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.

OCCP's Dance

OCCP hosts a dance at Bridge View Center for children in grades K-6 three to four times a year. Each two hour dance typically has a theme and cost of entry if $5 per child. Adults are free. While the kids have a grand time dancing to the music provided by Slade, it takes a bunch of adult volunteers to plan, organize, decorate, and supervise the dances.

We attended Friday night's dance. Photos were taken at the entrance, as seen below, and then given to the attendees as they left.

OCCP is a great organization serving children who want to be involved in theater. To read more about OCCP happenings, click here and here. Or, check out OCCP's web-site. OCCP is getting ready for their next production "Wizard of OZ."

Every few moments, the music stops and the children eagerly await for "their" number to be drawn for a prize. Several numbers are drawn at each prize give away session. Numbers are written on children's hands as they enter the dance. Getting a prize is a big deal!

We also took a time out from the dance to see the Clydesdale's as they paraded by Bridge View Center. Thanks, Becky, for letting us know the horses were coming by. We ran into Grandma Carol in the parking lot.

After the dance, we headed over to The Beach where the Clydesdale's were being housed in their lovely tent. The horses were getting "baths" one by one. The boy wondered why and we responded that it was their bedtime and they get a bath each night, just like he does. We both wondered if the horses got stories, too. :)

Play and Dine at Hollywood and Vine

If you or members of your family and Playhouse Disney fans, one place you can find the Playhouse Disney characters is at Play and Dine at Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood Studios. Hollywood and Vine serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily via buffet. Only breakfast and lunch are character meals. Dinner at Hollywood and Vine can be reserved for the Fantasmic Dinner and Reserved Seating option--click here for more info.

We have eaten at Hollywood and Vine three times--breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Twice with characters, and once for dinner. Know that when the characters are in residence the restaurant is noisy and bustling. When the Playhouse Disney theme music swells, kids are encouraged to get up and have a dance party with the characters. That's Leo in the photo above from Little Einstein's. Goliath is is in the photo below--from JoJo and Goliath. I understand Goliath has been replaced by Handy Manny.

The buffet offers a variety of excellent choices. The buffet starts at both ends of the restaurant and ends with a carving station in the middle. Both sides offer a children's buffet section--anyone can select items from the children's buffet section (it usually has some sort of Mickey shaped food and I just can't resist), and kids can select items from the entire buffet. Desserts are honored with their own station.

JoJo is in the photo above along with June from Little Einstein's in the photo below. The characters may vary from day to day, meal to meal, but expect to meet at least four characters as they move from table to table for autographs and photos.

Advanced dining reservations are recommended. We have been outside checking in and hear others being told they need a reservation and then go inside to find a relatively empty restaurant. Maybe that's a fluke, but we sure were glad we had an ADR.

Hollywood and Vine shares restroom facilities with 50's Prime Time Cafe which is next door. If you use the restroom, take a wrong turn on purpose to sneak a peek at 50's Prime Time Cafe if you haven't been there before.

The theming at Hollywood and Vine is nothing to write home about---it's decorated as a diner. Service is fast and friendly, and buffet selections are varied and excellent.

Sometimes the characters spend time with the adults! After all, it is Play and Dine!