News Live-Action Ariel Meet and Greet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

[WondersOfLife]

DEFINITELY not. That remake is one of the worst for how it misunderstands the original.

I feel the same about little mermaid but here we are. It would be just as worthy.

 

[James Alucobond]

Ok. You're just arguing for the sake of arguing. Jeez.

I think you're just arguing a completely different point from the one I made, which is that there is no meaningful difference between a live action Stitch M&G and an animated one, whereas there is a meaningful difference between a live action Ariel M&G and an animated one. The initial question raised was why a separate M&G persists explicitly for live action Ariel so long after the film's release, and the answer is that it offers something unique relative to other Ariel M&Gs.

Your point is simply that Stitch warrants a spot at all, which is valid, but it has nothing to do with the original question of why live action Ariel is still there instead of being reduced back to only her MK M&G. Stitch is not comparable in that sense.

 

[Comped]

I think you're just arguing a completely different point from the one I made, which is that there is no meaningful difference between a live action Stitch M&G and an animated one, whereas there is a meaningful difference between a live action Ariel M&G and an animated one. The initial question raised was why a separate M&G persists explicitly for live action Ariel so long after the film's release, and the answer is that it offers something unique relative to other Ariel M&Gs.

Your point is simply that Stitch warrants a spot at all, which is valid, but it has nothing to do with the original question of why live action Ariel is still there instead of being reduced back to only her MK M&G. Stitch is not comparable in that sense.

To be fair, the biggest difference is if they used the tiny Stitch from the marketing campaigns... Which would bring way more questions than answers for most guests!

 

[WondersOfLife]

I think you're just arguing a completely different point from the one I made, which is that there is no meaningful difference between a live action Stitch M&G and an animated one, whereas there is a meaningful difference between a live action Ariel M&G and an animated one. The initial question raised was why a separate M&G persists explicitly for live action Ariel so long after the film's release, and the answer is that it offers something unique relative to other Ariel M&Gs.

Your point is simply that Stitch warrants a spot at all, which is valid, but it has nothing to do with the original question of why live action Ariel is still there instead of being reduced back to only her MK M&G. Stitch is not comparable in that sense.

Its not that deep, bro

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

Otherwise why is this version of Ariel still meetable on WDW property when her remake wasn’t even a billion dollar hit and yet Tinker Bell no longer has a spot to meet on WDW property anymore, unbelievable

Probably because guests enjoy meeting her. This version of Ariel has grown to mean a lot to people. You can still meet the animated Ariel at Magic Kingdom, why should those who enjoy this Ariel (especially for the kids who only really know this one) not have the option to meet this Ariel?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Probably because guests enjoy meeting her. This version of Ariel has grown to mean a lot to people. You can still meet the animated Ariel at Magic Kingdom, why should those who enjoy this Ariel (especially for the kids who only really know this one) not have the option to meet this Ariel?

Which version?

The 1989 version that is one of the more recognizable characters?

Or the 2023 (I think?) version that didn’t make any money…was forgotten almost immediately…and is in mothballs?

 

[Mr. Sullivan]

Which version?

The 1989 version that is one of the more recognizable characters?

Or the 2023 (I think?) version that didn’t make any money…was forgotten almost immediately…and is in mothballs?

You can meet the 1989 version at Magic Kingdom. There is no problem with also being able to meet the 2023 version at DHS.

Again, that version of Ariel means a lot to some guests. Let’s stop trying to take a princess that has given a group of kids who don’t very often get represented in the parks away from them.

Don’t believe me that she matters? There’s all kinds of videos of little girls of color meeting her and being overwhelmed with joy, and even adults of color who grew up being told people like them could never be a princess. She matters, and those guests deserve to meet her.

2023 Ariel being in DHS does not hurt you, and it gives joy to kids who love seeing a princess who looks like them. If you don’t want to meet her, then go over to MK and meet the 1989 one. Everybody wins.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

You can meet the 1989 version at Magic Kingdom. There is no problem with also being able to meet the 2023 version at DHS.

