All princesses

[TycieR]

We are taking my 4 year old to Disney for her 5th birthday. She is a princesses nut and is so excited to see the princesses. Can anyone tell me what we should see and what is the best way to see the princesses? We are having lunch with the princesses, how many princesses should we expect to see at lunch and do they visit with them? Any tips on what to do would be great. I haven't been to Disney in 20 years so I have no clue but am soooo excited!!!! We leave in a week.

Thanks!

 

[DangerMouse]

The easiest way to see the most princesses is at Ariel's so you've already got that covered. There is usually 4 princesses wandering during the meal, and then you get to see Ariel on your way in for a photo shoot. They rotate the princesses, so no guarantee of who you will see, except for Ariel.

You can also see Ariel at her shell in King Triton's Gardens in DL. She appears several times a day. You can see Jasmine at Aladdin's Oasis in DL at Aladdin and Jasmine's storytime. You can also see Cinderella or Aurora perform at Drawn to the Magic show in DCA.

Other than that, all the princesses are now held captive, ahem . . . I mean are safely kept at Princess Fantasy Faire Theater in DL. You can wait in a horrendous line to do a meet and greet with 3 select princesses or a prince. (you won't know who they are until you get to the front of the line). You an watch and participate in a Royal Coronation Ceremony and you can watch a Princess Storytime. They have the times clearly posted for these events at the front of the theater.

HTH!

 

[jgmklmhem]

We did the princess lunch last time we went and we got to see Snow White, Ariel, Belle, Pochahantes, and Mulan at the meal. They have something now called the Princess Fantsy Faire about once a day in the fantasyland theater where princesses are present. We haven't done it yet so someone else would have to tell you/us more. We have also seen them on Main Street and near the castle at certain times.

 

[mystic_path]

Tip #1

At Ariels Grotto for lunch when I was there I saw around 5 princesses... Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine, and Ariel (Which is sometimes a shock to kids as she is a human not a mermaid).


Tip #2

When in the main DL park, check to see when the parades are about to start and head towards the front of the castle about an hour before the parade starts. The Princesses usually come out then and disperse to different areas around the front of the castle so you can go and do a meet and greet with them before they leave to go join the parade.

Tip #3

In DCA go find out when the show "Drawn to the magic" starts in the Hollywood back lot. That show is about 20 minutes long and it features 3 characters (Mickey, a princess, and usually Woody). After this there is a time for a meet and greet and the line ups are usually shorter then in front of the castle. The show used to be in the animation studio but was moved to the stage outside and across the road from it.

Tip #4

Go into Fantasyland and head towards Toon Town and take a left just before and go into the Princess Fantasy Faire. There you can do a meet and greet with the princesses and you can go get your little princess dressed up like her favorite Disney Princess and they go through a princess training. Its cute/expensive but a good way for your little girl to see her idol.

 

[DangerMouse]

Mystic, the princesses have ceased any greets in front of the castle. You won't find them roaming freely in the parks anymore. They are now kept away in PFFT.

 

[TycieR]

Tip #1


Tip #4

Go into Fantasyland and head towards Toon Town and take a left just before and go into the Princess Fantasy Faire. There you can do a meet and greet with the princesses and you can go get your little princess dressed up like her favorite Disney Princess and they go through a princess training. Its cute/expensive but a good way for your little girl to see her idol.

How expensive is it and do I have to buy tickets in advance? Do you supply a dress or is that part of the cost. Please tell me more!

 

[kellymom]

How expensive is it and do I have to buy tickets in advance? Do you supply a dress or is that part of the cost. Please tell me more!

We did the Princess Fantasy Faire last year. Well, parts of it. You can have your daughter wear her own dress up dress or you can buy one there, expensive though. We had my dd and my niece get their hair done and face painted. 2 girls cost was almost $75 just for that. I did not care for the girl doing hair as she was not used to little girls with a limited amount of hair, lol. My daughter's hair fell out within an hour. We never bothered with the 2 1/2 hour wait for the Princesses. But we did go down to the theatre and low and behold as they switch out the Princesses they walked through that area and we got pictures and a quick hello without having to wait. They stopped to see the girls without us even asking them too. So we left after that. I would say that if you are doing Ariel's Grotto, don't wait in the line if it is huge at PFF. OR....if you are doing the face painting thing, have your dh wait in line for the Princesses and then have him take her in.

