Would you recommend a "just in case" booking for Ariel's Grotto?

[jacobsmommy]

My two year old dd really wants to meet some princesses on our trip. Her favorite is Tiana, but she knows who the others are. We already have Goofy's and Minnie's booked for character meals, but I am worried about the PFF lines. If we get to PFF before nine on Wednesday, June 23rd, how long do you think we'd have to wait to see the princesses? What are our chances of seeing any princesses anywhere else? I am wondering if I should book a "just in case we don't get to see them anywhere else" meal at Ariel's. I'm not wild about their menu (picky eater).

 

[Raindown]

Even since they built PFF and AG I have not seen as many "random" princess meet and greets, like around the castle or Fantasyland. Best place to see Tiana would be her little show in NOS, but I don't think they do a meet and greet afterward. They sometimes come out here the mickey floral around 3ish, but it could be other characters.

I have not heard Tiana ever showing up at AG, I haven't see her there. If it doesn't break your budget I'd book it. Even if you do see them somewhere else it is a nice experience. If you don't like the lunch menu you could always to breakfast.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

My two year old dd really wants to meet some princesses on our trip. Her favorite is Tiana, but she knows who the others are. We already have Goofy's and Minnie's booked for character meals, but I am worried about the PFF lines. If we get to PFF before nine on Wednesday, June 23rd, how long do you think we'd have to wait to see the princesses? What are our chances of seeing any princesses anywhere else? I am wondering if I should book a "just in case we don't get to see them anywhere else" meal at Ariel's. I'm not wild about their menu (picky eater).

I have sons so Ariel's and the princess thing haven't been on our list. Thanksgiving week 2008 though we went with our friends who have daughters. One of the girls really, really wanted to see the princesses so she and the mom went and waited for the princesses at PFF. They got there just after 9AM and met back up with us again around an hour later. I can't say if this is typical or not. The little girl was satisfied enough with that experience of meeting 3 random princesses (just whoever is there when you get to the head of the line), it didn't cost any extra, and the rest of the party spent time going on rides/attractions that the princess fan didn't want to or couldn't go on.

As for other princess sightings...you can see and meet-and-greet one princess (usually Cinderella) at the Drawn to the Animation Show which is a little song and dance show that runs multiple times per day in the Hollywood Pictures backlot in DCA. Princess Tiana performs multiple times per day in New Orleans Square although I don't believe there is any meet-and-greet associated with this. It is a fun show with good music though so certainly worth checking out. Other princesses do come out occasionally (I know we have on occasion come across Snow White, Mulan, and Sleeping Beauty), but since we don't go princess hunting in our family, I don't know about the schedules. You should be able to ask at City Hall in Disneyland, Guest Relations at DCA, or the info booths at either park for information about what princesses will be out during the day, when and where.

Finally, I'm not trying to turn you off the Ariel's meal. Lots of people on this board report enjoying it. Just seemed that you were looking for less costly alternatives, so I thought I'd share what I knew.

 

[Sherry E]

You will also most likely see 2 Princesses at Goofy's (which ones is anyone's guess, but they seem to be making an attempt to have Princesses there). But that may not be enough. I don't know what you have scheduled for which times, but you could schedule Ariel's as a 'just in case' thing some time after the Goofy's meal, and if you haven't seen any Princesses in DL or if the ones onsite at Goofy's aren't enough then you can keep the date at Ariel's. And if you all have had your fill of Princesses by then, you can cancel Ariel's.

 

[mrswh]

I would definitely book AG. You can always cancel if your DD has seen enough by then! (I agree, the food is overpriced and awful, but at least the dessert is good!)

As of about a month ago, Tiana was doing several performances as well as several meet & greets each day in NOS. The meet & greets aren't on the Times Guide, but the CM at the end of main street (or at NOS during the performances) can tell you when they are. (He/she can tell you where to find whatever character you're looking for.) If you want to meet Tiana at a meet & greet, get there early and be among the first in line, because she is super popular and doesn't stay long. As soon as you see a CM appear, ask where the line will be forming so you know you're in the right place to meet Tiana.

There are usually a few princesses at Goofy's Kitchen, and you might also run into some just wandering around. We saw Mulan & Mushu at DCA near the Tortilla Factory on our last visit. Several times a day, Jasmine and Aladdin are at Aladdin's Oasis in Adventureland near Jungle Cruise.

Have a great time!!

 

[jacobsmommy]

Thank you! I was pretty sure that Tiana wasn't at Ariel's and I don't think the money spent at that meal would be worth it for us. I think she'd be fine with one or two princesses met, since she's only 2. I am having a Tiana dress made for her for the trip. This is all new to me b/c we are used to touring with our son-who is not into princesses.

