If The Little Mermaid (2023) does well enough, Disney could potentially refurbish the attraction, retheming it to the newer film. This would mean creating new designs for all animatronics, animation, and puppets used in the attraction.

There are currently no plans for a major reimagining or "change" to the Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid attraction at Walt Disney World or Disneyland in 2026. While the park is undergoing massive transformations—including the development of a new Cars-themed land and a highly anticipated Villains Land—the Ariel-themed dark ride remains a staple of the New Fantasyland expansion. However, the ride does undergo regular routine maintenance. For instance, in February 2026, the Magic Kingdom location was closed briefly for refurbishment. These short-term closures are typical for the resort's aging animatronic attractions and usually focus on technical upkeep, such as recalibrating the complex Ariel and Ursula figures, refreshing lighting effects, and ensuring ride vehicle reliability. While Disney occasionally refreshes scenes or adds new technology to classic rides, the current iteration of the Little Mermaid's journey is expected to remain in its popular "musical montage" format for the foreseeable future.