Your opinions on Ariel's Grotto and Blue Bayou

[BlueBayou]

We have been to Ariel's twice and once to BlueBayou.

I would not say the food at Ariel's was horrible - but I would say it is very average. Not the type of food I would seek out. The soups/salads were fine, the main courses were sub-standard. But - digestible, just bland. It is not like it is going to ruin your day by giving you acid.

However, the experience with the princesses are priceless. We were selected to be the family that welcomed in Ariel. We had to stand as they did a proclamation. The girls were in heaven. My DH actually thought it was something I set up ahead of time. But I really think the fact he is so fun loving is why it happened. They give you paper crowns – children of the 70s know what I am talking about – those gold crowns you got at Burger King. When the man offered them to my girls – they said no with a little attitude about the fact they already had tiaras. My husband jumped in and said – I’ll take one. The guy laughed and began asking if it was our first visit (it was not) and where we were from etc. We did not think anything of his questioning. We were seated and when it came time for the princesses to appear – they called our family up. They did not tell us before it happened.

The second time we went – my youngest DD (then 4) hit her head on wall as we waited. She was over excited. We saw Ariel as we entered that time… and then were seated. During dessert – my DD4 began to act weird and then indicated her tummy hurt. As I was attempting to take her to the restroom she vomited right at the base of the stairs where the Ariel meet-and-greet occurs (this child has only vomited 3 times in her life – twice at Disneyland for over excitement/over tired). Thankfully, Ariel was no longer there. Two men stood guard at the puke while a cleaning crew was called. I was very apologetic when we came out of the bathroom. The staff could not have been nicer. They acted like it was no big deal and were concerned about our daughter. (Since she hit her head prior to our meal – we took her to the first-aid station at DCA – once again we were treated wonderfully by the staff).

As for Blue Bayou – my screen name is an indication that it holds special memories. I went with my folks back in 1979 and thought it was the coolest. I loved watching the boats from POTC.
As an adult, we took the family there once for lunch. The food was good and the girls, probably 3 and 6 at the time, were very well behaved. They liked the atmosphere. We haven’t been back – but I do think we will again.

 

[BlueBayou]

oops - double post

 

[tlovesdis]

We went to the Ariel Princess Supper in November and we were terribly disappointed. The food was terrible. My girls are 4 and 6 and were very excited to meet the princesses but the interactions were very brief. (about enough time for the princess to show up and say, "would you like a picture?" and then leave). We did get some great pictures but I wouldn't do it again. On the same trip we had breakfast with Lilo and Stitch and were very surprised by how nice it was. Even though my girls are huge princess fans they had a blast with Lilo and Stitch. Each charachter came around more than once. They learned a dance from Lilo and played a game with Stitch. We are going to DL in 2 weeks and will not be going to the Princess supper but will be going to Minnie's breakfast and Chip and Dale Breakfast.

I completely agree with you about Lilo & Stitch! We had breakfast there a few years ago, when my niece was about 6, and loved it! The character interaction was amazing. She played musical islands (like musical chairs) and when she was the last one left with Stitch he took off running through the place and she chased him all over. It was so cute! He even crawled under a table and she followed him! She also got to do the hula with Lilo and Minnie! Well worth the money! Oh yea, the food is good too!

 

[bzkds]

I've been to both, although not in the past 4 years. I was disappointed in both places and will not pay for the "experience" again. Personally, I LOVE the Mexican restaurant next to Big Thunder Railroad. We eat there every trip.
Beth

 

[tinkslite]

I love Blue Bayou, although for really little ones it is not very entertaining (not a character venue).
But I have repeatedly been disappointed by Ariels. We have gone on 3 different trips. I liked it as far as the princess thing, but the service was exceptionally and unapologetically Slooooooooow. It took us 2.5 hours to dinner there one night and the result was that we missed a show we had been looking forward to (we had priority seating for Aladdin on the last eve of that trip). The menu is good and the setting is nice. But be prepared for it to take a long while. This seems to be consistently true, as it happened on three different trips. We avoid it now and try to catch the princesses in fantasyland instead.
Have a great time.

 

[wideeyedwonder]

Also I have seen a ton of positive reviews on the Blue Bayou , but for my DH's tastes, there appear to be limited menu options.

It is probably too late for your trip, but I give BB a thumbs up. You really can't beat the ambiance (nighttime on the bayou with fireflies, crickets chirping and frogs croaking, and "pirates life for me" playing in the background.

We always go for lunch, as we LOVE the Monte Cristo sandwiches.

Dinner, well, not so much.

If you have kids and want a good (great?) character breakfast, Goofy's Kitchen can't be beat. I am always forced to go there at least once, as one of our twins loves the peanut butter and Jelly pizza, and my wife loves the whole breakfast menu. GK is at the (original) DL hotel.

 

[Lou-Ann]

We are returning later this month having been in December and my DH has requested that I book three lunches at Blue Bayou. he loved the Prime Rib and especially the atmosphere.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i say if you want to go go to breakfast.

