Questions about Ariel's Grotto

[calidreamz]

I apologize if this is info that is already posted but I tried a post search, Menu Database Search, the DLR website and even Allears.net and was not able to find it, though to be fair sometimes things hide the best in plain sight.

We will be at DLR in May and I was thinking that my DDs would like a mommy and me type meal with the Princesses. I see that Ariel's Grotto has a Character Breakfast, but I'm not able to find a "Breakfast" menu. I'm assuming/hoping that it is not the same thing that they serve at lunch time; I love a good Tri-Tip as much as the next carnivore, just not so much for breakfast.

Also since it looks like they do not do buffet type meals, how would that work with my 2 DDs, one is 10 and I guess now has to be on the adult menu and the other is only 2, so since she is really pick and not likely to share with me or her sissy any of the adult fare would I need to buy her her own meal and pay the 3-9 y/o price??

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom on this matter!

 

[iLUVdisneyLAND]

When we ate dinner there in Dec '09 my DD was 2 and she ate for free. When we took her there in May '10 for her 3rd bday we had to pay for a kids meal.

I think your DD will eat free.

Hope that helps.

 

[ConnieB]

According to Allears:

For one set price per person, enjoy a selection of
breakfast items, served family style.

Adults: Indoor Seating $34.99, Outdoor Seating $31.99
Kids 3-9 Indoor Seating $18.99, Outdoor Seating $17.99
Tax and gratuity will be added to all meals

Breakfast Tier
A three-tier platter filled with fresh fruit, a selection of cheeses and cold cuts,
and breakfast pastries, bagels and croissants.

Breakfast Platter
Scrambled eggs, bacon, turkey sausage and breakfast potatoes.



Beverage Selections

Selection of juices
Coffee, Regular or Decaf
Hot Cocoa
Hot Tea
Low Fat or Chocolate Milk
Coke, diet Coke, Sprite, Barq's Root Beer, Light Lemonade, Iced Tea​

So, if it's served family style, that means that they bring big platters of the food to each table. So your 2yo should be allowed to eat anything that is on the platter without having to pay. But, your 10 year old would have to pay the adult price, regardless of how much she eats. Enjoy!

 

[smile4stamps]

Does anyone know if the character interaction is better inside and why it costs more? I am considering dining here in June and to save a few $$ would consider outdoors unless the character interaction is less. Also is the outdoors shaded or is it in full bright hot sun in the afternoons?

 

[mama2dutchies]

We had a FABULOUS time inside!!!
When we went in MAy, 2009 we were chosen "guests of the evening".. I am not sure if we got that because I book the character dinning so early.. or if it's because I checked in SUPER early.. Or if it was just luck.. but it was great!

We got to announce the princesses in (I promise she's not picking her nose but she couldn't read yet either..)

and then we were the FIRST table they went to.. they didn't rush through.. they talked to all 3 of the kids (even the baby)
(looking back at these pictures, the look on my daughter's face is priceless.. the memory is wonderful and I am so excited to give the same experience to our middle one, but she's a Minnie Lover)

(please note my son flirting with Belle. He, even at 8 months old, was very shy and didn't like people.. he liked Belle..)

 

[starshine514]

Does anyone know if the character interaction is better inside and why it costs more? I am considering dining here in June and to save a few $$ would consider outdoors unless the character interaction is less. Also is the outdoors shaded or is it in full bright hot sun in the afternoons?

I was curious about that, too! We aren't going to do this for our May trip, but if we get APs and go for DD's 7th birthday... If the interaction is the same, I'd rather be outside (better lighting for photos); however, it looks like the announcements, etc are done inside. So, sitting outside may cause us to miss something, and I would rather pay the extra $8 for our group that miss something...

 

[mama2dutchies]

I was curious about that, too! We aren't going to do this for our May trip, but if we get APs and go for DD's 7th birthday... If the interaction is the same, I'd rather be outside (better lighting for photos); however, it looks like the announcements, etc are done inside. So, sitting outside may cause us to miss something, and I would rather pay the extra $8 for our group that miss something...

