Is the Little Mermaid Ride Scary?
A Guide for Parents of Sensitive Kids
Are you planning a Disney World trip and wondering, “Is the Little Mermaid ride scary?”? If you’re like me and have highly sensitive, sensory-sensitive, or anxious kids, this is a common concern when figuring out which attractions to try. Understanding each ride can help you avoid meltdowns and ensure a smooth day at the parks.
In this post, we’ll explore all the details you need to know about this attraction to determine if it’s too scary for your child. From the ride environment to sensory triggers such as noise, darkness, and speed, we’ve got you covered.
Is the Little Mermaid Ride Scary for Sensitive or Anxious Kids?
Ride Info
“Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid” is located in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom, near Prince Eric’s Castle. This area was designed to make you feel like you’ve stepped into Ariel’s world, with seashell motifs and waterfalls setting the stage for the adventure ahead.
“Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid”, the official name of this ride, debuted at Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland in 2012. This was part of the new Fantasyland expansion.
This ride brings the beloved story of The Little Mermaid to life, complete with iconic music, vibrant visuals, and state-of-the-art animatronics. Inspired by the classic 1989 Disney film, it takes you on a journey through Ariel’s world and story.
Queue Environment
The queue is very immersive! The first part is mostly outdoors, winding through rock formations, caverns, and water features. Some parts are shady, but the sounds of water and the busy atmosphere can be overstimulating for some kids. The queue then moves into a more covered area and then goes completely indoors. It gradually becomes darker as you are journeying “under the sea”.
Ride Duration & Vehicle
The ride lasts approximately 7 minutes and takes place in slow-moving clamshell vehicles. Each clamshell fits 2-3 people, making it a comfortable experience for families. A lap bar comes down for safety, but no other restraints are used. The ride is slow and smooth, ideal for kids who prefer gentle attractions. There is no minimum height requirement.
General Wait Times and Lightning Lane Availability
Wait times for this attraction can vary. But it can be in the mid-high range depending on the time of day and whether it’s a peak time. It is uncommon to see the wait times above 45 minutes, and you can easily get on with little wait in the morning or later in the day. We typically hop on later in the evening after fireworks, and it’s usually only 5-10 minutes. However, it is included in the Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, which allows you access to the Lightning Lane and may help with wait times.
Related: Disney World’s GENIE+ CHANGING TO LIGHTNING LANE MULTI PASS
Sensory Factors: Is the Little Mermaid Ride Scary?
Now, let’s break down the sensory triggers that might affect whether this ride is scary for sensitive or anxious kids.
Sudden Noises: 2/5
The ride features some moderate sound effects, but the majority of the experience is set to the familiar and fun music from The Little Mermaid soundtrack. The music and sounds make sense in the context of what you’re seeing. So none of the noises are super startling. Most kids should find the music pleasant, but if your child is sensitive to sudden sounds, the Ursula section may be a bit jarring.
Noise Level: 4/5
Disney World is loud. Plain and simple. The constant auditory stimulation can be overwhelming for highly sensitive or sensory sensitive kids, especially if the volume level is cranked up real high. There is no break from background noise throughout this entire attraction, starting from the queue. Because the ride itself is entirely indoors, it also contains the sound making it feel louder than it would be if portions were outdoors. Be prepared with noise canceling headphones if this might be an issue.
Related: 18 Essential Items for Highly Sensitive Kids at Disney World
Darkness: 3/5
As mentioned, the queue itself starts to become pretty dark as you enter the boarding area. This ride is entirely indoors so it is fairly dark overall. Certain parts of the ride, especially during Ursula’s appearance, are darker than the rest. This might be unsettling for children who are afraid of the dark. But these sections are brief and quickly transition to brighter, colorful, and more cheerful scenes.
Bright & Flashing Lights: 1/5
There are no flashing or strobe lights on this ride. The lighting is gentle and underwater-themed, with no harsh brightness to worry about. However, it is important to note that some sections are more colorful and visually stimulating than others.
Speed: 1/5
This ride moves at a very slow and continuous pace, making it a good option for kids who are anxious about speed or sudden movements. The clamshell vehicles rotate gently at different points. This is mostly to give you a good viewing angle during various scenes. It is generally a smooth and comfortable experience.
Drops 1/5
While Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid does NOT have any drops, there is a section near the beginning where you move backwards on an incline. It will almost feel like you’re laying back on a recliner as you look up at the shadow of Ariel swimming above you. It is still a slow movement, but could be a little jarring for sensitive kids who may not have expected this to happen.
Scary Visuals: 3/5
The ride does include scenes with Ursula, the sea witch, which may be frightening for younger or more sensitive kids. Her animatronic is large and the setting is darker with eerie music, but it’s a short segment in an otherwise bright and colorful ride. If your child is particularly sensitive to villains, this might be a challenging moment.
There are also some scary looking eels, Flotsam and Jetsam, above you right before you enter the Ursula scene where she is singing “Poor Unfortunate Souls”. As you leave that scene, you will see blinking eyes in the very dark cave. Near the last scene, you will also see Ursula “screaming” far off in the background.
The last scene includes visuals of fireworks, which is something to note in case that is scary for your kids. This is also an animatronic-heavy ride, so if your kids are uneasy around animatronics in general, that’s something to be mindful of.
Proximity to Others: 2/5
Although the queue can feel crowded and claustrophobic for some, the clamshell vehicles themselves provide a decent amount of space once you’re on the ride. You’re separated from other riders, so you are able to maintain a sense of personal space.
Strong Smells: 0/5
There are no strong or artificial smells used in this attraction. This would be a good choice for kids who are sensitive to scents.
Wetness: 1/5
Despite the underwater theme, you won’t get wet on this ride, which is ideal for families looking to avoid sensory overload from water-based attractions. But the queue can be a bit wet due to all the water features!
TOTAL: 18/50
How do we understand this rating? A LOWER score means LESS sensory overload. A HIGHER score means a greater likelihood of being overwhelmed and overstimulated. This is helpful when deciding which rides might cause sensory overload meltdowns in our sensitive or anxious kids.
With a somewhat lower sensory score of 18/50, Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid is generally a calm, non-thrill ride at Magic Kingdom. Its gentle pace, familiar music, and colorful scenes make it a decent choice for many families, especially those with sensitive or anxious children.
So, Is the Little Mermaid Ride Scary?
Overall, Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid would be considered a mostly mild ride for highly sensitive children. The slow pace and colorful setting make it a lovely option for most families. However, be mindful of the fact that this attraction is completely indoors and has portions that are very dark. And if your child is especially sensitive to villains, be aware of the section with Ursula and her little eel sidekicks.
It’s probably also not the greatest choice if you have children afraid of animatronics.
But for the majority of the ride, you’ll be immersed in Ariel’s bright and vibrant world, with fun music and charming characters. It’s a great opportunity for to take a break from the Florida heat with this indoor attraction that usually has fairly low wait times. And because there is no height requirement, it’s totally doable for your entire family–babies to grandparents–to ride this together.
Have you ridden Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid with your kids? Let me know in the comments below, and follow along for more tips on managing Disney trips with highly sensitive kids!
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