Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid” swam into theaters in May and has made a splash ever since.
The film, which stars Halle Bailey as the lead princess, Ariel, and Melissa McCarthy as the evil Ursula, has not only had a lot of controversy surrounding it, but also a ton of support from fans.
One of the most iconic scenes, in both the animated film and the new live-action movie, is when King Triton destroys the statue of Prince Eric that Ariel has in her grotto. But did you know there is a way you can actually see Prince Eric’s statue in real life?
How To Find Prince Eric’s Statue
The only way to see Prince Eric’s statue, plus many other under-the-sea treasures, is by boarding a Disney Cruise and heading to Disney’s private island — Castaway Cay.
Castaway Cay has a 22-acre snorkeling lagoon, which features crystal-clear water, allowing visitors to swim and splash around in a practically perfect paradise. One of the amenities offered at Castaway Cay is snorkeling.
Guests can book this amenity ahead of time and once they arrive, they can pick up their snorkeling gear and head out to the water where they can try and find various under-the-sea treasures — including Prince Eric’s statue!
The treasures are marked with buoys so swimmers are able to find their way easier. Prince Eric’s statue is one of the ones towards the back of the lagoon. (Be sure to bring your waterproof camera to snap the perfect photo of your Ariel moment).
Which Disney Cruises Sail To Castaway Cay?
Only select Disney Cruises sail to Disney’s private island. Most cruises out of Port Canaveral on the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy with Bahama and Caribbean itineraries make stops at Castaway Cay.
Be sure to check the itinerary for your cruise to guarantee a stop at Castaway Cay before booking.
‘The Little Mermaid’
Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid” hit theaters on May 26, 2023. The film will star Halle Bailey as Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, and Jacob Tremblay as Flounder.
Prior to the film’s official release, Jodi Benson, the original voice of Ariel, spoke out on Disney’s decision to remake the 1989 Disney animated classic into a live-action film, which she said she was thrilled by.
“I’ve been part of the Disney family for so long; I completely trust our company. I do,” she told the magazine. “I had no hesitation that it was going to be breathtaking. And as soon as I heard Rob Marshall would be steering the ship, I knew we were in great hands.”
Regarding Halle Bailey taking on the new role, Benson could not be more proud of the 23-year-old. “Halle [Bailey] ‘s interpretation of Ariel is wonderful,” Benson said after she saw the movie. “I loved everything that she did with the film. I love the acting, the singing, and just the pure spirit. Her beautiful love for the character comes through. It’s just a beautiful, beautiful performance.”
She continued, “The casting has been done perfectly with all the characters. You just have to get to the heart of the character — that’s the most important thing.”
Disney’s live-action “The Little Mermaid” is currently in select theaters.