Guests visiting Disneyland Resort hoping to meet their favorite Disney princesses may want to double-check the character schedule before heading into the park.
Disneyland is known for its character experiences, giving visitors opportunities to meet everyone from classic animated favorites to characters inspired by newer Disney movies and television shows.
However, those experiences aren't guaranteed to stick around.
Some characters appear for special celebrations, while others become regular additions to the park's entertainment offerings. Eventually, Disney may adjust those schedules or remove certain experiences altogether.
That's now the case for two princesses who have stopped meeting guests at Disneyland Park.
Two Disney Princess Meet-and-Greets Have Ended
Disneyland visitors can no longer count on meeting Elena of Avalor or the live-action version of Ariel during their visits.
Both characters have ended their regular meet-and-greet appearances at Disneyland Resort.
One of those departures involves a character who had been appearing as part of a seasonal celebration.
Elena of Avalor previously greeted guests outside Royal Hall, a popular Fantasyland location where visitors can meet Disney royalty.
Her appearances were connected to Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month, giving families a chance to interact with the princess from Disney's animated series Elena of Avalor.
Unlike characters such as Cinderella, Belle, and Snow White, Elena isn't necessarily someone visitors encounter during every Disneyland vacation.
That made her recent appearances particularly appealing to families who wanted to meet her.
With those scheduled appearances now finished, Disneyland has not provided a date for her return.
However, Elena isn't the only princess who has disappeared from the regular character lineup.
Disneyland Ends Another Meet-and-Greet After 3 Years
Ariel's live-action meet-and-greet has also concluded after operating at Disneyland for more than three years.
Disney originally introduced the experience in May 2023 to coincide with the release of The Little Mermaid (2023).
Inspired by Halle Bailey's portrayal of Ariel, the character appeared in a blue dress rather than the familiar outfit associated with Disney's animated mermaid.
Guests could find her near “it's a small world,” where Disney created a themed setting filled with recognizable objects from the story.
The area featured King Triton's trident, Scuttle, maps, and a collection of treasures.
For fans of the live-action film, the experience offered something different from Disneyland's traditional princess encounters.
Although the movie arrived in theaters more than three years ago, Ariel continued meeting visitors long after its release.
Now, those appearances have ended.
Importantly, the change only affects the live-action version of Ariel, not the animated character.
What Happens Next at Disneyland?
Disneyland hasn't announced whether either princess will return in the future.
Character schedules can change for several reasons, including seasonal events, entertainment updates, and operational needs.
It's possible that Elena could appear during another special celebration or that the live-action Ariel could return for a future event. However, Disney has not confirmed either possibility.
Guests hoping to meet specific characters should review the Disneyland app during their visit and ask Cast Members about available meet-and-greets.
The app may not list every character appearance, meaning surprise encounters can still occur.
While Disneyland continues offering numerous opportunities to meet Disney royalty, these two departures mean visitors will need to adjust their expectations.
For now, Elena of Avalor and live-action Ariel are no longer part of Disneyland's regular meet-and-greet offerings, with no confirmed return dates for either princess.
