Disney's "Little Mermaid" PortMiami statue
Disney's Little Mermaid Port Miami statue serves a dual purpose: to greet millions of cruise passengers leaving and returning from their cruises out of PortMiami and to serve as a navigation and warning beacon for the treacherous jetty rocks at the entrance to Government Cut. Monumental in size, the bronze sculpture has a porcelain finish to protect it from the harsh environment. The trident holds aloft three solar powered blinking warning lights. Disney "Imagineers" could animate Ariel's hand so she can wave back and forth to passing cruise ships. And the head too, through laser tracking devices that activate the head to follow passing boats and ships.