What is the best time to meet Ariel at Disney World?

Question

The lines are always so long when I have been there (over 1 hour) and my daughter gets too upset in that time, but really wants to meet Ariel. Is there a trick to getting there at the right time/day. Is she at any of the character buffets?

Answer 1

If you go there first thing when it opens, the line will not be that long.  Generally the Grotto opens at 10 am, but it will say on the Times Guide for sure.  Other good times are during the parades or late in the evening.

Answer 2

There is a buffet in EPCOT, in the Worlds that does a princess dinner.

Ariel's Grotto was where we saw here.  

Answer 3

Ariel does appear in her human form at Akershus in Norway at Epcot.  You will also get to see several other princesses at that time.  However, the characters are subject to change, so you can't be certain she will be there.

Your other option is Ariel's Grotto in the Magic Kingdom.  Here she is in mermaid form.  The Grotto opens between 9:45am and 10:00am.  I would head over there at around 9:30am to be sure to see her without a long line of people in front of you.

Answer 4

ourlaughingplace.com

allearsnet.com

disney.go.com

these websites might help you .

Answer 5

Akershus in Norway is the restaurant in Epcot that has meals with the princesses.  However, Ariel didn't used to be among them because she's a mermaid.   It was usually Sleeping Beauty (Aurora), Snow White, Belle, and Jasmine.  You have to go to Ariel's Grotto to meet her.  A Disney cast member told me she couldn't attend character meals because of being a mermaid.  I asked about why she couldn't show up in her wedding dress, and the cast member said that question had been posed many times, but there had been no change.  I guess it makes sense, because once she transformed from a mermaid to a human she could not change back.  They can't have her with fins and legs, so she's a mermaid and can't walk around restaurants.  

I would think that the best time to meet Ariel is to check ahead of time when the grotto opens and go first thing, even if you have to backtrack to other attractions.  I'd pick a day that Magic Kingdom doesn't have early Extra Magic Hours, because there'll be all those people in the park bevore opening time.  I would suggest checking what the Unofficial Guide to Disney World has to say about this, because they've studied every attraction and have the best info on how to minimize wait time.

Answer 6

If you make reservations for a character diner, the characters will visit each table. However, you will want to call Disney for reservations, and ask which restaurant would be best. There is gonna be a line, I went in January, and waited only about 35 minutes to see Belle, Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty in Mikey's toon town fair at the Magic Kingdom. I didn't know what princess's I'd be meeting until I saw them. No harm in asking around. I would expect that either Hollywood studios or Epcot would be a more likely location, Hollywood studios has the The Little Mermaid show

I would suggest making reservations for a character diner.

I have a blog about my disney vacation

http://sandramarie-talks.blogspot.com

There will always be a wait. Maybe getting her a little book about Ariel just before the line will help.