little Mermaid.
The grotto was nestled beside the still-filled lagoon, which was enhanced with a small waterfall and a statue of King Triton, giving the area a sense of motion and myth. Guests entered a shaded, grotto-like queue that wound through coral-inspired rockwork and tropical foliage, eventually arriving at a cozy indoor space where Ariel greeted guests in her mermaid form.
Though modest in scale, Ariel’s Grotto became a favorite for families—especially those with young children who cherished the chance to meet the princess in a setting that felt like it had emerged straight from Atlantica. The King Triton statue, perched above the waterfall, became a quiet icon of the area, watching over the lagoon and the guests below.
In April 2010, the grotto closed to make way for the New Fantasyland expansion, which would eventually include a full-fledged attraction dedicated to Ariel: Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid. As construction began, the King Triton statue was carefully removed, packed up, and shipped across the country. Today, he sits proudly atop the entrance to The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure, continuing his watch over a new generation of fans.
The original lagoon was filled in, and the footprint of Ariel’s Grotto was absorbed into the new Prince Eric’s Castle area, which now houses both the ride and a new Ariel meet-and-greet, tucked into a seaside cave surrounded by waterfalls and rock formations. While the original grotto is gone, its spirit lives on in the expanded storytelling and immersive design of New Fantasyland.
For those who remember the quiet charm of the original, the memory of Ariel’s Grotto remains a gentle ripple in the park’s history—a transitional space that bridged the past of 20,000 Leagues with the future of Fantasyland, and gave guests a moment of magic beneath the watchful gaze of a king.
Ariel’s Grotto pairs a mermaid statue with coral-like rockwork and lush lagoon scenery.
Ariel’s Grotto shows a mermaid statue posed on coral-like rockwork beside tropical foliage and a still lagoon. The setting reflects Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland theming and The Little Mermaid story.
Ariel’s Grotto stands beneath a whimsical canopy with seashell details and a busy walkway.
The Ariel’s Grotto façade shows a whimsical blue canopy, seashell details, and a large sign above the entrance while visitors pass by in front.
A guest smiles beside Ariel in a whimsical undersea grotto filled with bright starfish and seaweed.
A guest poses with Ariel inside a colorful grotto decorated with starfish, seaweed, and a textured purple rock wall. Ariel wears her shell top and mermaid skirt while smiling at the camera.
Waterfalls spill from Ariel’s Grotto into a calm lagoon framed by dense greenery.
Ariel’s Grotto rises from a rocky shoreline, with waterfalls pouring from the stone facade into a calm lagoon. Dense tropical greenery and boulders frame the waterfront setting.
Dense foliage surrounds two olive-green cylinders with metal handles on top.
Two olive-green cylindrical structures sit partly concealed by thick shrubs and wildflowers, with pale lids and metal handles visible above the greenery. The scene feels tucked away and overgrown.
Ariel’s Grotto sends a curtain of water into the rocky lagoon. Green foliage frames the scene.
Ariel’s Grotto features a broad waterfall spilling over gray rock into a turquoise lagoon, with a small figure standing beside the spray. Dense green trees fill the background.
Ariel’s Grotto sits beside calm lagoon water, framed by rocks and tropical greenery.
Ariel’s Grotto shows a rocky cave entrance beside clear lagoon water, with layered stonework, tropical trees, and palms surrounding the shoreline under a bright blue sky.
Ariel’s Grotto brings a bright, water-themed play area to life with coral pillars and kids.
At Ariel’s Grotto, children and adults stand around painted coral pillars in a bright water-themed play area. The colorful Disney setting includes umbrella shade, circular floor accents, and trees.
Ariel’s Grotto draws families to a themed play area with rockwork and bright blue water accents.
Families and children gather at Ariel’s Grotto, a themed area with purple rock formations, star accents, and bright blue water shapes. Visitors stand, sit, and wander through the space.
