Merida, the beloved character from the 2012 Pixar film “Brave”, has relocated to Liberty Square. Previously, she was seen at the Magic Kingdom daily during the Festival of Fantasy parade and occasionally in Liberty Square at the Enchanted Glade Gazebo. However, the former Fairytale Garden, which was once home to Merida, has been transformed into an “Encanto” meet-and-greet area for Mirabel. Mirabel will greet guests in the former Fairytale Garden, which was previously home to Merida.
Merida’s final day at Fairytale Garden in Magic Kingdom was yesterday, as the location closed to be transformed into a new meet-and-greet area for Mirabel. The Merida character spot in front of the Castle was transformed into a meet-and-greet area for Mirabel from Encanto a few months ago. Merida typically appears intermittently from 9:15AM to 6:40PM daily, but her appearances are not set.
With the Fairytale Gardens venue now closed for an Encanto reimagining, the Merida meet-and-greet has relocated to Liberty Square. Merida will be removed from Fantasyland to start construction on a new meet-and-greet offering for Park visitors.
📹 Merida’s Horse Gets Caught in a Balloon at Disney World Magic Kingdom During Small Princess Parade
Merida’s Horse Gets Caught in a Balloon at Disney World Magic Kingdom During Small Princess Parade. A toddler ran out into …
Does Merida still meet at Magic Kingdom?
Merida, a beloved princess, is no longer a scheduled meeting place at Magic Kingdom Park. She occasionally appears at Liberty Square, Disney Adventure Friends Cavalcade, and even made a surprise appearance at Cinderella’s Royal Table. To find Merida, use the My Disney Experience app, tap on the map icon at the bottom of the screen, and select “Characters” from the dropdown menu. You can choose “Show List” to see which characters are meeting guests.
Merida is not listed at EPCOT or any theme park at this time. Visit Guest Relations for any clues about Merida’s whereabouts. She might be too busy practicing with her bow to be out and about, but she might be able to glimpse you as she rides and flies by.
What Disney Princesses list Merida?
Merida, the main protagonist of the 2012 Disney/Pixar film Brave, is voiced by Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald. She became the first Disney Princess to be created by Pixar and is the only Scottish member of the Disney Princess line-up. Merida is the first female lead and has received positive reviews from critics. She is a breath of fresh air among the princesses and a good role model for girls who want to get out there and do it. Merida is the 16-year-old daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor, who rule a kingdom in Scotland.
Queen Elinor’s traditional expectations for Merida to marry and become a proper royal lady conflict with her single-minded and impetuous insistence on controlling her destiny. Merida is skilled in archery, spears, sword-fighting, and racing on her Clydesdale horse, Angus. Despite her outgoing personality, Merida has a softness of heart, particularly towards her younger triplet brothers, Harris, Hubert, and Hamish. She is pampered but not spoiled, and despite occasional arguing with her mother, she loves her parents.
Does Merida have a meet and greet?
Visitors are invited to join Merida and her clan for an engaging “play and greet” experience at Fairytale Garden. The event will include opportunities to practice archery, create a tapestry inspired by Merida’s design, and interact with her in a relaxed setting.
Is Merida still at Disneyland?
Merida, a Scottish princess from DunBroch, is the protagonist of Disney’s 2012 animated feature film Brave. She is the daughter of Queen Elinor and King Fergus, and the older sister of Harris, Hubert, and Hamish. Merida is the eleventh official Disney Princess and the first to originate from a Pixar film. She is a headstrong and free-spirited 16-year-old tomboyish, willful daughter of Queen Elinor, who rules the kingdom alongside her husband, King Fergus.
Despite Queen Elinor’s expectations, Merida is an impetuous girl who wants to take control of her destiny. She is skilled in archery, sword-fighting, and racing on her horse, Angus. Despite her outgoing, forceful, and willful personality, Merida has a playful softness of heart, particularly towards her younger triplet brothers, Harris, Hubert, and Hamish. Merida is known for her ability to challenge her kingdom’s longstanding traditions and live a life of independence.
