Ariel's grotto lunch - worth it?

[Lebestiole]

Hi everyone!

I'm thinking of making reservations for Ariel's Grotto. Costume characters scare my lil cousin and we thought that he may be more comfortable with a Princess-only enviroment, so no Plaza Inn. We're a family of 8 (two kids age 4, one girl, one boy) and the rest of us are adults.

My question is, how much is it? The Disneyland site says that it's between $30 - $50, but I'm not sure about the exact cost? We're going in October. Also, is it worth it? Is the food only sea food or do we have more options? Do we get enough time with each princess? Aaand what's the best hour to go?

THANK YOU!

 

[Indiana Scott]

You might enjoy going to the Cove bar instead. It's upstairs and outside of Ariels.
They have some fantastic food and drinks available; our favorite is the Lobster Nacho's and Mai Tai's

 

[Number Six]

Had lunch there a couple of weeks ago, I'm pretty sure 10yo-and-up was $40pp, I don't know what younger kids are.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Call Disney Dining to get the exact cost for the dates of your visit. The prices vary according the peak/off peak season, so asking Disney will get you the best answer. Also, for what it's worth, when our youngest was scared of characters, that included princesses. He was a little less scared of them because they were clearly human, but he was still intimidated and uncomfortable around them. If you don't do Ariel's on your first day, do some M&Gs with your cousin with princesses to warm him up and to test his reaction. All kids are different, so if he reacts badly, you can always cancel the reservation ahead of time or just take him to eat somewhere else while the little girl does Ariel's.

 

[Lebestiole]

You might enjoy going to the Cove bar instead. It's upstairs and outside of Ariels.
They have some fantastic food and drinks available; our favorite is the Lobster Nacho's and Mai Tai's

But I'm guessing the Cove Bar is not a character experience, right? My aunt is dying to experience a character lunch/breakfast with her kids. :c

Had lunch there a couple of weeks ago, I'm pretty sure 10yo-and-up was $40pp, I don't know what younger kids are.

$40 sounds like a good price! Thank you!

Call Disney Dining to get the exact cost for the dates of your visit. The prices vary according the peak/off peak season, so asking Disney will get you the best answer. Also, for what it's worth, when our youngest was scared of characters, that included princesses. He was a little less scared of them because they were clearly human, but he was still intimidated and uncomfortable around them. If you don't do Ariel's on your first day, do some M&Gs with your cousin with princesses to warm him up and to test his reaction. All kids are different, so if he reacts badly, you can always cancel the reservation ahead of time or just take him to eat somewhere else while the little girl does Ariel's.

Thanks for the advice!! We'll make sure to try some M&Gs before the character breakfast, sadly I don't think my aunt would take one kid to Ariel's and the other to another palce. But I'll make the suggestion!

 

[kirstie101]

We do Ariels Grotto every year on our summer trip. My kids both love it, they are 9 and 5 now but we've been going since the youngest was 1. I'd say it runs 40ish a person and then we usually order an adult beverage which adds a bit more on. We've had some of our best character interaction here (Snow White making DS eat his veggies was great!). We actually told DD9 that even when she doesn't like princesses anymore we're still going to go here for lunch because the adults enjoy it so much. I personally prefer sitting outside. Its quieter, more relaxed and you have a great view of the water and pier area. We usually do an early lunch around 11:30-12:00.

 

[Lebestiole]

We do Ariels Grotto every year on our summer trip. My kids both love it, they are 9 and 5 now but we've been going since the youngest was 1. I'd say it runs 40ish a person and then we usually order an adult beverage which adds a bit more on. We've had some of our best character interaction here (Snow White making DS eat his veggies was great!). We actually told DD9 that even when she doesn't like princesses anymore we're still going to go here for lunch because the adults enjoy it so much. I personally prefer sitting outside. Its quieter, more relaxed and you have a great view of the water and pier area. We usually do an early lunch around 11:30-12:00.

Awesome! I assume characters go to outside tables too, right?

