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Disney From The Twenty-Something: Be Our Guest Restaurant

Caitlin CorselloWhen the announcement for New Fantasyland® was made, guests seemed to be most excited for the opportunity to dine in the Beast’s Castle on decadent French inspired cuisine. Upon completion, Be Our Guest Restaurant became an instant hit by combining delicious food and the opulence of royal dining. During my last trip to Walt Disney World® in September, I was able to obtain a dinner reservation at Be Our Guest, and it was one of the best meals of the entire vacation. So, let’s see just what makes the newest Magic Kingdom® Park dining location so amazing.

Be Our Guest Restaurant is located in the back of New Fantasyland® and can be accessed by crossing a large stone bridge towards a large hill upon which the Beast’s Castle is nestled. Along the walkway there are gargoyles, waterfalls, trees and plants, and a grand set of gates bearing a crest. Once passing through the gate, there are giant stone lions guarding the main door to the restaurant. Inside the restaurant, there are three rooms in which guests can dine: the West Wing, Main Ballroom, and Rose Room. The Main Ballroom is where the iconic dancing scene from the movie Beauty and the Beast took place, and it is absolutely beautiful. There are floor to ceiling windows along the back of the room which offer sweeping views of the French countryside at night. Above, there is a massive chandelier which our waiter informed us didn’t actually fit in the door when it was delivered! It had to be taken apart and reassembled once inside, but it was definitely worth the trouble as it adds a real sense of grandeur.

Caitlin CorselloThe West Wing offers a moodier dining experience, but also offers the chance to glimpse the enchanted rose from the movie. Amid the ripped wallpaper and decorations, there is also a portrait in the corner of Prince Adam which bears the markings of the Beast’s claws. Occasionally, lightening will strike in the West Wing. When it does, be sure to pay attention to that portrait as it changes to the Beast with each lightening flash.

Over in the Rose Room, guests are offered a glimpse into the life that Belle and the Beast share after the end of the movie. There are portraits of the happy pair going about their everyday lives and enjoying some of the opportunities the castle has to offer. In the middle of the room there is a larger than life music box which was gifted to the pair by Maurice. It featured Belle and the Beast in their outfits from the famous ballroom scene forever twirling to the music. In addition to the three main dining rooms, there is a small hallway which has several suits of armor on display. As you pass through this room, listen closely as the suits like to talk to each other occasionally.

While the environment at Be Our Guest is amazing, the real star is the food! This is the first restaurant in WDW to utilize a rather unique way of offering up meals. Lunch is offered Quick-Service style, with guests being able to walk in and order their meals from a touch screen located in the hallway with the suits of armor. Guests are then asked to choose a seat in one of the dining rooms, and their meals are delivered to them. Even though lunch is a Quick-Service meal, the food is top notch and there are numerous options to choose from. Such offerings include French Onion Soup, Potato Leek Soup, Tuna Nicose Salad, Quinoa Salad, Vegetable Quiche, Carved Turkey Sandwich, Croque Monsieur, Braised Pork, Lemon-Raspberry Cream Puff, Triple Chocolate Cheesecake, Strawberry Cream Cheese Cupcake, Lemon Meringue Cupcake, and a Tropical Fruit Cream Puff. Talk about some amazing options for a Quick-Service meal! Since the food is so delicious, lunch has become a very popular meal at Be Our Guest so be sure to get in line early to avoid having to wait a long time for your lunch.

Caitlin CorselloWhile lunch is offered as a Quick-Service meal, dinner at Be Our Guest is a full Table-Service meal. As with lunch, it is an extremely popular place to dine so guests should make their Advanced Dining Reservations as early as possible. The dinner menu builds upon the lunch offerings, and just thinking about it makes my mouth water. Some of the dining options include Assorted Cured Meats and Sausages, Mussels Provincial, Seasonal Salad Trio, Thyme Scented Pork Rack Chop, Chicken Breast Provincial, Pan-Seared Salmon on Leek Fondue, Grilled Strip Steak, Sautéed Shrimp and Scallops, Layered Ratatouille, and Herb-Crusted Lamb Rack. Of those options, I recommend the Lamb Rack – it was absolutely delicious! As for dessert the offerings are the same as lunch. For those looking for the famous “grey stuff” be sure to ask for the Master’s Cupcake which features a chocolate sponge cake topped with the delicacy.

Dinner is also the very first meal offered at any point which can be accompanied by alcohol in the Magic Kingdom. In addition to an extensive menu, there is also a very popular wine and beer menu. There are sparkling, white, red, and dessert wines offered as well as numerous beers including Kronenbourg 1664, Hoegaarden Wit, and Chimay Blue. I would recommend the Flora Springs Chardonnay which features hints of pear, fig, melon, vanilla, and hazelnut.

Caitlin CorselloWell, I don’t know about you but my mouth is watering right now! Not only does Be Our Guest offer extravagant environments and delicious foods, it also is home to a few surprises and details. For guests who enjoy dinner at the restaurant, be sure to take your time as starting at 5pm a special guest greets guests throughout the three dining rooms and then is available for pictures after finishing your meal. There are also several Hidden Mickeys to be found, the first being located on the far right suit of armor. The second is actually one that was pointed out to us by our server at the beginning of our meal. On the ceiling of the Main Ballroom there are whimsical clouds painted with a pink background. Along the edge of the painted area near the main entrance, there is a Hidden Minnie to be found among the clouds (look for her bow!).

From being able to step into the beloved movie to decadent food and the chance to enjoy a glass of wine in the Magic Kingdom, Be Our Guest Restaurant has become a massive hit in Disney Dining. If you haven’t had the opportunity to dine there yet, be sure to stop by for lunch or try and get a reservation for dinner on your next vacation. Trust me, you’ll love it!

(*Photos are from the author’s collection.)

Have you had the chance to dine at Be Our Guest yet? If not, what are you looking forward to the most? What meal sounds the most delicious? Be sure to let me know by leaving a comment below, I would love to hear from you!

Caitlin Corsello was born and raised in New York. She graduated from Adelphi University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2012. Her love for Disney started as an infant and has continued to grow with family vacations to Disney parks almost every year since. She holds a particular interest in WDW’s parks and attractions, never passing up an opportunity to visit. She looks forward to continuing to explore and learn about all things Disney and to share that passion with readers.

 

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About Lou Mongello

Lou Mongello is a former attorney who left the practice to pursue his passion, and is now a recognized Disney expert, author, speaker, and host of WDW Radio. Learn more…

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