Summer Road Trip- Under The Sea!

 I'm sure you all know that there is a new Little Mermaid Ride  that's just opened at Disney's California Adventure. What? You didn't? Well, you need to go. Stat.

It's located in what used to be the California Golden Dreams Theater where they played a movie about the history of California, narrated by Whoopie Goldberg. At the end of the movie there was a montage of people from California who had accomplished great things, accompanied by an inspiring song. That part always made me cry. But that's all behind us now, replaced by an awesome new ride.

With Disney's attention to detail, even when you stand in line you get a feel for the ride. There are shells embedded in the concrete and sea shell-inspired tile work. Even the lights look like seaweed.

Then it was time to load into our traveling clamshells! They have a great Little Mermaid mural in the loading area, the you glide into the the ride through the back of a ship.

 I think this is cute- the kids taking pictures of the ride and each other. Brian seems to be fascinated with Scuttle. I don't blame him.

Then the ride flips you around and lays you backwards as you go down an incline. You see this image on the ceiling. It moves. Ariel is showing Flounder her fork discoveries. Ahh. 

After you pass Ariel's Fork Depository, you enter the "Under The Sea" room. Lots of singing and dancing goin' on in here.

And since there has to be some drama somewhere in the ride, your clamshell passes Ursula who sings about those "poor unfortunate souls" who she "helps". Love that song.

Gotta have "Kiss The Girl" in there somewhere, and here it is, near the end of the ride where there is a big ol' celebration with fireworks and Ariel's buff dad.

But wait! The ride stops, as in breaks down. As in, we're not going anywhere. After sitting for a few minutes, some nice Disney employee announces that we're going to be "evacuated" from the ride. Ok. We were at the end of it anyway. So we patiently waited to be released from our clamshells.

 

As a reward for our patience, Disney gave us a Fastpass for any ride in both parks, well, almost any ride.

We used it for Toy Story Mania. Walked right on in front of all those folks who'd waited in line for 45 minutes.

All in all, Little Mermaid is an awesome new ride. It's one that everyone will enjoy!