Ariel's Grotto for WOC in July - Inside or Outside?

[HydroGuy]

OK DISers, I need some help here! With four boys in our family we have always avoided Ariel's Grotto like the plague in favor of pirates and jedis. However, with the WOC dining reservation I decided to give it a shot since I have been promised there will not be any princesses there.

We will be there the last week of July and eating around 6PM with a party of seven. When I made my dining reservation I was at first inclined to choose an outdoor table for the fresh air. However, having never been there before I am concerned about being in direct sun on a warm evening. So I chose an inside table.

Here are my questions...

1. Are the outside tables in direct sunlight on a summer evening?

2. Are the table umbrellas set up well to block the sun - if it needs blocking?

3. Has anyone eaten outside at AG's in the summer? Especially in the evening? How was it for warmth (which we do not mind if typical Anaheim) and a bright sun (which I think we will mind over a one-hour meal)

4. Is there anything special inside AG that we would miss like cool theming if we opted for outside?

Thanks!

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

I haven't eaten outside at AG, but when we go it does look mighty sunny out there... they have umbrellas and stuff... I just prefer the a/c comfort of being inside. I can say that I love the theming inside... very "underwater-esque" but with boys, I'm not really sure you'd dig it, but I think it looks cool... the lighting especially... maybe someone has pics that aren't just of the princesses? I understand July can be quite hot, you might want a break from that and want to be inside...

 

[brenda1966]

Sorry, I'm of no help either. Have always booked an inside table in July. Really do not want to sit out in the heat or sun. There are huge windows in AG -- big enough to ruin pictures with heavy backlighting, so it's not like you're sitting in a dark restaurant. We enjoy the A/C.

 

[Raindown]

There are shade overhangs, but I would probably still choose inside for the AC. Sun will probably be coming it at an angle. IMO there is nothing worse than having to eat and bake at the same time. Randomly I'll throw in there that the bathrooms are nice.

Taken at about 11am.

To my immediate right there is another square section of tables that extends out into the lagoon. It probably has one of the best photo opts of the WoC viewing area. This section is also covered in a similar manner.

 

[Queen Elisabeth]

I really like the inside. It has a cool underwater theme that is pretty cool and mostly unisex (there is some artwork of a mermaid on the wall, but other than that it's just cool blue lighting and jellyfish light fixtures and things like that).

Here's a picture of the wall by the booths and the jellyfish lights. If you look to the left by the light fixture that's on the side, you get a little feel for the blue color that lights most of the ceiling.

 

[disneydreamer74]

I am undecided as well for our August trip. Last July we ate inside as well, and as you can see by the photos it is nicely decorated with spectacular theming. That being said, we went at 6 p.m. as well so realistically the outside heat was tapering down. When we left we stepped outside to see those tables and I thought to myself that I should have booked outside, specifically the are that juts out to the water, because it would have been nice to eat by the waterside! The shade seemed to be plenty! Of course we are known to eat at Riverbelle Terrace in the heat of the day and those shaded tables are perfect for us, not hot at all! Either way I think you will enjoy it there!!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

We sat outside at AG several years ago and lucked out with a picture perfect Soutehrn California summer day. I was with my grandkids, but I rememeber thinking at the time that sitting outsdie next to the bay as the sun was starting to set was a perfect romatic atmosphere, if you didn't mind the screams every few minutes as they launched another California Sreamin' train!

Seriously, I just booked outside for later this month, just to give the kids in our group a little more freedom not to have to sit perfectly still with their napkins on thier lap for an hour long meal. I am really more concerned about it being too cool (although that is often a problem indoors as well with the AC blasting) than it being too hot or too sunny. -- Suzanne

 

[PinkBudgie]

OK DISers, I need some help here! With four boys in our family we have always avoided Ariel's Grotto like the plague in favor of pirates and jedis. However, with the WOC dining reservation I decided to give it a shot since I have been promised there will not be any princesses there.

I have to laugh. That is exactly why were are eating the WOC dinner there! I have two boys almost 17 years old so I've never been inside. I promised my boys there would be no princesses (they started to protest until I told them this! ). They didn't ask inside or out and since I didn't know either, we will just see what happens when we get there.

 

[DizNee Luver]

We sat outside in 05 & didn't mind the July heat or sun. It was pretty well shaded & we loved watching California Screamin' launching through out the meal....in fact this was when my kids talked me into riding it.......

