ok Moms - Ariel's Grotto, worth it??

[Mainebound]

Hi folks,

As I posted in the girls and princess dress thread, I will be hosting my dear friend and her 6 year old daughter this May at our (rented) pool home for part of our trip. Since I have been raving about WDW for the last 3 years, I want it to live up to the hype! We have already booked a Princess Storybook lunch in Epcot, and I plan to do all the girl-themed attractions at the parks. But since I have two boys, I can't determine how "worth it" some of them are. I went to Ariel's grotto years ago with my niece. I recall being hot and waiting a long time (this was in 2000). Would you recomend it to a family that has only ONE day at the Magic Kingdom? Ariel is not her favorite princess, by the way. That would be Belle. Thanks for any advice!

 

[beattyfamily]

Its only worth it if you have a little girl who loves Ariel and if you get there when it first opens at 10:00a when it's not that crowded. IMHO.

She's my red-headed 6 year year old's favorite so we've waited in that line several times but we always go off season and early so we have never waited more then 20 minutes.

 

[ntburns22]

We went on in October and we waited about 25 minutes. My DD5 is a red head and just loves Ariel. She remembered from when she was 3 and we got out of line. So we promised her this trip we could go. It was so well worth it for us, it ended up being one of her magical moments. As soon as DD sat down Ariel got all excited that she had to show her something. Ariel pulled out a dinglehopper (fork) out of her treasure chest and started to brush her hair with it. DD kept telling her no its a fork you eat with it. Ariel kept insisting it was to comb her hair. It was a real great moment for us. And DH liked seeing Ariel too.

 

[Ezra]

We were there in Dcemebr and my six year old boy was mesmorised seeing her in the flesh. I think you try to make the effort you will enjoy but watch the crowds.

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

This was something we did when the day got a little stressed...since the parents can stand in line while the kids play in the shooting water fountains right there at Ariels Grotto, they can blow off some steam, and at the end they can meet Ariel. I thought that Ariel sat and spoke with my dd longer than any of the other Princess' even the ones at the CHaracter meals we had. She just went on and on and on..and my dd was so so so amazed by her. (And Ariel really wasn't one of her favs either.)

 

[trstno1]

Hi folks,

We have already booked a Princess Storybook lunch in Epcot, and I plan to do all the girl-themed attractions at the parks.

I believe that some of the reports from the Princess Storybook meals in Epcot have included a visit with Ariel. You may want to look into that. If possible, you can do your Storybook lunch first - you might get lucky and see Ariel there.

 

[Ava83]

Ariel's Grotto was great, and we got real lucky...we went up to the cm and asked when will it open and they said Ariel is just getting into place so about 10 min. DH and I turned to discuss our options and lo and behold another cm told the 1st to open the line for business. It was DD3 first princess and she about lost it! The pictures we have are amazing, the she was in totally awe and Ariel was just too sweet!

DH still says he was so thrown that he forgot to get his picture with Ariel! The only one he did not get!

 

[mamaminnie]

I believe that some of the reports from the Princess Storybook meals in Epcot have included a visit with Ariel. You may want to look into that. If possible, you can do your Storybook lunch first - you might get lucky and see Ariel there.

We've done a lunch and a dinner there and Ariel was there both times.

 

[belle&beast]

We just had lunch at Akershus last week and Ariel was there in her fancy gown. We saw her at the grotto in her fin, which my DD4 thought was so cool! My DS2 loved Ariel at the lunch and Ariel remembered him at the grotto- he left both places with kiss prints all over his face. I think that you will have to see about the wait time, we were there during value season, but it is a great experience!

 

[PaulaSue]

YES, YES, and YES!!!

We just got back yesterday and that was the ONLY place we saw Ariel besides the parades and the Little Mermaid show in MGM. Don't miss that either!!!

My oldest is a Mermaid Freak/Fan and was speachless, finally getting to meet her. We were there twice. Not to miss, get there first thing and not a long wait. We waited maybe 10 minutes each time.

Funny, we were at the Storybook breakfast and she wasn't there on saturday. Only Belle, (pictures only), Snow white, Sleeping Beauty, Mulan and Jasime. That was the only place we saw Jasime and Mulan all week besides the parades.

 

[Mainebound]

Thanks everyone. Since they only have ONE day at Magic Kingdom, I think we will have to see how crowded it is before we go. But it sounds like she will have a good chance to see Ariel at Akershus, which would be awesome. I am so excited to see WDW through a little girl's eyes for a change!

 

[3princesses4us]

We went in September and this was the only place we finally gave up waiting- the line was so long! She's popular because it's hard to find her elsewhere. Wouldn't you know, since then my baby has turned up red headed! I guess we'll be standing in line again this year!!

 

[lorli]

We've seen her twice at the Grotto. The first time we were naive and thought we were in line for a show. Thankfully there were the water spots for dd (3 at the time). It was over an hour and the longest thing we waited the entire trip in August 2004. Our neice went with us in August 2005, and there were only 2 people she really wanted to see, Ariel and Jasmine, so we waited once again. This time was a much shorter wait maybe 15 minutes. Since we have been there, I do not feel the need to go back. Maybe in a few years if dd decides she just has to see her when "I'm big" her famous words.