The Disney Princess:
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I called Disneyland and they confirmed it: Princesses no longer walk freely about Disneyland. There are 2 places to meet them: the Fantasy Faire in Disneyland, and Ariel's Grotto in California Adventure. Here's the scoop on both.
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The Fantasy Faire opened on October 6, 2006. Here's what's going on:
- The Princess Royal Walk
This is where you meet the princesses. You won't know which princesses you'll meet until you get there; a few of them rotate throughout the day.
A whopper of a line forms so get in it as early as possible. The wait is long because each family gets a private visit with the princesses though, so once you're in at least you get their undivided attention.
A tipster named "Y" tells me that it's about a 30-40 minute wait from the end of the first roped off line. So one parent can wait there while the other takes your child to Toon Town, It's a Small World, or the railroad which stops across the way.
You can take your own pictures here or have professional ones taken for around $30.
- Storytelling
Kids and adults sit on the floor on carpet squares and listen to a story told by a princess. A nice cool-down period for everyone.
Tips:
- As you can imagine there is plenty of princess attire for sale. Some smart parents pack a pre-purchased Disney princess dress or tiara and whip it out that day at the park to save a few bucks. But if you want your child to pick out a dress right there, I hear they're actually pretty good quality.
- Strollers are not allowed and must be left in the stroller area outside.
- Wheelchairs and ECVs won't have problems here.
Disney Princess Sighting #2: Ariel's Grotto at California Adventure
This is an ocean-themed restaurant in California Adventure (across from Disneyland) on Paradise Pier. Disneyland's website says, "Delight in learning proper princess etiquette from Ariel's royal friends, like Snow White, Belle, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella." Again with the etiquette! I love it!
I hear the princesses do a great job and really make each girl feel special. Ariel doesn't visit each table but the other princesses do.
The meal is not cheap but part of what you're paying for is the show the princesses put on when they visit your table. And it sure beats waiting in line.
You can take pictures yourself or have a formal photo taken with Ariel for a price.
You need to make reservations a day or so in advance: Call (714) 781-DINE, or (714) 781-3463.
Read the full Ariel's Grotto review with menu and prices.
Bonus: Fairy Sighting!
If you want to meet a Disney Fairie, stop by Pixie Hollow. Newly opened near the Matterhorn, Pixie Hollow is home to Tinker Bell and her friends Silvermist, Iridessa, Fawn and Rosetta.
The idea is to make you feel like you've shrunk to fairy size. The fairies will let you make wishes and tell you little fairy secrets like what makes stars twinkle.
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