princess lunch or fantasy faire?

[mabdallah]

ok this august my family is going to be going to DL. There will be 5 adults and my daughter (3) being the only kid on the trip. She loves the princess.. So my question is...will it be more worth while to book the princess lunch at Ariels Grotto or to stand in line at princess fantasy faire. Being that it will be hot and I would hate to wait in line for an hour to only see 3 princesses. What is the best plan to see a them. Plus I do not know how long my barley 3year old will last in lines. Suggestions please......

 

[nsiordia]

It sounds like you answered your own question

Defintely book Ariels Grotto, seems like it would be less hassle.

 

[Princess.Rachel]

If you can swing it I would do the Character Lunch. You get more interaction time plus it's airconditioned (which is a big deal in the summertime, especially with a little one). In My opinion it beats waiting (in our case 1 hour) outside to have a five minute interaction.

 

[mrswh]

I agree with PPs - lunch! In my mind, the character meals were made for people who are willing to pay money rather than waiting in line to meet characters. PFF is one of the worst places to wait, too. The line can look not too long, but it moves slower than a snail's pace. Painful. Also, you'll be standing in line and see (or hear about) one princess in there, and you get all excited, and then guess what? She leaves before your DD gets to the front of the line. You have to eat lunch anyway, and it's a great time to get out of the sun and crowds for a little break. Princess lunch all the way!

 

[pixiewings71]

AG all the way!! Either lunch or dinner, by the time you go dinner will have the Princesses again. Keep in mind you may not see the "standard" Princesses, you will see Ariel but the others can be changed. We've seen Pocahontas and Mulan at AG, as well as Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, Jasmine & Aurora.

 

[Isatricia]

I agree AG!

Last week we stood in line over an hour at the PFF only to see 2 princesses that we previously saw around the park and the 3rd one happened to be at the wishing well at the same time and we could have gotten pics with her with less of a wait. I was very disappointed with the PFF.

 

[mabdallah]

Thanks, I think I will book AG when I book our other character breakfast that I bought with our package. I hope we will be able to see Cinderalla because that is my daughters favorite. I do not know if the other adults will want to go to AG so I might just make it a mother daughter lunch. Getting excited for our trip!

 

[Liat]

Ooh a Mother/Daughter lunch sounds perfect.

I agree that AG is basically just paying to see the princesses without much of a wait. That being said it was worth it to see my kiddos so happy.

I think it was all of the "classic" princesses when we were there. Cinderella, Belle, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Ariel of course. I don't think there was anyone else there when we visited, but I may be mistaken.

 

[Isatricia]

We saw Cinderella, Fairy Godmother and Perla by the wishing well around 12:30 this past Thursday. Actually, Thursday we saw a bunch of princesses either by the wishing well or Carnation Gardens - Ariel, Aurora, Snow White, Cinderella, and not a princess but the Evil Queen as well (at 2 different times).

 

[disneydreamer74]

I agree, definitely go with AG, so much easier. At 3 you may not want to wait in line at PFF. Unfortunately for me, my DD is 5 so...we have to do both AG and PFF! Gone are the days when I could just take her to AG and she would be satisfied! I do have to admit that PFF is a cute experience if it is not 90 degrees outside. They do have a coronation ceremony and story telling by the princesses at certain times of the day,which they will have posted. Have a great trip!

 

[Babybears]

I agree that the Mother/Daughter lunch at Ariels is the way to go. I have done that twice with my kids. The first time me and my two daughters went while my son and husband did a bunch of rides, collected fastpasses, etc. The second time, only my youngest wanted to do it so, just her and I had lunch while the two older one's went with Dad. It has worked out well and everyone is happy!!

 

[starshine514]

I actually disagree here. We did Ariel's for DD's 5th birthday. I was unimpressed. We did breakfast...it was ok. We met Ariel in the lobby, then Belle, Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty came around, posed for a quick photo and left (not to return). No special interaction, dancing or anything. No Photopass photographers, lots of other people eating the in the backgrounds of the pictures.

