Recent Ariel's Grotto reviews?

[TheSpooph]

There are such mixed reviews on Ariel's Grotto, I was hoping to hear from someone who has been there recently.

I am thinking of switching our character meals around for a late lunch or early dinner at AG. But, with so many poor reviews, I'm thinking I'll just do Royal Hall instead and get better interaction.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[pikaboo27]

I went to AG's in late April to the Princess Breakfast with my mom and 2 year old DS. We had a really good time. DS was a little scared of the princesses, but he warmed up to them.

We sat down at a table outside by the water (which I had requested) and were given some fruit and pastries. The fruit was very good, but I don't eat grains, so I didn't have the pastries. My mom and DS seemed to like them ok though. A chef came out to talk to me since, like I said I don't eat grains, and he prepared me the eggs, bacon, sausage breakfast without their oil blend (soybean and corn oil blend...ick). Our waiter also took my mom's order and the kiddo's. Mom ordered a similar breakfast to mine and the kiddo ordered the chocolate chip cruiser waffle.

My breakfast was delicious and mom enjoyed hers. The kiddo was not interested. He's a really picky eater and did not like that his boat shaped waffle was on a lake of blue icing. He ate his bacon and some bread and pastries and that was all.

As far as the interactions, the princesses were very sweet with the kiddo. He's a little shy but they fawned over him and chatted with him. It was adorable. I would add pictures, but unfortunately he has entered a "no pictures!" stage. *sigh*

For the record, OP, I don't believe that Ariel's does a princess dinner. I believe it's just breakfast and dinner is World of Color dining.

 

[luulu1999]

We are trying it in July and I am a little concerned too but my DD loves Ariel so I want to make sure she gets to meet her and there is no guarantee at Royal Hall. And there is not Dinner but you can make the lunch reservations all the way until 5p. That is what we are doing, well 4:30p because we don't eat big lunches like that so we are doing that and having a good snack later

 

[TheSpooph]

We are trying it in July and I am a little concerned too but my DD loves Ariel so I want to make sure she gets to meet her and there is no guarantee at Royal Hall. And there is not Dinner but you can make the lunch reservations all the way until 5p. That is what we are doing, well 4:30p because we don't eat big lunches like that so we are doing that and having a good snack later

For the record, OP, I don't believe that Ariel's does a princess dinner. I believe it's just breakfast and dinner is World of Color dining.

Oh dear - I meant late breakfast or early lunch! Thanks for the correction. New baby = lack of sleep for mommy.

Any other recent visits?

 

[GatorChris]

We were there in November. Waiting to get in hasn't changed at all over the last 7 years apparently. Even when you have a reservation, you wait in a long line to check in. Then you wait to be called. Then you wait in a line that goes down stairs to meet Ariel. That wait is a bit of a pain.

The character interaction is what you would expect at a character meal. The princesses take time to talk a little with the kids, take a picture, and then move on. But my daughters love it.

The food there is good. Not quite great, but still good eating. The desserts are good, too. If you have daughters, it's a good place to go. If not, skip it.

 

[dragonflycurls]

We went with my three and a half year old niece and had a great experience. Food was great (and I had food issues which needed special chef attention) the princesses were all great with my niece.

 

[dragonflycurls]

Also, we went once before with just adults and the character interaction wasn't worth it. With a little one though it was great!

 

[TheSpooph]

Thank you for the help! I'm still on the fence but at least I know some families went recently and didn't think it was horrible! My biggest hang up is the fact that we will probably do all the FF activities anyway AND we will go to WDW in a year or so. (We thought Akershus was awesome!)

Maybe I'll just flip a coin...

 

[Liltx]

If you're going to ff and back to wdw in a year I would skip it unless you have to see ariel. It is a huge time consumer and expensive!

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I dined solo many times at Ariel's Grotto and I'm a guy. I loved the Santa Maria tri tip, which sadly is no longer on the menu. I always found the character interaction to be very, very similar to the meet and greets held in the parks. On one occasion, Cinderella even sat down at my table and "dined" with me.

My most recent dining experience there was during the Rock Your Disney Side party in May. While I don't like the new tri tip as much as the Santa Maria tri tip, I still thought it was a good meal. I found the character interaction to be similar to what I experienced that day in the Royal Hall. Every princess was very sweet and conversational, while some chose to make a bigger deal out of me being dressed as a Jedi than others. I've had magical character moments at meals and in the park meet and greets.

In the end, I think character dining is about whether or not you want to pay the higher price to have characters come to your table. In my experience, character dining interaction is no different from meet and greet interaction. There are magical moments you treasure and there are quick photos and you're on your way. The interaction can be very magical. It can also be normal.