Again, that version of Ariel means a lot to some guests. Let’s stop trying to take a princess that has given a group of kids who don’t very often get represented in the parks away from them.

Don’t believe me that she matters? There’s all kinds of videos of little girls of color meeting her and being overwhelmed with joy, and even adults of color who grew up being told people like them could never be a princess. She matters, and those guests deserve to meet her.

2023 Ariel being in DHS does not hurt you, and it gives joy to kids who love seeing a princess who looks like them. If you don’t want to meet her, then go over to MK and meet the 1989 one. Everybody wins.

Never said it “hurts” me or anyone…

Just pointing out (it can be instructional) that Disney does not have an established history of putting unsuccessful properties in their parks…which is a good policy. It can go right next to the Atlantis and rescuers down under meet and greets.

If anything…they should go closer to that philosophy again…as everything Wish was highly cringey

But you said “a lot” the first round and went “some” on the second

I can agree with the Second. So it’s cool

 

[ToTBellHop]

They wouldn’t offer this version if no one wanted to meet her. We are constantly reminded of how cheap they are. They’re offering this one M&G out of the goodness of their hearts?

The old dudes in here don’t need to give her a hug. I’d imagine she’d prefer they not do so.

Go hug the redhead like a real man.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

They wouldn’t offer this version if no one wanted to meet her. We are constantly reminded of how cheap they are. They’re offering this one M&G out of the goodness of their hearts?

The old dudes in here don’t need to give her a hug. I’d imagine she’d prefer they not do so.

Go hug the redhead like a real man.

Old men love gingers…just sayin

 

[WondersOfLife]

Something average Disney Adults do that is growing in popularity and tiktok trends is also something wdwmagic forum members dont take into account...

...People are becoming increasingly obsessed with meeting SPECIFIC actors/actresses that play these roles and developing relationships with them to the point where the cast members portraying the character can remember them by name.

Not sure if this particular m&g is at that point. But some are.

 

[AidenRodriguez731]

Huh people don't want this Ariel and Asha around despite their M&G's clearly being popular enough to warrant it because Disney doesn't just pay actors to stand around for no reason... I wonder why these characters specifically are met with such a response?

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Something average Disney Adults do that is growing in popularity and tiktok trends is also something wdwmagic forum members dont take into account...

...People are becoming increasingly obsessed with meeting SPECIFIC actors/actresses that play these roles and developing relationships with them to the point where the cast members portraying the character can remember them by name.

Not sure if this particular m&g is at that point. But some are.

That’s shockingly skeevy for a bunch of societal reasons

 

[Brer Panther]

Which version?

The 1989 version that is one of the more recognizable characters?

Or the 2023 (I think?) version that didn’t make any money…was forgotten almost immediately…and is in mothballs?

Don't forget the Disney Junior one that's not a younger version of the 1989 version OR a younger version of the 2023 version, but an entirely new version that's a combination of both. Doesn't that version have a walkaround costume too?

Just pointing out (it can be instructional) that Disney does not have an established history of putting unsuccessful properties in their parks…which is a good policy. It can go right next to the Atlantis and rescuers down under meet and greets.

Didn't the most recent Indiana Jones movie underperform? They're still retheming Dinosaur to that.

Hey friend, I know this is a joke, but really let’s not try and downplay or make fun of how important the subject at hand is.

The fact of the matter is that children of color, especially little girls of color, are not given much representation in the media and that includes Disney. Even if that is improving in their films and TV shows, it has been an extremely slow change in the parks. 2023 Ariel has provided these kids someone that they can look at, identify with, and feel both respected and beautiful.

This world tells little girls of color they cannot be beautiful or be princesses, but this Ariel existing tells them that they can, and it’s so crucially important with where we are in the world that that message continues to spread through the parks and beyond. You may think it’s silly, but this world is still not a healthy, welcoming place to some people, and it’s a GOOD thing that Disney is offering an option that will make those folks feel welcomed.

