Ariel's Grotto

[VictoriaAndMatt]

Is it worth attempting a second visit? We went back in 2005 for lunch and weren't impressed with the food at all. I read on another thread they have a new menu... I'm just wondering if it's worth giving it another shot? Also, when we went the main characters were Chip and Dale... I read it's Princesses now. Is it all the Princesses? How's the interaction? TIA.

 

[audrabolster]

The princesses switch out, so you're not guaranteed to see anyone in particular. I saw a bunch of new photos and it looks like something I now would love to check out

 

[ballarinamom]

The food is sooooo much better than it used to be. It is now one of our favorite places to eat. DH said it is on par with BB if not better.

 

[mousireid]

When we were there in November 08 they brought a selection of rolls, then an appetizer on three tiered stacking of fruits/veggies and cheeses in different shapes and and carvings. Next we ordered our own main dishes of which there was a pretty good selection (my son is a wee bit more picky than my daughter but was still able to graze happily) and then the dessert was a tray of goodies ie a white chocolate large carved shell, petite brownies etc. During this we visited with Ariel, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Belle and Cinderella who came by, took a picture, had a wee chat and signed our autograph books. This got our princess fix in for the day! However it seems these are the only characters likely to be found at Ariels Grotto (unless there's a prince of two lurking about) so if you do not wish to stand in line and get that minute with each princess this is certainly the easiest guranteed way of seeing them (although I don't know if they rotate i.e. no Jasmine this time or Mulan). We would certainly do it again as my three year old adores the princesses and this is something she still talks about (and we are going again in a few weeks!) Hope that helps?

 

[alvernon90]

The food is sooooo much better than it used to be. It is now one of our favorite places to eat. DH said it is on par with BB if not better.

This could be taken as damning with faint praise, given that so many people on this board are down on the food at Blue Bayou. But if I'm not mistaken, the rap on BB isn't so much that the food is bad, but just that it isn't very good considering how expensive it is. Is eating at Ariel's Grotto a better deal than Blue Bayou?

 

[ballarinamom]

See we love BB. We ate there twice on our trip in November. It is pricy but we feel it is in line value wise with the rest of the park food. If burgers and fries can run $10 why is a $25 seated meal with soup or salad out of line? Just our opinion. But the point is the food quslity at Ariels could be considered more of a fine dining quality than the other character meals for the same price.

My only compaint about the character meals is I wish Chip and Dale, Goofy and Pluto were not at almost every meal. Couldn'tthey give more variety so it might be more appealing to do mulitple meals. We do them all and get tired of telling half the characters there we have already met them and don't need their signature

 

[alvernon90]

See we love BB. We ate there twice on our trip in November. It is pricy but we feel it is in line value wise with the rest of the park food. If burgers and fries can run $10 why is a $25 seated meal with soup or salad out of line? Just our opinion. But the point is the food quslity at Ariels could be considered more of a fine dining quality than the other character meals for the same price.

Got it, thanks. It sounds like if I'm going to get roped in to doing a character meal, Ariel's is the place to go.

 

[CarrieQuiteContrary]

When we were in the park a couple weeks ago, we did the character breakfast at Ariel's Grotto on the Saturday we were there and ALL of the princesses came out. Ariel was doing photos and greeting guests in the downstairs dining area as soon as you walked in, then after we started eating, a new princess came out every 5 min. My 8 year old sister had a blast and the food was great!

 

[Stacerita]

When we last had lunch there is was pretty good. THe food was yummy and the place is so cute. The interaction was good as well. We were three adults and one pre teen girl not into princesses. But each princess stopped at our table and spent time. It seemed like they were willing to spend more time, but we were looking for that. Overall I thought the experience was great. Oh, and Ariel was in the lobby to meet and take pics with.

 

[PrincessKell]

When we went Ariel was in the front when you walk down the stairs and that was the only time we saw her. She did not come out with the rest of the Princesses. Our food was ok. It wasn't totally awesome, but it was eaten. The Princesses we had were: Cinderella, Snow White, Mary Poppins and the Fairy Godmother. They had just switched out the Princesses before our lunch seating the ones before us had Princess Minnie, and Belle at least those were two that were leaving. We were totally bummed because DD really wanted to see Belle and she was the ONE princess we didn't see at all on that trip!

I'd do it again for DD if she really wanted to, but with the Princess meet and greet I would rather do a different character meal and just go do that at DL instead to meet the lovely ladies.