Minnie's vs. Ariel's

[jilld11]

I have gone back and forth about CB, but have decided to do one. I thought I had decided on Minnie's because it's in DL, if I am paying that much for breakfast, I want it to be a buffet. Now I'm rethinking this whole line for PFF and Rapunzel and maybe I should do Ariel's so we don't even have to wait in line to see some princesses??? 2 hours seems like overkill to me for 5 minutes w/ a princess. I know we can't guarantee which ones, but that's OK.
I have a DS9 and DD7 and maybe they are a little old for the character's at Minnie's?
She may still want to see princesses and he would be fine with that.
I also prefer buffet and don't want to pay $40 for one made to order plate of food. What do you all think?
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[coaches24]

Ive done both (AG last week) and I personally preferred Minnies over AG. There is a LOT more interaction at Minnies, the characters come around more than once usually and spend time at each table as well as get the kids up and dance with them. At AG the Princesses (4 plus Ariel at the beginning) come around one time and spend just enough time at each table to take a picture and sign an autograph book and thats pretty much it. Once they leave your table (in less than a minute each one) they dont come back, and there is very little interaction. The food at AG was good, and we did walk out of there full (I was very surprised how full I was actually and it takes a lot to fill me up) but I was paying to see DD interact with the princeses and I didnt get that very much so I was disapointed in that part of it.

Now DD is 3 and LOVED seeing the princesses and we did use that as our excuse not to wait in the PFF line but as the one paying I thought Minnies was far better value.

 

[jilld11]

Thanks for your reply. Was Ariels all made to order though. I think I understand they come to the table with food and you can order more???
Not like a true buffet at Minnie's?
I know lots of people don't like buffets, but I do and so do my kids for breakfast.
Thx,
Jill

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i loved both my mom liked minnies more we saw 10 chrs compared to 5 princess and the food was good at both. 40 is a lot per plate and its why we wont do it next time, but we may still do Minnie its cheep enough i could see us doing it and being happy with it.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

we did lunch at ariels it was made as ordered as i was told

 

[Girimama33]

Ariel's is more family style where they serve platters of eggs, potatoes, bacon and sausage. For breakfast I would suggest Minnie's hand's down for selection and character interaction. If you are open to go to lunch at AG, do that. That was by far our favorite meal during our recent trip...and we also did it to avoid PFF lines.

 

[jilld11]

For lunch it's made to order as well? I just don't think I can afford two, but if lunch is really good and lots of it, maybe I will consider that

 

[jilld11]

I am now rethinking this. Since we get a free made to order hot breakfast at Embassy Suites, maybe cost wise it makes more sense to go for lunch at AG??? It's more money than Minnie's, but we will already get a free breakfast, so lunch we would be buying anyway. What is the food like??? I wish the dining had their menu. Maybe it does, I will recheck.
Who knew a trip could be so hard to plan

So just checked and do not like the menu for lunch or dinner at all, not paying that much for that
Back to deciding for breakfast???

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I am now rethinking this. Since we get a free made to order hot breakfast at Embassy Suites, maybe cost wise it makes more sense to go for lunch at AG??? It's more money than Minnie's, but we will already get a free breakfast, so lunch we would be buying anyway. What is the food like??? I wish the dining had their menu. Maybe it does, I will recheck.
Who knew a trip could be so hard to plan

So just checked and do not like the menu for lunch or dinner at all, not paying that much for that
Back to deciding for breakfast???

We love a late brunch @ Minnie's, 10:15-10:30 reservation, ideally after a 7 or 8AM MM, ride rides, collect FPs till brunch time @ Minnie's, you could still take advantage of your hot breakfast at ES...

Maybe just the girls could do Ariel's *is it just the 3 of you? We had a just the 3 of us trip when my kids were 9 & 6, DD and I dined with the princesses while DS *9* DS ate his burger and fries from Taste Pilots Grill just outside Ariel's Grotto and then used the SR line at Screamin' a couple times. We kept in touch via cell phones. If someone else will be with you, DS and him/her could dine someplace else or ride rides while you eat @ Ariel's....

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

does it have to be IN the park? Goofy's has a great brunch buffet. We normally go on a weekend when they serve until 2 and go for an early lunch around 11:30 (but still eat mickey waffles and made to order omelettes )

ETA: There is usually at least one princess at Goofy's too.

 

[jilld11]

That's a good idea. It's me, DH, DS9 and DD7, maybe DH could take him out and I will just take DD.
So many decisions.lol
However, I like your idea of late brunch at Minnie's. Do MM, eat arely at ES, get fast passes, then you won't need lunch.
Hmm, that sounds good.
THanks,
JIll

 

[Started With a Mouse]

We've done both AG and Minnie. The food was lacking, to say the least, at AG. Characters were there, and it was fun for our kids. Minnie's was fun if you are inside with the characters. For the last couple of years, we've chosen to see the princesses at the Fantasy Faire in Disneyland, and have the best brunch ever at Goofy's Kitchen. Have a couple pieces of fruit for breakfast, then head to GK with a 11am reservation. The brunch easily takes 2 hours, a few characters, with a full breakfast and lunch buffet. The PBJ pizza was heaven for the kids (and us too)!

 

[jilld11]

Doens't have to be in the park. Brunch may work better so we can still take advantage of ES breakfast and not need lunch. I was just curious if my kids are a little old for the characters at Goofy's?
DS 9 (almost 10) and DD 7
Maybe???
Most people say most interaction at Minnie's w/characters? I do like that Goofy's is a buffet though (even though I know many people don't like the buffet).

 

[jennabennabofenna]

We have done Ariels Grotto and Goofys Kitchen, and will be doing Minnies breakfast at Plaza Inn in early September.

I liked Ariels Grotto. Food was good, not great, but good. We had reservations, were seated right away and I didnt feel rushed through our meal.
My daughter is a HUGE fan of the princesses so of course we had to dine here
I would say each princess spent from 1-4minutes with her. She saw Ariel (of course), Belle, Aurora, Snow White, and Cinderella. Every princess had a short and sweet little conversation with her, singed her autograph book, and snapped a few pictures with her. Snow White was the only one who was pretty much like "hi, lets take a picture, bye" But it was okay because my DD got to meet her the previous day at PFF (which we waited 90min for)

Goofys Kitchen was awesome. We had reservations at 11am, and practically had the place to ourselves. It was buffet style, and there was TONS of yummy food to choose from. We got to see Goofy, Gideon, Snow White, Baloo, Chip & Dale, and Pluto. Since the place was so empty my girls got to spend more time with each character, and they even started up some music so oldest DD got to dance with Baloo

 

[jilld11]

How old were your DD's? Mine is 7 so I think she will still like it. At AG did you do brunch or lunch or bfast?
Anyone know the latest for brunch at AG or Minnie's?
Thanks again

 

[jennabennabofenna]

oh yea i forgot to add that We did lunch at Ariels... & my daughters are 3 1/2 and 12months (at the time).

not sure of the cutoff times for breakfast, brunch, or lunch though

 

[jilld11]

Honestly think I'm losing my mind!!!
I think I have switched to doing brunch at Goofy's as there will be a chance to see a princess there and brunch at 1 is really lunch time and time for a break anyway and then we can still do ES breakfast and take advantage of that and would have bought something to eat around then anyway. Will probably do this on a MM if I can figure out which day may be a MM in Sep. Will Sat or Mon?