Evolution of Mermaid Ariel Costume In Disney Parks - DIStory Ep. 53

Ariel has been in the parks for over three decades as #TheLittleMermaid continues to be one of the best animated features Disney has ever done. She’s appeared in Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney On Ice, Parades & even the international parks!
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[@norawin]

For anyone who cares, the other reason they cover Ariel with a black bag in fantasmic is so that she is safe from the fireworks in the finale. The bag is flame retardant/resistant. Since the other characters can freely move to safety but she cannot due to her tail situation, they had to either cut her from the end of the show or figure out a way to keep her safe.

[@princedonovaughn1182]

She's so the highest paid position in the show because of it

[@RPena98]

I remember learning that and then seeing it happen in person! So interesting!

[@norawin]

@@RPena98 I used to be a "show keeper" (read: janitor) at Hollywood studios and every once in a while I'd get to have the Fantasmic shift. The show keepers were allowed to stand in the back and watch the whole show. It was legit the coolest thing ever and I got to see them put her in a bag so many times hahaha

[@whatdoyousuppose]

Yup she gets bonus hazard pay for this role, so I guess it balances out in the end! I would be terrified lol

[@happiestplace3754]

This is absolutely true, however I still don't understand why they don't just design a tear-away tail with velcro or snaps that she can quickly pull off and leave with the other cast members, or just have her in her princess gown since she's already standing next to Eric.

[@josephball2623]

Fun fact for her first few years in Ariel's Grotto, her legs were actually in the rock and the tail is basically a structure built around the cast member, similarly for the original Voyage of the little Mermaid. The actress was on the rock and the tail was animatronic which the actress operated with foot pedals within the rock.

[@morganmiller5413]

That’s so cool!

[@shinylilfish]

I kind of assumed some of them worked this way from the torso angle

[@leanneelizabeth2894]

Oh my god that’s wild 😂

[@jointjutsukonan3074]

@@shinylilfish and the fact she didn't have anime style abs

[@maddiejoy6619]

I love that Dan's household apparently doesn't have enough forks, so he had to use a wooden spoon as his dinglehopper 😂.

[@DistoryDan]

Fork didn’t read. Had to upscale

[@spidey2430]

@@DistoryDan can u do Belle next.

[@bexiechick988]

The cast members that are friends with Ariel must have rock hard abs from doing all of that flapping

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

Legs too, as I'm guessing the times when Ariel needs to flap her fin, it takes strength to lift it! It's always Core Day on top of Leg-- er, Fin Day for Ariel! 😂

[@missmeloetta]

I'm in AWE of those Japanese show Ariel's on the wires. I will never be satisfied with On-a-Rock-Ariel ever again.

[@christiandacanay3086]

Well, at least they did it once for Auli'i Cravalho's Ariel during The Little Mermaid Live 2 years ago, for a bit...

[@leanneelizabeth2894]

I would have loved to have seen that! I remember they did something similar for Wicked and I’m still in awe

[@julian.amma97]

@@leanneelizabeth2894 For Wicked she's on a small platform on an arm that raises her up :)

[@leanneelizabeth2894]

@@julian.amma97 The one I saw, they had her broom suspended on wires and she flew out over the stage, it was mind blowing!

[@julian.amma97]

@@leanneelizabeth2894 that’s so cool! Do you remember which run it was?

[@memethyst]

weird thing about the specific costume at 7:44 is that ariel is actually sitting inside the rock and the mermaid tail is just a big plush prop, i have no idea why they did this but they did

[@anna_banana7019]

Props to them for the creativity. I mean, it does make the tail look more convincing without the knee and feet indentations

[@AdaylnTheLifeOf]

WAIT IT IS!!??? I remember meeting Ariel when I was little as this version and I had no idea. I didn’t want to touch the scales bc I thought her legs were under there

[@singingwolf8997]

I think it was because they didn't want any kids to feel her legs underneath if they touched the tail. Can't imagine it was super comfortable for the actress, though.

