Ariel's unflappable spirit and resilience carry her through her journey of self discovery, through which she becomes a courageous young woman who discovers her place in the world. Whether on feet or fins, she stands up for what she wants, and always finds the courage to dive into something new.

Ariel falls in love with a human prince named Prince Eric after saving him from drowning, and visits the sea witch, Ursula, who agrees to turn her into a human in exchange for her voice. Ariel must make Prince Eric fall in love with her and romantically kiss her within three days, lest she belong to Ursula forever.

Mattel At Mattel Inc., Disney's princesses aren't damsels in distress.

She eventually wears an old sail from a shipwreck with some rope to keep it closed, fashioned by her friend Scuttle. Being prepared for dinner, she wears a pink-and-white gown, silver barrettes in her hair, and pearl white earrings. Getting ready for bedtime, she wears a pink nightgown.

Most Disney princesses share a lot of similar story and character traits, but Ariel is unique for being the only one who isn't born as a human being.

Ariel has six sisters. The color of Ariel's green-blue fin was specially created for her. The hue is also named Ariel. “Part of Your World” almost didn't make the movie!

Ariel, the Little Mermaid, resides under the surface of the ocean. In other words, she's in the unconscious and wants to come up to the surface into the conscious. Water, sea or oceans are often symbols for the unconsciousness and you can find this back in many mythological stories and even in your dreams.

Ariel's unflappable spirit and resilience carry her through her journey of self discovery, through which she becomes a courageous young woman who discovers her place in the world. Whether on feet or fins, she stands up for what she wants, and always finds the courage to dive into something new.

The first princess doll was made in the late 1930's shortly after Disney's first princess movie, Snow White, came out but Disney did not start manufacturing Princess dolls until the late 1990's. The traditional Disney princess dolls are thin, have their hair and makeup done and all wearing dresses.

Mattel shut down its last U.S. factory - in Murray, Ky. - in 2001. Barbie, Hot Wheels and other Mattel toys are now made in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico and Thailand.

Looking for historical influences in Ariel's gown, minus the slashed/puff sleeves, it's all very mid-Victorian. Fashion plate from Le Follet, probably early 1850s. That off-the-shoulder neckline is also mid-Victorian, as seen in the plate above.

If you're willing to buy a few key items, get your hands on a true seashell bra or purple swim top that looks close enough, and pair with a stretchy green skirt. Then add a red wig and starfish hair accessories.

curious, spunky, and strong-willed. Once Ariel decides she wants something, she's determined to get it, no matter what her father may say. But for all her teenage rebellion, Ariel has a good heart. She may cause headaches for her father like any headstrong 16-year-old, but she won't hesitate to help anyone in trouble.

Ariel: What makes someone special? Variety adds spice to life, so we should celebrate... In many different keys! Together we can live in harmony!

First and foremost, The Little Mermaid is a story about identity and the struggle to find one's place in the world. Ariel, a young mermaid, longs to be part of the human world, even though her father King Triton forbids it.

Mermaids symbolize independence and individuality: Like the wild waters they make their homes in, mermaids are ever-moving and refuse to be contained. These headstrong creatures crave the freedom that the sea provides, swimming where they please, whenever they choose.