Ariel is a beautiful mermaid who longs to be human. Her father, King Triton, has always told her that humans are bad, and he is angry when she falls in love with a handsome human prince named Eric. In order to win the Prince, Ariel makes a bargain with the evil sea witch Ursula and her slimy eels, Flotsam and Jetsam. They will make her human, but she must give up her voice. She then has three days to get Eric to kiss her, or she will turn back into a mermaid.