Disney Princess Fantasy Faire

[94bruin]

What exactly is this? It seems like there used to be a storytime, but now, it's just a meet & greet? If so, is it worth the time? We'll be doing a meal at Ariel's Grotto.

Dd is a huge princess fan. However, I don't want to waste an hour standing in line just to meet them since we'll be seeing them at the character meal.

Thanks!

 

[Staciebobacie]

It is now just a meet and greet, apparently they stopped the 'show' portion back in January. They post times on the daily entertainment flier. We were under the impression there was still a show when we were there in last month so we lined up about 20 minutes before the stated time. We saw the princesses within 5 minutes of the posted start time. It was totally worth it, we did Ariel's Grotto later the same day and my daughter got so much more out of the Fantasy Faire meeting. They took the time and talked to her and posed for pictures.

 

[94bruin]

That's good to know. How much time would you devote to it? Even though we're not going til September, I'm trying to map out a rough schedule. Based on prior years' schedule it's usually around 10:30am.

 

[ykmom]

I wouldn`t waste the time, especially if you are going to Ariel's . We spend over an hour in line ( lined up before opening ) and spend 5 minutes total with the 5 princesses. Next time we will do Ariel's .

 

[Staciebobacie]

We were there at about 9:10 am and they opened at 9:30. It was a Monday morning so the crowds were really thin.

I wasn't particularly impressed with Ariel's Grotto. It was fine but nothing spectacular. The food is incredibly overpriced. I know I should expect it at DL, to pay for more than I am getting in return. I didn't like having to eat quickly to fit their schedule. If I'm paying $140.00 for lunch I have the expectation of sitting and enjoying my food. Also, my daughter isn't much of an eater so beyond playing with the crown they got her, all she was interested in was the princesses. Once they had passed she was finished.

 

[dara00]

we waited twice for princess fantasy faire but didn't do ariel's grotto. out of the two times, we saw mulan, snow white, jasmine, and belle and cinderella 2x. We didn't see Ariel or Aurora. I don't know if you are guarenteed to see all of the princesses at the lunch. We did have a lovely time with all of the princesses we met in the fantasy faire.

 

[94bruin]

dara - how long did you wait in line? did you line up before the posted time?

Hmm, it seems like there are differing opinions - which is great, because it helps keep things in perspective. If anyone else would like to jump in, I'd like to hear some more opinions.

 

[dara00]

I waited I think one hour each time. The first time I was dumb and had the family all wait in line. The second time my husband gave the kids lunch and took them to the carousel while I waited, much better. We didn't get there at the posted time, this was a bit later in the morning. I heard varied things about whether you have a long wait if you get there before opening.

 

[dara00]

I wouldn`t waste the time, especially if you are going to Ariel's . We spend over an hour in line ( lined up before opening ) and spend 5 minutes total with the 5 princesses. Next time we will do Ariel's .

which 5 princesses did you meet? I think there are usually only 3 at a time. We had a shift change the first time we went through so we saw both cinderella and belle when we could have gotten just one of them.

I'm curious which princesses regularly appear there! has anyone seen Aurora?

 

[ykmom]

Sorry - it was actually 4 princesses. We saw Belle, Ariel , Jasmine and Mulan. Aurora had been there but they had already done at least one shift change by the time we got through the line. She`s daughter's favourite and we never did see her. Fortuntaley she simply decided that Prince Charmning hadn't kissed her yet and she was still sleeping!

 

[dara00]

ok so there seem to be 7 princesses total - Mulan, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Aurora, Ariel, and Snow White that rotate in there? We tried to find out which would be there when we got up to the front of the line but they said they couldn't be sure.

 

[specialks]

We went in September when the Coronation show and Storytelling were still taking place. My mom got in line before the show started and I joined her after the show. My husband had the girls color over at the table near the entrance while we waited. We waited about an hour. We actually got pics with 5 princesses because Mulan was coming in to replace Belle as we were leaving Belle so Mulan signed their books and took a picture with them. The girls (mainly my oldest who was 4.5 at the time) was CRAZY for the princesses. She really liked the experience. The princesses gave them complete, focused attention during their time. We had about 2-3 minutes with each princess (with our 2 daughters). We are going to do Ariels Grotto this time around (we skipped last time since our youngest was so young). Eventhough we are going to Ariel's we are still going to wait in line at the PFF. Our girls are such huge fans that we are going to let them see the princesses as much as possible. We are also doing the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for my 5 year old (our youngest will not be 3 yet so she isn't allowed). My mom is treating her to the full package treatment. Can't wait to surprise her with that. I think if your daughter is really a princess fan then it is worth it. But as someone else said, only have one person wait and another person take the kids away if possible (cell phones or walkie talkies are great for this situation). Also, they will not tell you the princesses that are there and they have it set up so you can't see.