[@meplays5269]

I can imagine it for safety reasons. That way she can freely just stand up and run if something happens, which would be very hard in costume. Also, its easy to put another actress in in just minutes if something went askew with the original.

[@memethyst]

@@meplays5269 yeah that's probably why

[@zeawsumrik3298]

The Tokyo Disney Sea Mermaid Lagoon Theater no long has the same story, they now have a whole new story. Like you said it was just a short recap of the movie but now the story about the continuation of the (movie) where King Triton’s daughters (Ariel’s sister) doing a musical show and unlike the movie, Ariel does show up and performs for us. PS: Hi from Japan

[@christiandacanay3086]

And also as a bonus, you also get to hear "Here on The Land and Sea" and "I Will Sing" from Return to the Sea and Ariel's Beginning respectively (in Japanese of course), to the point Ariel's performance in the latter was my fave part of King Triton's Concert.

[@natalieshields4391]

Why aren't we talking about that Flounder costume for Ariel's first appearance?!

[@katelynwillis5719]

It's adorable!

[@matthewbruneau-richardson1877]

I'm surprised you didn't mention that early Ariel's tails were puppets on a stick or string that they could flop around like a fish - it was a cool effect, but probably really difficult to maintain. You can see it for a hot second in the 90s Vacation Planning videos for MGM Studios. I also remember going to a Disney on Ice as a kid where Ariel was in a full ballgown that they made to look like a rock with her fishtail wrapped around it - that one was the wildest looking of all!

[@aesthetic_prince1427]

Omg! I've been waiting for you to cover Ariel's costumes over the decades! She's my favorite princess. I wish Disney Parks would incorporate the pink dress she wore in the film more or even her blue "Kiss the Girl" dress. It would be nice to see an Evolution of Aurora's costumes. She's also had quite the change over the years from what I've seen. EDIT: I love the look Ariel has from Mickey's Soundsational Parade and the Festival of Fantasy Parade. The tropical pastel theme really suits her.

[@yemyearmii7231]

They should ditch the teal dress. It’s so ugly and unappealing. I definitely want them to use her blue in movie dress more. It’s so cute.

[@merman124]

Paris Disneyland actually tested out the pink dress for a day but changed it to seafoam back in the day. The KTG dress was made for the Christmas parade back in 03-04 but it was Seafoam coloured too! I'm making a video of all the tails he missed because as a MEGA Arielholic I need to give them their sea flowers!

[@leanneelizabeth2894]

I LOVE the ‘kiss the girl’ dress and the big bow, sooo pretty

[@BettyMareeHOHCountry]

i remember i was at hong kong disneyland and i saw paint the night parade and for Aurora the dress would change into pink then blue then pink then blue all through the parade as she dances to the paint the night song.

[@PrettyJuls]

It’s interesting that this guy goes in as deep as he does about Ariel. I guess I could do something because she’s been my absolute favorite from the beginning… and I don’t say anything negative times change things change people try things that’s how we evolve that’s how we learn from our mistakes and we learn how to be better it’s a constant growing like climbing stairs… just like I know my videos were completely cheesy when I began and they are somewhat cheesy but I have learned a ton of stuff and I know I have a lot more to learn..

[@KitsunenoHibi]

One note, the Broadway show (at least the travelling version) changed to have the mermaids, mostly Ariel, on the wires with the pretty, flowy costumes. But Flotsam and Jetsam kept the heely shoes, which worked for them.

[@asirenfromthedeep]

Actually, The Netherlands were the ones who premiered the "weird wig" musical. The wigs certainly were a choice but the show was amazing!

[@MissMoontree]

There were also 3 little mermaid musicals. Not at the same time, but just close enough to each other to confuse me.

[@xKagryx]

Why does that make perfect sense? It looks like a fabulous show!

