Does anyone know the future of Ariel's grotto?

[Disney Princess 6]

I think I read in a recent DIS newsletter that the grotto will be shut down or removed beginning in January? I have NO idea if this is true or not. Apparently, there was talk of taking it out and expanding ToonTown?

We're going down on 2/27/04 and my little DD is hoping to see Ariel - she'll be so crushed if we can't visit her. If the grotto is going away - then where will the kids see Ariel? She's not at any of the princess breakfasts or dinners. And I just can't imagine the parks without some homage to the Little Mermaid. Can anyone offer any reliable information on all this? Thanks so much.

 

[Jestocost]

I haven't read anything about plans for Ariel's Grotto. However, there seemed to be a new "storytime" area just outside the grotto, but I never have looked into clarifying exactly what goes on there.

It is interesting that the villain character meeting area that sits along the same lagoon (once home of the now defunct 20,000 Leagues ride) was closed when we were there in November. Makes me wonder if there's a bigger plan afoot for that corner of the MK.

On the Ariel front, there is a Little Mermaid show at MGM. No meet and greet for autographs, but there are live characters on stage. It's pretty cute, so your daughter might like it.

 

[Disney Princess 6]

We went to it last year. But the highlight of our whole trip was definitely her time with Ariel in the grotto...even though we had to wait an hour to get to see her. That line was soooo long. That's why I can't believe they might be getting rid of Ariel. I hope they have other plans for her.

 

[M&M's Daddy]

I think I read in the Rumors forum that they may make the area into an Ariel themed attraction like they have at Tokyo Disney.

 

[Little MerGirl]

When we were there last February, they had moved Ariel to the Toontown character meet & greet area. She was in a big room with Cinderella. I think they had her there because it was too cold for her to sit on the rock in the grotto.

Maybe your daughter will be able to see her there?

In any event, check with a CM when you vist. They'll be able to tell you if and where she can be found.

 

[kaygela]

I was there last Feb during President's week and Ariel was in the Grotto. I hope they keep her somewhere!

 

[SnackyStacky]

The rumor mill is always active.

Here's what Screamscape.com has to say about it:

2006 - 20K Lagoon Site - Rumor - (11/26/03) We’ve heard a bit more about the Lagoon project. While we still don’t know exactly what will go in there, it looks as if they are finally ready to demolish the lagoon site and flatten it out for the future project. We’ve heard that this may also allow them to modify the pathway into Toontown from Fantasyland as well.
(11/12/03) Screamscape readers have reported that apparently a choice has been made to do something at last with the old 20K Lagoon. This may be an attraction or clearing the site for a new show theater... no one is 100% sure just yet but the common theme is that the lagoon will be drained at some point in the coming year and demolished.
(10/6/03) The latest rumors about future plans for the 20K Lagoon site seem to mostly revolve around adding attractions from the Mermaid Lagoon area from Tokyo-DisneySea. I’m following up a few more rumors as well.
(9/29/03) We’ve heard that new plans about just what to do with the 20K Lagoon site will be discussed this week. If anyone knows more, please let us know.
(6/16/03) The latest update to this rumor claims that while early construction work may begin on the Sub Lagoon in the next year, it won’t be for a new theater, or even the Aladdin show. It seems this area could be used for another attraction in about 3-4 years.

And furthermore....

(11/10/03) I’ve heard a few odd rumors about some construction work that may take place in Fantasyland in the near future. One rumor says that some kind of work may happen around the old 20K Lagoon in the near future, so if you see a fence go up let me know. The more disturbing rumor was about an extended period of downtime for Small World that could last from June 2004 until April 2005. After poking around a bit, some of our sources have heard something about an extended rehab project for Small World that was coming in the future, but no one seems to know any details. Anyone know more

And while we're talking about rumors, I hate to disappoint many (as I had to do to my fiancée yesterday.....) but it looks the above information about Small World may be accurate...

Park News - (12/1/03) The latest rumor about the extended Small World rehab project claim that the building may be in need of an extensive roof repair. This item alone has a lot to do with the extra time this rehab will take, since they may have to deal with asbestos removal. Other items added to the list of possible rehab projects include: New Lighting, New Audio systems, repainting the sets, modernize the animatronic figures and possibly adding an extra scene.
(11/19/03) So far I’m not sure what to make of this, but we’ve heard a few extra rumors about the possible long rehab for Small World. Everything from updating and replacing the figures with new technology, to adding new Disney character figures, and even talk about reworking the building to somehow add a gift shop to the exit. Now if only they would throw in the budget for a Small World Holiday makeover each year like Disneyland, along with a Haunted Mansion Holiday of course.

 

[PKK/MJK]

Disney Princess 6

Check your Private Messages. Have a wonderful vacation.