Greetings fellow Mouse Fans!
Since my most recent trip was planned without much notice, I was not able to secure one of the highly coveted dinner reservations for Be Our Guest, the newest restaurant in the Magic Kingdom. If dinner at Be Our Guest is an absolute "Must Do" for your family, then be prepared to make that reservation exactly 180 days in advance, for one of the last nights of your trip to have ANY chance at getting a reservation! But if, like me, you find yourself without a reservation – fear not! There is another option.
At lunch, Be Our Guest is a modified counter service location. No reservation is required but a bit of patience may be! The line forms quickly starting around 10:30, and can get quite long. On our recent visit, we got in line around 11:00 and were told to expect an hour and 15 minute wait! (Our wait was actually about 45 minutes. This seems to be common – Cast Members overinflating wait times.) Don't forget your sunblock as the line offers little to no shade. And if a Cast Member offers you a menu to peruse – TAKE IT! The menu not only helped us choose our meals which expedited things inside but was also employed as shade, fan, and entertainment. On hot days, Cast Members have been known to pass out umbrellas to waiting guests for shade as well but there are not enough for everyone so plan accordingly!
Once inside, you enter the Beast's study and are ushered to a kiosk to place your order. If you have Magic Bands, simply tap your Magic Band to the sensor and begin. I chose the Carved Roast Beef Sandwich, my son the Mickey Meatloaf off the Kids Menu. Once you are done ordering, if you do not have Magic Bands, you will be given a "rose" pager and instructed to find a seat. Your food will find you!
We sat in the dimly-lit West Wing. This was Beast's bedroom in the movie and is the most popular dining room. The effects were quite cool, and the dim lighting was a welcome relief from the cool of the day! There are soda stations in each of the Dining Room, alleviating some of the congestion you find at other counter service locations.
Within minutes, the cart with our food rolled up and we chowed down! My sandwich was very tasty (though I found the bread a bit too much on the crusty side) and my son inhaled his meatloaf before I ever got a chance to taste it, so I guess it was good! We split a "Grey Stuff" cupcake for dessert and you know what? It WAS delicious!
I would not say the experience quite justified the extreme wait times. While I would definitely go back, next time I would be in line earlier and hope for an overcast day.
Be well and make magic wherever you go!
Sara Varney
Travel Planner
The Grey Stuff Cupcake!