 

[Kindermouse]

adults menu with prices
https://touringplans.com/disney-cal...iels-disney-princess-celebration-lunch-dinner

kids menu with prices
https://touringplans.com/disney-cal...disney-princess-celebration-kids-lunch-dinner

one thing to note. I was there in march and my son ate off the kids menu for WOC dining but he was not given the creme brulee and chocolate cover strawberry dessert-the kids dessert was jello. I mention this because this lunch menu has the kids having the same dessert as adults but at least for WOC that was not the case.

 

[Number Six]

Awesome! I assume characters go to outside tables too, right?

Yes.

 

[mom2rtk]

Awesome! I assume characters go to outside tables too, right?

Depending on where you sit, it might actually be a better location for photos.

Rapunzel on Paradise Pier by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[kirstie101]

Awesome! I assume characters go to outside tables too, right?

Yes they do. Just like they do inside only a little less crowded.

 

[Alinasan]

We did this lunch five years or so ago, when my daughter was 2 and a half, and really enjoyed it. At that age, she was too young to truly "interact" with the cast members, but they were all so sweet with her. I'm not sure how the menu or procedure of it has changed since then, but I found the food almost elegant and loved the atmosphere, and how they managed everything along without seeming to hurry us. We ate there twice that trip both times inside, for the WOC dinner package too. I felt the experience was worth it in the same way that I think Disneyland is "worth it" --yes, it is expensive compared to other amusement parks/places to eat, but it did sort of have a quality of feeling like a unique and memorable experience. The performers really did an excellent job --none seemed like they were just hurrying around.

That said, we decided against going again when DD was older because what we found was that we sort of wound up spending a good deal of the day tied up waiting for our reservation time and of course, just getting to that part of the park from wherever we happened to be. Besides, with DS (2.5), we knew he'd be content at Flo's in Carsland, which he was and so was DD. I'm sure DD would have enjoyed the Princess lunch too--but I don't think she felt that she truly "missed out" on anything and she didn't really mention or ask about eating with the Princesses--but a 4 year old girl is much more prime princess age than 8 so....for your group it may be more memorable and fun if everyone else in the party is up for it.

 

[WestMom2two]

It's expensive and the food is pretty terrible in our opinion but my daughter just lights up when she is there. Her best memories of Disneyland are always Ariel's Grotto so we suck it up and try and go whenever we visit Disneyland. She went for the first time at 3 and then again every year after and each time she is too excited to even eat. haha

 

[DharmaLou]

It's expensive (I think DD7 and I were about $70 last month including a beer for me), but I think the food is actually pretty decent. Much better than the breakfast and dinner buffets. The character interaction is great, too. DD is just about at that "I'm over the princesses" stage, but she still asked to eat here this last trip. we've eaten there a total of 4 times now, 2 times inside and 2 outside.

 

[BirdsSingWords]

We went when my nieces were 5 and 3, and still cherish the memories five years later. But for us, it was a once-and-done experience, not something we plan to repeat (unless the 7-year-old becomes princess crazy). We did like the food though, I remember we were all pleased.

We like Minnie's at Plaza Inn a bit better, for character variety and breakfast food.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

DD(13) and I went for lunch, and we really enjoyed it. It was $122.99 for the two of us - but that total includes a light-up cup drink DD and a grown-up drink for me. This would also have been peak time - end of June. Service was great, as was food. The Princesses seemed to spend a reasonable amount of time at each table - enough for chit-chat, pictures, and an autograph.

 

[GeneralTso]

I think it's totally worth it. Character meals are not meant to be a bargain--they are expensive!
This one is all princesses and they come to your table (inside or out) and it is a really relaxed experience. It's an easy way to meet 5 princesses without battling crowds and waiting in lines.
You meet Arial in her shell upon arrival.
Of course the food isn't out of this world but hey, the kids are usually so distracted and excited they barely eat. The adults just have to realize you're paying for the experience and not a culinary delight.

 

[smartlabelprint]

We watch you tube character interactions before we go. This helped our kids not be scared.

 

[Disney127]

We dine at Arie's on every one of our trips. DD (14) likes to meet the princesses plus it's a nice change for us to have a sit down meal. The food is pretty good, we love the bread. LOL It's nice to have the characters come to your table in an orderly fashion.