When are you going in Sept? We are headed there the 19-26th.

 

[94bruin]

When are you going in Sept? We are headed there the 19-26th.

We're going Sept 22-26. I hope that the lines will be shorter during that time. How was it when you went last September?

DD1 is CRAZY for princesses, so I guess we'll probably end up doing the PFF. But I will definitely heed everyone's advice and make only one person wait in line.

 

[specialks]

We loved it last September. We never arrived at opening and still just enjoyed the day. We had no problem getting all the rides in and many multiple times (my DD went on Space Mountain 8 times). The lines were very minimal. There were very few crowds and we waited for the parades (about 30-45 min before the start) and got GREAT spots/seats. It was really great -hence the reason we are visiting again this September (we went sept 13-20 last year). The weather was great and as I said, the crowds were minimal. Our longest waits were for Finding Nemo, the PFF, and Peter Pan. We waited about 45 min-1 hour for those; the other rides were either no wait or 10-20 min wait.

 

[bumbershoot]

ok so there seem to be 7 princesses total - Mulan, Belle, Cinderella, Jasmine, Aurora, Ariel, and Snow White that rotate in there? We tried to find out which would be there when we got up to the front of the line but they said they couldn't be sure.

We met Pocahontas and Princess Minnie (along with Belle) when we went.

 

[94bruin]

We loved it last September. We never arrived at opening and still just enjoyed the day. We had no problem getting all the rides in and many multiple times (my DD went on Space Mountain 8 times). The lines were very minimal. There were very few crowds and we waited for the parades (about 30-45 min before the start) and got GREAT spots/seats. It was really great -hence the reason we are visiting again this September (we went sept 13-20 last year). The weather was great and as I said, the crowds were minimal. Our longest waits were for Finding Nemo, the PFF, and Peter Pan. We waited about 45 min-1 hour for those; the other rides were either no wait or 10-20 min wait.

Did you need to do Fastpass at all?

 

[specialks]

We used the fastpass at Soarin over CA (we used the baby swap here too) and we used the FP at Indiana Jones (complete lifesaver here - why would you choose to wait for 1+ hrs??). A few of the FP machines were shut down (BTMR, Buzz, GRR) and we were told by a CM that they shut the FP down during slow times because they actually want people in the ride lines. He said it is a technique the park uses to keep the walkways clear. They want people in the lines so there are less people on the walkways and the park feels more "welcoming". We never used the FP on Space M -- just went on it over & over.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

Aurora had been there but they had already done at least one shift change by the time we got through the line. She`s daughter's favourite and we never did see her. Fortuntaley she simply decided that Prince Charmning hadn't kissed her yet and she was still sleeping!

Prince Phillip won't like that. I don't think Cinderella or Snow White will be too happy about it either depending on which Charming is trying to kiss Aurora.

Now, in all seriousness, the only princess that one is guaranteed to meet at the DLR is Ariel if you eat at Ariel's Grotto. No other princess is guaranteed to be at Ariel's Grotto. Likewise, you are completely subject to the PFF rotation and the CMs do not know (or are not allowed to tell) who is going to be out and for how long. Just because Cinderella is there 1 group before your turn, does not mean that she will be there when it's your turn. The rotation does happen in full view of guests, so be prepared.

If you just care about meeting female heroines who may or may not be princesses, the PFF will probably be fine for you. But if you want to meet a specific princess, the PFF is a gamble. You could spend a long time in line to find that the one character you wanted to meet isn't there. And there's no guarantee she'll be there if you do it again. And just because it uses the word princess does not mean that every character there will be of royal descent or title.

I may be in the minority on this one, but I don't care for the PFF. If they made it so that you knew who would be there, I would be just fine with it. But I really dislike the random rotation. I much prefer WDW's system of telling who will be there when your turn comes.

 

[aprincess@mail.com]

why did they get rid of the princess coronation show? my dd loved that show!!

and i would just skip the line if your going to Ariels later, we usually do both, but my dd is 4 and she is ALL about the princess'.

 

[bumbershoot]

why did they get rid of the princess coronation show?

'twas non-revenue generating, as far as anyone can tell. Same as the storytelling and the crafts (coloring pages, crowns, and stickers). I hate the decision, and I don't even have a girl, but I do have a boy that loves the princesses (so much attention!) and loved making a crown and, well, didn't LOVE dancing with Sleeping Beauty, but he was really tired at that point and he does get a funny expression on his face when we remind him that he danced with her, LOL. Anyway, I don't like the decision to get rid of the things that happen along wiht the meet/greet.