📹 Merida Coronation at Disney’s Magic Kingdom – All 11 Disney Princesses Together During Ceremony
Princess Merida from the film Brave becomes the 11th Disney Princess, and was welcomed today to the royal fold. The ceremony …
As an ex cast member, I do firmly believe child leashes are a fantastic idea for kids at Disney for safety. However, it doesn’t appear that it would have done a thing in this situation. Kid accidentally let go of the balloon. Merida did a wonderful job staying on and dismounting when safe, the handlers did great soothing and handling Jacob the horse, and the parade team was on standby but not getting involved and adding more issues. Overall, it was handled exactly how I expect cm’s to handle it, wonderfully.
I’m impressed. The horse must be really well trained to calm down so quickly. Horses get spooked easily and when they do, they won’t stay still for anybody. It’s why, when a horse spooks themself in an arena, everybody just lets it run around the arena for a while to calm itself down before even attempting to approach it. The horse let the handlers stay near him, and calmed down in what, like 20 seconds? That’s good training, and shows good trust between handler and horse. Elsewise that horse would have broken away from the handlers and run amock (nobody can control a giant horse like that if the horse doesn’t want them to)
I like how they handled the situation well, especially the person playing Merida, she is very skilled at emergency dismounts, but anyways, I like how they did not hurt the horse but gained its trust to say “Its alright, you’ll be fine.” its very happy seeing people not straight up discipline the animal because of something that startled it. What most people dont understand is that horses are pray animals and were evolved to be so. 🙂
Poor thing was probably spooked. You should never approach an animal from behind for this exact reason, they will freak out. When he felt something wrap around his back legs, it triggered a natural instinct to buck it away. Merida did a fantastic job reigning Jacob in, as well as the cast by her side for calming Jacob down. Good work all around by the cast and crew!
I love how Merida fully prepared by holding the reins a little tighter because she saw the balloons wrapping around the legs a bit. She immediately prepared for this situation in just a second and she stayed in the saddle in a prefect way. She’s truly a amazing princess with riding skills. Also, i love how calm the employees stayed with the horse and how carefully they tried to calm it down and protect the people around from any danger. It takes a lot of skill and strength to keep a horse that big calm and with you. I hate the woman asking the girl ”why are you crying?” Like woman, there’s a big horse nearby that’s scared, a princess that might be in danger and a situation she wasn’t expecting. What did you expect her to do? Laugh and be all okay even though it’s happening right in front of her?
Also, I used to live in Orlando and would go to Disney a lot (knew lots of people that worked there). That lady bitching at the little girl for crying is, unfortunately, a very typical adult-child interaction at the theme parks. They get very short with the kids they’re traveling with and it’s really embarrassing to see them making hell out of what’s supposed to be a good time.
The horse, the handlers, and the rider all handled themselves extremely well in this incident. The horse calmed down even with the “predator” still attached to his leg, listening to his handlers telling him it’s OK. The rider did an awesome job of performing an emergency dismount in a long dress and jumping clear. Horses, regardless of size and presence, are big chickens. They run first, think later. It says a lot for this horse’s training and his innate temperament that he did not drag the whole crew all the way to the stable area.
FANTASTIC handling by the horse leaders, and credit to ‘Merida” who’s riding skill enabled her to stay on long enough to dismount safely! And that horse is a gem – it’s somewhat minor reaction for a flight animal, and its quickness to calm down and trust its handlers despite this unknown ferocious creature attacking its hind leg, is amazing.
That was a perfect display of horsemanship on all those employees parts. Including the rider. Props to disney for having people that actually knew how to handle and com the horse and for having an equestrian for the rider instead of someone that didn’t know how to ride. That was awesome! If I had been there I would have clapped.
i’m sorry but the mom or older sister or whoever to the kid who let the ballon go really just boiled my blood!! the horse could’ve seriously injured itself, the princess, any of the workers around, and not think of the worst scenario. the kid was smart enough to realize what events were happening and what COULD have happened.
