Alternative to Ariel's Grotto?

[deevku]

Hi y'all,

As my 5 year old dd will say when she wakes up tomorrow morning, 1 day to Mickey Mouse!!

But I have a question. She loves Ariel, (wants to be a mermaid herself), but I understand Ariel's grotto is closed for now. I also understand this is the only place to interact with Ariel. Does anyone know if Disney is offering an alternative for interacting with this favorite princess? Please reply soon, because we're leaving Saturday! Thanks in advance.

 

[HugsForEeyore]

I read here and on other message boards that Ariel will be in the ToonTown Hall of Fame building. That's the building where there are three lines that lead to small rooms, where you can meet characters. I believe I read that Ariel will be in the same room as Cinderella, who usually is there. Minnie and usually Chip and Dale are in another room, and Pooh and other Pooh characters are in the third room. Usually there is a castmember there at the start of the lines, so hopefully he/she can tell you which line leads to Ariel!

 

[PKK/MJK]

As someone who has a close 'maternal' relationship to Ariel, I can tell you that Ariel definitely will be in ToonTown until the Grotto is finished. In fact, I visited her there the other day and she looks so cute sitting on her little rock.. Ariel's room assignment kept shifting but ToonTown closed one of the three rooms last week and converted it into a 'Princess' room. That room will re-open shortly--it may have opened today. As plans stand now, Ariel will be in that room with Cinderella and Snow White. When Ariel returns to the Grotto, the current word is that Aurora will join the other Princesses. Of course, that could change. The little MK flyers that list times etc do NOT tell you that Ariel is in ToonTown--just that the Grotto is closed--but don't panic--she is in TT. Have a great time!!

 

[deevku]

Is this the most wonderful site in the world when you're full of Disney anticipation? Funny, the things we worry about, and funny how excited we are to make our kids' wishes come true!!

Thank-you sooo much for your help!!!! Truly appreciated.

 

[weloveprincesses]

PKKMJK, tell Ariel that we will be there soon to see her! I was so happy to hear she would be around for our visit (10/9-10/16), my dd (5) loved seeing her and her prince the last time we were there, I was hoping my other dd (2) could do the same this trip. She LOVES Ariel! Thanks ever so much for the update and information!

 

[poohlover]

Does any one have any idea how long Ariel will be in Toontown? We will be going in Nov for Thanksgiving & seeing Ariel is one of the top NEEDS of my 6yo priness loving DD!!

I think it would be wonderful if they keep more princesses in toontown. It will lessen the NEED to eat at the castle if I can say "we can see the princesses in toontown"...

yeah sure...I'll keep dreaming! LOL I eat at the castle cause I want to!!

Thanks for the tip on Ariel though!

 

[DiznEeyore]

Oh, I am soooo happy to hear this!!! My darling niece has been obsessed with Ariel forever (we always bring her an Ariel trinket back from our trips) and is going to WDW for the first time in 3 weeks. She was so sad thinking that she wouldn't get to meet Ariel, so I just called her to tell her the good news.

You all just made my favorite 7yo's day!!!!

 

[LuvAriel]

I am sitting here with my 41/2 year DD whose favorite character is Ariel. As I am reading to her all of these posts, her question to me was:

Ma, since Ariel is not in her grotto and she is in toontown, does that maen she has legs or fins???

Basically, she wants to know if Ariel is in her human form or a mermaid. Can anyone help me give her the answer????

Thanks

 

[ErinInCT]

Ariel is in her mermaid form at TT. She is sitting up on a rock. She is super sweet & will let you sit next to her on the rock for pics. We just got back & the meet & greet included Ariel, Minnie & Cinderella in TT. Not sure how long her grotto will be closed but keep checking the rehab info on various websites!

 

[LuvAriel]

Thanks erininct,

My DD can sleep well tonight. We leave in 19 days and she was dying to know where we could find Ariel since the grotto is closed. When I told her she would be in toontown, she freaked out and thought that meant she would have her legs and not fins. Oh if I were only 4 again and have that be my only concern in life.

Thanks again.

 

[Tinkerbellmom33]

I'm so glad we can still see her. My littlest one gets so excited when she sees the mermaid. Thanks for all of the info everyone.

 

[PKK/MJK]

No one knows for sure how long the Grotto will be closed--probably a couple of months at least. I'm told that the Princess Room at ToonTown is now open--and Ariel is in the same room with Cindy and Snow White. Ariel is most definitely in her mermaid form in ToonTown. At some time during the day, Tinkerbelle sprinkles pixie dust on Ariel and her legs return just long enough for her to stand on the Princess float in the parade with Prince Eric. After the parade, her tail returns!!

 

[LuvAriel]

PKK/MJK,

Thanks for the great idea about Tink's pikie dust. DD is getting older and I am sure she will start asking the question how sometime she has legs and other times she has fins.

Great suggestion!!!!

 

[firsttimedisneymom]

I am soo glad to hear the princess room is open!!! My daughter will be thrilled!! Anyone know when Aurora will be in there? Anytime soon or not for awhile?

 

[tjkatie]

We were there last Friday and the sign above the line to the princess room listed Ariel, Cinderella and Mystery. To my daughters delight it was Sleeping Beauty. So we did see her there. Maybe they keep it mystery so they can change them. Good luck!

 

[deevku]

Hi y'all,

Just back from our truly magical (albeit very hot, and quite crowded) visit to Disney...I posted the original question about Ariel on this post, and am happy to say that because we knew right where to find her, we didn't waste time looking. Although the line was 45 minutes to visit with her! Yikes! So, if you plan to see this most popular princess, give yourself enough time. We just barely made it to the electric light parade after our visit. But it was sooo worth the wait. My dd (almost 6) is showing everyone the exact spot on her arm where Ariel touched her!

 

[LuvAriel]

deevku,

Thanks for the update. We will be there in a matter of days and dd can't wait to see Ariel!!!!