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Disneyfun
08-28-2005, 09:57 PM
Well on the 26th I went to Ariels Grotto for my Daughter's birthday, We were with my mom, uncle and Grandmother. My grandmother gets over heated very easily so we did get to eat inside. We were in the booth in the back corner. Which meant that the princessess come out the door and go the other way. They went down the row of booths getting the tables in the middle as well then back up the other side and then they cut over to us and out the door to go around out side.
One of the things I respected was that there were some tables who had seen the princessess in the first round but they stayed at the table for a bit longer. The princess would kindly wave but would by pass them.
The Food was very good. I was worried about having soup, a main meal and dessert. But the dessert was just the right size.
We did not see Aura, all though while waiting for our table we did see her on walking around then. We did However get to see Mullan instead.
Belle almost passed us up. But was kind enough to come back after we told the waitress.
I think they still need to work on the timing. We waited for what seemed like to the 4yr old a very long time for our food and no princessess comeing around. THen as our food got there the princessess started coming around.
Which ment the 4yr old ate nothing. However each princess was great. They talked to my daughter wished her Happy Birthday and then posed to take a picture. and then gave her a hug.
In all we enjoyed our time. My daughter loved being able to see the princesses.

ChipmunkStar
08-28-2005, 11:02 PM
From what I understand, the Princess rounds are timed so that the princesses enter and visit each table at specific times that are synched to table seatings. While your princess may have had to wait a few extra minutes, at least she got a visit with the princesses (unlike countless others who endured the Plaza Inn princess meal).

I think the general concensus at this point is that this meal seems to work out much better than the other plan :)

Disneyfun
08-29-2005, 06:16 AM
From what I understand, the Princess rounds are timed so that the princesses enter and visit each table at specific times that are synched to table seatings. While your princess may have had to wait a few extra minutes, at least she got a visit with the princesses (unlike countless others who endured the Plaza Inn princess meal).

I think the general concensus at this point is that this meal seems to work out much better than the other plan :)
Good Point!
I never experianced the Plaza Inn So I do not have that to compare to. I did hear the stories however. So Yes. This worked out great! I know the Princessess are timed to come out a specific time. In my honest Opion what I think happened was the timeing got a little out of synch because they were waiting for a certain big group to leave. However this big group lingired. and lingired. In all I am in now way complaining I really did enjoy my time and would go again. However I was trying to give an acurate critique.
I definetly think like the way they go around to each table. For the booths when you are seated they even recomend putting the child on the out side end.
I forgot to say that before the princesses came out a man dressess like those who walk around witht he princesses (sorry for got the name) anyway he also went to every table able explained that they would come to us and just remain seated.
In al I thouht it as very well organized. I am not sure what they will do regarding timing and people who lingure. BUt again I say you have to try it. Especailly if you have a princess of your own!

shawnarae
08-29-2005, 08:45 AM
What princesses were there? Was Mickey or Minnie? THX!

Darkbeer
08-29-2005, 08:55 AM
Currently at Ariel's Grotto, you get Ariel for sure, then a mix of four other princesses, none a guaranteed.

For the Plaza Inn breakfast, you get Minnnie for sure, and then a mix of other characters (but no face characters). Some that you might see are Captain Hook, Chip and Dale, Pooh, Tigger and others.

shawnarae
08-29-2005, 08:57 AM
Did the menu change at all with the Princesses coming over? And where would I find a copy of the dinner menu? Would you have a link Darkbeer? Thanks :D

Darkbeer
08-29-2005, 09:33 AM
Did the menu change at all with the Princesses coming over? And where would I find a copy of the dinner menu? Would you have a link Darkbeer? Thanks :D

I have photos of the new menu in this album...

http://darkbeer.smugmug.com/gallery/736637

Or you could check out DLResortInfo.com....

http://www.dlresortinfo.com/DCAMenus/ariels/arieldinneradult.html

ChipmunkStar
08-29-2005, 02:23 PM
There is actually one speaking character at the Minnie and Friends breakfast, the Fairy Godmother from Cinderella.

DisneyBubbles
08-29-2005, 03:40 PM
They raised the price?! That is quite expensive for just a lunch. Does it at least include a choice of dessert or is it just a starter and an entree for $20?

socalkdg
08-29-2005, 05:20 PM
Just back from this for Dinner last Friday. Came with a unlimited drink, starter, main entree, dessert, pail and shovel for daughter, plus cotton candy. Our timing saw us see the princesses before even ordering(had bread at the table). We then ate. Service at our table was slow, so we ended up being able to see the princesses a second time. My daughter had a great time.

I had the fish and chips, they were very good, wife had the hamburger and it was good as well. While the place was packed, we were able to get reservations at 12:30 for 6:20 dinner.