Now, the PFF is a different story. You don't know who you're going to meet, but you do meet 3 and they switch off regularly (we've met a total of 6 - Belle, Ariel, Tiana, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella). Each of the princesses has a PP with her and they have such pretty backdrops for the backgrounds of your pictures. Interaction can vary and I've had it be both better and worse than at Ariels.

We also did the Coronation Ceremony. It was fun (and free). The girls got to interact in the show and then met two of the three princesses after the show was over. I wish Ariels had that type of interaction.

 

[Disneyland 1951]

We saw Cinderella, Fairy Godmother and Perla by the wishing well around 12:30 this past Thursday. Actually, Thursday we saw a bunch of princesses either by the wishing well or Carnation Gardens - Ariel, Aurora, Snow White, Cinderella, and not a princess but the Evil Queen as well (at 2 different times).

Arials Grotto Lunch is a good way to meet several Princesses without a long wait, and have lunch.

However, it is not difficult to find several Princesses on the side paths to the Castle. As Isatricia said above, you can also find additional characters with them out by the castle. The Evil Queen can be the most entertaining, and if the youngster is outgoing (Or dressed as Snow White) will give them special attentation. She usually will defend her side of the Story "Look at Snow White, she is so pail because she did not eat her fruits and vegitables. The apple was to make her healthy."

Here is what it looked like at 10:00 in the morning on the side path. A large amount of the crowd was rushing over the side path, but NOBODY was using the left side path. Belle and Aurora used the area to meet with Guests shortly after this. Snow and the Evil Queen were at the Wishing Well. I have seen guests walk within a few feet of a Prinncess and not realize she was there.

10:00 am, the Bridge is packed, the side path is empty.

Aurora all alone in the same spot.

Last Week, on the Wishing Well side Aurora stood in the shade with people walking by and not noticing her.
Look in the shade, she is standing all alone waiting for someone to notice her!

After they have been out a few minutes, lines will form because the line waiting for them is easily spotted. Look for Snow White at the wishing well from 10:00am on. Princess are out for about 20 minutes at a time. If none are out, check back in 20-30 minutes. There have been as many as 9 character out on the side paths at a time.

PS. If you are a Mary Poppins fan she hides behind the Piano at the Coke Refreshment center at 10:00am and 2:00pm most days. They are there because only a few guests notice them, so there are short lines to meet her and Bert.

 

[pixiewings71]

Thanks, I think I will book AG when I book our other character breakfast that I bought with our package. I hope we will be able to see Cinderalla because that is my daughters favorite. I do not know if the other adults will want to go to AG so I might just make it a mother daughter lunch. Getting excited for our trip!

Well, I will say that DBF likes eating at AG, he's not a big Princess fan (altho he does like Jasmine lol) but he enjoys the food at AG. He likes the tri tip and ciopinno the best.

I actually disagree here. We did Ariel's for DD's 5th birthday. I was unimpressed. We did breakfast...it was ok. We met Ariel in the lobby, then Belle, Snow White, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty came around, posed for a quick photo and left (not to return). No special interaction, dancing or anything. No Photopass photographers, lots of other people eating the in the backgrounds of the pictures.

Now, the PFF is a different story. You don't know who you're going to meet, but you do meet 3 and they switch off regularly (we've met a total of 6 - Belle, Ariel, Tiana, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella). Each of the princesses has a PP with her and they have such pretty backdrops for the backgrounds of your pictures. Interaction can vary and I've had it be both better and worse than at Ariels.

We also did the Coronation Ceremony. It was fun (and free). The girls got to interact in the show and then met two of the three princesses after the show was over. I wish Ariels had that type of interaction.