Why did the mother turn around with anger saying, “What are you crying for?” What happened is very traumatic for a kid. The mother should’ve embraced her and said “It’s ok. Everything will be fine. The horse will be fine and the princess too. Lets make sure everyone’s ok, ok?” And then proceed to approach the workers and let her know the situation is ok. Gosh… my mom did something like the Mom in this vid and it’s hurtful to be yelled at after something like that happens.
Not only big kudos to the rider for having a “velcro seat”/stayed with the horse very well until she could safely do an emergency dismount, but also BIG kudos to the walkers doing the right thing by calmly & quietly turning the horse until it settled (rather than jerk on the reins or hit the horse like soooo many people unfortunately do when a horse is scared, which only ever escalates the panic and often causes the horse to flip over backwards)!!! It’s always a welcomed relief to see handlers/horsewomen/horsemen de-escalate a spooking horse with a soft and level headed presence to help guide the horse to calm down so they can help untangle it; and all without beating the horse for getting nervous over something. They deserve raises for sure!!!!🙌🐴👍
Everyone is saying dream job for staying calm, but what I’m really proud of is that everyone was gentle to the horse. Many, many people would have been so aggressive and harmful to the horse at other amusement-y places, yanked on the bit and whipping it to calm down. Clearly these people actually know how horses are.
“What are you crying for?!” First of all, Karen, no need to take off your mask while speaking. It’s just fabric and not a sound barricade. Secondly please learn some basic skills in empathy. Your child is scared. Comfort and not yell at it. To be frightened by a gigantic horse going wild is a natural reaction and proof of their common sense.
“What? What are you crying for?” Because the child still has emotions and knows she’s done something wrong, even if it was an accident. You’re teaching that child not to care for others… Orrrrr, you’ve already corrupted her so much that she’s crying because now her balloon is gone. Never mind the people and the animal that were in danger. Heaven forbid the animal freaked out and a customer was harmed. You’d probably ask for it to be put down. Clearly an untrainable, wild beast. smh Good job to Merida and the other cast members for getting the situation under control. Lord knows you don’t get paid enough for it. Much love!
That was a heart pounding moment. How Merida could stay on like that. Even as a professional – what sudden movements and yet she stayed on and hopped off with some real quick thinking. Yes, the mom got snappy and it wasn’t right I agree. I agree with all of you and yet I have to forgive her. It was one moment in time and I’m sure she’s had better parenting moments. The main thing is that the horse, staff and visitors were safe in the end. Of course a round of applause for the horse handlers and Merida’s actress. Way to go!
Came to the comments to find a “ThaTs HoRse ABuSe!!!” And I’m pleasantly surprised to see that there aren’t any (at least at the top) The rider is amazing, looks like she took some lessons and big praise to her (and the handlers!!!) For not freaking out. The situation stayed under control. The horse did amazing! Really well trained and desensitized, took the scary situation really well
That mom is so annoying. Saying “Oh really?” when the horse got frightened, like it’s not a living being. And then the woman was like, “What are you crying for?!” Idk, maybe because the little kid saw the horse freak out and thought Merida would get hurt? Maybe because they’re a fucking child and even I as an adult would be a little shaken up if that happened in front of me? This woman ruins childhoods.
Well done for everyone, I personally would say don’t give your kids balloons when there are animals present as a show……..not just at Disney (whom I love) but for any place. Even a bombproof horse can have an off day or an unknown illness (I.E. Cataracts developing. Personal experience here…..baby safe mare flipped backwards for a teeth check….). Kids just don’t hold onto stuff well. Excellent job from handlers and the actress. Excellent dismount, from a Clydesdale and in a dress. Things happen, animals are unpredictable
The tourists crack me up. I mean, acting like their experience is somehow inconvenienced when an actress is at danger of being thrown headfirst onto the pavement 😂 The actors/staff knew what to do. Y’all should have been applauding them from keeping that panicked horse driving into you people on the sidewalk!
