Ariel Grotto lunch

[joellebg]

Hi first time post. I am going to take the family to the Ariel Grotto lunch. I was wondering:
1)Who might I see?
2)Where can I find menues?
3) How early should I arrive if I already have reservations?
4) Anything else I should know?
tia

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

1)Who might I see?
Ariel and 4 other princesses that rotate

2)Where can I find menues?
allears.net has menus
Adults: http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_ag.htm
Kids: http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_agk.htm

3) How early should I arrive if I already have reservations?
I'd arrive a few minutes before your PS times (someone correct me if I'm wrong) because they are more like a FP for dining, not reservations....meaning they will sit you the next available spot, not necessarily at a specific time.

4) Anything else I should know?
Bring your camera and autograph book for lots of pictures.

 

[Sherry E]

I am going to move this thread over to the main Disneyland section of the board, where it will get more replies and views!

 

[specialks]

Thanks for the post. We are planning on a lunch or dinner there as well. One other question I was wondering is if anyone knows of a special seating area to request??

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Thanks for the post. We are planning on a lunch or dinner there as well. One other question I was wondering is if anyone knows of a special seating area to request??

Some people like the view of the water.....when the lagoon actually has water in it. It's supposed to be filled sometime after Labor Day, but I haven't heard definite times yet.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

For what it's worth, I would request indoors for one reason. A friend of mine posted pics from her family's outdoor seating on Facebook. Because of the shadows and what not from an afternoon seating, there were some pictures that made it extremely difficult to see expressions on faces, etc. On the other hand, I had an indoor seating(though not requested, it's just where they put me), and all my pictures turned out fine with no lighting problems.

Ariel will always be there. They'll take a picture of your group with her and you can buy it if you want which they'll bring to your table and show you. It's my understanding that if you buy the package (one 8x10 and 4 4x6 I think) they'll scan the pics to your photopass card, but only if you buy the package. The other characters will be a rotation of princesses and female heroines. Aside from Ariel, no other character is guaranteed to be there. They'll also give you a free button for dining there with the princesses on it.

I found it to be a relaxing character meal. Because they bring the food to you, you don't have to worry about missing a character while you're up getting your food. Just have your cameras and autograph books if applicable on the table so that you're ready to go. While I would not describe the character interaction as rushed, the characters have a lot of guests to see, so it's best to be ready when they come, so you're not spending your time fumbling for cameras, et all.

 

[disneylovingfamily:4]

Does anyone have pics of the indoor vs. outdoor dining atmosphere? Thanks!!

 

[rowan1813]

3) How early should I arrive if I already have reservations?
I'd arrive a few minutes before your PS times (someone correct me if I'm wrong) because they are more like a FP for dining, not reservations....meaning they will sit you the next available spot, not necessarily at a specific time.

I know that is usually true for the other restaurants with PS available and I don't know if AG has changed their procedure since DSis and I were there last year, but we got there about 15 minutes early to check in and they told us that we couldn't check in until our PS time. So I don't know what the policy is now, but that's what happened to us.

 

[Whitty]

Are the prices different from lunch to dinner?

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Are the prices different from lunch to dinner?

I'm pretty sure they are the same menu & price.

 

[amyamya]

Lunch and dinner have the same menu and the food is pretty darn good. Lots of options. My avatar pic is my daughter and Cinderella at the lunch. We had lunch at 3pm. We arrived at quarter to 3 and waited until we could go downstairs at a little after 3.

The character interaction is some of the best we have ever had. Especially with little ones who think the princesses are real. My DD4 wore her Cinderella dress and shoes and we got pixie dusted for free at Club Libby Lu before we went. (Libby Lu is now Studio 365 and I don't know if they do the free dusting) If your kids have outfits, have them wear them. It makes it really special.

It is a nice eating experience and not rushed. I loved it. My daughter wanted to see Ariel again and thank her for lunch on the way out and they were very nice to let her slip over and give her a hug. We phrased going there as "We are having lunch at Ariel's Grotto with the princesses" so she thought Ariel picked up the tab....I wish!!!

 

[pixiewings71]

We just ate there, for dinner on the 9th, we got there about 20 min. early and waited in line to check in, they were turning people away telling them they had to wait until 15 min. before their PS to check in, luckily for us there were enough people in line that by the time we were up it was time to check in.

 

[wrightut]

We had an 11:30 reservation last week and checked in about 11:20. We were in line to see Ariel right at 11:30. I could see, however, that if you had a later reservation you might have to wait a bit to check in. We were one of the first to leave our seating and it was 12:40, so a full hour plus to eat and have the princesses come around.

FWIW, we saw Ariel (obviously), Belle, Aurora, Snow White and Cinderella. My understanding is that while Ariel is always there, they rotate and sometimes have Jasmine and Mulan as well. But you are guaranteed to see four "princesses" in addition to Ariel.

I thought the food was really good and the character interaction was just perfect. It didn't feel rushed at all to me. Belle even saw that I was trying to get a video of my daughter hugging her and she took an extra minute to talk to her about her shirt (it had the princesses on it) and gave her another hug for the video. It was really sweet. I'm glad we did the princess thing that way instead of standing in line at the Princess Fantasy Faire.

 

[Jackoman]

I remember eating there when it was Avalon Cove, in 2003 I think. Is it basically the same menu, or has it changed?

