Originally Posted By familyguy How is Ariel's Grotto? Any good? Is it character dining? Can someone post a review of the place? Is it worth going to?
Originally Posted By liveforvacations The reviews are mixed and some people really seem to dislike this place but I have been twice and we really enjoyed it both times. We definitely plan to go back next time and more for the atmosphere/location than the princesses. It is dining with princesses, we were visited by Ariel, Belle, Jasmine, Snow White and Cinderella but Sleeping Beauty was a no show. It is not a buffet but it is a set menu. Adults get to choose a starter of either french onion or chicken noodle soup or a basic green salad, an entree and a dessert. My husband said the chicken noodle soup was surprisingly tasty and his cheeseburger was "a cheeseburger". I had the salad which was a basic salad and the penne pasta which was surprisingly good. The desserts were delicious! Children get either the chicken noodle soup or carrot and celery sticks to start, choice of an entree and a dessert. I would say that the food is okay-nothing spectacular but certainly as good as Goofy's Kitchen. We really like the location as you are basically across from Paradise Pier and we always go in October through December so we prefer dinner when it is getting darker and all the lights are on. We prefer to sit outside although if it is colder, the second floor looks very nice with it's big windows. I know I have read some reviews and comments under "Disney Dining" so you may want to check that out.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: Us Cauldron girls have eaten there several times and we really like it a lot. The food is good and the atmosphere is great--especially when you eat outside on the boardwalk. Also, different princesses show up at different times. We've been there when Princess Aurora was present and she's my favorite. But it all depends on the various schedules of the various princesses, you know.
Originally Posted By bobiascastle We refuse to eat there. We went to it as Ariel's Grotto & once before when Mickey & Gang was there. All they did was get rid of Mickey & add Princesses. Too expensive, yucky food & just not our cup of tea. We will stick with Goofy's Kitchen. )
Originally Posted By liveforvacations It just shows you that everyone has a different experience! Two times at Ariel's Grotto and both time we have enjoyed the food, the atmosphere and the character interaction. We have been to Goofy's Kitchen about 7 times over about an 8 year period. We have found that the character interaction has progressively gotten worse and worse each trip and last time we really didn't enjoy ourselves. I am also surprised when people talk about the food at Goofy's Kitchen because we have always found it to be standard buffet food and definitely overpriced for what you get. Lets just say we have never gone for the food. We thought the food at the breakfasts at Paradise Pier and Storytellers to be of much higher quality. That being said, we will go to Goofy's Kitchen next trip because I really like the atmosphere there and we keep hoping that the experience will be more like our first, second and third visits.
