Can't decide - Ariels Grotto for lunch or WOC dinner?

[briggscreek]

I can't decide whether to do the character lunch at Ariel's or the WOC dinner. We've never been to Ariel's before and my kids (5 and 7) aren't super into princesses, but they did enjoy meeting them at PFF last year and I'm sure they would have fun at the character lunch.

I was leaning towards the dinner since we've never seen WOC, but I'm wondering if it's really worth it. We'll only be in the parks for three weekdays (11/29-12/1), and they're shorter off season days so we don't want to spend over an hour standing and waiting for WOC. If you did the dinner, was it worth it and how long did you have to wait in line to get decent spots? Also, would 6:30 be ok for dinner before an 8:15 showing? Thanks!

 

[skiingfast]

You will still be waiting an hour for WoC. The WoC dining package just puts you into the Preffered viewing area, it doesn't mean you can walk in when ever you want and get a great view. So notice that eating at 6:30 doesn't give you enough time to make the 8:15 show unless you eat quickly.

I would decide by what you want to eat.
http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/menus.htm

 

[briggscreek]

You will still be waiting an hour for WoC. The WoC dining package just puts you into the Preffered viewing area, it doesn't mean you can walk in when ever you want and get a great view. So notice that eating at 6:30 doesn't give you enough time to make the 8:15 show unless you eat quickly.

I would decide by what you want to eat.
http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/menus.htm

Thank you, the menu looks yummy! We do eat pretty fast, but not that fast. If we do the dinner, I'll make our ressie for 6. Do you think it be okay to have just one person wait around the queuing area while the others do a ride or two? I really do want to see WoC, but I hate to lose so much park time too!

 

[sonnyjane]

Do you think it be okay to have just one person wait around the queuing area while the others do a ride or two? I really do want to see WoC, but I hate to lose so much park time too!

As far as etiquette goes, that's frowned upon. Also, they usually open the viewing area about 30 minutes before the show starts, and it would be hard for one person to reserve enough space for your whole family.

 

[briggscreek]

As far as etiquette goes, that's frowned upon. Also, they usually open the viewing area about 30 minutes before the show starts, and it would be hard for one person to reserve enough space for your whole family.

That makes sense, I was thinking more about before they open the viewing area since it sounded like from what I've read that there aren't really lines or certain spots to wait. Unfortunately, I don't think my kids would be able to just stand around waiting for that long. We may just have to wait on WoC for a future trip and see the princesses this time!

 

[PrincessSophiesMom]

we were thrilled with our woc ariel's grotto meal. It was a decent meal and we most definitely did not show up 1 hour ahead of time. My 1.5 year old would have lost it. We showed up 35 minutes before hand on a Saturday in the spring of this year. Our view was amazing. We were standing at the front of the round section. P.S. bring a parka or some sort of water protection. We were soaked.

 

[skiingfast]

we were thrilled with our woc ariel's grotto meal. It was a decent meal and we most definitely did not show up 1 hour ahead of time. My 1.5 year old would have lost it. We showed up 35 minutes before hand on a Saturday in the spring of this year. Our view was amazing. We were standing at the front of the round section. P.S. bring a parka or some sort of water protection. We were soaked.

Because meals for WoC started to get less popular they adjusted the viewing area. The Preferred viewing area will be smaller if not many people are using a dining package, and bigger if more are. So there is not as much empty space during the show anymore.

 

[skiingfast]

That makes sense, I was thinking more about before they open the viewing area since it sounded like from what I've read that there aren't really lines or certain spots to wait. Unfortunately, I don't think my kids would be able to just stand around waiting for that long. We may just have to wait on WoC for a future trip and see the princesses this time!

After you eat and leave ask where to meet. Go over toward Paradise Park and ask there too, to confirm it.

 

[briggscreek]

After you eat and leave ask where to meet. Go over toward Paradise Park and ask there too, to confirm it.

Thanks for the replies! My DH wants to try the WoC dinner, so I made ressies for 6:00. I'm sure it'll be fine, I tend to over think everything LOL.

 

[Astylla]

Last year my husband and I made 6pm reservations for WOC dinner at Ariels Grotto and enjoyed it very much. It was our honeymoon so we decided to try a few more splurges than usual - we loved it ! We didn't feel rushed personally for the earlier show and had plenty of time to head back over to DL for the rest of the night. We enjoyed it so much we have made the same reservations for this year and can't wait.

 

[dvschem]

We had the World of Color dinner at Wine Country Trattoria during our visit last month. The food was absolutely fantastic (especially the desserts) BUT the service was the worst I have ever experienced. Not just in Disney (which is usually great) but WORST ever. For example, our waitress just ignored us for 40 mins - didn't even get to order a drink. We demanded to be moved and it improved slightly.

Having said that, I really recommend the premim dining viewing area as you are in the perfect position to see the images projected onto the water. I think from the sides they would be at best distorted and at worst not even seen.

Next time we visit, we will try the WoC dinner at Ariel's.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I booked my first meal at Ariel's Grotto for WOC Dining. We got a 7:10pm reservation for the second showing at 9:15pm.