 

[JKJK]

Where is Ariels Grotto located? I have heard so much about this place but I just cant seem to picture where its at. Thanks!

 

[teatime]

I just looked at the menu's, Im sorry but the meals there sound terrible. what happene3d to the pot pies chicken noodle soups etc? red fish? what the heck is red fish??
and this just sounds gross.
Cioppino
A fragrant bowl of the ocean's finest, including lobster claw, pink scallops, redfish, green-lip mussels and shrimp, plus Bilbao chorizo bathed in a robust fire-roasted tomato broth.

 

[wrightut]

Ariel's Grotto is located by Paradise Pier in DCA.

The menu was good - my DH loves cioppino, although he wasn't there with us. I had a yummy pasta with italian sausage, peppers and onions in a creamy red sauce. My daughter had the tri-tip - it was good as well and was served with some grapes and cheddar potatoes.

The dessert selection was really yummy, but I'm a dessert person so I loved it. The only problem was keeping my daughter's hands off of the chocolate until after her picture with Cinderella.

 

[amyamya]

I just looked at the menu's, Im sorry but the meals there sound terrible. what happene3d to the pot pies chicken noodle soups etc? red fish? what the heck is red fish??
and this just sounds gross.
Cioppino
A fragrant bowl of the ocean's finest, including lobster claw, pink scallops, redfish, green-lip mussels and shrimp, plus Bilbao chorizo bathed in a robust fire-roasted tomato broth.

Cioppino is Italian fish stew and my FIL ordered it and it was amazing. A huge lobster claw, huge scallops, nice mussels, what you listed from the menu. Great presentation. The food there is actually really good. The dessert selection on the glass tray was also excellent. The white chocolate conch shell filled with berries was so pretty. We plan on doing lunch there again.

 

[bubbamomma]

I took my daughter there for her 4th birthday celebration last year. It seemed that all the tables started seating about the same time. Your reservation would be called and you would be taken to see Ariel and then seated at your table. Orders were taken and then the princesses came out and visited every table. The would spend as much time as needed at each table. It was priceless to see all the little girls; especially when their favoriate came around. My DD is coming back tonight from at weekend there with my mom and they went there after having a Bibbity Bobbity make over. I cant wait to see the pics!!

 

[pixiewings71]

I remember eating there when it was Avalon Cove, in 2003 I think. Is it basically the same menu, or has it changed?

No, it's even changed since the first time we ate there as Ariel's Grotto!!!! OMG, sooooooooo good!!!!!!!!!

Where is Ariels Grotto located? I have heard so much about this place but I just cant seem to picture where its at. Thanks!

It's across the pier towards Screamin', if you're walking towards Screamin' you'd pass the Catch a Flave place after you walk past AG, it overlooks the "bay" altho it's currently drained.

I just looked at the menu's, Im sorry but the meals there sound terrible. what happene3d to the pot pies chicken noodle soups etc? red fish? what the heck is red fish??
and this just sounds gross.
Cioppino
A fragrant bowl of the ocean's finest, including lobster claw, pink scallops, redfish, green-lip mussels and shrimp, plus Bilbao chorizo bathed in a robust fire-roasted tomato broth.

OMG, you're so mistaken!!!! The meals are so much better than the old menu!!!!!!! DBF loves the cioppino, it's soooooooo good!!!! I had this the first time
Spinach and Ricotta Agnolotti
Topped with fresh spinach, sun dried tomatoes, julienne onions, and asparagus served in a light mushroom broth
and OMG, it was soooooooooooooooo good......I wanted it so much last week but wanted to try something new so I had the
Herb-Crusted Chicken Breast
Served with Cheddar-herb mashed potatoes and medley of seasonal vegetables
and another OMG, there is skin on and there is one bone but it was the best chicken I've had a restaurant in ages
DD13 had the
Santa Maria Style Tri-tip
Slow roasted over rock salt and smoked with red oakwood. Served with Cheddar-herb mashed potatoes and a medley of seasonal vegetables
and it too was very very delicious. The new menu is awesome!!!! I love the salad that comes out at the beginning, the marinated cheese is really good too, then there's the bread with the dipping sauces, the pesto sauce is just YUM!!!! And for dessert you get
And your party dined happily ever after
with a shared dessert: a bountiful, treat-filled platter!
Seahorse lava cake, chocolate-chip strips, cheesecake tarts with raspberries, s'more chocolate bites and a white chocolate conch shell of garden-fresh berries.
Here is the list of starters that you get
Once upon a mealtime,
there was an irresistible first course for all at your table to share...
A delectable antipasti tower

Salami, marinated mozzarella, string cheese, Roma tomatoes, gherkins, olives, red pepper bracelets, watermelon triangles, chilled crunchy veggies with Pesto and Ranch dips, and "Jewels of the Sea" fruit gelatin

A salad of tender greens, served with Ariel's Grotto house vinaigrette

Bakery Basket of whole-grain, sourdough-epi and spiral rolls

There are 2 items we have not tried on the new menu for adults, the redfish Filet of Redfish
Grilled Redfish served over wild rice pilaf, delicately topped with a sweet & spicy pineapple chutney. Served with a medley of seasonal vegetables
and the pasta w/sausage
Mafalde Pasta with Italian Sausage
Curly ribbons of pasta tossed in a Piemonte-style ragu with spicy Italian sausage, sauteed bell peppers and sweet onions

now I want to eat there for lunch.....LOL