By far. Never watch the other one.

^I sincerely hope you read the question correctly.

It came out first and gave Disney the green light to do what they wanted with Ariel. Also like most things in life, who gets the credit for hitting "mainstream" first is almost never who actually started the movement. They were usually inspired by what didn't make "mainstream" first. It's that taste that allows it to hit the bigger markets later.

Basically. It came right at the same time that Disney was promoting their old classics on VHS, and that allowed for more people to get into Mermaid.

Who Framed Roger Rabbit is not credited on most websites (or by Disney) as officially starting their "Renaissance."

Because, while Who Framed Roger Rabbit was a HUGE hit, The Little Mermaid brought back the traditional story-telling that Disney is known for. Before The Little Mermaid, Disney hadn't done a fairy tale since Sleeping Beauty, which was thirty years before The Little Mermaid. After The Little Mermaid, we got some of the big monster hits the followed the monster hit of The Little Mermaid. Being successful is one thing, but it's another to start a new era that brings back what Disney is known for while adding it's own style.

^you put it in words!

^^agree.

But I can see why some credit WFRR as starting the Renaissance.

What KataraLover said.