Disneyland Dining--Ariel's Grotto

Ariel is the husband's favorite Princess.

 One of the goals for our Summer 2015 vacation to Disneyland was to try all of the character dining.  We figured if we were only going to make this trip once, we better do it up right!  So on the first day we visited Disney's California Adventure, we made an 11:00 am reservation to dine at Ariel's Grotto.

 Ariel's Grotto is located in the Paradise Pier area of the park.  Walk up and over the "bridge" to find Ariel's Grotto on the right hand side, overlooking the water.  Ariel's Grotto features character dining for both breakfast and lunch.

 We checked in outside of the restaurant, were given a buzzer/pager, and when it went off, we went inside.  It was then that we were placed in a line going down the spiral staircase with continuous reminders to stay to the right.  Note:  Checking in and making our way down the stairs (there is an elevator, too) was the worst part of this experience.  We didn't really know where we were going or why, and no one seemed to want to fill us in.  By the time we got to the bottom of the stairs, we had figured out what was happening.

Bathrooms are also located on the bottom floor, just to the left of the bottom of the staircase.

At the bottom of the stairs, Ariel was greeting guests.  A Photopass photographer was on hand to take photos.  Guests could either purchase the photo package or if they had Photopass +, the photo package was included as well as having the photos added to their Photopass account.

 The restaurant has two distinct areas--inside and outside.  The inside was designed to give the impression of being "under the sea" and outside overlooked the water of the World of Color Lagoon.  We were seated inside.  Watching the function of the restaurant, it was evident that all tables inside were seated first and then the outside which functioned well for the visiting Disney Princesses.

We were given menus for lunch and the bread course was delivered to our table. 

The boy was hungry.  Well, we all were given the time change, the 7:00 am park opening, it had been several hours since we had eaten breakfast in our hotel room.  We had even devoured the snacks in our bags waiting in the Olaf meet and greet line earlier in the morning.

 

Soon the music blared and our attention was drawn to the court appointed spokesman for the visiting Disney Princesses.  He delivered his lines in a way that left guests excited and guessing as to which Disney Princess would be coming and once announced, appropriate music played along with a bit of a dance as a the Princess appeared.  The Princesses came out one at a time, with an appropriate amount of time in between as to allow the Princess to get a start moving from table to table.  We were sitting at the table furthest back from the happenings, but could still see and hear just fine.

 The soup course arrived--Lobster Bisque--yummy.  We had a choice of soup or salad with our entree.

 Rapunzel was the first Disney Princess to come to our table.  Great interaction, autographs, and photos.  It was at this character meal that I determined that mom's don't get to eat at character meals. Preparing autograph paraphernalia and readying the camera, and then capturing the shots kept me from getting at my meal.  Oh, well!

Belle was next in her lovely yellow frock.

 And then, our meal was served.  The boy had Sauteed Shrimp and Angel Hair Pasta - with seasonal vegetables and basil, tossed in a tomato broth and very much enjoyed it even though the picture does not indicate as such.  The shrimp came with tails on and had to be cut off.

 I had Fire-Roasted Corn Cakes - sauteed spinach, onions, and shiitake mushrooms with spicy bean salsa and chili oil drizzle and it was delicious.  The boy asked for a bite and gave my dish a thumbs up.  One of the many things I appreciate about the boy is his willingness to try new foods.

The husband ordered the Fresh Catch of the day and was very impressed.

 Soon Tiana and Cinderella were at our table saying hello.

Then it was time for dessert which is a sampler platter featuring creme brulee, an all around favorite of the entire family. 

Be ready to shell (get it?) some bucks for this meal as even for lunch, it was expensive.  We had pre-purchased Premium Character Dining Vouchers and used them to pay for this meal.  The voucher also included tax and gratuity.  There are Passholder and DVC discounts available.

It was, however, one of our favorite meals and experiences.  The food was top notch and the service was great.  Once we got past the chaos of the upstairs, it was as if we were in a different world on the bottom level. 

As far as I know, this is the only place to meet Ariel in all of Disneyland.  The other Princesses can be found in the other park.  If I were in search of Disney Princesses, coming to California Adventure for this experience along with being able to meet Anna and Elsa would do the trick.

Meeting Ariel

If you don’t already know this, Princess Ariel is the husband’s favorite Princess.  We have met her before—click here to read more—in her Grotto, as well when dining at Akershus in the Norway Pavilion at EPCOT for Storybook Dining—click here to read more. 

 But with the Fantasyland Expansion in full swing at the Magic Kingdom, Ariel’s Grotto was closed—and one of the first things to close.




While Ariel awaits her new attraction as a part of the Fantasyland Expansion, that could only be fit for a Princess, she has a new place to greet her royal court. Ariel can be found most days, intermittently, between 10:00am and 4:45pm on the Verandah in Adventureland.

The Verandah is located to the right just after you cross the bridge into Adventureland from the hub.  If you find the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House on your left, you have gone too far.

Ariel was gracious enough to allow several photographs to be taken and she signed our autograph book. 

It was a treat for the husband!  Now, if he could just find the Big Bad Wolf!?!

Ariel's Grotto

I am going to begin this post with an apology, as Ariel's Grotto is now closed due to the Fantasyland expansion. Do know that Ariel plans to return to Fantasyland in a big way with her own attraction and character meet and greet. In the meantime, you can meet Ariel along with Prince Eric at the Veranda in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom daily from 10:00 am to 4:45 pm. As you are heading into Adventureland from the hub, the Veranda is on the right just over the bridge. If you are the Swiss Family Tree House, you have gone too far. Turn around, go back, and the Veranda will be on your left, just before the bridge out of Adventureland into the hub. Good Luck! We've never met Prince Eric!

Back to Ariel's Grotto. . . was located at the back of Fantasyland over what used to be the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction. As you entered, there were water sprays and jets for the kids and as the queue continued it was designed to look like you were going. . . under the sea. The queue was such that you couldn't see Ariel until it was your turn. And upon entering her domain, you had to climb up to her rocky perch, as show in the photo above.

Ariel would spend time visiting with you and asking about what do you call them. . . feet!

And, while she wanted to be where the people were, the people eagerly came to see her, under the sea for photos and autographs.

OK, here's a Williams' family secret. Ariel is the husband's favorite princess. Don't ask me why. Maybe he can write about that in another post. Just know that Ariel is referred to as "Daddy's girlfriend" at our house by the boy. That's why in the photo below, it was important for the husband to be next to his "girlfriend."

A Photopass photographer was on hand in Ariel's Grotto to capture the moments. To read more about Disney's Photopass service, click here.

We have met Ariel twice. . . once at her Grotto and another time as one of the princesses at Akershus in Norway in EPCOT for Storybook Dining. Click here to read about dining with the princesses at Akershus.