Ariel's Grotto - Inside or Outside?

[PrincessIM]

I've made reservations at Ariel's Grotto for indoor seating. I've noticed in a few of the posts that some people have recommended the outdoor seating. Just wondering why? I picked indoor thinking that it would be "sea themed" and it would feel more like "Ariel's Grotto"

 

[moko]

I think maybe due to the lighting was the reasoning... ???

I took the advice to sit outside recently. It was a nice day but a bit breezy. It didn't seem too dark inside but we did get some very nice photos of the kids with the princesses outdoors. I think inside seating would be okay, too, though!

 

[booeyjc]

We sat outside a few weeks ago and it was FABULOUS......*but* the weather was PERFECT that day. Not hot, hot cold, not super windy....just absolutely perfect.

Within the past week it has been quite HOT here, so i'm not sure how great it would be now though.

I'll let you know in a few weeks when we go back

 

[Quest4Kingdom]

Hi, I'm one of those outside people. But that was because they usually seated us outside, which we ended up enjoying because it also seemed a little more private and quiet. I didn't realise there was a sea theme inside, I think I would like to experience that next visit- by the way it has become a MUST for all our Disneyland trips now! I think if you want the more "party" atmosphere then inside is a great idea.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I enjoy sitting outside. Especially if my seating is late enough for it to be dark, the lights of Paradise Pier are beautiful at night. And even on cold nights its great, they have heat lamps. During lunch its generally shady and a bit breezy, quite pleasant on warm days. The only outside experience that wasn't so great was one night when we had dinner. The sun was setting and that was a shame for anyone at our table facing that direction, as it was right in their face. Eventually it went down and was fine.

 

[ChrisMouse]

We just did Ariel's Friday, and I would definitely recommend OUTSIDE. The lighting made it very difficult inside to take good photos. Plus, it's right on the water, and my DD really wanted to sit outside. Who knew? We still had a great time, but trust me, your photos will come out better outside!

 

[Quest4Kingdom]

oh, right, Outside is excellent for the photos too and if you want that "out at sea" feel, I just remembered that you can even makebelieve you're on a ship because of the water right outside! Yes, I'll probably stick to our outside experience too!
(some thoughts)

 

[RuthieT]

what about inside or outside for december? we are thinking of going to this on our visit in december. Also how soon to make reservations?

 

[hrhlaurie]

When I made my reservations I don't remember requesting inside or outside, so should I have made that request at the time or when we're seated?

Thanks!

 

[PrincessIM]

When I made my reservations I don't remember requesting inside or outside, so should I have made that request at the time or when we're seated?

Thanks!

When I made my reservation they asked me if I wanted inside or outside. I think I'm going to call and change my reservation to outside.

 

[ShawnaF]

December - inside! Never know if it's going to be raining! We are inside people regardless (although the a/c is a bit chilly in there sometimes for my tastes.) I can't eat outside with bugs around, not that CA has many bugs, but it's a personal issue with me. I love the atmosphere inside and all of our pics have always come out wonderfully.

 

[Quest4Kingdom]

When we were at Ariel's Grotto for the first time in April without reservations, we were put on a waiting list that day and had to wait about half an hour to 45 mins., kids were restless and hungry! Because I'm new to this, I thought you could just drop in like a regular restaurany, but now I know the importance to make reservations. And it was mid-April, the front person said they were booked until May 4! I don't know if it's always like this tho'.

 

[silence]

we were at Ariel's on Friday too. this was our second visit. if you are inside, i recommend a TABLE vs. a BOOTH. When we had the booth, it was hard to get out to take pictures of the kids and you had the window behind them so the lighting was horrible. I got better pictures this time around with a table and positioned the kids on the side so the wall would be behind them. I requested the table at check in.

have fun!

 

[caimakale]

we were at Ariel's on Friday too. this was our second visit. if you are inside, i recommend a TABLE vs. a BOOTH. When we had the booth, it was hard to get out to take pictures of the kids and you had the window behind them so the lighting was horrible. I got better pictures this time around with a table and positioned the kids on the side so the wall would be behind them. I requested the table at check in.

have fun!

It all depends on the time of day. We have eaten inside, outside, at a table, and in a booth. I agree that it's much easier to get in and out of a table vs. the booth, but more than half of our pictures were ruined by the sun light when we had a table. Our camera flash more than made up for the lighting in the restaurant when we were seated at the booth.

I agree though, if the weather is good, you can't beat eating outside, but it's kind of hard to predict the weather 30+ days in advance. Fortunately we ate there a couple days before the record setting heat this week or it would have been miserable. That's not something I could have predicted when I made the reservations.

 

[mystic_path]

I would vote for outside as long as the weather was warmer and during the earlier hours of the day such as lunch

 

[OregonDisneyFanatic]

We just did Ariel's Friday, and I would definitely recommend OUTSIDE. The lighting made it very difficult inside to take good photos. Plus, it's right on the water, and my DD really wanted to sit outside. Who knew? We still had a great time, but trust me, your photos will come out better outside!

Chrismouse, what time where you there? We went Friday night at 6:50. It was horrible. I hope it was better for you! The characters where good. I just wasn't fond of what was suppose to be a well done burger being rare and the extra protein of the long hair in my salad I think what made me mader was the way the server handled the whole situation. I put a compaint in to City Hall. I have never had to do that before so I was very disapointed to say the least. Wish I would have never gone and we won't go back. I know it is all about the characters but the food shouldn't come with "extras" and the service should be better at taking care of problems.