Disney has shared a behind-the-scenes look at The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure, the brand-new show coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios in 2024.

The previous show, Voyage of the Little Mermaid, closed in 2020. The large building in the Animation Courtyard has sat empty since then.

The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure will feature a “collage style” design. Excitingly, Ariel’s sisters will perform “Daughters of Triton,” which was excluded in the previous stage show. 

A Reimagined Stage Show

Concept art for The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure. Disney.

The show will feature brand-new physical sets, puppets, live performers, and visuals. To complement these new features, the Walt Disney Imagineers have utilised state-of-the-art technology that blends live and digital puppetry for characters like King Triton, Ursula, and Ariel’s sisters.

Disney released photographs of two new puppets: Max, Prince Eric’s Old English Sheepdog, and a colourful turtle.

A new turtle puppet (left) and stop-motion technology in action. Disney.

Speaking about the show’s new technology, Show Director James Silson said:

“We’re using some really cutting-edge tools like motion capture technology, which you may have seen used in blockbuster films… we have a live performer in a suit covered in sensors, and the data captured from their performance helps us create a digital animation of the character, which our animators then use to bring them to life on stage.”

Plenty of the magical effects are being teased – guests will see digital puppets transform into real ones, plus animated characters will perform in the same space as real actors.

Disney is yet to share an opening date for this new show, though they’ve stated it will open in the fall.