If not Ariel's Grotto, then where?

[carmel]

I'm rethinking the whole Ariel's Grotto meal for my daughter's 6th birthday. The truth of the matter is, neither she nor I eat enough to justify the price. I'm not trying to be cheap, just realistic. I know I'm paying for the experience.

My question is, if we don't go to Ariel's Grotto, where is another place we could eat? Even anywhere on Harbor would be okay since we will have a car.

Thanks for the suggestions!!!!

 

[pixiewings71]

Well really, just about anywhere is going to be like that foodwise. If you're going to share you could try Rainforest Cafe in DTD, or go to Mimi's on Harbor. But the prices are comparable, the difference is they might be OK with her sharing off your plate.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

do the brekfest? its cheaper i belive

 

[Zoemakes5]

I'd suggest doing one of the later character meals and have it be a "brunch". We did that last time we went to Minnie's. Same with Goofy's or Lilo and Stitch. I haven't been to the princess breakfast, though.

 

[bumbershoot]

Well, what kind of food do you want?

 

[lg3]

We just got back from doing lunch at Ariel's Grott w/our 5 yr old. Frankly it was just okay, but certainly not spectacular. We also did the Rainforest Cafe for lunch but dd was still a bit scared by the animals being so near to the table. The prices were pretty high for the quality of food there. Mimi's might be a good choice as a previous poster mentioned.

 

[DangerMouse]

On my dd's 6th birthday trip, we did breakfast at Ariel's, and then the next day we had lunch at Carnation Cafe. I actually think she preferred the lunch at Carnation Cafe. She got to meet Chef Oscar (a true Disney legend), and took a photo with him. He really was sweet to her. And, she got to have the peanut butter painter's pallet and thought that was really fun! Best of all, it was really affordable.

Here's Oscar and my dd:

 

[carmel]

Type of food? Probably typical American. DH and I would love some Mexican but I don't think the girls would go for that.

I might just go ahead and do AG since we will be coming straight from LibbyLu's. DD will be all dolled up and I think she would get a kick out of her new hairstyle while seeing the princesses. Maybe we'll just ask for big 'to go' boxes and hubby can run them back to HoJos.

 

[carmel]

On my dd's 6th birthday trip, we did breakfast at Ariel's, and then the next day we had lunch at Carnation Cafe. I actually think she preferred the lunch at Carnation Cafe. She got to meet Chef Oscar (a true Disney legend), and took a photo with him. He really was sweet to her. And, she got to have the peanut butter painter's pallet and thought that was really fun! Best of all, it was really affordable.

Here's Oscar and my dd:

Do you mind telling me a bit about the peanut butter painter's pallet? It sounds totally cool!

Thanks!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i think if they just changed the lunch menu around ited be better to me i could only find one thing id eat a burger and the bread sucked .

 

[DangerMouse]

Do you mind telling me a bit about the peanut butter painter's pallet? It sounds totally cool!

Thanks!

I wish I had taken a photo of it, it was really neat.

You get two large slices of white bread with peanut butter spread on one. You also get several small plastic cups containing jelly, raisins, marshmallows, & chocolate chips. Banana & orange slices as well as strawberry halves are also included. This is all served on an artist's paint palate with all of the cups set in small indentations where the paint would ordinarily go.

The price is $5.99 and it includes a drink.

 

[carmel]

I wish I had taken a photo of it, it was really neat.

You get two large slices of white bread with peanut butter spread on one. You also get several small plastic cups containing jelly, raisins, marshmallows, & chocolate chips. Banana & orange slices as well as strawberry halves are also included. This is all served on an artist's paint palate with all of the cups set in small indentations where the paint would ordinarily go.

The price is $5.99 and it includes a drink.

Gosh, it sounds like that would be right down her (and her sister's) alley. She would love that. I'm gonna have to think about it. I guess it comes down to how much seeing princesses while you eat means. I know she would like the food way better at Carnation Cafe.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

oh that is so cute. we might have to look in to that lol and you could always see the princess at the princes fair? if you did that early you wouldnt have to wait long.
we wont wait in those lines or try to be first to it. we all enjoyed the interaction at AG the food for lunch could of been better thats why we just decied to do brekfest there still see the princess and the brekfest food looks good.

 

[pixiewings71]

They have a dessert like that at Joe's Crab Shack, DD8 loved it. At RFC if you don't want to sit near the animals ask to sit by the fish tanks or outside. You can still take the tour and see the animals but you can eat in a more relaxed spot.

 

[lg3]

They have a dessert like that at Joe's Crab Shack, DD8 loved it. At RFC if you don't want to sit near the animals ask to sit by the fish tanks or outside. You can still take the tour and see the animals but you can eat in a more relaxed spot.

Really? This piqued my interest, as our dd can't find anything to eat at Joe's, and everyone else loves it. This is the dessert menu I have seen........... am I missing something?
http://www.joescrabshack.com/menus.php?LC=CSSF

 

[mommaU4]

Really? This piqued my interest, as our dd can't find anything to eat at Joe's, and everyone else loves it. This is the dessert menu I have seen........... am I missing something?
http://www.joescrabshack.com/menus.php?LC=CSSF

Click on the Sandbox option at the top. Then click to download the kids menu. They have a Build your own Ice Cream Sandwich dessert for kids which comes with different things like mini M&M's to add to an ice cream sandwich.
And they have a Paint your Own Crab dessert, which is a big crab shaped rice krispy treat that comes with different colored paint (food coloring) and a paint brush.

My 3 girls did the crab and my son did the ice cream sandwich and they all loved it!

 

[mommaU4]

I wish I had taken a photo of it, it was really neat.

You get two large slices of white bread with peanut butter spread on one. You also get several small plastic cups containing jelly, raisins, marshmallows, & chocolate chips. Banana & orange slices as well as strawberry halves are also included. This is all served on an artist's paint palate with all of the cups set in small indentations where the paint would ordinarily go.

The price is $5.99 and it includes a drink.

I wish I'd taken a pic of it when we went too. It is so cute and not only did it feed my kids, it kept them entertained. LOL

 

[carmel]

I think we've decided on Carnation Cafe. I told DH about the PBJ sandwich and he just said, 'Oh yeah. That sounds just like DD'. She would love making her own sandwich and he pointed out that we can see the princesses at other places.

THANKS SO MUCH for the suggestions! I feel really good about my decision to switch. I'm gonna make a PS later today.

 

[Hound 109]

Not a replacement for a character meal (or even Carnation Cafe which i love). But if you need/want a snack & you're near toon town/iasw/fantasyland etc....grab a bite and a drink & sit down to the left of the counter service joint next to the Princess Fantasy Faire. (at least near the approx. time when they are performing).

There's a character dressing room door next to the sit down tables, & when Padewan Alec & I were sitting there munching on Knockwursts.... 3 princesses came out (at different times during the 10 minutes we sat there) of the dressing room (one was Minnie) & stopped & said hello to him. It was shady & we were the only ones sitting there.

Have fun.

.

 

[carmel]

Cool beans!