Ariel's Grotto facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ariel's Grotto
Meet & Greet with Ariel as it appeared at Disneyland
Disneyland Area Fantasyland Status {{{status}}} Opening date 1996 (1996) Closing date August 17, 2008 (2008-08-17) Replaced Alpine Gardens Replaced by Pixie Hollow
Magic Kingdom Area Fantasyland (Enchanted Forest) Status {{{status}}} Soft opening date October 12, 2012 (2012-10-12) Opening date 1996 (1996) December 6, 2012 (2012-12-06) Closing date April 12, 2010 (2010-04-12) Replaced 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage
Disney California Adventure Area Paradise Pier Status {{{status}}} Opening date February 9, 2001 (2001-02-09) Closing date January 8, 2018 (2018-01-08) Replaced by Lamplight Lounge
Tokyo DisneySea Area Mermaid Lagoon Status {{{status}}} Soft opening date March 14, 2005 (2005-03-14) Opening date April 15, 2005 (2005-04-15) Closing date January 31, 2020 (2020-01-31)
Ride statistics
Attraction type	Meet and greet area (Magic Kingdom, Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland) Restaurant (Disney California Adventure)
Theme	The Little Mermaid
FastPass+ available

Ariel's Grotto was a special place at several Disney parks. It was where you could meet Ariel from the famous Disney movie. At Disney California Adventure, it was also a restaurant.

Ariel's Grotto at Disneyland

This fun grotto was once a colorful spot in Fantasyland at Disneyland. Here, Ariel, in her mermaid form, would meet guests. You could get her autograph and take pictures with her. The area looked like an underwater world. It had starfish, coral, and even waterfalls.

Near the grotto was King Triton's Fountain. It had a soft, sandy play area with jumping fountains. Ariel's Grotto at Disneyland closed on August 17, 2008. The area was then changed into Pixie Hollow. This new attraction lets you meet Disney Fairies among giant plants. It makes you feel as small as a fairy!

Ariel's Grotto at Magic Kingdom

The Ariel's Grotto attraction at Magic Kingdom closed in April 2010. It reopened as part of the New Fantasyland expansion. This new area also included the ride Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid.

The meet-and-greet area is now next to this ride. It is inside a cave, close to Prince Eric's Castle. The area is surrounded by pretty waterfalls and large rock formations.

Ariel's Grotto at Disney California Adventure

Ariel's Grotto, Paradise Pier, Disney California Adventure in 2010.

Ariel's Grotto at Disney California Adventure was a restaurant. It had an "under the sea" theme. Here, you could enjoy a special meal called Character Dining. This meant you could eat with Ariel and other Disney Princesses.

The restaurant was located on Paradise Pier. It served American, healthy, and vegetarian food options. Ariel's Grotto closed on January 8, 2018. It was replaced by the Lamplight Lounge. This new restaurant opened with Pixar Pier on June 23, 2018.

Ariel's Grotto at Tokyo DisneySea

Ariel's Greeting Grotto was a place to meet characters at Tokyo DisneySea. It was originally planned to close on March 31, 2020. However, it closed earlier on January 31, 2020. This early closure was due to the coronavirus outbreak.