We are planning to take our (almost) 2 and (almost) 4 year old girls to eat at Ariel's Grotto midweek in early November.

I have two questions:

1. Do you think they would do better at lunchtime or dinnertime? Do you know if it's more crowded at one time or the other?

2. Is the food any good at all?

Last year we did lunch. The food was good, but not wonderful. They have a limited menu, where you pick 1 app, 1 entree and 1 dessert. There are 3 or 4 choices for each if I remember right. It was totally worth it for my girls to see the princesses. They are also doing breakfast now. It starts at 8:30am. If the park doesn't open until 10am you go the front gate or GCH gate and someone will escort you over. We are going to try it when we go in November. I asked PS today what the prices are for Breakfast at the Grotto and it's expensive! $32 adults and $17 kids.. They said you get a pastry basket at your table and then they bring a large platter with eggs, bacon and hashbrown potatoes..That's what PS told me.. if anyone else done it then they could probably tell you better. Have fun! Hope this helps :)

Last month, we visited Ariel's for the third time. We had previously done lunches, but made PS for a 5:30 dinner this time. I really observed no difference in princess interaction, as every time we have been satisfied with the visits to our table. We have done early lunches before, and opted for an early dinner this time in case the princess are less interactive during the busy times...
I'll bet your girls will love it!
The only concern that I can fathom is, are your daughters consistent nappers? At Disneyland, our kids seem to deviate from their normal routines. We found that when our youngest was four, she would go, go, go, but need a nap around dinner time. Obviously, you know your kids best, but if there's a chance that one of them will be asleep during your dinner reservation, a better option may be lunch.
The food is okay... Let's just say that we would not be eating there for the cuisine. It's basically an opportunity to meet the princesses. I like the Caeser's salad/onion soup combo, but my dh has never been satisfied with his greasy fish or chicken (may be turkey) pot pie. The pot pie was basically Campbell's cream of chicken soup with a few vegies... no sign of meat.
You'll be too busy to eat much anyway! This time we brought our video camera. Instead of just still shots, we captured some excellent interactive footage.
To sum, if you're girls are into Disney princesses, it's a great opportunity. Just remember that you're not really paying for a great meal.

Thanks! I didn't know about the Breakfast DH will probably vote for that as you can't really mess up eggs and bacon, can you? :) I'm sure the girls will love it no matter when we go.

We have eaten there several times and we have never been dissapointed with the food. It is a good value for sure, since you get an all-inclusive meal. We're not food critics, but in the 4 or 5 times we've eaten (always dinner) there we have always enjoyed the food.

One thing to remember if you have toddlers, they give a free meal for kids under 3 - it is basically half of a real kids meals, and it is lots of food!

We've only gone at lunch. I find that afterwards, they are full and happy and once in the stroller are easily lulled into a nap. Plus, I find the kids behave better earlier in the day. And sometimes if I've made an early lunch reservation, we'll all sleep in and skip a big breakfast in favor of lunch. It makes for a relaxing day for us.

BTW, is Ariel still greeting the guests with a photo op and not visiting each table? Or have they returned to the original way the visits were structured and all 5 princesses came to your table?

I actually really liked the food at Ariel's haha but I would probably love any meal that ends with cotton candy!

BTW, is Ariel still greeting the guests with a photo op and not visiting each table?
Correct. A month ago, we had Belle, Cinderella, Mulan and Snow White visit our table. Ariel was positioned at the entrance (at the bottom of the stairs) for a quick photo.

I actually really liked the food at Ariel's haha but I would probably love any meal that ends with cotton candy!
We didn't get the cotton candy this last visit. Too bad; that was a fun (and yummy) treat at the end.

Last November week took our 3 and 4 year old girls and their 8 year old cousins for Dinner. We first went to Libby Lu in downtown disney and the girls got all dolled up with their hair done and make-up. They dressed in their favorite princess costume and then we went to dinner. They felt like princesses! The food was not that great but the princess experience was wonderful. We are not going to Ariel's Grotto this year for our annual trip.

...Do you know if it's more crowded at one time or the other?


It sounds, from this part of your question, that you weren't going to get advance reservations--they are usually a must.

Resv. are a must, as it books up really quick. Lunch and dinner is about the same with the princess, there all really great. Food... not for me. But the kids really love that all the princess are right there for them,:)

Correct. A month ago, we had Belle, Cinderella, Mulan and Snow White visit our table. Ariel was positioned at the entrance (at the bottom of the stairs) for a quick photo.


This is not always true. We have been twice this year since March and both times Ariel was walking around in her ballgown instead of being stuck in the entrance. We got Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Belle and Ariel, plus a prince or two.