Any recent diners at Ariel's Grotto dinner w/ outside seating?

[cseca]

How cold is it?
Do they have good amt of heater?

I'm worried that my parents would get sick from sitting out in the cold for so long. We are pretty stuck with that reservation because of our big group for WOC. So I'm trying to gauge and see if we should just skip it instead of possibly making them sick.

Thanks so much!

 

[gaucho2000]

How cold is it?
Do they have good amt of heater?

I'm worried that my parents would get sick from sitting out in the cold for so long. We are pretty stuck with that reservation because of our big group for WOC. So I'm trying to gauge and see if we should just skip it instead of possibly making them sick.

Thanks so much!

We had outside reservations but asked if there were any inside tables available when we checked in. They seated us inside right away. But they did say that they weren't very full for that night. Looking outside, it did seem that they had a good number of heaters out there.

 

[cseca]

Thanks so much. I guess we'll try it out and if it doesn't work out we'll just cancel.

 

[Superspectral]

Had outside seating last week prior to Thanksgiving. It was pretty chilly. Wear a jacket and a hat. It is colder the closer you are to the water. Tables in the middle are closer to the radiant heater. Most of Ariels tables are outside. Food was OK.

 

[pixiewings71]

They do have outdoor heaters, at least they did when we were there in winter last. It was a while ago but the heaters helped quite a bit actually. I do suggest sitting away from the water but depending on your party size you may not be able to do that. Good luck!

 

[Sherry E]

How cold is it?
Do they have good amt of heater?

I'm worried that my parents would get sick from sitting out in the cold for so long. We are pretty stuck with that reservation because of our big group for WOC. So I'm trying to gauge and see if we should just skip it instead of possibly making them sick.

Thanks so much!

Cseca!! Hi!! Last I chatted with you on the DIS, you were contemplating a possible DLR trip around the holidays. (And I was encouraging it!) So I am assuming it's on! Which dates did you pick?

 

[cseca]

They do have outdoor heaters, at least they did when we were there in winter last. It was a while ago but the heaters helped quite a bit actually. I do suggest sitting away from the water but depending on your party size you may not be able to do that. Good luck!

Thanks for the info.
I will ask one last time at the podium hopefully they'll take pity of my parents and little babies in the group and put us somewhere warm. If not then we'll just re-evaluate. I really don't want to get anyone sick YKWIM?

Cseca!! Hi!! Last I chatted with you on the DIS, you were contemplating a possible DLR trip around the holidays. (And I was encouraging it!) So I am assuming it's on! Which dates did you pick?

Hi Sherry!!
I've been following the disneyland christmas thread too, to get me in the mood. It's been a busy nov and will be a busy dec for us. So it's a bit hard to get me in the spirit... The thread has helped a lot.

We're going on the 23-29!!!! There will be 13 of us and it's been a challenge to get dining ressie for that big of group... but I managed to get some...

I told DH that after reading all about DL at christmas I'll be quite content to spend most of my days in GC lobby But I'm sure the rest of my family would not be too happy with that...
So I girding my loins for the crowd and hope for no fainting episode (i'm a bit of a claustro)

 

[pixiewings71]

Thanks for the info.
I will ask one last time at the podium hopefully they'll take pity of my parents and little babies in the group and put us somewhere warm. If not then we'll just re-evaluate. I really don't want to get anyone sick YKWIM?



Hi Sherry!!
I've been following the disneyland christmas thread too, to get me in the mood. It's been a busy nov and will be a busy dec for us. So it's a bit hard to get me in the spirit... The thread has helped a lot.

We're going on the 23-29!!!! There will be 13 of us and it's been a challenge to get dining ressie for that big of group... but I managed to get some...

I told DH that after reading all about DL at christmas I'll be quite content to spend most of my days in GC lobby But I'm sure the rest of my family would not be too happy with that...
So I girding my loins for the crowd and hope for no fainting episode (i'm a bit of a claustro)

I totally know what you mean! I hope you get some good indoor seats!

 

[Sherry E]

Hi Sherry!!
I've been following the disneyland christmas thread too, to get me in the mood. It's been a busy nov and will be a busy dec for us. So it's a bit hard to get me in the spirit... The thread has helped a lot.

We're going on the 23-29!!!! There will be 13 of us and it's been a challenge to get dining ressie for that big of group... but I managed to get some...

