Where is Ariel??

[jnordan]

DD LOVES the Little Mermaid, but there doesn't seem to be much "Ariel" around, especially compared to the other princesses . . . I was thinking of taking her to a special princess breakfast/tea/SOMETHING, but none of them say that Ariel is guaranteed to be there. Any thoughts?

 

[holden]

Are you trying to find a guaranteed Ariel meeting in WDW? I think Ariel makes a daily appearance in her grotto in Fantasyland. We took DD there last Sept. and waited about 15 min. in line. She got to sit with Ariel, talk to her, and get a couple of pics with her.

HTH!

 

[belle&beast]

We saw Ariel at Ariel's Grotto in MK and at Akershus Princess Storybook Lunch in Epcot at the Norway Pavillion. At the Grotto she is in her fin and at the lunch she was in a beautiful gown and was the features princess for a photo. I have read that she is usually at Akershus for lunch and dinner. We also really enjoyed the Voyage of the Little Mermaid show at MGM, although this is not a meet and greet. Enjoy your trip!

 

[amy4bruce]

Ariel is DD6's favorite as well. We did get a shot of them together at the Grotto in Fantasyland, but the line was incredibly long (I think it was almost an hour, or maybe it just felt that way). DW and I waited on line, and DD6 played in the play area. Unfortunately, this involves a lot of water and she was soaked by the time she made it to Ariel.

We had dinner at the Princess Storybook Dinner in Norway, but Ariel was not there.

The real problem is that Ariel doesn't have legs, which makes her somewhat immobile. At Akershus, she's in a gown from her human period.

She is on stage at Voyage of the Little Mermaid, and is in many of the parades, especially Spectomagic.

Right now, in preparation for our next visit, DD6 is trying to find out where Ursula might be.

 

[Going Broke]

I believe I have read on these boards that Ariel appears, sometimes, during lunch and dinner at Akershus but not during breakfast.

 

[mantaz]

We ate breakfast in Norway in March with the princesses. Ariel was not there. I was hoping to see her because I wanted to see her in her human form. We did however see her at her grotto in MK. If you plan to go there, I would suggest doing it first thing in the morning. The line does get long. Everytime we passed by it was at least 45 minutes. Same thing if you go to toontown to see the other princesses, go first thing in the morning!

Hope you enjoy your trip!

Angela

 

[debbi801]

We had dinner at Akershus in Norway on Tuesday, June 20th. Ariel was there posing for pictures in a special room as we walked in. She was in a formal gown and had legs.

The other princesses there that evening were Belle, Jasmine, Aurora, and Cinderella! That was a totally unexpected surprise.

 

[slo]

It's unfortunate that Ariel is not in more locations for meet and greets. The line at Ariels Grotto is always so long, that we have never waited in it until last year. Last year the posted wait time was 45 mintues, so we waited - normally it's way over an hour. They do have the professional photographers by her for your photopass, and ours turned out great!!! It was definitly worth the 45 minute wait but I can't do longer than that

 

[jnordan]

We're not going until May 2007. Do you think they'll boost up her presence this winter/spring since they're re-releasing the Little Mermaid in theaters?

DD wouldn't mind seeing her in human form at all -- she just wants to see her ! We're staying in the BCV, and she's already excited that there's an Ariel STATUE there!

 

[slbeaute]

We saw Ariel at her grotto, but didn't wait very long this June. The times list her appearing at 10:00. She started way before this. We had breakfast at Cindy's and then walked into Fantasyland. It had to be 9:30 at the latest. I saw a short line starting at the grotto and thought people were already lined up for the 10:00 time. Turns out Ariel was already there visiting and taking pictures! We only waited about 15 minutes, mainly because she took a break when we got up to the front of the line. She was very sweet with DD, really visiting with her and helping her up onto the "rock" to take the picture together. I believe this is the only guaranteed place to meet Ariel. I would head there first thing in the morning. If someone can hold your place while DD plays or rides, that would help too. I know she's at Akershus sometimes, but the menus for lunch and dinner just didn't appeal to us. HAve a great time!

 

[crisi]

No characters are ever "guarenteed" at a character meal, but your best bet for Ariel at a meal is Akerhus for lunch or dinner (but not breakfast). She is often at her grotto in the MK, and that is the best way to see her as a guarentee (without dropping a mint on a meal for a princess that may not show up). Its best to line up at the grotto a few minutes before Ariel appears - you can find her schedule - her line can get quite long. One the plus side, the grotto is tucked so far back that non-readers will never know she is back there if you want to skip it. My daughter is reading now, so I have to practice my "oh, my, they put in a spot to visit Ariel!" surprised look......