[@bunnie_inc6683]

Shanghai and Tokyo did such amazing takes on Ariel and her...HAH- ariel performances. There's something so breathtaking about their costumes and how their tails move and swim in the air...I'd love to see these in action one day ^^ But this will do as well~

[@christiandacanay3086]

For the Tokyo ones, just look up King Triton's Concert, there are full recordings of the said show for you to enjoy! You'll love it.

[@bunnie_inc6683]

@@christiandacanay3086 That is so helpful thank you! I'll be sure to give them a look! It's a favorite past time of mine to look up parades and shows from the parks so this is a welcome addition 💕

[@christiandacanay3086]

@@bunnie_inc6683 no problem! The Under The Sea show can also be found on KZbin too.

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

Right??? I would love to visit Shanghai and Tokyo Disney one day and see their Little Mermaid productions! The aerials that their Ariels do look phenomenal!! I wish Disney would bring that aspect to the American parks, because it would be so cool to see! I honestly looks like so much fun too! Probably terrifying when you first go up, but then once you get used to it... who wouldn't love to feel like they're swimming/flying through the air?

[@moonprincesst.s.h.4ever115]

I connected with Princess Ariel when I was a little girl being born with Cerebral Palsy. All she wanted is to have legs that work and to be a part of the world. 🧜🏼‍♀️🥰

[@bearmcculloch1179]

Skating Ariel was such a choice 😂 also Dan in a bright red wig was the most amazing part of my day! I think we need a Captain Hook and Tick Tock costume evolution!!

[@QueenTJ1991]

I've actually met Princess Ariel in her human and mermaid form a few times at Disney World. It was absolutely royally splashtastic! She was so sweet and wonderful! I also saw Voyage of the Little Mermaid at Hollywood Studios and loved it!

[@lilybilly6878]

Also I think they made the hair in the Tokyo Broadway show like that intentional to show how hair floats up underwater but on land it would be down! Though it does look silly at first glance.

[@robinellsworth]

“The costume is stunning! The hair.. is a choice!” I snorted so hard lol

[@leanneelizabeth2894]

Same hahahaha, the pointy hair was not for me I must say 😂

[@alexandramcginnis8872]

What I’m confuse about is that I seen a lot of great amazing costumes from those folks who do “mermaiding”. Dare I say, better than Disney’s Ariel. I’m like, why don’t you hire one of those people to make your tail

[@mononykus8012]

I completely agree. There are some amazing tailmakers that use silicone, it would look so much more realistic that these costumes

[@CHLOCHLOLP]

@@mononykus8012 i think silicone would be hard for quick costume changes and would make it have to fit someone's exact measurements. that wouldnt work so well when they have tons of different actresses wear the costume, and when they need to get in and out of costume quickly for their shifts and breaks which change pretty frequently from what i hear. but yea fabric tails never look as real as those custom silicone ones, fabric is just so much easier and cheaper to work with tho. also i imagine the silicone tails are pretty hot and would get very sweaty and uncomfortable if you arent in the water. they would be super cool if they did an in the water show tho

[@lollybirdy]

@@CHLOCHLOLP your right. Silicone tails are also very heavy and they are hard to get into and to get a good one you need precise measurements and they would probably only fit one person. The person it was made for. Though it would be great for any water scenes and stunts they do.

[@chattycatty3336]

​@@lollybirdy absolutely. Although ive heard that cast members need to fall within certain size measurements, because they have multiple people playing multiple characters, and there would be continuity issues if a characters body type was changing a whole lot

[@Fraction13]

Ariel in Fantasmic has always baffled me because the princess barges go around and everyone's dancing and then in the middle it's just Ariel sitting on a rock and Eric awkwardly standing next to her. Just put her in the dress, Disney! It's so much easier!

[@matthewketcher5804]

In 2017, I took part in a 'Little Mermaid' theater production, and I had to wear Heelies. I was terrified of wearing them as a kid, so as a then-18 year-old, I got the chance to overcome my fears, and I fully enjoyed it!

