A First Look at Some of the Audio-Animatronics of The Little Mermaid Ride

Would you like to get a glimpse on the new Audio-Animatronic figures that will soon be installed at Magic Kingdom's "Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid" ride, which will open in 2012? Then, take a look at this fantastic video, shared by the official Disney Parks Blog, which takes us behind-the-scenes, in Disney California Adventure's version of the ride:

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"The Little Mermaid" Animators Tour The Little Mermaid~Ariel's Undersea Adventure Attraction at Disney California Adventure Park

I know “The Little Mermaid” fans have been eagerly awaiting the opening of The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure at Disney California Adventure park. I’ve been waiting since I first saw the movie back in 1989! 

     There are three other people who’ve also been hoping that someday a Little Mermaid attraction would open at Disney Parks: legendary Disney animators Glen Keane, Mark Henn and Andreas Deja. These three talented men are some of the creative minds behind all those lovable characters in the movie.

     Recently, Walt Disney Imagineers Larry Nikolai and Chris Crump gave the animators a tour of the new attraction. I was lucky enough to also be on this tour, along with a crew from D23 magazine. You can read their extensive article in this month’s issue and here.

     In this video you get to see a rare Disney moment: animators seeing their work come to life in a Disney Parks attraction. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. And remember, The Little Mermaid~Ariel’s Undersea Adventure opens at Disney California Adventure park on June 3.

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The ride looks truly beautiful, as its Audio-Animatronics. The only one that doesn't really get me is Ariel's Audio-Animatronic with the hair that goes straight up... We understand that it's supposed to be underwater, but, seriously? The hair looks a lot like plastic, and it doesn't really look convincing.

With that being said, the rest will be seriously amazing, especially since Walt Disney World will receive a fantastic exterior: Prince Eric's castle. That, added with the new ride, will be a fantastic addition to the park!

What's your favorite Audio-Animatronic?