Breakfast at AG is nothing like the lunch. Food-wise the selections at lunch/dinner are much better than the family style breakfast. We were not impressed with the breakfast at all. I've found the Princesses respond to the "table atmosphere/attitude". IE, if a table acts very excited to see the Princesses they will stay and visit longer, but if a table acts more interested in the food they will stay for less time. Honestly, we've never been unhappy with the time we've spent with the Princesses, they've responded well to our table (maybe because we have 2 girls who were usually wearing Princess (or Tink) clothes lol) and we've never felt cheated for time. They do spend less time then the characters at M&F will and the Princesses don't come back around but that's always been fine with us.

 

[starshine514]

Breakfast at AG is nothing like the lunch. Food-wise the selections at lunch/dinner are much better than the family style breakfast. We were not impressed with the breakfast at all. I've found the Princesses respond to the "table atmosphere/attitude". IE, if a table acts very excited to see the Princesses they will stay and visit longer, but if a table acts more interested in the food they will stay for less time. Honestly, we've never been unhappy with the time we've spent with the Princesses, they've responded well to our table (maybe because we have 2 girls who were usually wearing Princess (or Tink) clothes lol) and we've never felt cheated for time. They do spend less time then the characters at M&F will and the Princesses don't come back around but that's always been fine with us.

My girls were both wearing princess dresses and believe me, they were NOT interested in the food. My girls don't initiate conversation (they get a bit awe-struck), but do love it when they get attention.

I just feel they ought to do a bit more for how much they are charging and can't say that I would recommend it as superior to PFF. In my opinion, it isn't.

 

[pixiewings71]

My girls don't typically initiate conversation either. We've eaten at AG at least 4-6 times (I lose count lol) and each time the Princess spend at least 5 minutes at our table, definitely not as much time as other character meals but for us it's been enough.

 

[kailuagirl]

I'd do the character meal. I like the whole just you and your daughter idea too!! That'd be fun!! And like was said, don't forgot to keep checking the paths around the castle. In Dec. last year we saw Aurora, Snow White, the evil queen, Fairy Godmother, Cindy, and Ariel all at the same time around the castle. I think even Alice and Hatter might have been there too, switching out with Snow White. We were so excited!! We just went from one to the next. Some were near the wishing well, some were farther down the path, and the rest were over on the other side on the path and in that garden area spread out. We have never seen Belle in the parks, except in parade, ever, not even in PFF. One day......

 

[Disneyland 1951]

I'd do the character meal. I like the whole just you and your daughter idea too!! That'd be fun!! And like was said, don't forgot to keep checking the paths around the castle. In Dec. last year we saw Aurora, Snow White, the evil queen, Fairy Godmother, Cindy, and Ariel all at the same time around the castle. I think even Alice and Hatter might have been there too, switching out with Snow White. We were so excited!! We just went from one to the next. Some were near the wishing well, some were farther down the path, and the rest were over on the other side on the path and in that garden area spread out. We have never seen Belle in the parks, except in parade, ever, not even in PFF. One day......

Belle was out in the Park yesterday (4/24). Tiana has also been out at the Castle recently. In January when Beauty and the Beast was re-released in Theaters in 3D, Belle with the Beast were out everyday. And, in both the Blue Dress or the Yellow Ball Gown.

 

[mrswh]

Unless it has changed, you can go to the Coronation Ceremony and Princess Storytelling at PFF with no line whatsoever. For those, you just show up at the time it's scheduled for. Good princess fun (and maybe princess interaction) with little time investment. So to the OP, you might want to go over to PFF and take part in those activities but skip the line to meet the princesses and meet them at AG instead. The food is no good, but it's not about the food. It's about the princesses.

IME, the availability of character meet & greets is very hit or miss. Yes, you might see Princess Aurora all alone if you happen to be in the right place at the right time (and these sorts of things have happened to us before), but with AG you are guaranteed to meet a few princesses. You could try to find some princesses out and about, and if your DD is satisfied, cancel your AG reservation, but I'd keep it just in case you aren't lucky and your DD needs her princess fix. Plus, like others said, it might be special to have a Mommy/daughter lunch!