[@andysolo54]

I remember seeing Ariel in her blanket! Never understood why they wouldn’t just carry her there’s many people to help haha

[@morganmiller5413]

Exactly! Prince Eric was standing right next to her! He could have picked her up real quick.

[@yippedoodah]

She's actually strapped to the chair. The tail has these harness things on the hips so she doesn't slide or fall off kinda like the ones you see during the parades.

[@Silver_wind_1987_]

@@yippedoodah it's hilarious thats what it is. I cackled for a good minute

[@jxssica_b]

I heard somewhere that a reason they don't do this is because it'd be a safety risk for anyone who tried to help pick her up!

[@okayfloatstudios3097]

@@jxssica_b Thats not the reason why they don’t just carry her away. The way the tail is set up the actress is safety harnessed in. There’s no way to get her out without removing the tail. And they don’t wanna do that in front of park guests so… fire proof blanket for the fireworks it is. 😂

[@megangeorge9257]

In Magic Kingdom, the actor's feet are not actually in the tail, but underneath the rock with a foot pedal that connected to the tail so it could be moved. From a former cast member who was very close with Ariel. (Circa 2005)

[@eekaboo8012]

To my knowledge the black fabric in Fantasmic is also fire resistant since Ariel has to sit out there while the fireworks go off around her. Sounds kinda miserable to be perfectly honest! xD

[@Jessesgirl2013]

Wouldn’t it be so much less bizarre to just have Eric carry her away with him?

[@missm2925]

@@Jessesgirl2013 yeah it sounds really cute too

[@IceNineThrills]

@@Jessesgirl2013 sadly, she is strapped down so she doesn't slip. So they can't.

[@Jessesgirl2013]

@@IceNineThrills Ah, I see. That makes sense. Whole thing seems like rather a logistical mess though…

[@IceNineThrills]

@@Jessesgirl2013 it is...

[@hannaholson4999]

I had to pause the video because I couldn't stop laughing at "Terror in a Tower". I'm still giggling over it. Fantastic costume history, and even better jokes. 100/10. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@cannibalisticrequiem]

He's not wrong though! 🤣 There is indeed, terror in that tower!

[@jacobcoburn3269]

Can you do the evolution of Sebastian? He's had so many different costumes, puppets, and animatronics over the years (Including one from a Cruisical!).

[@amydaskilewicz9076]

Meeting Ariel in her grotto is one of the few things I actually remember from my very first trip back in 2000. Also, omg I never noticed Ariel at the end of Fantasmic! I'll have to look for that next time I go haha

[@christinerose718]

I loved the video, I really did, but I am genuinely curious to know what alternative you'd suggest for Disney on Ice Ariel. I definitely agree that the miniskirt doesn't work for mermaid Ariel, too much flesh-coloured leg showing for it to read as "tail", but the pants and the longer skirt are, in my opinion, pretty good solutions for a character that has no legs in something like ice skating where the use of legs is necessary. No one would want to pay to go see her sit on a rock in an ice skating show, so I think the fin pants or mermaid skirt get the idea across well enough while still giving the skater mobility.

[@FizzyFazAddict]

You are so right!

[@wendymccoy1093]

I actually just watched Howard yesterday, which is about Howard Ashman who did the music for the little mermaid, beauty and the beast and Aladdin. I highly recommend it. He brought Jodi in because she was the lead in one of his off Broadway shows that sadly didn't work out.

