Get ready to make a splash! Disney has unveiled the first delightful trailer for their upcoming preschool series Disney Junior’s Ariel, giving little mermaid fans an enchanting glimpse into the whimsical, music-filled undersea world they’ll get to explore this summer.
Set in the vibrant, Caribbean-inspired kingdom of Atlantica, the animated musical comedy follows a young Ariel as she embarks on “fun-filled, action-packed mermaid adventures” with her friends both familiar and new. While the Seven Seas still separate our worlds, the trailer captures the shimmering essence of what Disney is aiming for – an imaginative, joyful journey that pays loving homage to The Little Mermaid’s iconic universe while infusing it with fresh cultural influences.
Depicting a shiny-tailed, ever-curious pre-teen Ariel getting into oceanically oversized hijinks, the footage showcases the series’ eye-catching blend of 2D animation with CGI characters and environments. It also offers a glimpse at Ariel’s new diverse friend group, including mer-children pals Lucia and Fernie, as well as the return of beloved characters like Sebastian, Flounder, the imposing King Triton, and even Ursula running what appears to be an underwater magic camp.
The series aims to immerse young viewers in the rich multicultural aesthetics of the Caribbean, incorporating vibrant elements of fashion, music, food, festivals, language, and folklore into Ariel’s fin-kicking exploits. At its core, however, Disney Junior’s Ariel stays true to The Little Mermaid’s empowering themes of self-discovery, finding one’s voice, and appreciating the wonders of the world around you.
Mykal-Michelle Harris takes on the iconic title role, heading up a stellar voice cast that includes Taye Diggs as King Triton and Amber Riley voicing the iconic Ursula. The series hails from executive producer Lynne Southerland, whose credits include the beloved Mulan sequel and Happily Ever After.
While an exact premiere date has yet to be announced, Disney Junior’s Ariel is making a big splash with its arrival slated for sometime this summer across the network’s platforms. The rollicking sneak peek has many fans already bubbling over with excitement to join Ariel and her crew on shaping up to be a “fin-tastic” new adventure under the sea.
As the generation-spanning appeal of The Little Mermaid’s story was reaffirmed by last year’s blockbuster live-action film, Disney is seizing the opportunity to captivate the youngest audiences with this dazzlingly reimagined take on the iconic fairy tale. If this new trailer is any indication, Disney Junior’s Ariel is poised to make quite the splash as the next entry in the studio’s proud legacy of timeless animated mermaid magic.