Ok the handlers are amazing! But can we take a moment to appreciate the woman who was just walking along enjoying her day, and how she ran over to help the handlers and the horse. And another appreciation to the woman playing as Merida, and how she waited to get of safely to give the horse space so they both don’t get hurt. I’ve heard that when a horse is scared or stressed its better to get off them and calm them down cause than they less likely to be even more stressed or spook about having someone on their back.
Ok why am I crying lol at the end when they were petting the horse I could feel the love and bond those handlers have with it. It was still scared, but it trusted them for protection. I am wildly impressed by the girl on his left – so calm and assuring just with body movements and energy. It can be terrifying to be that close to a large spooked horse, but she never stepped away in fear, she maintained her position. I would love to hear what she has to say about this day.
They handled it surprisingly well. Im glad Merida was prob a equestrian already and new what to do. My horse’s foot got caught in the reins. And honestly you gotta let them figure it out on their own which is what they let that horse do which is good. And they always calm down after and figure out it’s fine, then they can go over and pet the horse and tell him it’s fine and take it off of their foot.
Merida was obviously trained Animal handler/horse rider & so were the cast members who handled the horse. That’s a pretty good damn horse though to calm down so quickly with the balloon around his foot. The most calmest animal even athe tamest dog wouldn’t like that. The family with balloon should get into some serious trouble or a fine, not the kids the parents. It seemed to me the kid either waved or wanted to give Merida the balloon not sure. But the parents didnt damn care what happened to any1 else & got the hell out of there. What kinda of adult behaviour is that? Great example for their kids. Jeez we all came through (hopefully) the worst of a worldwide pandemic-we truly were all facing the same deadly enemy, shouldn’t that experience made us care a little more about our world & each other? At least be respectful. People co.plained WDW didn’t open soon enough, opened too soon & they were trying to bring back the magic & joy to people & this happens on opening day?! Hopefully the man filming this was a social distance away & just filming the procession as personal memento of a historic opening day & not part of the careless family, nor was it purposely done. IF it was so sad, & a bad commentary on the human race. We need positive experiences!
I am shaken by the “what could have beens” here. This horse could have easily taken off, shaken his handlers and stormed through the park injuring other guests or worse. He has obviously been well trained and schooled in situations with crowds. A CM needs to walk well ahead of the horse telling people with balloons to step back and hold on to the balloon tightly. Most people don’t realize how easily horses spook. Thank goodness this was a draft breed. If it had been a TB he’d have been at the castle and beyond in about 20 seconds flat.
“Why are you crying?” Well maby because there is an horse nearly kicking people! Edit: I never said it was the horses fault. Ofc it was frightened by the balloon, and it was almost kicking the staff who luckily knew how to handle the horse. So don’t come at me because i know what i talk about. I work with big animals everyday
everyone talking about how awesome merida was but i’m just impressed with the horse. that balloon got caught and when he tried to calm down it floated up and touched him again so he couldn’t have handled it any better. he did amazing. you can’t train a horse to not react to that, they naturally will get spooked by things. i’m so proud of him ☺️☺️. i own a shire paint mix. that’s a really nicely bred full shire. a lot younger than mine tho my girl is almost 18. i’d guess this guy is early teens or even 8-10. in my opinion you shouldn’t have a horse working in conditions as stressful/unpredictable as disney until the horse is in their teen because that’s when they really start to calm down lol
I like how everyone is throwing blame everywhere, cuz you where all there right? You saw one crappy angle, so you can’t decide what happen or not. Also why are so many people surprised by how the cm stayed on? Disney isn’t going to put you on a horse if you don’t actually know how to ride one, that’s a liability.
