Leaving in 2 weeks, last minute questions!

[Mom2Joce]

Hey there helpful friends! YES, we did just get back this past June BUT I have a few questions for the next trip. Just DD (4) and I going and want to get to those things missed our last trip.

First up, When is Ariel's Grotto open? Breakfast? Lunch? Dinner? How much is each? Also, what time is the best for seeing the most princesses. We did GREAT this past June during our EE over at Plaza Inn but I have NO CLUE where this Ariel's Grotto is or what to expect?

Next, we're planning on getting there early for the 7pm Parade of Dreams and then sitting out and waiting for the fireworks. But I was wondering if the crowds will be the same mid sept as they were in june? Maybe that won't be necessary? Also, despite the fact that we were there twice for the fireworks we never did the "camp out" at the hub thing and I want to try and do that this time? Where should we sit for the parade? And then where do I go exacly at the hub? Sitting in the middle of the street between the hub and the castle was SOOO crowded, to the point that I didn't even get a chance to see who, what, and how they were sitting at the hub?

Lastly, anyone know of a good hotel in Bakersfield? We're driving from Sacramento to Anaheim by myself with my 4 year old and we're going to break it up with an overnight half way.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[Hollyster2]

We just did the princess lunch at Ariel's Grotto this past weekend. Ariel's Grotto is up top of the boardwalk area overlooking the water in California Adventure. Price for adults was around 20 dollars, which includes beverage, entree, and dessert. The kids menu was less than that,(13.99 maybe?) but I would have to go look up the price. They served my kids their meals in a sand bucket. Inside were two tiny cheeseburgers and Fries...with the ketchup in the shovel. They got a kick out of that. Kid's meals include an appetizer, drink and dessert also.
They warn you in advance that you need your camera ready and your autograph books waiting. The princesses move pretty fast to get to all the tables. We had Snow White, Aurora, Jasmine, Ariel and Mulan visit one right after the other. My daugher hardly had time to sit down in between when another would come to the table. The big draw here was actually seeing Ariel with "legs". My 6 year old was facinated by that!
They served us cotton candy at the table too towards the end of our meal. That always goes over big. I hope someone can come up with the children's meal price for you. If I can find it, I will edit my post. Have Fun!

 

[Mom2Joce]

Thanks so much for posting your experience. If Ariel is there when we are my 4 year old will just freak (good freak)!! That would be great!! 20 bucks a head is NOT bad!! Is this a sit down where they bring the food to you? Also, what time does lunch "start" and when did you get there? The princess breakfast at the Plaza Inn was best super early!

 

[Hollyster2]

We went to lunch at 1:00 p.m. It is a sit down, and you are served. The food is ok. They serve delicious sour dough rolls, and then you choose an appetizer. We had the salad, the kids had a choice of either chicken noodle soup or veggie sticks with ranch dressing. I had the fish and chips which were good, and my husband had the salmon BLT. He liked it, and had it last time also. The burgers are very good. He had a fabulous chocolate cake for dessert and I had a peach cobbler. The desserts are a bit on the small side, but tasted good. The kids all chose either an ice-cream sundae or a root beer float. The decor is nice...with blown glass jelly fish over head or schools of fish. There is seating inside and outside along the water. Since I had two girls (a 15 yr old, and a 6 yr old) who wanted to see all the princesses they could, we were satisfied. My son (10) loved the food, and a few of the princess's pages (attendents?) talked to him. He tried so hard to not draw attention to himself. He has always gotten alot of attention from the princesses and and it embarrasses him now. He wore the cardboard gold crown that we were given for a minute tops. They also announced us as the "Royal Wilcox Family" when they were ready to seat us. We always get a kick out of things like that. My 6 yr. old listened to other families called and was hoping so hard that "we would be royal today too!" Oh and we were! Have a wonderful time! I am going back to it in October with 2 of my girlfriends!

 

[Hollyster2]

I am sure they have earlier lunch seating than what I had. That time just worked in our schedule. I had read on the boards to not get a late reservation for dinner because Snow White and Cinderella might not able to attend. I will be doing it again. We go where the princesses go.

 

[Mom2Joce]

Thanks