Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid will go dark at Magic Kingdom Park earlier than expected on Thursday, November 5. The Fantasyland dark ride will stop operating at 7:00 p.m., well before the original Central Florida Disney park closes. Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t explained the reason why.
Details From the Official Webpage
Disney recently revised the attraction’s official webpage to show the new hours. According to the operating calendar, the ride will run from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on November 5. Magic Kingdom Park is scheduled to stay open until 10:00 p.m., so riders lose three hours of the evening.
Guests staying at eligible Disney Resort hotels can still squeeze in extra time under the sea. Early Theme Park Entry begins at 8:30 a.m. that day, giving them 30 additional minutes on the attraction before the general public arrives.
Less Than Two Weeks of Notice
The update appeared on the calendar only about a week before the closure, leaving little time for Central Florida Disney Park guests to adjust their plans. Anyone hoping to ride in the evening will want to move it earlier in the day.
The timing is also notable. The closure comes a few days after the final night of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and three days before the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Both of those events send non-ticketed guests out of Magic Kingdom Park beginning at 6:00 p.m.
A Familiar Pattern
Walt Disney World Resort hasn’t said why the Fantasyland dark ride is closing early. The attraction was also unavailable for a full day on February 11, and that closure was posted to the calendar roughly a week in advance. Disney offered no explanation then, either.
No refurbishment is currently scheduled for Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid. The brief closure could be connected to a private event or a minor repair, though Disney hasn’t confirmed either.
Which Disney park has your favorite attraction inspired by The Little Mermaid (1989)? Share your thoughts with Disney Dining in the comments!
