The performance is genuine , but those costumes are all plastic — pulled out of the ocean to help keep Sebastian and his pals safe ! © DISNEY
the story has been part of the Disneysphere since 1989 . But this is a new retelling of the story that maintains the memorable songs and general premise but adds in both obvious and subtle differences . Don ’ t worry , it retains those iconic moments , like Ariel ’ s signing her voice away and belting out “ Part of Your World ” as the waves crash behind her .
ALL THE FISH IS HAPPY In this show , the costumes and set pieces might not be what you expect . Yes , there are mermaid fins , waves , and whosits and whatsits galore , but costume pieces include leggings , crop tops , gaudy layers , and bright wigs . Surprisingly , Ariel ’ s hair isn ’ t the most vibrant on stage ( this version styles her with
crimson-tinged locks more akin to the 2023 live-action film ).
That ’ s not to say the costumes and props don ’ t impress — they do ! We get to meet characters like Sebastian and Flounder , performed by puppeteers ( similar to the Finding Nemo musical at WDW ), and see others like Ariel , Eric , King Triton , and Ursula transform themselves from modern thespians to fanciful characters using costume pieces and props plucked from a treasure chest .
What guests might not realize is that these costumes and sets are part of a bigger story : 60 % of the fabric used in the show , including 22 of the 25 costumes , is spun from recycled plastic debris recovered from the ocean and dyed with a waterless printing method that conserves water . And this isn ’ t the only instance of recycled plastic costumes on board : Many crew members in the fleet don costumes or uniforms each day made from recycled water bottles .
FATHOMS BELOW The whole experience took me back to my own community theater days where we ’ d use what we had to make scenes and shows work . Though the production value is still Broadway-caliber here , that nostalgic feeling of using your imagination to take what could be and manifest it on stage was powerful . Sebastian and Ursula really steal the show with powerhouse numbers “ Under the Sea ” and “ Poor Unfortunate Souls ,” which are both aided by a number of special effects .
The 360-degree transformation of the theater into an undersea environment combines physical set pieces that glide on and off stage , projections that make it feel like you ’ re underwater , and practical effects like bubbles . These theater tricks deliver the Disney magic you ’ d expect and earn the show its standing ovation each night .
Flippin ’ Fins
An exclusive offering available for kids 12 and under at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on the Wish is a costume and makeover package designed to mimic Ariel ’ s look in the show . It ’ s a popular option , showing the power of this story to reach kids who didn ’ t grow up in the Disney Renaissance but still have a connection with The Little Mermaid .
Ariel has a toned-down look for this show . © DISNEY