Merlin is a figure from Ancient British myth.
History[]
Background[]
The Sword & the Stone[]
Merlin was a powerful sorcerer and time-traveller in ancient Britain who lived in the woods with his talking owl Archimedes. He was the arch-rival of the sorceress Madam Mim. Merlin came to be the mentor to a young Arthur Pendragon whom he taught life-lessons, preparing him for when he pulled the sword from the stone and became king of England. Merlin became frustrated with Arthur and left to take a vacation to 20th century Bermuda, during which time gone, Arthur pulled the sword from the stone and became the boy king.
Merlin returned after Arthur was crowned, and became his close advisor.
Fantasyland[]
Merlin came to be a prominent figure in the realm of Fantasyland which seemed to be previously ruled by King Arthur. In King Arthur's absence, Merlin oversaw ceremonies to try and determine new rulers via pulling the sword from the stone. Merlin also discovered a dragon egg which he hatched, raising the dragon as his pet below Princess Aurora's palace in a cavern connected to his shop.
Another duty of Merlin was watching over the Crystal of the Magic Kingdom, a magical orb which protected not only Fantasyland, but other realms such as Main Street, U.S.A., Tomorrowland, Frontierland, Liberty Square and Adventureland. Merlin's headquarters for protecting the crystal was the fire station on Main Street, U.S.A., though he had another base at the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square.
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom[]
The Greek God of the Underworld, Hades, sought to steal the Crystal of the Magic Kingdom so that he could take over the realm of the Magic Kingdom. Hades sent his unintelligent demonic henchmen Pain & Panic to steal the crystal from the fire-station, only for the two to inadvertently shatter the crystal into many pieces which became scattered across the lands of the Magic Kingdom. Hades then began recruiting, resurrecting and manipulating different villainous figures from across the lands to assist him in assembling the crystal-shards, causing Merlin to recruit various apprentices to save the realm.
Appearances[]
Fantasyland[]
King Arthur Carrousel[]
Merlin traditionally had a ceremony outside of the carrousel where he sought after one to pull the sword from the stone. This was affiliated with the quote, " By proclamation of Arthur, the right and true king, and lord of all the land, it is time to select a temporary ruler of the realm...to safeguard and protect the kingdom while good King Arthur is on vacation".
Merlin l'Enchanteur[]
This shop is themed to being run by Merlin.
Merlin's Magic Shop[]
This was a shop in the Magic Kingdom which was themed to being run by Merlin. It was later changed to Sir Mickey's.
Merlin’s Marvelous Miscellany[]
This shop is themed to being run by Merlin.
Le Pays des Contes de Fées[]
Merlin appears in the open book by the Sword in the Stone.[1]
Sir Mickey's[]
A window in this shop had Merlin's equipment and magic words written on a board, referencing how the shop used to be Merlin's Magic Shop.
La Tanière du Dragon[]
The dragon within this burrow was raised by Merlin and has its lair connected to Merlin's shop.
Mickey Avenue[]
There is an image of Merlin in the barbershop.[2]
Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom[]
Merlin was central character of this attraction, recruiting guests to be his apprentice.
Trivia[]
- In Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom, Merlin imitated and connected to various Disney Parks entities:
- He dressed as a skipper while piloting a Jungle Cruise boat.
- He attended the Enchanted Tiki Room with Kuzco.
- He hid away in a town occupied by pirates of the Caribbean (likely Puerto Dorado though possibly Tortuga).
- He rode on the Mad Tea Party.
- He rode a raft to Tom Sawyer Island.
- He rode on the Liberty Belle Riverboat.
- Merlin's Fantasyland shops often include references to Leonardo da Vinci.
- Tomorrowland was never visited in Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom though it is likely Merlin would have associates there.
- Due to the attractions' focus on traditionally animated Disney features, it is most frequently speculated that it would be characters from Lilo & Stitch (2002).
