Ariel's Grotto or Hall of Fame

[meeko_33785]

I've never tried either of these locations and I was thinking about checking one out on my next trip. How long are the lines at these when they first open for the day? Which one gives a better experience? I've already met and got both Ariel's autograph and the autographs of pretty much all the characters that appear at the Hall of Fame so that's not as much of a consideration. Are they even worth it or are the less-hyped character locations just as good? Thanks in advance for your responces.

 

[FrizDiz]

This depends on what you want. Ariel's grotto has only Ariel and nobody else. My girls love her and this is the only place she signs autographs and takes picture's etc. The line is usually long and slow if you get there later in the day. The Hall of fame allows you to see about three characters at a time. They tell you which characters are at the end of each of the three lines. The line isn't horribly slow but try to get there early as well. My opinion is go to the Hall of Fame unless your kids have to absolutely see Ariel. It allows you to see more characters, it's air conditioned, and a bit faster.

 

[MrsMud]

I agree with Frizdiz. Ariel's Grotto was a very long wait when we went in early Dec. (slowest time of the year). There is no shade, and no water. I think when the water fountains were on it must have been much more pleasant of a wait. Unless getting Ariel's photo/autograph is a must, I would skip it. JMHO.
Oh, I haven't been to the Hall of Fame.

 

[DisneyCP2002]

Hall of fame has the more variety of characters whereas Ariel's Grotto is only Ariel. The line at the grotto is always long unless you go right at the begining of the day. Hall of fame lines do get long but usually the wait isn't as bad. Also another factor is Ariel's Grotto is mostly outside whereas Hall of Fame is all inside.

 

[forgetyourtroubles!]

A couple of weeks ago, we lined up for Ariel at 9:30- the park map guide said the grotto would be open at 10:00, but they opened early (at 9:30 and we only waited 5 minutes.) By the time we came out, there was a 30 minute wait.
We went to the Toon town hall of fame right before 3:00, which is the parade start time. We saw 9 characters in 15 minutes - no line, no crowd, and then we hopped on the train from Toon Town to Main Street, and got off just as the start of the parade was rolling down main street. We got a "front row" parade seat right on the circle, which was a PERFECT location.
That said, I don't think the Toon Town character fest would be worth it at all if there was a line. They seem to have TONS of characters throughout the park with fairly short lines and my personal opinion is that the outdoor shots with characters are better and more festive-looking in a photo album or scrapbook.
Sure was fun! I want to go back!

 

[meeko_33785]

Thanks for your oppinions. Since I've already gotten Ariel's autograph and picture, I don't think that long of a wait would be worth it. Maybe the Hall of Fame would be nice. How long are the lines there in the morning when Toontown first opens? How quicly does the line build up?