Experts....Ariel's Grotto

[jacksonsmom]

My son loves Ariel. I heard Ariel's Grotto is the only place to meet her.

Is she there only certain times? Or is she there all day?
Does she sign autographs & take pictures?

We have a PS at the Castle at 9am, we are thinking about going over to Ariel's Grotto after that. Is that a good plan?
How are the lines to meet Ariel?

Thanks.......4 more days

 

[tinaluis]

Ariel is in her grotto all day (with an occasional break here and there) and she does sign autographs and take pictures. The line can get pretty long so your plan to get there early is a good one. One hint, there is a Disney photographer who will snap a picture there but make sure to take your own too. Many times my DDs are not smiling in the Disney picture but are smiling on the pictures from my camera, or vice versa. This way all is not lost if I do not purchase the Disney picture because I've gotten some great pictures myself.

 

[Pammy jo]

Just a word of caution. We have been there several times, even during non busy MK days and the line has always been long!

 

[pmurphy713]

I second the other posters replies. The lines do tend to get long and it's hot where you have to wait. No shade! My DH and 2DD's got in line and I went to get us all some frozen lemonade to keep us cool. However, it is worth the wait if your son really wants to see her. This is the only place she appears and you do get to spend some one on one time with her.

Have lots of fun on your trip!

 

[Shells9]

When we went MK opened at 9, but Ariel did not get there until 10. We had about a 15 minute wait.

 

[cavepig]

My sister told me they waited a long time as well last fall, the greeter for Ariel said she would be back in 10 minutes and the line would start moving again. After 25 minutes they were still waiting and there was no Ariel. I have no idea how long Ariel's breaks last. They ended up leaving since it was so hot in line. Her DD still wants to see her tho, guess they will try again this fall.

 

[FrizDiz]

I would get there as soon as you can in the morning. The line for Ariel is usually long and moves pretty slow. The good news is that she doesn't rush you off. They give you plenty of time for an autograph, a picture and a good hug.

 

[jacksonsmom]

Thanks everyone.

I sure hope the line isn't too long right away in the morning.
My son really loves Ariel & I know he would like to meet her, but I don't want to wait in line for an hour just to meet Ariel, especially in the hot sun.

I suppose if worse comes to worse, we will skip it this time & put it on our "to do" list in December!

 

[LoriLou]

We were there this past week and on Tuesday, late morning, went to Ariel's Grotto...the sign said it was at least a 60 minute wait. We decided not to wait but since DD REALLY wanted to meet Ariel, decided to put it on our list for our Friday MK day. We got to Ariel at 9:30 on Friday and they had not opened up yet. We were about the 5th people in line and once they opened (at about 9:35) we saw Ariel within about 5 minutes. I would definitely go early in the day.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Has anyone ever seen an adult w/o children sitting with Ariel? My DW thinks it would be a hoot to have a picture of me with Ariel, but I'm a 6'4" guy - wouldn't that look a little creepy?

Just wondering,
Erick

 

[reeddi]

Heck no. My husband HAD to have a picture with him and Meg from Hercules. It was a very good picture and a highlight of his trip.
I say go for it.
WDW isn't just for the kids.

 

[crazymomof4]

Originally posted by cavepig
the greeter for Ariel said she would be back in 10 minutes and the line would start moving again. After 25 minutes they were still waiting and there was no Ariel. I have no idea how long Ariel's breaks last.

I would imagine even just a "potty break" would take a while considering the costume she has to wiggle in and out of!

I'm glad everyone posted their words of caution regarding the long lines. Since this was "all day greeting" I really did not think it would be crowded. I've made a note on my itinerary to see Ariel early. Another example of how reading these boards can really help out with planning your trip. Thanks!

BTW- My son was totally in love w/ Ariel too, for about a year when he was 2-3 yo. I told everyone it was because he was breastfed that he was drawn to her sea shells

 

[strawberryblonde]

We stood in line to see her during out trip the first week of Dec. 2002. Even though it was low season, the line still took awhile. I'm not positive about the time we got in line. We ate at 8am at the castle, rode Pooh, then waited for Ariel. It took about an half hour. DS (5 at the time) really wanted to see her and so did DD (nearly 3 at the time). DD ran up to her and then got very scared. Something about the rock Ariel is sitting on and the "sea plants", freaked her out for some reason. She looks nervous in our photo and I don't think she was able to fully enjoy her visit because of sitting on that rock. DS, however, was quite taken with Ariel. As we walked away, he whispered that he was glad he hadn't seen her belly button or he would have to marry her (he has a "thing" for belly buttons and long hair, especially red).

 

[DavidOH]

Does anyone know if the water is still turned off at Ariel's Grotto. When we were there in 1999 the waiting area had misting from the hydra and and other objects in the waiting area to keep the kids occupied and cool. When we were there in 2001 the water was turned off and the area was dry due to a drought that was hitting the area.

The kids really liked the water but look like "drown rats" in the picture with Ariel.

 

[Synonymous]

That water made this a highlight of our DD's first trip, back in '99, I think, but it's been off ever since. Funny how the "drought" doesn't stop them from having these fountains in Epcot. I think "drought" is actually Eisner-speak for "cost-cutting."

 

[crazymomof4]

Originally posted by Synonymous
Funny how the "drought" doesn't stop them from having these fountains in Epcot. I think "drought" is actually Eisner-speak for "cost-cutting."

LOL

So True!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

I have to say that the line to see Ariel has more dads in it than any other character line in all of WDW!! The moms are sitting down and waiting but not the dads. They seem to be quite happy waiting in that particular line!