More than 20 years ago, Alan Menken wrote the Academy Award-winning movie score for The Little Mermaid, with the brilliant lyricist Howard Ashman. Since music for the new attraction required a unique arrangement, Danny Troob, who has often worked with Menken, took on the challenge. In this video, go into the music studio and take a front row seat for a session with Troob and his 65-piece orchestra as they recreate the amazing music we all know and love.

The infamous, evil sea witch, Ursula — at 7.5 feet tall and 12 feet wide — has taken residence inside The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel's Undersea Adventure, the new attraction at Disney California Adventure park. Of course, the Disney Parks Blog was there to capture this exciting day! Come behind-the-scenes as we show Ursula being installed and meet some members of the amazing team of Walt Disney Imagineers who brought Ursula to "life."

As the exciting expansion of Disney California Adventure Park moves forward, the Disney Parks blog continues to give you a backstage pass to all of the excitement. Since the expansion was announced, we have opened Toy Story Mania!, Games of the Boardwalk, Mickey's Fun Wheel, Silly Symphony Swings and, of course, the nighttime spectacular, World of Color. Now, Walt Disney Imagineering has turned its sights to the next highly-anticipated opening: The Little Mermaid - Ariel's Undersea Adventure, coming soon in 2011. In this video, Imagineer Lisa Girolami takes you behind the curtain and under the waves to give you a first look at Ariel's world. From the inking of the storyboards to the design of incredible scenery, Lisa shows how this attraction goes from Blue Skies to blue seas.