[Question] Mermaid Lagoon Theater

[Ice101]

So, the show looks spectacular, but I have to ask, how does the line work? Is it just a continuous line where you go and stand in it until the next show? How long does the line get, and are the Fast passes necessary?

[JoeInJpn]

Re: Mermaid Lagoon Theater

The show attraction is referred to as "continuous" since, unlike most live shows, start times are not displayed to the guests. Meaning that guests can show up anytime and either be led directly into the show during the break or wait a few minutes for the next show. It's the same type of setup as any theater (movie) show like HISTA, Timekeeper, Country Bears, etc. in the other parks.

The queue leads to a lobby area where guests wait while the previous show is being performed. Once that show is done and guests let out, the other guests in the lobby are seated. And the cycle repeats.

The show itself is 14-minutes long with a 6-minute window for resetting the show and seating guests. The performer playing Ariel remains in her harness for a number of consecutive shows before being replaced. Those breaks take about 10 minutes.

[DuffyDaisuki]

Re: Mermaid Lagoon Theater

The performer playing Ariel remains in her harness for a number of consecutive shows before being replaced. Those breaks take about 10 minutes.

This show has single-handedly and surprisingly made Ariel the "toughest" of the princesses in my mind, and one of TDL's Ariels in particular is literally exactly like she stepped out of the film - look, persona, voice and all! The best match of any of the face characters I have ever seen.

[jedimaster7313]

Re: Mermaid Lagoon Theater

True, Ariel is usually one of the most beautiful & faithful to the original character in that show- but it can depend on which show you get to- I do recall seeing it once last year & poor Ariel was a real bow wow and should have been used in one of the parades as a villains goon. She had a great personality & played the part well, but unfortunately she looked like one of the flying monkeys in the Wizard of Oz- I'm hoping for much better next week.

[JoeInJpn]

Re: Mermaid Lagoon Theater

This show has single-handedly and surprisingly made Ariel the "toughest" of the princesses in my mind, and one of TDL's Ariels in particular is literally exactly like she stepped out of the film - look, persona, voice and all! The best match of any of the face characters I have ever seen.

When the attraction first opened in 2001, all the Ariels were Russian performers with extensive acrobatic experience.

[gurgi]

Re: Mermaid Lagoon Theater

True, Ariel is usually one of the most beautiful & faithful to the original character in that show- but it can depend on which show you get to- I do recall seeing it once last year & poor Ariel was a real bow wow and should have been used in one of the parades as a villains goon. She had a great personality & played the part well, but unfortunately she looked like one of the flying monkeys in the Wizard of Oz- I'm hoping for much better next week.

LOL!!! Your post made me laugh so hard! Just the imagery...

[MikkiMausu99]

Re: Mermaid Lagoon Theater

Konichiwa! This is my first post on this form.

[Ice101]

Re: Mermaid Lagoon Theater

Thanks for the info Joe! I always appreciate your input.

[DuffyDaisuki]

Re: Mermaid Lagoon Theater

I, too, appreciate the wisdom of Joe. Is there anything this man doesn't know!?

[ErikInTheCity]

Re: Mermaid Lagoon Theater

The audition for this show (for Ariel) is still pretty strenuous. It seems they prefer women with extensive harness work, but if you can prove back strength, that works as well. I know part of the audition USED to be laying flat on your stomach on the ground, and pulling your chest up off the ground to as much of a 90 degree angle as possible, and holding this position for 60 seconds. Way harder than it sounds!

Joe, not sure what their operation is now, but the Ariels used to change out after every show. Once they go back into the trap, they step out of the wires, and the next loads for the next show. The harness is actually built into the costume and is not removed for the next Ariel. I also remember they had shifts assigned daily, and their shift would dictate where their lunch fell, as well as how many shows they would do for the day. Some shifts happened to have more, some less, depending on park hours, etc.