 

[Anater]

We originally thought we'd eat something light while watching the evening parade and then go to BB for dessert. But we totally lost track of time and didn't get to eat, so we ended up eating a late dinner at BB. I'm so glad we did - we loved the atmosphere, and it was very relaxing. I think my husband had the crab cakes and I had the chicken, which I thought was very good but a little heavy on the salt. My four year old had the kid's prime rib and it was a good choice since he spent most of the meal occupied by dipping the meat in the au jus, and allowed us some time to talk. We split the cookie boat for dessert. We got a waterside table and I think I'd wait the extra time to make sure we had one, if we went again.

 

[turtle51]

I love the blue bayou. I think it is the best food in Disneyland. I usually split my food with my mom. It is an extra 5 bucks and they give you an extra salad or soup. It is very important to make a priority seating otherwise do not even bother trying to get in. It is also important to understand that there will be a wait once arriving. i have waited up to 2 hours after my ps time, but it is worth it.

Ariel's grotto has good food. It is very expensive but you are paying for the interacation. It is awesome and have to do it at least once.

 

[mariezp]

Blue Bayou is the one restaurant that we must do everytime we go. The food has always been very good and atmosphere is the best! It is a little pricey but we just figure it in as one of our splurges. The service can be slow at times but who cares! You're on vacation!

We have not been to Ariel's in several years. The last time we went it was a positive experience. Food and atmosphere were both good. I really liked that the princesses came to each table. That way you don't have to worry about missing them while you are up getting you food. We will be trying it again in November.

 

[RuthieT]

We did not care for the food at Ariel's Grotto. We went there in December for Lunch. Even though the princess were great not worth the money.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

we went end nov beging dec maybe they had a diffren cheff

 

[disney-inspired]

I have only eaten at the Blue Bayou and I think the prices are outrageous! BB and APG are both priced the same or MORE than the TS restaurants at Disney World when they aren't even at the same level as the WDW restaurants. The "DDP" for Disneyland is also more of a rip off than a deal like WDW's DDP.

The "experience" is nice but I don't want to pay $25+ for an entree anymore, especially if it's not AMAZING!

sorry, a bit of ranting in there.

 

[travelmel]

I did a mini review of the Blue Bayou in my TR if you're interested.

Bottom line: We loved it. It was probably the best experience we had at DL and the food was BY FAR The best I've ever had at Disneyland (going back 36 years, here!). The pork chop dish was really good. The ship/cookie was amazing.

We also had the 11:30 lunch reservation. We arrived 15 min early, waited about 8 min and were like the 3rd people seated. Restaraunt was empty and we got an AWESEOME waterside table.

Hope you will DEFINITELY hit this place.

 

[disneyluvbug]

We just got back and loved the lunch for BB..we had only done dinners before that!! (The only issue was the bread server hit me on the head with the tongs and broke my new Oakley sunglasses!! Not only did it HURT I had just got those glasses day before we left!! Disney is replacing them!!! it was an accident, but $200 sunglasses are expensive to replace, when I did not break them)..but we all loved the food!!!

We did Ariels for breakfast this time, and decided that it is not worth it!! Our bill was over $100 for me, DH, DD5 and DS 1!!! I will say the breakfast food was soooo much better than lunch or dinner, but not worth it. They had pastries on the table when we were seated, than brought out eggs, bacon , sausage and potatoes all in same dish, to share..we had more than enough food..just kind blahhhh..

We have decided that we will do the princess faire and goofys kitchen (we saw Belle this time, and mulan and aurara, cinderella) last time there, so the princesses do go to other places.. (when we did a 7:00 am seating in feb, we saw all the princesses at goofys)

Foor food I will say BB..they amount of time u see princesses is not worth it at Ariels, and we have gone each visit for my DD once they moved to DCA, before they were in DL at Minnies place..

Have fun!!

 

[bluegrizzlies1]

Blue buyou is a yes if you have never done it plus you can do a split plate so the cost isnt all that much that way.

Ariels is a thumbs down for me too did lunch with princesses the food was not that good.

 

[jimsocks]

Ariel's would be a ghost town if they relied on the food. So you're banking only on a good Princess experience for over $100 for 4 for breakfast. For us, it's all about tradeoffs...Whitewater for breakfast and a new Disney Pin or other souvenir? Or Ariel's? Not a tough decision, especially if you've already had the experience.

 

[Dancermomof1]

We went to Ariels Grotto last June and it was really a great experience. The food was okay. Both DH and I enjoyed the soup (I had the french onion and DH had chicken noodle). We stopped in for dinner not realizing this was a character meal. Being that my son was 3 weeks old at the time he kind of looked at the princesses then back at me and then at them again -not scared but very...confused.(I attached a picture because the look on his face is priceless) Our waiter was very attentive and even brought out a bottle of water for our newborn son without us asking because he could see me getting a canister of formula out. Anyway if you are looking for a meal with a different kind of dining atmosphere and pretty princesses this is a good choice. Compared to Cinderella's Royal Table at WDW it isn't quite as magical but I would go again if I was at DL but of course with an older child/ren instead of a newborn.

 

[mariezp]

OMG! Dancermomof1, your family is beautiful! So glad you had a nice experience.