Bobby D. Checks Out Disney's New Rides

Anaheim - Disney California Adventure will immerse park-goers in the sights and sounds of "The Little Mermaid" as it debuts its made-over Ariel's Undersea Adventure today.

The roughly 5 1/2-minute ride, in a new space on Paradise Pier, has added animatronic characters from the Oscar-winning movie, as well as songs. It's part of Disney's "Soundsational Summer," continuing through Sept. 5.

"Being involved in this attraction is a dream come true for me," Lisa Girolami, a Disney "Imagineer" and senior show producer for Ariel's Undersea Adventure.

"To be able to create Ariel's world and bring it to our guests, and then get to watch the faces of the kids and parents as they come through here, is just going to be the best thing ever."

Those waiting in line will be treated to an 86-foot hand-painted mural depicting the characters from the movie and, at night, the building will be festooned in thousands of lights.

Once seated in a clamshell, Scuttle, the tale-spinning seagull, tells the story of Ariel's ambition to leave her ocean home and become part of the human world. About that time, the clamshell "dives" into the grotto where Ariel keeps her treasures found on land.