 

[Raindown]

Several times a day, Jasmine and Aladdin are at Aladdin's Oasis in Adventureland near Jungle Cruise.

That is a good one to point out. Usually the line is not that long for these two and they usually have a photopass person with them.

 

[ahill004]

I thought the menu changed recently and the food at Ariel's had gotten significantly better? Anyone there recently to confirm?

 

[letthembelittle]

When we were there last week it took us about an hour to do the Princess Faire first thing in the morning, we saw Tiana and Belle. My advice is for you to stand in line while the rest of your party does something more fun, then you can call when you get close to the front of the line and have your dd join you, it is a very boring line for the little ones.

 

[Raindown]

I thought the menu changed recently and the food at Ariel's had gotten significantly better? Anyone there recently to confirm?

I last went about a month ago. I thought the food was good.

 

[pixiewings71]

The menu at AG was changed over a year ago and it is sooooooooooooo good...the tri tip is delish, the pasta was heaven, the chicken was good (and I don't do chicken with skin/bones LOL) they bring a 3 tier plate out with veggies, cheeses, salami, jello and salad and a basket of bread out to start, then you get your main dish and then they bring out a dessert tray. We really enjoy the food there, DD13 chose it for her bday meal for her 13th bday, that's how much we like it. I don't like waiting in lines at the PFF so we will do AG every time the girls' ask so yes, my advice would be to book it.

 

[Eeee-va]

If you are sure your daughter will be happy with a few random princesses, I'd probably save the money and do PFF. (Aside from the Drawn to the Magic Show, Aladdin's Oasis, and possibly Tiana's show (I'm not sure if that's still running), princesses are sometimes seen in the Hollywood Backlot area of DCA. We met Mulan and saw Aladdin and I believe Jasmine (for about the third time ) there in December.)

That said, if YOU think you may want to get more pictures of your DD with princesses, then by all means, make the reservation.

If she's happy with SEEING the princesses, there's supposed to be storytelling or whatever back at Princess Fantasy Faire when you go too, so that might be nice.

Have a great trip!

 

[mrswh]

I thought the menu changed recently and the food at Ariel's had gotten significantly better? Anyone there recently to confirm?

I was there a month ago and it was really quite bad.

 

[NewbieMouse]

...the chicken was good (and I don't do chicken with skin/bones LOL) ...

Hate to interrupt, but just to clarify, the chicken breast was bone-in, not boneless?

 

[mom2rtk]

If you are sure your daughter will be happy with a few random princesses, I'd probably save the money and do PFF. (Aside from the Drawn to the Magic Show, Aladdin's Oasis, and possibly Tiana's show (I'm not sure if that's still running), princesses are sometimes seen in the Hollywood Backlot area of DCA. We met Mulan and saw Aladdin and I believe Jasmine (for about the third time ) there in December.)

That said, if YOU think you may want to get more pictures of your DD with princesses, then by all means, make the reservation.

If she's happy with SEEING the princesses, there's supposed to be storytelling or whatever back at Princess Fantasy Faire when you go too, so that might be nice.

Have a great trip!

I don't think they are adding the storytelling and Coronation Ceremony back to PFF until late summer/early fall. Has anyone heard differently?

 

[Vala]

Hate to interrupt, but just to clarify, the chicken breast was bone-in, not boneless?

Well, the chicken breast I had (November 2009) was boneless.

 

[Raindown]

I don't think they are adding the storytelling and Coronation Ceremony back to PFF until late summer/early fall. Has anyone heard differently?

Having not heard anything about this, I think your correct if it comes back at all. Perhaps the scheduling demand is just too much.

 

[jacobsmommy]

I think maybe we'll try to see Tiana's thing at New Orleans on our first afternoon (very busy day in parks) and then hopefully we'll see at least one princess that night at Goofy's. If we try to see Cinderella at the drawing show, then maybe we'll be able to skip PFF and Ariels. Not sure at this point how demanding my two year old will be able seeing just princesses. I think she'll get excited to see any characters.

 

[Eeee-va]

I don't think they are adding the storytelling and Coronation Ceremony back to PFF until late summer/early fall. Has anyone heard differently?

The last rumor I heard was that it would come back June 11th, the logic presumably being that monumental crowds will be descending upon DLR for World of Color, so whatever occupies them best is great.

That said, it's all rumors. When did you hear your rumor? The one I read started probably 6 weeks or 2 months ago, and the latest thing I heard was probably around 2 weeks ago by my count.

 

[mrswh]

Well, the chicken breast I had (November 2009) was boneless.

The one I had in early April was bone-in. I guess it's a crap shoot!