Outside the pictures are much better, but after being in the theme park all day we thought it was nice to be inside and cool down. We went mid-may last time and it was considerably warm..
I honestly have no idea about what happens outside, were in our own little world watching my daughter..

 

[DizNee Luver]

If you're sitting outside you don't really get to watch the "proceedings".....the announcements, learning to bow & curtsy, the princesses arrivals, etc. The princesses will come to each table outside, but after they've finished the inside seating.

 

[onlyn2urmoney]

Outside is shaded but if its a hot day it will still be muggy outside. They only thing they announce inside is which princess is entering the room. IMO its not worth the money. The only thing nice about it is not having to wait in the long line. Every time we have eaten there I feel the rush through everyone because they have to get everyone done within a certain time. At the princess faire I feel they take more time with each child. Also children 2 and under eat free. I believe they get a choice from pasta or some type of meat lollipops. Not sure of breakfast, I have only been for lunch and dinner.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Outside is shaded but if its a hot day it will still be muggy outside. They only thing they announce inside is which princess is entering the room. IMO its not worth the money. The only thing nice about it is not having to wait in the long line. Every time we have eaten there I feel the rush through everyone because they have to get everyone done within a certain time. At the princess faire I feel they take more time with each child. Also children 2 and under eat free. I believe they get a choice from pasta or some type of meat lollipops. Not sure of breakfast, I have only been for lunch and dinner.

I wonder if that changed......when we went in 09, the Page (?) came out & read a proclamation, sang a song, introduced birthdays, had a child come up & read something, they taught the kids to bow & curtsy, they did a royal dance thing & then announced each princess. It was quite a little show. I know the people seated outside couldn't really see what was going on.

The child under 2, can eat anything at the breakfast that's brought out to the table. The 3 tiers are brought out with the fruit, cheese, meat, pastries, etc for you to start on. The next thing they'll bring out is a large hot platter with scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon & sausage for you to share. The meal was pretty good.....no complaints.

 

[starshine514]

Outside is shaded but if its a hot day it will still be muggy outside. They only thing they announce inside is which princess is entering the room. IMO its not worth the money. The only thing nice about it is not having to wait in the long line. Every time we have eaten there I feel the rush through everyone because they have to get everyone done within a certain time. At the princess faire I feel they take more time with each child. Also children 2 and under eat free. I believe they get a choice from pasta or some type of meat lollipops. Not sure of breakfast, I have only been for lunch and dinner.

I actually felt the same way when we did lunch at Cinderella's Castle at WDW! My girls were both wearing Sleeping Beauty dresses, and she's the only one that gave them much attention at all (she twirled with them and then came back by our table when they were doing the wishing thing later). The rest came by, posed quickly for a pict, and left - even Belle didn't give my birthday girl any special attention after being told she was her favorite princess ...plus, no PP photographers, so sub-par pictures compared to the ones with the other characters. I must say, however, that the food at Cindy's was excellent! Our girls got much more interaction from the fairies at Pixie Hollow than the character lunch, but we did stand in line for almost an hour... However, that was for my 4-yr-olds 3rd birthday, so I may need to do Ariel's for my 6-yr-old's 7th birthday to be fair...

 

[DisSarahK]

One of our times at Ariels Grotto was when my younger child was 2.5 (and thus still eating for free)--he could choose anything off the children's menu and we just didn't have to pay for his meal. We were there for lunch, not breakfast, but I'm sure it is the same for breakfast.

 

[pixiewings71]

OP bfast is served family style, so they will bring out platters of food, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, potatoes, these all come out on large platters for your whole table to eat. Your DD2 will eat from the same platters. You also get a platter with breads, cheeses and fruits and you can order whatever you like to drink and they will bring you refills. Yes, DD10 will be charged the adult price but your DD2 will be free. Sitting inside is better if it's cold out or extremely hot, we like to sit outside personally, you still see the Princesses and the food is the same.

 

[calidreamz]

Thanks ConnieB for the menu off allears, I can't believe I missed it, I thought I had really looked thoroughly .

Any way thank you all for your advice, I think we'll do breakfast since I don't see DD10 being all that crazy about the adult lunch menu, plus DD2 loves all those breakfast fixin's.