Is a 4:20 lunch at Ariel's Grotto worth it?

[KayCA]

I hadn't expected Mulan or Elena at PFF -- that would be cool! The Disney app keeps showing Cinderella, Snow White and one other of the "classic" princesses. I already have Mulan autograph cards, now I need to find one for Elena just in case.

 

[GenGen22]

We have done this before for a 4:30 lunch and we're seated outside. The food was really good. The bread was fresh, my tritip was cooked perfectly. The meeting with Ariel was disappointing though. We went there specifically to eat at Ariel's restaurant & meet Ariel and take pictures with her. We were rushed through. The other princesses were great. They came one after the other took pictures etc. We also went to Fantasy Faire and I feel that the interaction there was much better imo. They took time to talk with each individual one by one and take quite a few pictures.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I can't speak for the time of your reservation, but the last two times we did this (2013 & 2015), the lunch left a lot to be desired. The interaction with the princesses was non existent; sign book, take picture, move to the next table - even with my youngest dressed up. And the last time, we didn't get to meet Ariel at the entrance, it was Cinderella which was disappointing since Ariel was the entire reason we booked. That last time, our service sucked as well.

I hope you have a better experience, but for us, it just isn't worth the time or money. We find PFF to be just perfect for what we need.

 

[hollyrose1313]

Hollyrose, I look forward to hearing how your 4:40 goes today.

I have not told the girls about this lunch -- it will be a surprise.

If was another lovely experience! Rapunzel kind of rushed but all the other girls really took their time. The food was excellent (carrot coconut soup and lobster tail salad) and we didn't feel any kind of end of shift remorse at all.

 

[KayCA]

If was another lovely experience! Rapunzel kind of rushed but all the other girls really took their time. The food was excellent (carrot coconut soup and lobster tail salad) and we didn't feel any kind of end of shift remorse at all.

I am so happy to hear it went well! Which princesses were there?

 

[hollyrose1313]

I am so happy to hear it went well! Which princesses were there?

Ariel at the beginning and then Belle, Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Tiana

 

[KayCA]

Thank you all so much for replying. Our lunch at Ariel's Grotto on Tuesday was a real hit with our 2 daughters. We saw Ariel at the beginning, then Belle, Rapunzel, Cinderella and Tiana circulated through the room. The visits with Ariel and Rapunzel were quick, but enough to make our girls happy since they got the coveted autographs, pictures and hugs. The other 3 spent a few more minutes talking with them. Of course, now the girls think this lunch is part of visiting DCA, lol.

We started our visit to DCA at 8 am with a quick stop to see Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Olaf (10 minute wait), so that was a great first impression of the park for the girls. We saw the Frozen musical that day too. On Wednesday, we saw Snow White, Elena and Cinderella at PFF (15 minute wait), and Tink at Pixie Hollow (30 minute wait), so they got lots of princess time.

Lunch at AG was a worthwhile splurge for us, and by 4 pm we were ready to sit in AC for a while. Lunch for 4 was $156, plus $36 for the photo package. The crab chowder was very tasty, and there was a nice plate of little desserts at the end. I had the lobster tail salad, and it was good except for one thing: there was way too much pepper on the lobster tails. I like pepper, but it overwhelmed the delicate flavor of the lobster meat. I saved it by asking for lemon wedges, which I squeezed all over the meat to dampen the pepper flavor. DH's tri tip was good, but the sauce was too peppery also. Someone in the kitchen has a heavy hand with the pepper.

 

[Belle83]

I'm glad it went well! Sounds like you were able to see a lot of characters on top of the lunch

We went last year (for breakfast) with my family (including my nieces who were 3 and 5). I don't think you'll ever get a "this is the end of my shift" vibe from any Disney character, but regardless they are probably not the same people who were there that morning anyway Our 1-year-old son was pretty indifferent and the food was nothing to write home about but it was an easy way for my nieces to see a lot of princesses at once. I remember Ariel (from when we first walked in), Aurora, Cinderella, Belle, and Tiana.The interactions were probably a little shorter but I'm not sure.

For others reading later, also consider the Bippity Boppity Boutique. Not only do they get to experience the whole dress-up thing but afterwards you get to meet characters without waiting.

 

[Winnowill]

For others reading later, also consider the Bippity Boppity Boutique. Not only do they get to experience the whole dress-up thing but afterwards you get to meet characters without waiting.

IF you shell out $199 for the Castle package. Otherwise, it's just the makeover.

 

[agamble]

IF you shell out $199 for the Castle package. Otherwise, it's just the makeover.

Yeah to me it's a pretty ridiculous charge considering you can get the photos by buying a photo pass + package and see the princesses with a 30 minute wait. I guess that is a big package though that includes hair and dress, but still seems so high.