This isn’t about whether or not the live action remake was a success or whether or not you like it, it’s about the growing importance of diverse representation and creating spaces for those kids to have the same opportunities that other kids have to meet characters they love that reflects them and who they are so they can continue to be proud of who they are. Let’s not joke or diminish the importance of that, even if you disagree with this version of Ariel being there.

All of this - children of color needing more representation and having princesses that look like them - is obviously important, but the way Disney went about it feels very sleazy.

It's obvious they race-swapped Ariel in the live action remake solely so they'd get praise for it, and if anyone complained about the remake (which, from what I've heard, Halle Bailey was one of the only good things about), all their fans could brush off the critics as being racist. Which is exactly what happened. They tried the same thing with Snow White (and it kind of backfired). I never had a problem with Halle Bailey as Ariel or the race-swapping thing at all, but if they really wanted children of color to be represented, they could create NEW characters that look like them like they did with Tiana*. Instead, they greenlight another live action remake and then make the main character black for "woke points" or whatever and use the actress as a human shield against racism.

And I know that just by posting this I'm stepping into a minefield, but I feel like it needs to be said.

* I know they tried that with Asha too.

 

[Chi84]

And I know that just by posting this I'm stepping into a minefield, but I feel like it needs to be said.

I’ll bet this is something you already said on this site. I’m not sure why you think it needed to be said again.

The meet and greet is not for everyone. If people don’t participate Disney will probably discontinue it. No harm done.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Don't forget the Disney Junior one that's not a younger version of the 1989 version OR a younger version of the 2023 version, but an entirely new version that's a combination of both. Doesn't that version have a walkaround costume too?

That’s a good point

Didn't the most recent Indiana Jones movie underperform? They're still retheming Dinosaur to that.

A pretty dumb decision…to be honest. It’s just easy and low energy…the igerian hallmark

All of this - children of color needing more representation and having princesses that look like them - is obviously important, but the way Disney went about it feels very sleazy.

It's obvious they race-swapped Ariel in the live action remake solely so they'd get praise for it, and if anyone complained about the remake (which, from what I've heard, Halle Bailey was one of the only good things about), all their fans could brush off the critics as being racist. Which is exactly what happened. They tried the same thing with Snow White (and it kind of backfired). I never had a problem with Halle Bailey as Ariel or the race-swapping thing at all, but if they really wanted children of color to be represented, they could create NEW characters that look like them like they did with Tiana*. Instead, they greenlight another live action remake and then make the main character black for "woke points" or whatever and use the actress as a human shield against racism.

And I know that just by posting this I'm stepping into a minefield, but I feel like it needs to be said.

* I know they tried that with Asha too.

Very good point. But Disney needs to center its rudder too.

You who also needs more “like them” in parks?

Boys…analysts seem to believe that their main issue isn’t making DEI progress…it’s reclaiming boys

 

[Chi84]

That’s a good point

A pretty dumb decision…to be honest. It’s just easy and low energy…the igerian hallmark

Very good point. But Disney needs to center its rudder too.

You who also needs more “like them” in parks?

Boys…analysts seem to believe that their main issue isn’t making DEI progress…it’s reclaiming boys

The analysts found that Disney needs more boys in the parks? Can you cite to a source that says there aren’t enough boys in Disney parks?

 

[ToTBellHop]

The analysts found that Disney needs more boys in the parks? Can you cite to a source that says there aren’t enough boys in Disney parks?

I imagine that’s more the case with their films—they’d like more male viewers. Just make more Scarlett Johansson films and I’ll buy all the tickets.

 

[Chi84]

I imagine that’s more the case with their films—they’d like more male viewers. Just make more Scarlett Johansson films and I’ll buy all the tickets.

Oh I know it’s likely the case with their films.

But the statement I was questioning said analysts found Disney needed more boys in the parks.

That doesn’t sound right to me so I questioned it.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I imagine that’s more the case with their films—they’d like more male viewers. Just make more Scarlett Johansson films and I’ll buy all the tickets.

Nah…on the downside