Ariels Grotto dining? About This Page:

[smilechaser]

Ok, first, I have never been to DL, always DW and I have an insatiable need to go there. Was surfing the website and found that you can dine at Ariels Grotto......way cool! Can anyone tell me about this....pictures perhaps?

Thanks!
Liz

[HeatherD]

Ariel's Grotto is a restaurant at the entrance to Paradise Pier in DCA. It has a waterfront view of the Sunwheel (ferris wheel) and California Screamin'. I have not dined there, but am trying to figure out how to convince DH that we need to do this in addition to Goofy's Kitchen (for a 4 day trip). However, I keep hearing such good things about it!

I know it's an "underwater" theme, so the color scheme is blues and greens (water) and decorated so that you feel like you're Under the Sea with Ariel. Someone recently put up pictures in their TR - I'd say it was posted in August.

This restaurant should not be confused with Ariel's Grotto in DL, which is where Ariel is for meet 'n greets. That is over to the right of the castle, just before the entrance to Tomorrowland. This is where Ariel appears on a rock (it spins around to ta backstage area) and people come up to her for sigs and pics. This way, she doesn't have to wander, which is a little difficult with fins, I'd imagine!

[skateycat]

there is also an ariel's grotto at the beach club in wdw. however, it is no longer a restaurant, but is available for catered events ie weddings, etc.

[eff051102]

We've eaten at the Ariel's Grotto in DCA. It has wonderful views and we
had seats inside. However you could also be sitting outside on the large
porch area. The food was ok/good as I remember it but nothing really
stood out. We had lunch and the characters were a hit and they visited
inside the restaurant first before going outside.

I really enjoyed our DCA time almost more than DL because the crowds were
alot less and we were able to get more done.

[jimmymac]

It's pretty cool. It's just across the bridge from California Screamin'. The burgers are pretty good, and the characters make it fun

[DopeyGirl]

Originally Posted by HeatherD

Ariel's Grotto is a restaurant at the entrance to Paradise Pier in DCA. It has a waterfront view of the Sunwheel (ferris wheel) and California Screamin'.

The menu has changed just a bit from the last time I ate there (March 2007) but it was fairly good then. Ariel's Grotto Menu - Disney's California Adventure

The menu is one fixed price per person for three courses (appetizer, entree and dessert). We did lunch one day to celebrate DD's 6th birthday . . . they came out singing Happy Birthday and brought her an ice cream sundae and a birthday card signed by Mickey Mouse and the staff of the restaurant.



We saw Ariel (with legs!), Belle, Aurora, Snow White and Cinderella . . . but I think my favorite part of the restaurant was the theming, namely the hanging lamps which all look like jellyfish.


ETA: Since this is a character meal, I HIHGLY recommend making a Priority Seating if you want to eat there. Last time we were there was at the beginning of March and it was PACKED at lunch time.

[chezp]

We ate there in 2006 and really enjoyed our meal there. We had some great character interaction, which included me dancing with one of the princes.

[Lilianna]

Have eaten there. It was many years ago and we got outside seating which was beautiful atmosphere. Lots of character interaction. Didn't get to see Ariel inside (since we were dining outside), but she did pass by as she was leaving. She waved to us and probably would have stopped if we wanted a picture.

We got more action with Pluto while dining. He kept coming back to our table and teasing my son.

I don't know if they take advanced dining reservations. We didn't have any and our wait was only 15 minutes (and this was during lunch time.)

I have pictures, but my computer recently went thru an update and stuff is misplaced. If I can find them, I'll post them and let you know!

[Lilianna]

I couldn't find the pictures on my computer, but I had some developed and I scanned them into Shutterfly. So please excuse the quality, but it will give you some idea about the restaurant. They are all taken outside on the patio dining.

share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AcOG7lyzaMmLMIA

If the link doesn't work, please let me know!

[smilechaser]

Thanks so much everybody. Lilianna, the pics were great! Thanks!

[lisamarie]

My DD, now 12, went to this place in June with her father and her family on that side. Just yesterday, she was telling aaaalllll about how wonderful this restaurant was and described it to me. She was very impressed. If we ever go to California, she wants me to book this for her. So, this is a recomendation from my DD.

[smilechaser]

Originally Posted by lisamarie

My DD, now 12, went to this place in June with her father and her family on that side. Just yesterday, she was telling aaaalllll about how wonderful this restaurant was and described it to me. She was very impressed. If we ever go to California, she wants me to book this for her. So, this is a recomendation from my DD.

Tell her Thank You! I have 4 DD's myself and this really helps!

[tjam]

Have dined there twice with DD 4 & 2...they certainly love the interaction with the princesses...theming is beautiful. Would definitely recommend advanced reservations. I'll post some pictures in the next week from our recent trip from the Disneyland Half Marathon trip we made last month...

[Meggera]

Ariel's Grotto is fantastic! People have described it very well. You can see pictures of it in my TR at Sing with me...California Here We Come! Days 7 & 8, updated 12/20, page 10. We celebrated my DDs birthday lunch there. The character interaction with the princesses was great!

[Lilianna]

Great pictures, Laura!