[Question] The Bar at Ariel's Grotto and WOC

[blackcauldron]

What's the current situation at Ariel's Grotto in regards to WOC viewing? A few years ago you could pay a cover to watch from the bar. Do they still do that? Is it crowded during the off season? Thinking about going next week and wonder if that's still a good option.

Thanks!

[Disneylandfan67]

Re: The Bar at Ariel's Grotto and WOC

As far as I know they do infact still allow you to watch WOC from the Cove Bar with a small cover charge, how great the viewing is, I am not sure. Hopefully someone can be of more help.

[swampymarsh]

Re: The Bar at Ariel's Grotto and WOC

Thinking about going next week and wonder if that's still a good option.

Thanks!

Have you seen WoC before? It's really worth getting a great view with no one in front of you in the center of Paradise Park, before seeing it from poor views. From the Cove Bar it's ok, like a 4/10 view something ok with since I've seen it many times from the park and now casually watch it with a poor view from other locations.

[DonaldMissingPants]

Re: The Bar at Ariel's Grotto and WOC

the view isn't horrible but you can't really see the projections clearly and you see the show from the side/rear. if it's your first time, get a FP and watch it from where it was designed to be viewed. if you've seen it a billion times and just want to enjoy the dancing fountains and music accompanying your meal/drink, the cove bar is for you

---------- Post added 08-26-2012 at 01:08 AM ----------

Is it crowded during the off season? Thinking about going next week and wonder if that's still a good option.

i went on Thursday and it was moderately crowded. not empty but not crazy summer busy either.

[Malcon10t]

Re: The Bar at Ariel's Grotto and WOC

What's the current situation at Ariel's Grotto in regards to WOC viewing? A few years ago you could pay a cover to watch from the bar. Do they still do that? Is it crowded during the off season? Thinking about going next week and wonder if that's still a good option.

Thanks!

It is not a great view. You basically see the water, and very little of the projections. We have done it from there, but only so we could sit and chat with friends.

As far as crowds, people start staking out the tables about 6pm. We had a hard time getting a table for dinner due to people wanting to get tables for the show. I felt bad for the servers. There was a gentleman taking a table of 6, alone (wife and kids would be there for WoC), while we were a group of 5 at a table for 4. We were having dinner, and during the 65-75 mins we were there, the gentleman didn't order anything except a glass of water.

[blackcauldron]

Re: The Bar at Ariel's Grotto and WOC

Thanks for the help! Wow. That guy at the table alone would have been murdered in NYC. I've seen WOC twice. Want to hit up DCA first tomorrow AM for Carsland and don't know if I should to WOC FP first....thoughts?

[swampymarsh]

Re: The Bar at Ariel's Grotto and WOC

Want to hit up DCA first tomorrow AM for Carsland and don't know if I should to WOC FP first....thoughts?

You can go to CL first for a good reason, to ride Luigi's Flying Tires before gets a line. For an ok reason to get in line for RSR, though because it opens late often you could get in a big line there.

You could get a RSR FP first, or do some non CL rides and get in the RSR FP line by 9:45 to make sure you get a FP.

You can pick up a WoC Blue Zone FP anytime from opening at 9am until at least 11am and possibly later for the first show. If you want to watch from the Yellow Zone you have until mid after noon. After that you will be able to get the FPs for the second show.

[blackcauldron]

Re: The Bar at Ariel's Grotto and WOC

Thank you! It's been a few years since WOC for me, so I guess now it's not mandatory to get in line for even the second show FP at 9am.

[blondiethesounds]

Re: The Bar at Ariel's Grotto and WOC

I wish the Grotto still did the dinner/priority pass thing. I took my mom to dinner there last year and it was fantastic. Service was great and the food was awesome.

[Hot Sauce 1]

Re: The Bar at Ariel's Grotto and WOC

Here is what the view looks like from the Cove Bar. If you can, get a seat as far to the right (when looking at the water) as possible. It is a nice view of the fountains but you cannot see any of the projections.

Tempered Passion... by Ring of Fire Hot Sauce 1, on Flickr