I told DH that after reading all about DL at christmas I'll be quite content to spend most of my days in GC lobby But I'm sure the rest of my family would not be too happy with that...
So I girding my loins for the crowd and hope for no fainting episode (i'm a bit of a claustro)

I wondered if you were out there, silently following the Christmas thread!! Good to know you have been! It's really an awesome thread, isn't it? It took a back seat for a while when the Halloween thread(s) skyrocketed, but people really love the Christmas thread. Stay tuned because I'm about to start Part 2 of the Christmas thread very, very, very soon!!

I remember you didn't have such a great experience at Goofy's Kitchen when you dined there solo in 2008, but your group of 13 made me think of PHXscuba on the Christmas thread. PHXscuba went to DLR last year with 13 people and they ate at Goofy's for dinner (with reservations, of course), which went over very well. Are you trying to stick with non-character meals for this group? Of course, that would majorly expensive!!

Which places have you gotten reservations for (other than Ariel's)? I can see that somewhere like, say, Carnation Cafe or Wine Country Trattoria might be a bit harder to pull off, but you could probably get a reservation at Storyteller's with not too much trouble.

I think you will have a lot of time to enjoy the GCH lobby - especially at night, when the entertainment really kicks in and everyone is kind of sipping beverages, munching on gingerbread cookies and in a festive mood.

I am heading back to the PPH on December 12, but I plan to spend at least one evening enjoying the GCH lobby...because the PPH lobby just is not as fun (even though, I think, the Christmas tree in the PPH is prettier than the one in the GCH, color-wise). The GCH tree was not up when I was just at DLR on 11/13, so I look forward to being back there when it's more Christmasy!

I hope you all have a great time and a great Christmas!!

 

[cseca]

I totally know what you mean! I hope you get some good indoor seats!

Thank you! Here's to indoor seats!

I wondered if you were out there, silently following the Christmas thread!! Good to know you have been! It's really an awesome thread, isn't it? It took a back seat for a while when the Halloween thread(s) skyrocketed, but people really love the Christmas thread. Stay tuned because I'm about to start Part 2 of the Christmas thread very, very, very soon!!

I remember you didn't have such a great experience at Goofy's Kitchen when you dined there solo in 2008, but your group of 13 made me think of PHXscuba on the Christmas thread. PHXscuba went to DLR last year with 13 people and they ate at Goofy's for dinner (with reservations, of course), which went over very well. Are you trying to stick with non-character meals for this group? Of course, that would majorly expensive!!

Which places have you gotten reservations for (other than Ariel's)? I can see that somewhere like, say, Carnation Cafe or Wine Country Trattoria might be a bit harder to pull off, but you could probably get a reservation at Storyteller's with not too much trouble.

I think you will have a lot of time to enjoy the GCH lobby - especially at night, when the entertainment really kicks in and everyone is kind of sipping beverages, munching on gingerbread cookies and in a festive mood.

I am heading back to the PPH on December 12, but I plan to spend at least one evening enjoying the GCH lobby...because the PPH lobby just is not as fun (even though, I think, the Christmas tree in the PPH is prettier than the one in the GCH, color-wise). The GCH tree was not up when I was just at DLR on 11/13, so I look forward to being back there when it's more Christmasy!

I hope you all have a great time and a great Christmas!!

We got seats for BB, Storyteller, Goofy's bfast, Minnie's bfast, PCH dinner. Ariel's WOC (we'll see if we can do this one), & Carnation cafe. Most of the ressies are divided in 2. Nothing we can do about that, I don't think DL is designed for big group diners since the restaurants are not very many I think.
I'm excited about this Goofy's meal, we have a bunch of kids in the group I think it'll be a lot different experience this time around. At least I hope

It was a lot easier to plan big group dining at WDW. I think they have many experience just because the size of the resorts YKWIM?

Oooh... have fun on your upcoming trip! It's coming up really quick!!!
Enjoy some hot cocoa/fudge/gingerbread cookies for me
I've been dreaming of staying at GCH for a long while but just couldn't justify the price. With DVC we are able to go this time around. Bringing my whole family too!!! I'm super excited!

Anyways, thanks for keeping the xmas thread going. I check it everyday to see what's going on. I really can't wait to get there. Even if all I can do is sit at the lobby and hang out...

 

[Sherry E]

We got seats for BB, Storyteller, Goofy's bfast, Minnie's bfast, PCH dinner. Ariel's WOC (we'll see if we can do this one), & Carnation cafe. Most of the ressies are divided in 2. Nothing we can do about that, I don't think DL is designed for big group diners since the restaurants are not very many I think.
I'm excited about this Goofy's meal, we have a bunch of kids in the group I think it'll be a lot different experience this time around. At least I hope

It was a lot easier to plan big group dining at WDW. I think they have many experience just because the size of the resorts YKWIM?