I think our booking for July 27 is inside....she never really asked what we wanted....lol We went with the first time of 5pm because of the No-Guarantee you'll get a ticket thing.....first seating we should be safe....I'd be more nervous at the 6-7pm times.....GOOD LUCK!!

 

[Tikestoublie]

Now I am trying to figure out if I need to call Disney Dining back for a 4th time. Each time I have spoken with them I was never asked or offered inside vs. out. But have now seen that there is a price difference. Not huge so not to worried about it. Do know that I get cold from a/c though so outside might be better.

I will say that the CM I spoke with was excellent yesterday. Very patient going through each of ressies for my allergy alert as well as adding my DD's bday as it was only added to one meal before.

He also confirmed that the ticket for WoC was confirmed. That had been a big concern for me. It is standing and while he doesn't think we should be on top of each other, it will be cozy!

Few more days and the first reports should be rolling in...

 

[tanyaewa]

Great question Hydroguy - looks like there will be a lot more boys eating at AG after WOC starts up! Mine included

 

[HydroGuy]

Thanks everyone for the feedback and the photos were really helpful! I am going to switch to an outdoor reservation because it looks like the shade is sufficient and I know my family would prefer outdoor.

On a related note, when I made the AG res today for the 9PM WOC the CM did tell me the available times for inside tables and outside tables. And those times were not the same.

 

[erinbharris]

Thanks everyone for the feedback and the photos were really helpful! I am going to switch to an outdoor reservation because it looks like the shade is sufficient and I know my family would prefer outdoor.

On a related note, when I made the AG res today for the 9PM WOC the CM did tell me the available times for inside tables and outside tables. And those times were not the same.

Hmmm...what do you think that means? If you do the 9pm dinner then do you think you stay at your table for WOC? I haven't followed WOC very much because my kids won't last if it's standing only, but if we're sitting at our table after dinner then I'd book it.

 

[HydroGuy]

Hmmm...what do you think that means? If you do the 9pm dinner then do you think you stay at your table for WOC? I haven't followed WOC very much because my kids won't last if it's standing only, but if we're sitting at our table after dinner then I'd book it.

No, you do not stay at AG. You get a ticket for a reserved standing area at WOC. FWIW, the CM I spoke with made a point to tell me that you do not watch WOC from AG. Plus, the angle would be poor as the show was not designed to be viewed from there.

 

[Judy from Boise]

I am worried for the future of the American male if your teenagers can't see the benefits of spending some quality time with the Princesses........I mean have the seen Jasmin

 

[Raindown]

I am worried for the future of the American male if your teenagers can't see the benefits of spending some quality time with the Princesses........I mean have the seen Jasmin

Quoted for truth.

 

[HydroGuy]

I am worried for the future of the American male if your teenagers can't see the benefits of spending some quality time with the Princesses........I mean have the seen Jasmin

Judy, I am merely summarizing the last 10 years. Now that they are 18, 17, 15 and 14 you are quite right that princesses are more appealing than they used to be.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Judy, I am merely summarizing the last 10 years. Now that they are 18, 17, 15 and 14 you are quite right that princesses are more appealing than they used to be.

I don't think the princesses are the issue. I think it is the fact that they would be surrounded by tables of little girls and feel like they are eating at a little kids place.

I'm sure I couldn't get them into any character meal. My boys have never been into characters. When they were 6 we saw Sleeping Beauty standing out by her castle all by herself. One boy went right up and had his picture taken with her. The other maintained a distance and wouldn't come near. So, I do have one picture of one boy with a princess.

 

[PoppyGirl]

So am I understanding correctly that you can choose inside or outside seating when you call to make your reservation? When I called they did not ask me. Should I call back?

Also, just as an aside...the first time we went to WDW, my son would have nothing to do with the princesses. He agreed to a photo with Fairy Godmother when she chided him and reminded him that everyone has a F.G. But later that year when we went to DL, he pulled me aside and said, "Mommy, I think maybe I will get my pictures with the princesses this time." And he did! He took one with every single princess! I still don't know why he changed his mind.

 

[MulanFan]

Oh, I didn't know that there will be no princesses at AG for the WOC dinner - I was thinking of doing it and getting both out of the way in one go (my DD is way into the Princesses : ). Bummer.