It is D day as the A to Z Blog Challenge continues through the alphabet. My theme this year is “Living in a Mermaid World.”
Many people’s notions about mermaids come from Disney so that’s where we’re headed today.
When I was a child, there were mermaids who sat on rocks and swam around Disneyland’s Submarine Ride. Of course they were just ladies dressed as mermaids but as a six year old I certainly thought they were real. Too bad they stopped hiring professional mermaids. I would have loved that job!
Here is an interesting article from the Huff Post which explains the history of Disneyland’s mermaids.
Of course Disney’s Little Mermaid is the version of Hans Christian Anderson’s beloved tale that many are most familiar with. Here’s the trailer for the re-release of the movie:
I will be sharing more about the original version of The Little Mermaid on April 14th which is the challenge day designated for L.
Do you prefer the Disney versions of old fairy tales or the original versions?
I do prefer the original version.
I used to like Disney films a lot. I think think they may be fun to watch, but some of them are not really my stuff anymore.
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I like the complexity of the original versions.
I prefer the old versions, but being middle age is probably the reason.. My young nieces are all about Disney, even if introduced to other versions.
Great post and images, particularly the subterranean-ride mermaids.
Happy A to Z.
The Little Mermaid was the film that turned Disney animation around. It was popular when it came out in the same way that Frozen is today. My daughters all had Ariel dolls, clothes, and Little Mermaid birthday parties.
I”m not terribly familiar with many Disney movies, but aren’t the older ones supposed to be darker and a bit less family-friendly?
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Yes, the original version of The Little Mermaid is very dark and emotional.
That would have been neat to see the mermaids around the submarine ride at Disneyland. I’ve been to Disneyland lots of times over the years, starting in about 1965, but never remember the mermaids, maybe they were before that time? Nice touch 🙂
Little Mermaid was always a favorite movie of our family 🙂
enjoy the rest of the challenge!
betty
http://viewsfrombenches.blogspot.com/
Hi Betty,
The whole ride is different now – it is called The Little Nemo Ride. Still fun though. Have fun a to z-ing!
Original.. always!!
Your posts has revived my wish to visit Copenhagen to see the mermaid statue. Is it as beautiful as the photographs?? I wonder….
@yenforblue from
Spice of Life!
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Copenhagen is also on my list of “places to see.”
I don’t mind hearing both versions. I vaguely remember hearing the original version of The Little Mermaid once and I recall it being a sad but beautiful story.
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It is interesting to contrast the two and see what Disney left out – and added!
Oh I wish Disney hadn’t stopped hiring mermaids! I would have loved to have seen that! Disney is such a magical place that having mermaids would make it even better!
I’ve never read the original version of The Little Mermaid. I’ve heard most of the fairytales Disney has based their films on are gruesome and perhaps scary? Not sure if I’m into that. :-/