Oooh... have fun on your upcoming trip! It's coming up really quick!!!
Enjoy some hot cocoa/fudge/gingerbread cookies for me
I've been dreaming of staying at GCH for a long while but just couldn't justify the price. With DVC we are able to go this time around. Bringing my whole family too!!! I'm super excited!

Anyways, thanks for keeping the xmas thread going. I check it everyday to see what's going on. I really can't wait to get there. Even if all I can do is sit at the lobby and hang out...

It's funny because I like the spaciousness of the rooms at the PPH better than I like the GCH rooms. I find the GCH rooms to be on the small, cramped and dark side (at least the standard ones are). BUT, I still find myself missing the GCH and wanting to stay there again!! It's been 3 years since I last stayed there. I know I can go and enjoy the lobby environment any old time, no matter where I stay - and I will be doing that - but there was something nice about sitting in the lobby, enjoying the carolers and then heading straight up to the room to go to sleep without the walk to the PPH across the street. That close proximity of the GCH is definitely handy.

And like you, I think others have said that they never would have considered the GCH or been able to afford it without the DVC. That DVC is opening up whole new worlds for people in terms of where they stay!

You did a great job with getting everyone in to all of those restaurants, even if you have be broken up into 2. I was chuckling about Carnation Cafe - their seating is so limited that your group of 13 just might take up more than half the restaurant!! I've actually seen large groups of people at Goofy's who were all together- there are a few different booths that can hold a large group - and then any extras can sit at the adjoining table. I wonder if they will break you all up or try to give you one of the big booths. I think the kids will love Minnie & Friends and Goofy's Kitchen!! It sounds like a good array of restaurants. I was thinking about trying PCH Grill myself on this upcoming trip - I don't know if I will suggest it for dinner on the night when my friends are there, or if I will do it solo (this will be a partial solo trip and a partial friends trip). But that is one place I've wanted to try that I have not ventured into yet, so this might be the time!!

Well, it sounds like your upcoming Christmas trip DLR is going to be absolutely magical - I can't wait to hear about it when you get back. You'll have a good number of days to get a lot done. I wish I were going to have more days in the parks than I will actually have, but seeing as I have not done a multi-day trip to DLR in 2 years, I am happy for anything that's longer than a one-day trip at this point!!

I will probably start Part 2 of the Christmas thread next week, before I leave.

 

[cseca]

It's funny because I like the spaciousness of the rooms at the PPH better than I like the GCH rooms. I find the GCH rooms to be on the small, cramped and dark side (at least the standard ones are). BUT, I still find myself missing the GCH and wanting to stay there again!! It's been 3 years since I last stayed there. I know I can go and enjoy the lobby environment any old time, no matter where I stay - and I will be doing that - but there was something nice about sitting in the lobby, enjoying the carolers and then heading straight up to the room to go to sleep without the walk to the PPH across the street. That close proximity of the GCH is definitely handy.

And like you, I think others have said that they never would have considered the GCH or been able to afford it without the DVC. That DVC is opening up whole new worlds for people in terms of where they stay!

You did a great job with getting everyone in to all of those restaurants, even if you have be broken up into 2. I was chuckling about Carnation Cafe - their seating is so limited that your group of 13 just might take up more than half the restaurant!! I've actually seen large groups of people at Goofy's who were all together- there are a few different booths that can hold a large group - and then any extras can sit at the adjoining table. I wonder if they will break you all up or try to give you one of the big booths. I think the kids will love Minnie & Friends and Goofy's Kitchen!! It sounds like a good array of restaurants. I was thinking about trying PCH Grill myself on this upcoming trip - I don't know if I will suggest it for dinner on the night when my friends are there, or if I will do it solo (this will be a partial solo trip and a partial friends trip). But that is one place I've wanted to try that I have not ventured into yet, so this might be the time!!

Well, it sounds like your upcoming Christmas trip DLR is going to be absolutely magical - I can't wait to hear about it when you get back. You'll have a good number of days to get a lot done. I wish I were going to have more days in the parks than I will actually have, but seeing as I have not done a multi-day trip to DLR in 2 years, I am happy for anything that's longer than a one-day trip at this point!!

I will probably start Part 2 of the Christmas thread next week, before I leave.

Thanks!
I try to plan the trip as best I could, although I'm sure the only one who knows the crazyness I had to encounter to get all these stuff done would only be me... sigh...
I hope they all had fun, because if I hear a lot of complaining I would cry my eyes out...

Have a great time there!

I'll try to post a quick TR when we get back...