Little Mermaid ride.

[Doc Goofy]

Our recent trip was more stressful and tiring than I had expected, though I had put in lots of research and showed up with all the optimism in the world. I was about ready to apologize to Tino for stating he had been "inflammatory"!

But we had some magical moments - especially loved Indy, Star Tours, and WoC. It was so fun to see my familiar beloved rides like PoTC and HM with a different twist on them.

But here's my WHAT? moment: Little Mermaid! We took advantage of the early chance to ride this since we were staying onsite. And it was just a whole lot of nothing. My daughter and I just looked at each other with our mouths open when it was over. No one seemed to want to ride it again and it had minimal waits all day. I am sick that my home park is going to go to great expense to reproduce this thing rather than use that money to build us an INDY!

 

[ND Disney Daddy]

But here's my WHAT? moment: Little Mermaid! We took advantage of the early chance to ride this since we were staying onsite. And it was just a whole lot of nothing. My daughter and I just looked at each other with our mouths open when it was over. No one seemed to want to ride it again and it had minimal waits all day. I am sick that my home park is going to go to great expense to reproduce this thing rather than use that money to build us an INDY!

Sorry to hear that your trip was stressful, that's unfortunate. Glad you had good times too, though.

Just curious regarding your reaction to Little Mermaid: what exactly were you expecting? What didn't you like about it?

I had a great time with my daughters on that ride. It's got fun, memorable music from the movie, and it has gorgeous animatronics. As you mentioned, the constantly loading ride system keeps the wait times short. I'm not sure what more you could ask for from a ride designed with small children in mind.

 

[JH87]

Sorry you feel that way. I happened to LOVE this ride when I was there last week. I rode it three times! Maybe because the Little Mermaid has a nostalgic feeling for me because I was obsessed with Ariel when I was little.
I was expecting a typical dark Fantasyland-style ride, and that's what I got. I thought the technology used was great though, compared to rides like Pinocchio or Snow White. A nice updated version of a Fantatyland ride.

 

[PinkBudgie]

I had heard before going that it was like the next generation of a FL dark ride, so I knew to expect this going in. With that perspective I was able to enjoy it for what it was. It isn't my favorite ride in the park but it will be a must do once or twice each visit. I think there were a few "empty" places that could have had a little more detail in them though.

When Indy first opened, we were expecting more of a rollercoaster because of all the warnings they give you. I thought we would be going fast. DH and I were a little disappointed because it wasn't what were expecting. The next time, we went in looking for the details and enjoyed it a lot more. Now we really like it (however, it needs a good refurb).

 

[Doc Goofy]

I am a Little Mermaid fan. And since I'm not a thrill seeker, I am a perfect audience for this ride. I guess I was expecting a little more technological "magic". It was very much like the Fantasyland dark rides created 50 years ago. At times the ride brought me up too close to the not-life-size "plastic" Ariel... and then there were those dead spaces. - I guess I just thought with the expense and nice big building and the cool descending into the ocean sequence at the beginning, we were really in for something more special.

 

[HydroGuy]

I too was expecting a little more from LMAUA. I do think it is a solid addition to DCA.

 

[scion5220]

To the OP...how did this ride compare to the Nemo and Friends ride at EPCOT? I get the feeling they are similar, although without the effects at the end by the actual aquarium in Nemo.

 

[HydroGuy]

To the OP...how did this ride compare to the Nemo and Friends ride at EPCOT? I get the feeling they are similar, although without the effects at the end by the actual aquarium in Nemo.

Not the OP here, but have done Nemo at Epcot as recently as March and LMAUA is a cut above that IMO.

 

[scion5220]

Not the OP here, but have done Nemo at Epcot as recently as March and LMAUA is a cut above that IMO.

Cool, thanks. I enjoy Nemo and Friends, so I'm sure I will enjoy Little Mermaid. I like those types of rides.

 

[mrswh]

To the OP, I kind of see what you are saying - but I think it's all in the expectations. I think the trouble is that we all have come to expect so much from Disney that we think they will come up with some new amazing unbelievable thing at every turn. I think that some people were disappointed in WOC for the same reason - it was so hyped up and even though it really is beautiful and a technologically unique and amazing show, I guess you could see it as "just colored water and TV." I kind of feel like Disney has already come up with pretty much every cool effect I can think of other than actually making us fly, shrink or grow - and I bet they are working on those. If you take LM for what it is, it's fun. I like that it's a continuous loader so it will never have a long line. It's inside (as is the line) so it's a great way to get out of the sun. And it's true to the movie - great music, nice details, and just overall a cute, well done ride.

 

[Doc Goofy]

Yes, it is similar to Nemo. So I guess it is all about expectations. Disney does spoil us, don't they? I have to say that WoC simply blew me away! I'm glad that there are a variety of things so that there's something for everyone.

