Is there a "Little Mermaid" dark ride at Mermaid Lagoon? Seems like a natural. If not, do they intend to add one later?

That is a good question. Unfortunately not, but instead of a dark ride attraction explaining the Little Mermaid story, there is an E ticket show in Mermaid Lagoon Theater called "Under the Sea".

To put it briefly, you sit in large circular theater 'under the sea' while the performers zip, loop and and fly in the 'sea' above you using extensive wirework, in addition to traditional theater effects. I haven't seen it yet, but I spoke to many people who raved about it. I believe the show length is around 15 minutes, and it runs continuously thoroughout the day (It even has FastPass!)

This was what WDI and Walt Disney Entertainment came up with in answer to OLC's request for having the Little Mermaid show from WDW in their new park. As with Indy, this is another example of how instead of a straight lifting of an idea or concept, a lot of thought was given on how to improve the experience and make a 2.0 version of what WDI had already designed.

Wow. That sounds much better than the WDW show. I'm glad they all came up with a fresh solution.

Also, of all areas of the park, Mermaid Lagoon appears to be fully 'built out'. There is seemingly no other place to put any other attractions- the building is packed.

As a matter of fact, Mermaid Lagoon has the highest concentration of attractions (7 total, 5 indoor) in the park.

You can imagine how popular this area is- both for young children, their parents, and the 20-something Japanese female crowd who can be constantly heard screaming "KAWAII!!! (Japanese for 'Cute!!!')"

In the photos of Mermaid Lagoon, you might have noticed the chains and poles blocking the entrance to the Sleepy Whale Shoppe. Do you know why? I didn't, until I visited a soft opening recently.

They have to use GUEST CONTROL to make guests line up to go into the shop! Can you believe it? Last weekend, there was a 40 minute wait TO GET INTO THE SOUVENIR SHOP. You might be thinking, "Well that must be at closing time, right?" Wrong. It was at 2 pm.

A 40 minute wait to go souvenir shopping at 2 pm. Oh yes- it was a weekday, too.

The Little Mermaid merchandise has proven to be so popular that it is starting to appear in places outside of Mermaid Lagoon- like at the gift shops near the entrance area.

Yet another reason why:

1. This park is going to make money hand over fist. (the park isnt even open yet, and people are sapping up merchandise at an alarming rate!)

2. Quality, theming, and attention to detail DOES stimulate merchandise sales.

" Quality, theming, and attention to detail DOES stimulate merchandise sales."

The Anti-Walt quakes...
Does the word Blasphemy exist in the Japanese language?

remeber...there is a little mermaid dark ride planned for EuroDisney and waiting to be built!
It would be really strange to never see this being built in a themepark..and if not DLP, TDS seems the natural fit!
Evvery great WDI project finds a way of the drawing board in some form.
Western river expeditiona dn WestCot are promminently featured in many works and areas of present Disney themparks!

A mermaid dark ride would be cool.:cool: