Ariel's a Grotto & WOC package worth it?

[TXAKDisneyFan]

Friends are going to DLR for 3 days in late May/early June. It'll be two families (8 people total), each with two adults and two daughters (ages 6 to 9). They're staying four miles from the parks and will have a car.

Two of the younger girls (ages 6 and 7) are into princesses, the other two don't care for princess at all (don't even want to meet them). The youngest girl also has a total meltdown if she's anywhere near fireworks, loud noises, bright lights, etc. (When there are fireworks going on anywhere within a couple miles, she hides in a basement with noise canceling headphones on.)

One of the adults booked the WOC package at Ariel's Grotto for dinner. My BFF (one of the other adults) isn't so sure she wants to spend that much money for a meal, especially one that she doesn't think looks all that fancy. I've never been to Ariel's so I can't give advice as to how the actual food is (I see it gets 3/5 stars on yelp). However, I agree that it's a lot of money to spend when only 2 of the girls care about princesses, it seems relatively easy to do M&Gs at DLR (which are also free), and at least one of the girls (and therefore at least one adult) will not be able to go to WOC. Thoughts?

Would it be better for them to do a quick service or off-site meal? Also, how easy is it to get a FP for WOC, and what is the FP area like vs the dining package area?

(Note that all of the girls are used to being in bed by 8 pm, so they might not even be able to stay up until the nighttime shows. But assuming they do stay up...)

Thanks!

 

[mom2rtk]

If you are booking for a WoC dinner, there won't be princesses there.

 

[ImDMous]

There are definitely bright lights, loud noises and Fire in World Of Color.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

Right after I posted my question, I saw that there are no princesses during dinner

How is the actual food? (I've only ever eaten quick service at DL, but if I had to choose a sit down meal there, it looks like Blue Bayou is better rated.)

 

[jina]

The food is good, not amazing, but w/o the princesses I'd pass. We've done AG for lunch and dinner. What makes it special is the princess interaction. We have a WOC dining resie for Carthay Circle but DD5 normally goes to bed at 7 and the show is at 9. We did take her to WOC when she was 3 (and still napping) and she hated it because of the noise. Now she claims she wants to see it but I'm not so sure.

I've heard the Dining FP section is better than yellow or blue but I think I'm going to cancel my WOC package and instead just grab some FP's in the morning. They are available right after park regular opening and I've heard they last a couple of hours so they are not too hard to get. I have another thread I started today asking about the WOC package because I just saw my night has 2 shows- one at 9 and one at 10:15 and I'm concerned my WOC dining reservation for 5pm would result in the 10:15 show which would be totally un-doable so I'd check the park hours for your day and see what time WOC is to even see if it's worth doing.

 

[MeishkaD]

Right after I posted my question, I saw that there are no princesses during dinner

How is the actual food? (I've only ever eaten quick service at DL, but if I had to choose a sit down meal there, it looks like Blue Bayou is better rated.)

My daughter and I dined their for lunch on our recent visit. I would say the food compares favorably to Applebee's. Not worth the value if you don't count the princesses (which for us are worth their weight in gold). My entree was the special. Macadamia nut encrusted mahi mahi served over jasmine rice and bok choy.

Having said that, the dessert trio was fantastic!! Creme brulee, deconstructed s'more (my fave), and a chocolate covered strawberry.

 

[cmpeter]

I wouldn't pick it for dinner. We did lunch there. The food was decent. I had the mahi mahi pictured above and my daughter had a short rib thing. The desserts were yummy. But, I agree, it's the princess interaction that makes it worth while. You get a photo shoot with Ariel and prints of those pictures. Then when we were there Belle, Cinderella, Snow White and Rapunzel came out and stopped at each table and you could take pictures with them.

We have not had problems pulling WOC fast passes. With either the regular FP or the WOC Meal FP, you still have to line up 60 minutes (maybe sooner if it's really busy) to get a spot along a rail. Since everyone stands, if you aren't along a rail you view will be obstructed, especially for the kids.

I have done WOC twice...once just pulling a FP. Got their early and had spot on the rail near the water. Second time we did the Carthay Circle dining package (lunch). Had a spot along the rail closer to the back of the viewing area (near the wheelchair seating section). Got there early and had a spot right on the railing which was elevated above the section in front of us. Both were great viewing spots, but both times we were there 60-90 minutes before the show started. I bring a small blanket and we sit while waiting and then stand for the show.