[@chunkecheeks]

As a kid every time we went to Disneyland I HAD to meet Ariel so I witnessed her turning around in her little clam chair multiple times and I'd always ask the cast members where she went when her chair turned around and they always told me she went to her grotto and I'd sit there and try to figure out how tf she got under the sea from this clam seat that was obviously on land and not near the ocean and came to the conclusion it must have a slide that goes underwater

[@stuffingtonjfluffypantsiii]

I've met with Ariel in both mermaid and human forms more time than I probably care to admit. She's my favorite character

[@shaheenahmad90]

Mine 2 😍

[@christiandacanay3086]

Same here

[@LostLifetimes]

The Tokyo mermaid lagoon theater made me get whole body chills and tear up a little oh my goddd

[@posthumorously]

I remember talking with her once in her grotto and being a little embarrassed because I was like seventeen and she probably was also seventeen. 😅

[@rowan3726]

This video is so funny for me because I actually work at Under the Sea. I miss the grotto meet and greets so much. It’s kind of hilarious because they have a guy just.. carry and bring her in while she’s in her mermaid costume. And don’t even get me started on the ride animatronics… when you see Ariel in that first show scene, her animatronic always gives us issues

[@ZoraTheberge]

It’s always bothered me that undersea Ariel has rubber hair but land Ariel (and all land humanoids) have stylized “natural” hair. Make it make sense. Your hair isn’t just rubber and shiny underwater.

[@fatebreakerproductions]

carrying Ariel around sounds like the best job ever

[@merman124]

@@ZoraTheberge it's rubber so it don't get tangled in the wires. Even though there are shows that do this with real hair, it's always not a lot of hair.

[@yippedoodah]

@@ZoraTheberge It's weird because the kiss the girl animatronic originally had rubber hair but they switched it out for that curly wig

[@misspinkpunkykat]

I heard astronaut Sally Ride was also an inspiration for Ariel's animation. They used Sally's hair floating around in space as a reference for Ariel's floating around under the sea.

[@ScarletJeskaRose]

I met Ariel at her Grotto! IT WAS FANTASTIC!!

[@dragonphoenix132]

I am positive that Dan kept calling him "King Trident" and I laughed til I cried EVERY.TIME XD

[@SpenglerExtreme]

I gotta say, my fave costume for Ariel is from Disney on Ice: Rockin’ Ever After. What they did w/ the mermaid fins was brilliant.

[@yippedoodah]

I was listening to a podcast interview with one of the original actresses in Voyage of The Little Mermaid and she basically said she was sitting on a bicycle under the shell. She had to pedal to make the tail flap around which is better than my initial speculation that there were strings like a marionette.

[@elenasmith1902]

Such an interesting video! I'd love to see the evolution of Rapunzel in the parks - I feel like her hair has been through a LOT

[@808natee]

Saw this and clicked faster than you can say "under the sea"

[@bellaknightR597]

Same

[@bunnie_inc6683]

I desire more parody song openings, Dan! You got a nice set of pipes there haha xD

[@KryshaSyrin]

Holy nostalgia, BatDan. I saw the Voyage of the Little Mermaid show when I went to the parks back in the early 2000s . . . Talk about unlocking a repressed memory 😅😆

[@PrincessMeggala0913]

MY FAVORITE PRINCESS!!!!!!!!! I have so many pictures of me of Ariel throughout the years.

[@christiandacanay3086]

Lucky you!

[@bellaknightR597]

Can you pleeeeeeeease do a costume evolution for Hades? He's my favorite

[@92Pooky]

The Broadway transformation is my favorite 😍 You should have covered it! Love this either way. Ariel is my favorite princess 🥰

[@amitmeir8109]

Speaking of "Starlight Express" and Andrew Lloyd Webber, both Sierra Boggess (Ariel) and Norm Lewis (Triton) from the original cast of Little Mermaid are also well known for playing Christine and the Phantom in ALW's Phantom of the Opera on Broadway

[@chasegrimm1893]

The Phantom: SING, MY ANGEL OF MUSIC!! Ursula: KEEP SINGING!!!! Sierra: i'M DOING MY FRIGGIN BEST!!!!!

[@slimmmeiske2780]

I've seen that Tokyo Disney show live in 2013. I was absolutely flabbergasted during the whole thing. It was so magical and beautiful, I kept crying.

