We had lunch at Ariels on Monday afternoon. It was my dd's dream come true. She has wanted to go there the last couple trips, but we have went to other character meals instead. Ariel is her very favorite princess.
After we checked in, we were told that in a few moments our name would be called. At that point we were to go down the stairs to meet Ariel. We were told she was leaving soon, and we would just have a few minutes with her.
We got to the bottom of the steps and waited for the family before us to finish up. Our turn! Dd and ds both take their books and approach her for an autograph. She quickly signs and helps them turn around for a picture. Here is where things went down hill for us.
I asked if the picture being take could be put on our photopass. I was told no. They would bring us the photo during our meal. We take a couple quick pics of both kids. We then ask little brother to move so we can snap one of just dd and Ariel. We are told that "there is NO time for individual pictures". And asked to move on. The cm was VERY rude about it.
As we were led to our table the cm asked how our day was. I told him it was better before she was rude to us. He appologized and show us our table. A few minutes later we were declared "family of the day". We are asked to lead the reading of a scroll and had our photo taken with Snow White. I can't help but think we were offered that because they were rude to us.
Our meal was ok. I had the cobb salad. It was HUGE, and good. The onion soup was ok, but could have used more cheese/toast. Dh had the potpie. The serving was large, but he said it had a strong flavor that didnt appeal to him. Im guessing an herb of some sort. Ds had spag and green beans. Dd had fish, it came with mashed potatoes and beans. They both ate most of their food. I think that theirs should have been served on smaller plates. It looked like a very small serving on that HUGE plate. For dessert I had the apples and ice cream. The apples were barely cooked and not really what I was expecting. Dh had the chocolate cake, he said it was very rich. The kids both had apples with caramel sauce.
About 1/2 way through our meal a guy came to the table with the picture they had taken of the kids. It wasnt very good, as ds's eyes were 1/2 closed. They offered to sell us the picture for $29. WTH?
We paid $86 for the 4 of us for lunch. A lunch that was supposed to include Ariel. We had about 1 minute of time with her at the enterance. Then they tried to sell us a picture for $29? Of course he went on and on about the beautiful fold it was in, and that it came with a couple smaller copies of the picture. The whole thing insulted me and smelled of pure greed on their part. I know things are expensive in the parks. . But, come on , it was character meal without the main character at the meal! 
Then you want me to pay for a picture that you arent willing to put on photopass, which is what photopass should be for?
I questioned the server about the set up. She said it had changed recently. I could tell by the carefull way she worded it that I was not the first person that was unhappy with it.
I will be mailing them a letter to complain.
After we checked in, we were told that in a few moments our name would be called. At that point we were to go down the stairs to meet Ariel. We were told she was leaving soon, and we would just have a few minutes with her.
We got to the bottom of the steps and waited for the family before us to finish up. Our turn! Dd and ds both take their books and approach her for an autograph. She quickly signs and helps them turn around for a picture. Here is where things went down hill for us.I asked if the picture being take could be put on our photopass. I was told no. They would bring us the photo during our meal. We take a couple quick pics of both kids. We then ask little brother to move so we can snap one of just dd and Ariel. We are told that "there is NO time for individual pictures". And asked to move on. The cm was VERY rude about it.
As we were led to our table the cm asked how our day was. I told him it was better before she was rude to us. He appologized and show us our table. A few minutes later we were declared "family of the day". We are asked to lead the reading of a scroll and had our photo taken with Snow White. I can't help but think we were offered that because they were rude to us.
Our meal was ok. I had the cobb salad. It was HUGE, and good. The onion soup was ok, but could have used more cheese/toast. Dh had the potpie. The serving was large, but he said it had a strong flavor that didnt appeal to him. Im guessing an herb of some sort. Ds had spag and green beans. Dd had fish, it came with mashed potatoes and beans. They both ate most of their food. I think that theirs should have been served on smaller plates. It looked like a very small serving on that HUGE plate. For dessert I had the apples and ice cream. The apples were barely cooked and not really what I was expecting. Dh had the chocolate cake, he said it was very rich. The kids both had apples with caramel sauce.
About 1/2 way through our meal a guy came to the table with the picture they had taken of the kids. It wasnt very good, as ds's eyes were 1/2 closed. They offered to sell us the picture for $29. WTH?
We paid $86 for the 4 of us for lunch. A lunch that was supposed to include Ariel. We had about 1 minute of time with her at the enterance. Then they tried to sell us a picture for $29? Of course he went on and on about the beautiful fold it was in, and that it came with a couple smaller copies of the picture. The whole thing insulted me and smelled of pure greed on their part. I know things are expensive in the parks. . But, come on , it was character meal without the main character at the meal! Then you want me to pay for a picture that you arent willing to put on photopass, which is what photopass should be for? I questioned the server about the set up. She said it had changed recently. I could tell by the carefull way she worded it that I was not the first person that was unhappy with it.
I will be mailing them a letter to complain.
I am so bummed that the princesses are so hard to meet now without MAJOR effort either at PFF or by shelling out big bucks at Ariel's.