 

[groovygirl927]

I am a Little Mermaid fan. And since I'm not a thrill seeker, I am a perfect audience for this ride. I guess I was expecting a little more technological "magic". It was very much like the Fantasyland dark rides created 50 years ago. At times the ride brought me up too close to the not-life-size "plastic" Ariel... and then there were those dead spaces. - I guess I just thought with the expense and nice big building and the cool descending into the ocean sequence at the beginning, we were really in for something more special.

I was excited about finally getting to ride Little Mermaid (Love the movie) The building is beutiful got on the ride liked the effect of going under water but the first Ariel I saw kinda gave me the creeps. I don't know why wasn't too impressed. I liked being with all the fish and music. I will give the ride another try when I go back.

 

[Dobie]

I agree with the OP's comments about being too close to the plastic Ariel--she looked like Barbie on crack.

 

[cabanafrau]

Since riding Little Mermaid last week I've been wondering if that's what they're building in the Fantasyland expansion. How disappointing.

I'm not sure what I was expecting & I do realize they equate to the classic dark rides, however Little Mermaid, Monsters Inc. & the Nemo Subs just don't have heart & soul IMO. I did fall in love with Alice, Pinocchio, Casey Jr. & the Storybook Boats -- & had a serious fling w/ Mr. Toad again.

 

[Disco]

I did not care much for it at all.
The Ursula animatronic was well done but everything else was spinning or bouncing plastic pieces.
I think what everyone can't place their finger on in regards to not liking about the ride is that it doesn't interact or even involve the riders at all.
You're just watching scenes from the movie pass you by.
For example, the old FL dark rides have things pop out at you or have you almost crash into a wall. Those little touches add a lot of apprehension and excitement no matter how tame the ride.
Also, the mermaid ride is a lot brighter than the other classic dark rides. You have to strain to see on the real dark rides and have no idea what is coming next while on the Mermaid ride all the rooms are big and open and can be easily seen.
On Snow White or Peter Pan every inch of the ride is stuffed full of detail. They have very short queues but they are themed and have cool little features too. TLM had none of this.
I was thinking the ride was going to be awesome after it "submerged" you under the water at the beginning. Unfortunately, that was the only immersive feature of the ride and I was waiting for something to “happen” the rest of the ride.
The other negatives are the bland ride vehicles, the completely unthemed queue, boring building and the ride doesn't mesh well with the area (land) theme that it is in.
I didn't hate the ride but I was expecting a well conceived effort and this just felt like a quickly thrown together Band-Aid implementation. I consider it most similar to Monsters Inc except it is higher capacity and has slightly higher tech figures. Regardless of those advantages I prefer MI to TLM. MI is a little more immersive and fun to ride overall.

 

[cabanafrau]

It never even dawned on me, but Disco is correct, the building is nice-looking but doesn't fit the surroundings at all. I think the size of the building exterior led me to expect more. I realize we're only seeing a piece of reality w/ the old classic dark rides, but there's something to be said for the scale of what your perceive w/ Peter Pan, Mr. Toad, etc from the exterior & what happens when you get inside.

BTW, the DLR Snow White exterior is absolutely beautiful.

 

[Disco]

Since riding Little Mermaid last week I've been wondering if that's what they're building in the Fantasyland expansion. How disappointing.

I'm not sure what I was expecting & I do realize they equate to the classic dark rides, however Little Mermaid, Monsters Inc. & the Nemo Subs just don't have heart & soul IMO. I did fall in love with Alice, Pinocchio, Casey Jr. & the Storybook Boats -- & had a serious fling w/ Mr. Toad again.

It will be the same ride. However, the WDW version will have a much better location, external theme and queue. It won't fix the ride but it'll make the overall experience much better. Some rides are just magical based on the exterior details for me.

 

[Disco]

It never even dawned on me, but Disco is correct, the building is nice-looking but doesn't fit the surroundings at all. I think the size of the building exterior led me to expect more. I realize we're only seeing a piece of reality w/ the old classic dark rides, but there's something to be said for the scale of what your perceive w/ Peter Pan, Mr. Toad, etc from the exterior & what happens when you get inside.

BTW, the DLR Snow White exterior is absolutely beautiful.

LOL,
That is what my wife and I said when we got off the ride. We were expecting a longer ride because of the sheer size of the building. I think it is a bit of subconscious Disney Magic that implanted that thought though. Most other ride buildings are mostly hidden from view so we never properly conceive how big they really are.

 

[Doc Goofy]

I agree with the OP's comments about being too close to the plastic Ariel--she looked like Barbie on crack.

Exactly.

 

[rramstad]

I too was disappointed in LM. It doesn't hold up well to many of the Fantasyland rides. I think the FL rides have a higher degree of artistry -- the murals and figures seem to be done with more care, and more by hand. The LM figures by comparison seem to be injection molded plastic, like a toy, and as a result the comparison with "Barbie" is well taken.

Is it a terrible ride? No, it's fine, but it's not a show stopper, it's not something that you eagerly recommend to other people, and in that sense, given the prime real estate and $$ spent, it's a failure.