Overall a very good experience that we will do again. $20 for dinner is a good deal, w/ AP discounts beginning next month.

disney jones
08-29-2005, 05:56 PM
we were there on Friday also, at 210 pm - between Disneyfun's visit (she stopped to say 'Hi', was very nice to us, and her daughter looked fabulous :) ) and socalkdg's. We sat inside - and the food was great.

i thought the whole thing was very organized, almost too organized. they did indeed sit you in a particular order, then the Princesses came out in the same order to each table. they were all great with the girls' (Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel, Mulan, and Belle). We also were celebrating a 4th birthday and the princesses really made my daughter feel special. The server did a great job too in presenting a cupcake to Sydney and having everyone sing 'Happy Birthday'. So the girls had a great time and that's all that really matters. :)

We got an AP discount - so i don't know why socalkdg didn't :confused: . i think it was $20.95 for one adult and $13.95 for each of my two girls, so it was just about $50 for the three of us.

The highlight was seeing Ariel - Syd even asked to see her feet, so she showed us them :) . I liked the fact the Princesses came to the table before the main course arrived.

As Disneyfun mentioned, their escort came around to each table first to let us know they'd be comng out, and "if we needed anything from any Princess, just come ask him". What he should of added too was "....and if you ask for anything besides your 1-minute visit from a Princess, i'm going to tell you 'No'." :rolleyes: We took some good pictures of the Princesses inside, but for the $$ we paid to get an audience with them, i would have liked to get pictures of them, especially Ariel , outside as well. I asked the escort dude - mistake - Dude said "No". :| For the hour that all of us were seated at, the Princesses did their thing at each table inside and outside .... and were gone within 35 minutes. They had an opportunity to give us a little more interaction but .... like i said, it was a bit too organized. :|

The bottom line -- the girls had fun - all little girls should - and that's all that counts, but i would have liked to seen something more added besides the standard 1-minute visit by each Princess, and Ariel in her feet. New appropriate costumes for the other Princesses? Some interactive games for the kids? (not the Chicken Dance or limbo, mind you :p , but something Princessy)? Some rarer characters like fairies?

If you have little girls and are doing one character meal, i'd recommend this one. But if you've seen the Princesses, i'd skip it (unless you are dying to see Ariel in her feet (like i was :D :rolleyes: ).

MermaidHair
08-30-2005, 07:01 AM
Thanks for all the info on this character meal. I was not aware before now that you could do Lunch AND Dinner with the Princesses - it sounds much more reasonable (cost-wise) as a Dinner meal to me. Since the princesses are all working this meal does it mean that you will not see them other places in the park?

Darkbeer
08-30-2005, 09:07 AM
Thanks for all the info on this character meal. I was not aware before now that you could do Lunch AND Dinner with the Princesses - it sounds much more reasonable (cost-wise) as a Dinner meal to me. Since the princesses are all working this meal does it mean that you will not see them other places in the park?

While you will be able to meet and greet the Princesses at Disneyland, and see them in the parades. At DCA the only place you will see the Princesses will be at Ariel's Grotto. They will no longer be featured at the Animation Building, though other characters will still be offered.

disneyochem
08-30-2005, 11:56 AM
Thanks for all the info on this character meal. I was not aware before now that you could do Lunch AND Dinner with the Princesses - it sounds much more reasonable (cost-wise) as a Dinner meal to me. Since the princesses are all working this meal does it mean that you will not see them other places in the park?

I called Vacation Planning yesterday to make priorty reservations for our October Trip (the 17th-22nd). Brad, from VP, said that during the week, Ariel's Grotto would only be serving Lunch (not dinner). So we had to make ressies for lunch on a Thursday! Dinner was not an option on weeknights.

Darkbeer
08-30-2005, 12:09 PM
I called Vacation Planning yesterday to make priorty reservations for our October Trip (the 17th-22nd). Brad, from VP, said that during the week, Ariel's Grotto would only be serving Lunch (not dinner). So we had to make ressies for lunch on a Thursday! Dinner was not an option on weeknights.

The Lunch and Dinner Menu are one and the same, as is the price.

Since DCA closes at 6 PM on off-season weekdays, Ariel's Grotto's last seating is 5 PM. And this is actually an improvement, Ariel's used to close at 3 PM last off-season on weekdays.

So if you want to call the 5 PM seating a Dinner, you can....:fez:

Gymgirl975
08-30-2005, 12:17 PM
Sorry that I misunderstood---but they won't let you take their picture?

shawnarae
08-30-2005, 02:53 PM
Sorry that I misunderstood---but they won't let you take their picture?

I don't understand. Who is "they"?

You can take pictures of (or with) the princesses. If that is what you are asking.

Darkbeer
08-30-2005, 04:50 PM
The Princesses will be happy to pose with anyone at the table when it is your turn, you are not allowed to take photos anywhere else besides at your table.