The Little Mermaid (1989) remains one of Disney's most beloved animated films of all time.
So, before we dive into the 2023 live-action remake, we thought it would be fun to check out some incredible behind-the-scenes facts about the classic film (which practically saved Walt Disney Studios)!
Let's get started:
1. The Little Mermaid was initially rejected in favor of a Splash sequel.
2. "Part of Your World" almost didn't make the cut.
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In a 2019 interview with Polygon, Ariel voice actor/singer Jodi Benson explained that Disney Studios chairman Jeffrey Katzenberg wanted to ditch the now iconic track. The reason? It didn't test well with children during a screening.
3. And lyricist Howard Ashman — who wrote "Part of Your World" alongside composer Alan Menken — threatened to quit if Katzenberg cut the song.
4. Ursula's physical appearance and mannerisms were (mostly) inspired by a popular drag queen named Divine, who never got to see the film.
5. But early sketches of Ursula were also based on Dynasty star Joan Collins.
6. Ursula is commonly labeled an "octopus," but she only has six tentacles — this was a result of budget concerns.
7. The film's two-minute chaotic storm sequence when Ariel first finds and saves Eric took over a year to animate.
8. And over one million bubbles were hand-drawn for the film.
9. Ariel was supposed to be a blonde.
10. The original The Little Mermaid fairy tale by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen, which the film was based on, was deemed too depressing because the mermaid died at the end.
11. While the fairy tale as a whole was too dark for Disney's audience, Disney also decided that the story's sea witch (aka Ursula) actually wasn't evil enough.
12. Sebastian was supposed to be uptight and British.
13. The Little Mermaid triggered what became known as "the Disney Renaissance."
14. Pat Carroll wasn't the first choice to voice Ursula.
15. In the original script, it was revealed that Ursula was actually King Triton's banished sister.
16. Jim Carrey read for the role of Prince Eric, while Bill Maher and Michael Richards read for Scuttle.
17. The Little Mermaid was the studio's final full-length animated film that utilized the traditional method of hand-inked and hand-painted cels.
18. And finally: Mickey, Donald, and Goofy make a cameo during one of the film's opening scenes!