[@BowlingDudeTTV]

can we just admire HOW AMAZING Dan's voice was in that intro!

[@whatdoyousuppose]

Ariel’s tail at Hong Kong Disneyland’s Mickey and the Wondrous Book is one of my faves. Ariel sits on a rock and sings Part of Your World live (also joins a princess medley harmonizing with Rapunzel and Merida, it’s adorable) and is flipping her fins while singing live - not an easy feat! Her stationary tail choreography is some of the best I’ve seen in that format, it looks so lifelike and not like she’s flopping around aimlessly, they’ve done a wonderful job with it! Definitely give it a full watch, the performers are amazing.

[@jasmithwrites]

The Japanese version of the musical you mention was actually first developed in the Netherlands and became the new version of the show Disney licenses out

[@Donde_Lieta]

I met Ariel in 2003 when I was on a make a wish trip for my brother, and Ariel was my favorite meet and greet character. I was afraid of everyone else 😂 she kissed my cheek and I had lipstick on me all day

[@SolarFarle]

Nice.

[@natalie2240]

I got to go to Disneyland when I was *very* small and I don't remember hardly any of it but I sure do remember every bit of Ariel's Grotto and the feeling it gave me! Ariel has always been my favorite princess, and meeting her as a mermaid was such a dream. There's a picture of me and her "twinning" with our posing, as she told me to do bc we were friends now. It was such a magical moment, and going to every other Ariel themed area of the park was icing on the cake. She's my absolute favorite still. ♥ Also that clip of the Tokyo show from 2001 made me actually start crying, what a *magical* experience that is!!!! I'd give anything to be able to see that!

[@NayvieNoir]

Seeing Ariel’s Grotto in this video gave me a vivid flashback to being 6 years old, shyly offering up my autograph book for her to sign.

[@diddo9338]

How dare you, that little mermaid puppet show is the best disney show in all the parks!

[@LyralioRC]

"If your house smells like fish" HOLY-ekguavgujkfbhk Dan I WAS NOT ready for that, thanks so much for the laugh!

[@christiandacanay3086]

And yes I did meet Ariel- once (June 2019, Disneyland Anaheim, hours before Mickey's Soundsational Parade was to happen) but i'm surprised you missed one Dan- her appearance in the Party Gras (where the Pluto unit is in), where the crabs push the fish she sits upon! And I love that you mention the Tokyo DisneySea Mermaid Lagoon Theater shows, esp King Triton's Concert- my fave show there! Keep up the great work, gotta love Ariel! BTW, met Ariel herself, Jodi Benson, weeks ago in SacAnime at Sacramento. Really great person. The real deal. Like she's everyone's mom that everyone loves!

[@aworldofhopes7627]

My sister and I met Ariel at Ariel's Grotto in the late 2000s, and I thought that I was pretty neat. I do remember my sister accidentally stepping on Ariel's fin, which I guess happened to whoever played Ariel a lot in those types of meet and greets.

[@SkulShurtugalTCG]

I met Ariel at Cinderella's Royal Table. She stole my dinglehopper. It was awesome.

[@Alberto_Tellez]

Spirited as the sea AS USUALL are Ariel and YOU, thanks for this evolution of Ariel, Danny. So in terms of the Ariel in MERMAID form in costume, I believe that the 2014 Fest of Fantasy parade version stands out among the rest because it looks MORE REAL than ever before, and especially made the colors brighter.

[@megarakadmea]

I did get to meet Ariel when I was a kid. It was such an awesome experience, and the cast member was very sweet. But my favorite part of the video was you classifying Ursula as Ariel’s weird aunt.

[@gh0styb4tz_64]

nothing makes my day more than seeing dan in a wig brushing it with a fork and singing a little mermaid song

[@RPena98]

Always love the background changes for each themed video! Also that singing voice? Fabulous! I'm so ready for Fantasmic! to return! It's my favorite 😭

[@GhostW1thTheMost]

i can imagine on every episode dan just runs around his house going: "I NEED KERMIT MERCHENDISE!"

