Princess Fantasy Faire and Toontown questions

[AZMermaid]

We are visiting Feb 7-10 with DS4 and DD who will be a week shy of 3. We were planning on eating at Ariels to meet the Princesses, but it is under refurb when we go. So.... That means seeking them out elsewhere. In over 20 trips, I have never had to do this, so I don't know the drill. I understand how to meet Anna and Elsa, it's more the other gals. I don't think specific princesses matter much, Ariel and Snow White are her faves, but I think she will be thrilled to meet whoever. So- is Fantasy Faire our best bet? What time does it open? Same time as the park? We plan on hitting DL at opening on Sunday 2/8 and for EE on Tuesday 2/10. Is there a strategy to minimize wait time?

In addition, Minnie is high on her list of characters to meet. We have always skipped this in TT because the line was super long, longer than Mickey every time! Should we go straight to her when TT opens, or should we go to Gadgets instead? TT opens one hour after the park, correct? Even when the park opens at 10?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[DharmaLou]

I'm not really sure what time Fantasy Faire opens, but we have never waited longer than 10 minutes to see the princesses in there. They post two of the 3 that are in there and the 3rd is a surprise. I was there over Tinker Bell weekend and then the week of Thanksgiving this year. They changed the princesses quite a bit during Tink weekend, but every time we went (over 5 days) this year it was Ariel, Snow and Cinderella. Every. Single. Time.

 

[Jaylens Papa]

You can usually find Minnie in Town Square early in the day. The line isn't too long. The Fab 5 are scattered about the square. In front of the hat store, the Presidents Theater, the Customer Relations and by the flag pole.

 

[TinkFan74]

When we were in DL two days ago the princesses at Fantasy Faire were Cinderella, Snow White, and Ariel; the CM who was working at Fantasy Faire stated that this is a pretty regular lineup. Just outside Fantasy Faire Merida and Aurora were alternating every hour.

 

[figment_jii]

I agree that Fantasy Faire is likely to be your best bet to meet the most princesses. As the others have said, there are usually three princesses inside the Faire (we saw Snow White, Ariel, and Aurora) and one more outside. The outside princess varies, but with the changes coming to the show, I'm not sure how it will work. In the past, you would often the non-performing princess outside while a show was being presented (e.g., when Tangled was being presented, Belle would be outside). However with only the Frozen showing being performed started in January, I'm not sure what will happen with Bell or Rapunzel. As others have said, Merida seems pretty common (she was switching out with Rapunzel when I was there). I don't recall the opening time for FF, but my guess is it's pretty close to park opening and certainly before the first show is presented.

In terms of Minnie, I would guess she should be a regular at The Plaza Inn breakfast (it says Minnie and friends). So I you might consider that in replacement for Ariel's Grotto.

 

[calilou]

You're going during a quiet time so shouldn't have to worry about long lines at either Fanatsy Faire or Minnie's House. Minnie is also out to meet and greet regularly throughout the day in Town Square along with Mickey, Goofy, etc. Also the princesses are regularly in front of the tunnels right inside the main entrance for meet and greets - it's usually two at a time but I don't know if you'll find a predictable schedule, it's more random from what I've observed. Make sure to fit in the little plays at the Royal Theater at Fantasy Faire - both your kids are sure to enjoy. An option you may want to consider for your daughter is an experience at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (hair, make-up, dress-up - really fun, my girls love it) that ends with meeting the princesses at Fantasy Faire. At almost 3 I would imagine it would be a dream come true for your daughter!

 

[calilou]

Wanted to add another recommendation for Breakfast with Minnie & Friends at the Carnation Cafe. We've done this many times and have always had Minnie come to our table along with Tigger, Chip & Dale, Fairy Godmother, Captain Hook, etc. It's an affordable character meal and good breakfast IMO. Another bonus is that you can make a reservation early before or right around official park opening and enter through a designated breakfast line avoiding the often long lines for regular park entrance. This is especially great for Magic Mornings when you yourself aren't staying at a resort hotel. If you time it right you can even fit in a quick ride on say Star Tours once you're in the park but before you need to check in for breakfast.

 

[nikkislaght]

When ever we go to D/L we hit TT first.. do Mickey, Minnie , Goofy and Pluto all within the first 30 to 40 mins.. then the kids hit Gadgets and then on way out we do Roger Rabbits.. We enter the park at open time and get on the train , and get off next to TT, if its not open we will go on IASW and that normally takes us up to TT opening.. then hit F/L

 

[AZMermaid]

You're going during a quiet time so shouldn't have to worry about long lines at either Fanatsy Faire or Minnie's House. Minnie is also out to meet and greet regularly throughout the day in Town Square along with Mickey, Goofy, etc. Also the princesses are regularly in front of the tunnels right inside the main entrance for meet and greets - it's usually two at a time but I don't know if you'll find a predictable schedule, it's more random from what I've observed. Make sure to fit in the little plays at the Royal Theater at Fantasy Faire - both your kids are sure to enjoy. An option you may want to consider for your daughter is an experience at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (hair, make-up, dress-up - really fun, my girls love it) that ends with meeting the princesses at Fantasy Faire. At almost 3 I would imagine it would be a dream come true for your daughter!

Love your screen name- Calliou was a staple for my son for years- he still asks for him when he's sick! I had read they were really strict with the 3 year old age rule at BBB. Is this not the case? I do think she would love it!

We did Minnie's on our last trip two years ago. We did a later seating trying to make a brunch of it. It was AWFUL! My kids were 10 months and a little over 2. We were sat outside against the bushes. There was no-one else around, which should have been a red flag. We waited over an hour for a character to come by- and we had to speak to the people at the check in stand for that to happen. We saw character after character make the porch loop and then go backstage. Then, after we said something, we did see 3-4 characters in the next 20 minutes, but the kids were so antsy after sitting there doing nothing for so long. On top of that, school aged kids from the patio were then being sent down by their parents to the lower outside area where we were so they kept knocking into my two year old as he tried to interact with the characters. No-one was telling them to wait at their table like we had been telling him for the last hour. I know this place gets good reviews and I know now to make an early reservation, but we just aren't over it yet. The timed seating/ procession is one reason we were really looking forward to Ariel's. We are doing Storytellers instead (we own DVC- staying at GCV) and I am anxious about doing another character buffet, but we will see how it goes!

Great to know the line isn't awful at Fantasy Faire. I remember when it was near Toontown and those lines always looked brutal! I want her to meet them because she loves them so much, but I don't want to spend all day doing it either!

I really appreciate everyone's tips and insights. Thank you!

 

[AZMermaid]

When ever we go to D/L we hit TT first.. do Mickey, Minnie , Goofy and Pluto all within the first 30 to 40 mins.. then the kids hit Gadgets and then on way out we do Roger Rabbits.. We enter the park at open time and get on the train , and get off next to TT, if its not open we will go on IASW and that normally takes us up to TT opening.. then hit F/L

Thanks for this! The train is down when we are there but this is good advice as far as order. I am thinking we will follow this at TT opening if we don't run into them in Town Square!

 

[Larissa]

You can often ask at the front desk when particular characters will be out. Sometimes they can tell you that Minnie will be on mainstreet at a particular time or something...If you know where is is heading or coming out from you can prepare to meet her there.

 

[emily94]

Yeah check out the Minnie and Friends Breakfast at the Plaza Inn! Some days you could get into the parks early, I believe they take reservations at 7 am, and see Minnie! I'm not sure of who Minnie's friends are, maybe someone who has been recently can let us know And a character meal alternative to Ariel's.