Well done for the handlers for petting him and calming him down did everything right however that random lady should Not have gotten involved he’s already scared, another person coming up was even more pressure and she could’ve potentially gotten in the way of the handlers who need to move quickly but calmly I’m not sure what she thought she was trying to achieve lovely trained horse though good job to the workers!
In the description it said the balloon “spooked” the horse. More like the balloon’s ribbon got wrapped around the horses hind leg which spooked the horse. I don’t think the best trained horse would stay calm in that kind of scenario. I don’t think they should allow any balloons on the parade routes with horses. They were extremely lucky that it wasn’t more crowded. I’ve gone to Disneyland parades where there are hundreds of families lining the sidewalks from the curb to at least 6 feet back. If one of those draft horses went bonkers and ran into the crowd, there could be casualties.
They handled the situation very well. The rider did not seem too panicked and managed to sit the bucks well before dismounting. Then the handlers did an amazing job calming the horse down. The only thing I didn’t like was the park guest entering the scene once the horse had calmed. In her defense, she could have been someone with years of experience with horses, but we don’t know. I’ve been riding horses and working around horses for nearly a decade and I would not interfere with a situation like this. The handlers know the horse better than I do and for all I know I could cause the horse to become even more spooky. So yeah, if a horse spooks out in public don’t do what that woman did and just let the handlers handle it. Otherwise, fantastic job handling the situation by the staff.
Excellent rider who knows how to ride out a spooking horse! Her skills are exemplary and so are the skills of the side walkers! Had the horse charged into the spectators it would have been a disaster. The horse was well trained to handle just about everything, but a balloon stuck to its hindleg is something you can’t plan on!
With a horse that powerful it could’ve got much worse. Having been on horses acting similarly out of human control, props to the actor for dealing with it so well and not making a fuss, dismounting and running of the scene. I would’ve found it hard even as an equestrian to stay so calm. However the guests could’ve been asked to back away for their own saftey. Really, whoever let the balloon go shouldn’t have around the horse though.
They should have covered the horses eye on that side. (You can see the horse is still for a brief moment as Merida dismounts and her skirts block his view of the balloon) Most carriage/draft horses can be trained to respond by immediately being still when a harness breaks or there’s a tangle or fall with the team.
I remember when I was little perusal the parade at Disneyland, and sleeping beauty was waving. I wanted to be her SO BAD. I remember asking my dad, when I grow up, how much does it cost to “be her”?? (Everything cool costs money). I just couldn’t believe it when my dad told me that she gets PAID to be the pretty princess. That’s her job. 😳😳 I wanted to be a princess SOOOOO bad when I grew up 😂
Even adults would shed their inhibition and cheer this show! Sure, all kids who visit Disney kand, read comics like TomN Jerry would have been delighted to this and that! The founder who had an unenviable origin n background has built this empire keeping young kids n young at heart souls if all caste creed n nationality!! World anthem!!
I LOVE DISNEY WORLD!!!!! If GOD WILLING!, I reunify with my 3 beautiful children soon, this will be the first event I’ll take my kids too. TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY, WHERE DREAMS COME TRUE. I’m an energetic and full of life Mommy, and I know my kids will love seeing all the princesses there. I loved it.
I love the fact that there’s a coronation ceremony for each princess to begin with! Whoever came up with the idea is amazing. I love that each princess starts in their movie order starting with the original, Snow White. I love that we are getting more inclusive with WOC and now have Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana and now Moana and Raya. And the fact that they’re all strong powerful women!!! As a woc it’s been hard getting proper representation. We’ve come a long way. However I have noticed that alot of these princesses don’t have a romance story which is great because it shows that you can be worthy and just as powerful in your own way yet feminine without the need or validation of a man. But I hope that future princesses have a romance story for some, it would show that we can be powerful with a partner instead of being stuck to live in his shadow, you know? Power couples are amazing! I mean just look at Mulan and Shang! Bring these back Disney!
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