Disney Junior Ariel
The 2024 TV show Disney Junior Ariel is a CGI-animated TV musical series for preschool children, which makes for simpler stories and easier lessons that take place in a beautifully rendered and colourful underwater realm. The look of the show does take some inspiration from the live-action movie, but it's mainly its own independent Caribbean-style universe for a wholly new version of Ariel and friends to have adventures.
Ariel is an 8-year-old merprincess with a free spirit and sunshiny optimism, and in the series she hangs out with her best friends Flounder, and new-to-the-series merkids Lucia and Fernie. Flounder and Sebastian look pretty much like their classic animated versions, but other characters have been changed up to match the new Ariel. The biggest changes are probably that Triton is now fully supportive of Ariel's hobby of collecting human treasures, and in this enemy-free world Ursula is Ariel's beloved aunt who teaches magic and is happy to help Ariel and her friends.
The Characters
Ariel, the youngest Atlantican princess. Voiced by Mykal-Michelle Harris.
Lucia, one of Ariel's best friends. Voiced by Elizabeth Phoenix Caro.
Fernie, one of Ariel's best friends. Voiced by Cruz Flateau.
Flounder, an angelfish and one of Ariel's best friends. Voiced by Gracen Newton.
Ursula, Ariel's magical aunt. Voiced by Amber Riley.
Triton, Ariel's father and king of Atlantica. Voiced by Taye Diggs.
Sebastian, crab and Ariel's friend. Voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson.
Alanna, one of Ariel's older sisters, and twin of Ayanna. Voiced by Jessica Mikayla.
Ayanna, one of Ariel's older sisters, and twin of Alanna. Voiced by Dana Heath.
Ravi, an octopus who works in the Atlantica marketplace. Voiced by Parvish Cheena.
The Episodes
The episodes released so far feature two stories in each twenty-ish minute episode.
1a. Atlantica Day
Ariel offers to help Sebastian write a song to celebrate Atlantica for Atlantica Day, but can't decide what is the one most
special thing about Atlantica.
Features the song "One Colorful Ocean".
1b. A Winner's Spirit
Flounder joins the All Atlantica Swim Race for the first time, and Ariel decides that Flounder needs some training before the
challenge.
Features the song "The Right Pace".
2a. Ursula's Magic Camp
Ursula holds a magic camp where she teaches basic magic tricks, and Lucia gets too enthusiastic about impressing
Ursula.
Features the song "Zim Zam Bazoo".
2b. Fernie's Notebook
Fernie gets anxious when he loses his beloved Fish Facts notebook just before Sebastian's Show & Tell.
Features the song "Trust in What You Know".
3a. Crystal Cavern Caper
The gang's human treasures start disappearing from the crystal cavern, and they rush to catch the culprit before it's all
gone.
Features the song "Catch Me If You Can".
3b. A Banner Moment
Triton wants to make a good impression with the visiting Duke of Clownfish, and Ariel is given a seemingly small task that's not so small after all.
4a. The Endless Sleepover
The gang have a sleepover at Ursula's which is so much fun that Ariel doesn't want it to end, not even for bedtime.
4b. Daddy Daughter Dinner
Ariel's excited for her turn with Triton for Daddy Daughter Dinner, but gets distracted by a new shipwreck.
Features the song "Treasure".
5a. Copy Catfish
Ariel's 5 year-old cousin Jewels copies everything Ariel does, which Ariel at first finds flattering, but then gets annoyed with.
Features the song "Find Your Own Thing".
5b. Happy Crabby Day
Sebastian's working himself into a tizzy preparing for the annual Coral Celebration Party, so Ariel and Triton decide that he
deserves a break to relax.
Features the song "Relax".
6a. Smoothie Shake-Up
Ariel and friends volunteer to take charge of Ravi's juice stand while he's away. How hard can it be?
Features the song "Teamwork is fun".
6b. Family Picture Day
Alanna usually does Ayanna's hair for family picture day, but since Alanna is away, Ayanna asks Ariel to help out.
The Music
The TV series is a musical, and they released a soundtrack album in conjunctin with the series premiere. The show's soundtrack features work by songwriters Anthony M. Jones, Sofia Quinn, Olivia Waithe, Chantry Johnson, Michelle Zarlenga and Rosemarie Tan; composer Christopher Willis; and support from Caribbean music consultant Sean Skeete.
Song List
- Ariel (Theme Song)
- Shimmer
- Making Waves
- One Colorful Ocean
- Zim Zam Bazoo
- Let Your Music Play
- So Many Flavors
- Sebastian's Song
- Trust in What You Know
- Enjoy the Ride
