After the opening ceremony of the Little Mermaid attraction last week, a few of us were given a rare opportunity to chat informally with Jodi Benson- The voice of Ariel herself. (she is also the voice of Barbie and more btw). We talk about the ride, but also about how her kids saw the movie for the first time and what projects she has coming up. She was very nice and generous with her time. Including telling us all about that gorgeous dress.
One thing I loved about Jodi is that she is a ‘hand-talker’ like me….
…here she is looking to the sky and thinking….who let that blogger in with the insane laugh?
And then, because I like to feel frumpy and wide I took a photo with her.
But she did compliment me on my ‘Ariel colored hair’.
Very grateful I didn’t need a man to get my legs however.
Thanks Jodi. Let’s do it again sometime soon.
Want to see the entire ride on video? Here you go!
In 1989 Disney made a little movie about a mermaid with red hair. She lived under the sea with a snarky lobster/crab friend and an over protective dad. All she wanted was a good pair of legs and a cute boy (get in line Ariel. ahem) By the end of the movie she gets it all….and we were all in love with her story. The Little Mermaid has been a consistently well loved Disney tale thru out the years, which has left many a Disney fan to scratch their head as to why there was never a ride based on Ariels story…
Until now.
As part of the recent overhaul ‘magicfying’ of Disney California Adventure- this week The Little Mermaid, Ariel’s Underwater Adventure opened to rave reviews. And I was fortunate enough to ride along with the senior project manager (it has taken 4 years to create the ride) and a camera crew. The video shows a whole lotta me…and most of the ride- but there is so much-you will have to visit and experience it all for yourself. Until then, watch this…
I know. ‘THREE HUNDRED CHARACTERS!!!” it’s like I can’t believe they can count that high or something.
I have no excuse except ad-libbing is hard when you are being distracted by redheaded mermaids.
But there is more this Summer at Disneyland. Star Tours has re-launched in 3D (my experience is here)
and a toe-tappin new parade (I love parades) called Soundsational. Here are all the details on all that….
Go Mickey. Go Mickey!
Hubba Hubba…love me some Aladdin.
The world’s cutest Tinker Bell EVER.
Mermaids hanging out in the new Disneyland Hotel pool.
Because that is perfectly normal when you attend a private Disney party. Oh and incase you are wondering… Disney makes the best cocktails as well. Pear Martini for the WIN. I tried about 8 of them. Just to be extra sure they had it right.
OH! BIG NEWS. The much loved Disney corn dogs are now available inside California Adventure! Check out the Corn Dog Castle now open. I am loving the stellar sign work on this too….
Coming soon: Chat with Tom Staggs (Chairman Walt Disney Parks & Resorts) and Jodi Benson (Voice of Ariel and more)…stay tuned : )