[@tutti-frutti1429]

Horrayyyyy!! Ariel is my absolute favorite Disney character! And The Little Mermaid is my favorite Disney movie!!

[@christiandacanay3086]

Same! It was also my birthyear Disney Princess movie! (Was born October '89, movie came out November)

[@HeyItsSarah30]

OMG GET THIS MAN A BROADWAY CONTRACT ASAP!!!! 🙌🏼😭

[@Hwilki]

One side note, the 2013 Japanese production of the musical was actually a direct copy of the 2012 Dutch musical! It was designed by Bob Crowley for the company Stage Entertainment, which produced the musical in the Netherlands and Russia concurrently. Then the production was helmed by the Shiki Theatre Company in Japan following those two productions, and is actually the longest running version of The Little Mermaid in the world. So yes, while Japan consistently does things better than Disney in the US, their Little Mermaid musical was designed by a British man for a Dutch production company and is not original to Japan 😁

[@princedonovaughn1182]

In regards to Ariel at Disney on ice I really don't know what else they could do for her in a skating show XD

[@ginahorner7195]

The black sack is the most mind-blowing thing I have seen in a LONG time. I am dying

[@masanorininomiya720]

I watch #TheLittleMermaid was a child, a long time a go!! I like the Ariel, Frander & Sebastian! She is beautiful...

[@briannakadlecik1903]

This video makes me so happy. Ariel is my favorite princess and my amazing mother waiting hours with me so that I could see her every time I went to the Magic Kingdom as a kid. I once saw her with Prince Eric and it was so magical!

[@Donde_Lieta]

My new workout will be flailing my legs in a mermaid tail for an hour long 😂

[@littlemissmel88]

Yes! Their abs must be amazing!

[@jollyollyYT8]

Why is he actually amazing at singing?! Also great video Dan

[@MizzC625]

The CORE work for these poor castmembers! LOL

[@socialbianca]

BEST Segway to the candles EVER! 🤣

[@thepeternetwork]

One of my favorite Ariel memories was when The Voyage of the Little Mermaid was under rehab, and Ariel was available for meet & greets only. I announced to my group to take my camera as I was going to give Ariel a hug. Someone in our group shouted, "Run for it!" Run for it. To a mermaid. A fully-finned mermaid. Let that sink in.

[@sofivazquez1271]

As a costume designer aspiring to a Disney job I am IN LOVE with this videos

[@alishanightshade3270]

The floating mermaid also appeared in golden mickey at Hong Kong Disneyland. Her tail is massive. Fun to watch

[@havanahwilliams8630]

Yay distory

[@SoleaGalilei]

Wow, the wire work in those stage shows is stunning!!!

[@CelestialDarkness45]

I remember the first time we went to Magic Kingdom, it was 2001, I believe. Ariel's grotto was still there. we get in line to meet her, and in my 5 year old brain I'm thinking "she looks like Aunt Angel". I was so locked in that mindset that when it was our turn, the first thing out of my mouth was "hi Aunt Angel!". my parents laughed, the cast members were confused as all heck, and this moment still makes me cringe sometimes. I was a dumb kid. xD

[@christiandacanay3086]

Did the Ariel there laughed it off?

[@Kaice88]

HAHA literally started LOLING from the jump! This is why I love this guy! always makes me happy and laugh when im feeling whatever lol. The red wig! the wooden dinglehopper! the song! lol so entertaining.

[@ZoraTheberge]

Meeting Ariel is one of my earliest memories from Disneyland. I loved that movie. I definitely think I saw turnaround shell Ariel in the grotto.