 

[Kailua's Belle]

I guess I'll be the lone voice in the crowd for PFF. I guess I've been fortunate when I go that the wait hasn't been too terrible. We went twice on this last trip and only had to wait about 20 minutes. We did just miss one of our favorite princesses, but went back another day and were able to catch her... with a little help from one of the CMs.

The reason I like PFF is because the pictures turn out so much better. We also did Ariel's Grotto, and it was great. We had Belle, Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty come to the table. My daughter thoroughly enjoyed both experiences. The princesses spend an equal amount of time with you at both venues. However, my pictures from PFF turned out much better, since they have the nice scenery in the background instead of other people eating dinner.

The cost for getting your little princess's hair done is about $30. If you want accessories (crowns, hair extensions, etc.) that's extra. You could bring your own crown, though, if you have one. You could also check out Libby Lu in DTD. I believe they're cheaper.

If you decide not to wait for the meet and greet, at least stay for the coronation and a story telling. DD loved both of those too!!

Oh, and although it's not the norm, DH did see Cinderella at the very front of Main Street this past trip, so I guess they're out and about once in a while, but don't count on it.

 

[mystic_path]

Mystic, the princesses have ceased any greets in front of the castle. You won't find them roaming freely in the parks anymore. They are now kept away in PFFT.

WHAT REALLY? Thats really kinda sad, I dont have little kids to take to the PFF .... I dont even like the thought of having to fight little kids to get a spot to see them. They have to change that!

 

[tink too]

Guess we'll have to visit PFF then. But, I will be booking Ariel's as soon as I can.

 

[mystic_path]

So the Princess Fantasy Fair... what time does that usually run? I just want to check it out. Can anyone go in and see the princesses or even watch them on stage?

 

[DangerMouse]

So the Princess Fantasy Fair... what time does that usually run? I just want to check it out. Can anyone go in and see the princesses or even watch them on stage?

It usually opens an hour after the park does -- sometime between 9 and 11:00 am. and usually runs until about 6 pm. The park schedule will list it. Anyone can wait in line to see the princesses, you don't have to be a child, and anyone can watch the Coronation or Storytimes. They are both pretty cute.

 

[mystic_path]

Thanks Dangermouse! I am happy with that answer for sure. I am a Disney Princess myself and I would love to meet the others It would be a shame if I couldnt join my disney family for a few pics

 

[TycieR]

Thank you all for the information!! I just want to make this the most special trip I can.

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

Just a for-warning.....try & give your little one a heads up on not knowing what princess/prince you will meet at PFF. We despirately wanted Sleeping Beauty/Aurora. We were in line (short one too - 20min) and didn't know if she was in there or not & the CM's wouldn't say - they said it was a suprise! Which is nice, but I make my own autograph books & needed to find the characters so I didn't hold up the line searching for the right one. We stressed really wanting Aurura to all the CM's we talked to - with a short line we thought it might be worth the effort.

Well, we got in & no Aurora - fine, something we can't help & Prince Phillip was there - so pretty cool for our daughter. As soon as we got out & was coming around the front - Aurora was going in (we saw her), so we got back in line - still a short one. Same CM & when we got back up to the front I was joking w/her (the CM) & I told her that we were back for Aurora & please don't let her leave. And wouldn't you know as soon as we walked in for our 1st princess - Aurora was being relieved & out the back she went. I hurried up & went & talked to another CM (the 1st one obvoiusly didn't want to help much) and they all said the same - Nothing they could do!

We came back on the train later that night or the next night & there was still a line & we saw Aurora inside, but they said they were already closed & wouldn't budge to let us in. (nothing was blocked off yet either) I tried to explain it was our last night & that is the only one we want, etc. But nothing....

I was just upset that we go to Disneyland for Aurora's Castle & my daughter's favorite Princess & we bust our butts to see her & not one CM would bend over to help. I have heard such great things about the CM's accomodating you & trying to help & we can't even see the one Princess that is supposed to be "her" castle & "her" park (so to speak).

And yes, we did Ariels, but no Aurora

Anyway - just a word to the wise, don't expect it. Its better to be excited then disappointed!

Don't get me wrong - I know the CM's can't do it all, just disappointing. Its not like it was a 2 hour long line (like from the sounds of it that it usually is), they could have helped, or tried - IMO.

Good luck & hope for short lines!