Put Our Service to the Test
By Heather M. Leber
The lights are dim. The atmosphere is an old castle. I’m told the Master is happy we’re here. I look up and see snow falling down outside. It’s been piling on the ground and the night sky paints the picture in deep blues and purples. But yet, I’m in central Florida. Welcome to Be Our Guest Restaurant, a unique dining experience in Walt Disney World’s the Magic Kingdom.
Often considered one of the hardest restaurants to get a reservation at, Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Be Our Guest is an experience not to be missed. Obviously, there are many factors that go into getting a coveted reservation, but in my experience, we did not have a problem booking the restaurant back in 2015. We made our reservation after 6pm MST the day we were eligible for the the Advance Dining Reservations (ADR) for our second week of May vacation.
Dining at Be Our Guest is an experience of a lifetime. I remember when the Disney Corporation announced it’s renovation plans for Fantasyland. The first addition that caught my eye was the concept art for the restaurant. I knew would have to go before I died. It became a bucket list item and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to dine at this restaurant.
Disney has announced some menu changes coming to Be Our Guest to take place at the end of July 2018, however this is my experience as of May 2015. To best sum up the feeling, you are eating in the movie. The design and experience of the restaurant is more than an illusion, it is completely and totally immersive.
When we first arrived we were escorted over a stone bridge, designed to look like it was in need of a little TLC. From there a cast member lead us through huge, wood doors, allowing us access to the castle. Upon entering I saw suites of armor around me as our cast member lead us to our table. Be Our Guest features three dining rooms – the West Wing, the Ballroom and the Rose Gallery. I had the chance to dine in the Ballroom. We were told “the master” was pleased to have us dining with him.
In recent years, some critics have said the food is nothing special and not worth the price. I disagree. The meal I had at Be Our Guest Restaurant was one of the best of the trip – and I didn’t have a bad meal the whole week there. I had opted for the steak. The meat was cooked perfectly and seasoned impeccably. But the biggest draw was the “Grey Stuff.”
I remember receiving the menus at the table. As someone with a tree nut allergy, we checked the allergy friendly box at the time of booking our ADRs. To my dismay the Grey Stuff was not shown on my special menu. I felt my heart sink a little. I had only been talking about trying the Grey Stuff since we decided to go to Walt Disney World nearly a year ago. When it came time for dessert, I asked the cast member if there was any way I could get the Grey Stuff. He said the tree nuts come into play with the pearl garnishes and he would go to the kitchen to see if he could get me one without the pearls. He did!
The dessert was one of the best desserts I’ve ever had. I don’t have to ask the dishes. It really is delicious, just like Lumiere says. It was served on a chocolate tart with a cookies and cream filling – aka the Grey Stuff. It was heavenly. Nearly three years later, I still think about it from time to time and hope to eat it again one day.
Not only does the restaurant offer great food, it also offers an incredible atmosphere. No matter which room you are dining in, you are free to wonder during your meal to see the castle in it’s entirety as well as take photos. The moment I walked into the West Wing made me feel like Belle as she first entered the Beast’s private chamber and saw the rose for the first time. When I was dining in the ballroom, I half expected to hear Mrs. Potts singing a “Tale as Old as Time” while the Beast and Belle danced in their iconic blue suit and yellow dress.
The experience of dining at Be Our Guest Restaurant is not only one of the most unique Disney experiences I’ve had, it’s one of the most unique life experiences I’ve had. For me, it was one of the best meals I’ve had as well as the most immersive experience I’ve enjoyed. Do what you can to take the time to have a meal with the master and enjoy one of the most interesting experiences Walt Disney World has to offer.
You can check out the complete current menu and photo gallery of Be Our Guest Restaurant right here!
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(all articles and opinions in the articles are that of the author and may not reflect the opinion of WDW Kingdom)
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