Ariel's Grotto- Still a crowded attraction?

[crazymomof4]

Before our 2003 trip I remember hearing that there is always a long line for Ariel's Grotto. We didn't get to do it then, but I would like to take DD4 this time. Is it still usually busy? If so, can you offer any tips/strategies?

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

There can be a large line - but strangely, all the fathers seem to want to wait, and wait as patient and quiet as church mice. The moms tend to not take it as well.

N.E.D.

 

[kilee]

I would just try to get there as close to the grotto opening as possible. Look on your time guide for hours of operation.

 

[lovethattink]

It's a fastpass attraction, so we usually get a fast pass. Twice I took ds(1) on it recently while dh and ds were on RNR. Each time I arrived 5 minutes before show time. Once I had to wait til the next showing, but was 1st in line for the next show and once I just walked right in. (Those times were back in June.)

 

[shellybaxter]

When did Ariel's Grotto get fast pass?? Would that be the first time a character greeting area was a fast pass attraction??

Shelly

Never mind - It's really early here in California and I didn't read the PP well enough. The fast pass attraction isn't Ariel's Grotto in MK but the Little Mermaid Show in the Studios.

 

[DreadpiratK]

There can be a large line - but strangely, all the fathers seem to want to wait, and wait as patient and quiet as church mice. The moms tend to not take it as well.

N.E.D.

Maybe that has something to do with Ariels' costume?

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Ariel's Grotto in MK is not a fastpass attraction. I think you are confusing it with Voyage of the Little Mermaid in MGM. The grotto usually opens around 9:30 so I try to be there about 9:25 and we haven';t had a very long wait.

 

[sunking]

It's a fastpass attraction, so we usually get a fast pass. Twice I took ds(1) on it recently while dh and ds were on RNR. Each time I arrived 5 minutes before show time. Once I had to wait til the next showing, but was 1st in line for the next show and once I just walked right in. (Those times were back in June.)

I think you might be thinking of the Voyage Of The Little Mermaid show at MGM as that is a fast pass attraction. Ariel's Grotto at MK is not a fast pass attraction.

Have fun!!!
Sunking

 

[ssdeverell]

So true about the dad's!! DH wants to meet her in September, and we are not even taking DS. He just keeps referring to her as "the hottie" because he cannot even remember her name. Saw her in the MGM parade and has been talking about her ever since. Can't imagine how he will act at our princess breakfast. LOL

 

[MelanieC]

We just got back last night and when we were there on Saturday there was a 40 min wait. This was our 3rd full day at MK, but we didn't get to try to get her autograph till then. DD13 decided it wasn't worth 40 min to get her signature. Oddly, DH was the one who was going to wait in line with her. DS7 and I were going to wait in line for the teacups. Instead, DD joined us and rode the teacups with us instead. DH will NOT do the teacups.

 

[missypie]

Get there right when it opens if it's a "must" on your list. The line is very slow moving. We were there pretty early on a rainy morning and there weren't all that many people in front of us, but it still took about 15 minutes.

 

[dis_danny]

OT - Clueless dad alert
A number of years ago (shortly after Little Mermaid was first released), I was shopping in our local discount department store when I happened to pass what I thought was a table full of "personalized" girls sneakers. My daughter's name starts with an "A" so I started looking through the "A" pile and thought to myself - Gee, there seem to be quite a few "Ariel" sneakers...I never thought that Ariel was such a popular girls name. Then I realized they were ALL Ariel and concluded that the factory must have had an overrun. I went home and casually told DW about it. She broke the news that the sneakers were not personalized but were actually Little Mermaid sneakers. DOH!

 

[tazleiten12]

OT - Clueless dad alert
A number of years ago (shortly after Little Mermaid was first released), I was shopping in our local discount department store when I happened to pass what I thought was a table full of "personalized" girls sneakers. My daughter's name starts with an "A" so I started looking through the "A" pile and thought to myself - Gee, there seem to be quite a few "Ariel" sneakers...I never thought that Ariel was such a popular girls name. Then I realized they were ALL Ariel and concluded that the factory must have had an overrun. I went home and casually told DW about it. She broke the news that the sneakers were not personalized but were actually Little Mermaid sneakers. DOH!

LOL!

 

[RubyPatches]

We "lucked" out when we saw her in May 2004. We walked right up and were about 5th in line, just right before it opened. When we got our pics back, DH was very disappointed that he decided to use that time for a restroom break instead of seeing Ariel. I bet he won't want to miss her next time!!

 

[ArielsMommy]

It seems that most men have a thing for redheads, my DH included!!