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[alka1]

Mermaid ride vehicles have arrived!

[youtube:37v5m5pp]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XV3PsBf8lKw&feature=feedlik[/youtube:37v5m5pp]

It's always fun to see the evolution of an attraction. From renderings to construction to opening day – every step is Disney magic at its best. In the past, we couldn't really take you along for the ride. But now, the Disney Parks Blog gives you a backstage pass. In this video, shot at Disney California Adventure park, we once again take you behind the scenes of The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel's Undersea Adventure. By the way, the idea of a Little Mermaid attraction has been bantered about since the movie opened back in 1989.

Recently, the Mermaid ride vehicles – which look like clam shells – were installed on the attraction at Paradise Pier. There are more than 100 clam shells. Some are green. Some are orange. And some are marigold. They each hold 2-3 people. (The ADA vehicles are "chariots" and they're styled after carved chariot seats from carousels of the early 20th century.)

This video is from the recent installation. It reminds me of the holidays as one of the clam shells is unwrapped before being installed in the attraction. I am happy to be able to share this behind-the-scenes peek with you as we take the journey from creation, construction and grand opening of this amazing attraction. Enjoy!

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2 ... ture-park/

[dagobert]

Thanks for the video! It's really great how Disney in the US lets people be part of the construction progress. Over here we don't even know what's happening next year.

[alka1]

Behind-the-Scenes video of Ursula Moving Into Her Lair - Disney California Adventure

[youtube:18moqblb]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pi9ZRz_oIs[/youtube:18moqblb]

The infamous evil sea witch, Ursula, has taken her place inside The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel's Undersea Adventure attraction opening June 3 at Disney California Adventure park. When you're on the attraction, you can't miss her. She's 7 ½ feet tall and 12 feet wide! Of course, the Disney Parks Blog was there to capture this exciting day! Come with us behind-the-scenes as we show you Ursula being installed, and meet some members of the amazing team of Walt Disney Imagineers who brought Ursula to "life."

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2 ... ture-park/

[Josh]

I've said it before, but she looks brilliant!

She's normally has blue skin, though, doesn't she? :?

[Festival Disney]

Just a thought but if they're using Black (uv) light in the attraction as with most dark rides, maybe it'll turn blue then? haha

[Anthony]

The incredible Ariel audio-animatronic:

[youtube:39tq99vt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx2NBncpdiE[/youtube:39tq99vt]

[CafeFantasia]

I have to say, I'm a little bit disappointed by the Ariel animatronic, based on this video. After seeing the excellent job they did with the Ursula figure, I was expecting something more. Ariel looks really rubbery and her animatronic hair just looks like a large lump of plasticine. I mean, it's a good figure, but something about it is just wrong.

[davewasbaloo]

I have to say, I'm a little bit disappointed by the Ariel animatronic, based on this video. After seeing the excellent job they did with the Ursula figure, I was expecting something more. Ariel looks really rubbery and her animatronic hair just looks like a large lump of plasticine. I mean, it's a good figure, but something about it is just wrong.

I thought I was alone. This is getting loads of praise on the US sites. I love the Ursula AA, but her hair looks aweful, and the eyes are too big. Overall, I think she's creepy looking.

[JelleP]

I was wondering why I didn´t like her, but you said it davewasbaloo! Her eyes are to big! Besides that, her facial expression is a little creepy overall...

But it might look MUCH better with the actual show lighting and stuff, so I still got some hope that Imagineers didn't screw this up ;-)

[davewasbaloo]

Agreed, with show lighting and moving characters, it could be cool. Being walked off of PotC, it is not as great under house lights.

[Anthony]

Eyes do look a bit big there, yes. The rubbery look probably is the bright work lights, as you can see when she's in the background of the interviews she doesn't have that same odd shine.

I was impressed how the hair moves independently, and quite authentically for how it would underwater. Her hair in the film always stayed as one single clump for the ease of animation anyway.

And wow - compare this to stuff like Snow White's Scary Adventures. :shock: Oh, there's a question - is this the first Audio-Animatronic princess? I can't think of a comparison right now.

[dagobert]

Ariel does look a bit weired, especially her eyes, but I think that she will look great in the finished ride. At least I hope so. I can imagine that it isn't that easy to transform a drawn character into an AA.

[DGRavenswood]

I was impressed how the hair moves independently, and quite authentically for how it would underwater. Her hair in the film always stayed as one single clump for the ease of animation anyway.

And wow - compare this to stuff like Snow White's Scary Adventures. :shock: Oh, there's a question - is this the first Audio-Animatronic princess? I can't think of a comparison right now.

I think the WDW/TDL Mickey Mouse Revue had Snow White and Cinderella, though I don't know how elaborate those animatronics were.....

I thought it looked acceptable for being a work in progress under non-show conditions. I guess I'll reserve judgement until I've seen it in the actual ride...

[alka1]

New video from the Disney Parks Blog, including a first-look at the King Triton AA:

[youtube:30h4elxp]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oymjLVjVHqU[/youtube:30h4elxp]

For those who saw "The Little Mermaid" back in 1989, you know the music in the movie was just as magical as a mermaid falling in love with a prince and living happily ever after. Remember "Part of Your World," "Under the Sea," "Poor Unfortunate Souls" and "Kiss the Girl"? You'll hear all these classics throughout the new attraction, The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel's Undersea Adventure, set to open at Disney California Adventure park in June.

More than 20 years ago Alan Menken wrote the movie score that won an Academy Award, and he collaborated with Howard Ashman on the songs. For the attraction, the music needed to be arranged somewhat differently, so well-known musical arranger and orchestrator Danny Troob, who has worked often with Menken, took on the challenge. In this video, we go into the music studio and give you a front row seat in a session with Troob and a 65-piece orchestra, as they recreate the amazing Little Mermaid music we all know and love.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2 ... adventure/

[Anthony]

Watch original Little Mermaid animators Andreas Deja, Mark Henn and Glen Keane tour the attraction:

[youtube:1apl4jhe]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=py9Gfuhhf20[/youtube:1apl4jhe]
And then drool over the attraction poster why don't you: http://twitpic.com/4w3ngp