[@dwqween8569]

Fun fact: The reason why they called the Little Mermaid ride in Disney World "Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid" is because part of the title is a reference to "20,000 Leagues: Under the Sea" attraction that used to be there years ago. There is also a hidden carving of the submarine from the attraction hidden in the rock work of the entrance for the ride. Btw, love your videos, Dan! Ariel is my favorite! Cuz who wouldn't love a fish lady? 🧜‍♀️💖🌊

[@babyrodent]

I've gotten the chance to meet Ariel for more than a few times- she ties as being my favorite Disney Princess next to Anna- in both her mermaid appearance and her human appearance. But I also got a chance to meet Jodi Benson herself two years ago for a photo at GalaxyCon in North Carolina when I went with my older sister that day.

[@christiandacanay3086]

Funny you bring up GalaxyCon because their online edition is how I met Jodi for the first time, complete with telling her how Brizzy Voices was the reason I reunited again with Ariel (since she was my childhood shy crush) in time for the 30th anniversary of the movie in 2019. But when it came to real life, I met her in person this month at SacAnime and she even got to hold my Ariel NuiMO for a picture! Now that time of my life can't be topped anytime soon.

[@kaileykrantz]

Thank you so much! I've been waiting for this one

[@MicheleKlinger]

An Ariel costume DIStory was needed! I am finally watching this after a week-long trip to Walt Disney World where we were super immersed in Little Mermaid. We stayed in the Art of Animation Little Mermaid rooms, and we started every day walking by Ariel. Its like you knew that vibe when you released the video lol. Great video though! I got crazy deja vu seeing Ariel's Grotto from the 90's. I'm pretty sure my parents have pictures of that whole place and me meeting her somewhere in their apartment.

[@rockisheaven]

I had no idea there were so many ways you could make a mermaid tail look cool! :P I’d love to see a video about the evolution of Belle’s costumes-since Beauty and the Beast’s 30th anniversary is next month, it would be a great way to celebrate!

[@MadBunny1010]

Dan why do you go to Disney so much? Dan: THE BUBBLES, THE FISH LADIES AND THE LINES

[@janehostetler8812]

LOVE LOVE LOVE the Bear Country Bear in the Ariel wig!!!!

[@lisajimenez636]

Awesome Video !!! Thank you so much for sharing. Ariel is my absolute favorite disney princess of ALL time. Hope you have a great & blessed day/night. Thanks again

[@androidpriest]

ariel was my fav when i was little, and i remember going to see disney on ice with my cousins once (this was the early/mid-90s). i dont remember her exact costume but i do remember the fact that she had legs was BETRAYAL, albeit one i got over quickly (somehow even at that age i was always aware that actors in costume were actors in costume, so it made sense that she needed a costume designed for skating lmao). that said, from my hazy memories of the show it was still fully magical. those clips you used of the shows featuring wirework performances are mindblowing in comparison tho i'd love to see that live also even in my 30s i still want to get myself a tail and embrace the merman life and i blame miss ariel for that 100%

[@dracodracarys2339]

5:13 Bette Midler who spent years hopping around in a mermaid costume: "AMATEURS!"

[@alissa2722]

Living for Dan in a red wig using a wooden spork as a dinglehopper truly iconic 😂

[@thejbabii]

Can I just say I love the energy of all your videos! It's all just a wonderful time!

[@zachclark1102]

I think it would be so cool if for a limited time, you have the chance to meet Halle Bailey’s version of Ariel in Hollywood Studios after the live action adaptation comes out in 2023! I think that would be so cool to see.

[@antoinebreaux2600]

FINALLY THANK YOU FOR THE Making THIS VIDEO OF ARIEL AND I REMEMBER GOING TO ARIEL'S GROTTO IN 1997 AND I WAS ONE HAPPY 13 YEAR OLD BECAUSE I ALWAYS LOVE HER.

[@shuuichissaihara]

One of my favorite series on YT so happy finally my favorite disney character~

[@princessmagicfantasybyjaid8103]

AAAAAAA THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS!!!

[@rhearoyality]

I love it when you do these videos !!! The costumer and fashion passion for me is like gimme gimme more 🎶