Live-Action Ariel Temporarily Moves to Echo Lake at Hollywood Studios Starting October 28, Just Like Last Holiday Season

Ariel is trading Prince Eric's castle terrace for a lakeside spot. Hollywood Studios' live-action Ariel meet and greet is temporarily leaving Walt Disney Presents later this month and setting up at Echo Lake.

The notice is on Disney's own Meet Ariel at Walt Disney Presents page: "Meet Ariel at Walt Disney Presents will be temporarily unavailable beginning October 28. Ariel will be greeting guests at Echo Lake, near 50's Prime Time Cafe."

Disney's official image for the live-action Ariel meet and greet. Image: Disney

Watch October 27

The notice says October 28, but the schedule says something slightly different. WDW News Today points out there are no hours listed for October 27, "indicating the move may happen one day earlier or she may be unavailable for a day." WDWMagic noticed the same gap, writing that "posted hours for the Ariel meet-and-greet have already been removed starting October 27, so the exact start date for the transition isn't entirely clear."

So if meeting Ariel is on your list for the 27th, check the times in the My Disney Experience app before you plan around it.

We have seen this before

This is a repeat of last year. According to WDW News Today, live-action Ariel also moved to Echo Lake starting October 28, 2025, while her room inside Walt Disney Presents was dressed for the holidays and handed over to Santa Claus. On Disney Jollywood Nights, Santa Duffy greeted guests in the same room. Ariel did not return to Walt Disney Presents until January 12, 2026.

The Walt Disney Presents marquee when the live-action Ariel meet and greet arrived ahead of the film's May 2023 release. Photo: WDWMagic

Disney has said Santa Claus will make appearances in every Walt Disney World theme park, plus Disney Springs, this holiday season, according to WDW News Today's June holiday coverage, but it has not said where he will be at Hollywood Studios. So treat the next part as expectation, not fact. Both WDW News Today and WDWMagic expect Santa to return to Walt Disney Presents, and WDW News Today expects Santa Duffy back as well.

Where she will be

Disney's notice places Ariel at Echo Lake, near 50's Prime Time Cafe, and has not posted a return date to Walt Disney Presents.

Live-action Ariel at an outdoor meet-and-greet spot, in the photo WDW News Today ran with its report. Photo: WDW News Today

WDW News Today adds that this move has nothing to do with the recent word that Disneyland Resort is ending its own live-action Ariel meet and greet. She has greeted guests on both coasts since around the film's May 2023 release.

Would you rather catch Ariel at Echo Lake, or save your Walt Disney Presents visit for Santa?

Sources

• Walt Disney World, Meet Ariel at Walt Disney Presents (checked October 20, 2026)
• WDW News Today, "Live-Action Ariel Temporarily Moving Locations at Disney's Hollywood Studios Later This Month" (October 20, 2026)
• WDW News Today, "2026 Holidays at Disney's Hollywood Studios Bring Projection Show, Festive Finale for Frozen Show, and More" (June 24, 2026)
• WDWMagic, "Ariel Meet and Greet Moving at Disney's Hollywood Studios Starting Late October" (October 20, 2026)

Image credits: Disney (featured image), WDWMagic, WDW News Today.