Ariel's Grotto Closing and Other Character Changes

With the impending expansion of Fantasyland, we all knew it was coming. But I really didn't know it would be this soon! April 11--yes, that's less than a week--will mark the closing of Ariel's Grotto. Ariel will almost certainly be appearing elsewhere in the park within a few weeks, perhaps in human form along with Prince Eric. And, of course, the princesses will be getting their own meet-n-greet areas in the new Fantasyland, but that won't be for some time.

Other changes in the coming weeks involving characters at the Magic Kingdom:

• Goofy will move from Frontierland to Adventureland and be dressed in a pirate costume.


• Clarabelle Cow and Horace Horsecollar will replace the Country Bears in the Frontierland Hoedown.


• Pooh and Tigger will leave Fantasyland for Town Square.


• Snow White will leave Town Square for Cinderella’s Wishing Well.


• Chip and Dale will relocate from Town Square to Tomorrowland.


• Mary Poppins and Bert will appear in Fantasyland near the Cinderella's Carrousel.


• Wendy will join Peter Pan in Fantasyland.

Character changes in Disney's Hollywood Studios:

• Lotso from Toy Story 3 will be debuting at the Animation Building at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, replacing Carl, Russell and Dug from UP.


• Jojo and Goliath will no longer be near Playhouse Disney Live.  However, you can still find Jojo at the Play’n'Dine meal where she’ll be joined by Handy Manny.


• Piglet, Pooh and Stitch will join Donald, Daisy, and Minnie at the Sorcerer’s Hat in the mornings.

Did you get all that? Just remember, if you're ever looking for a specific character, just grab a Cast Member and ask. They can radio that department and tell you when and where to find most characters.