If a meet-and-greet with Ariel is on your Hollywood Studios to-do list, make a note of the new spot.
Beginning October 28, Disney says the Walt Disney Presents meet-and-greet will be temporarily unavailable, and live-action Ariel will be greeting guests at Echo Lake, near 50’s Prime Time Cafe.
Right now, Ariel meets guests at Walt Disney Presents, on the terrace of Prince Eric’s castle set. The new location is an outdoor spot between the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and 50’s Prime Time Cafe, with large potted tropical plants around it.
The reason is holiday-related. The space inside Walt Disney Presents is getting a holiday overlay, and it’s expected to host a seasonal Santa Claus meet-and-greet, and Santa Duffy, who previously met guests there during Disney Jollywood Nights, is expected too. Disney has confirmed that a holiday exhibit will return to Walt Disney Presents this year.
The move is labeled as temporary. Disney hasn’t given an end date, but last year Ariel went through the same change, spent the end of 2025 at Echo Lake and returned to Walt Disney Presents on January 12, 2026. That’s a handy guide for planning, though this year’s timing isn’t confirmed.
I actually like this change from a guest point of view. Plenty of people walk right past Walt Disney Presents without realizing there’s a character inside, and a spot near 50’s Prime Time Cafe is easier to find when you’re walking through Echo Lake. It also keeps both Ariel and a holiday Santa available for photos, which is a win for families with kids who want to meet everyone. I’d just give yourself a few extra minutes to find the new spot, and I’ll let you know if Disney shares updates about when she heads back.
Keep checking back with us here at Theme Park Scope for every Hollywood Studios character update and holiday change. Tell us in the comments if Ariel is on your must-meet list this trip.
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