Be Our Guest Restaurant Review

Welcome to the first Ratatouille's Restaurant Review! Once a month I will be reviewing a Disney Counter or Table Service Restaurant. I'll give you a little information about the restaurant itself but also give you some tips on what to order.

It's Like You're Really There!

I think Be Our Guest might be one of my favorite Disney restaurants so far; not only does it have a great French-inspired menu but it also has a great atmosphere. This is the only restaurant that offers you a choice of ambiance. You can choose from 3 different rooms: the center, and largest room, is the Ballroom where Belle & the Beast have their iconic dance. The ballroom is very bright and pretty, at the far end of the room you can see a quiet snowy landscape with snow falling gently in the evening light. The room to your left is smaller and slightly creepy; this is the West Wing where the Beast resides. In it you will find shredded tapestries, a slashed portrait of the handsome prince that under the illumination of lightning flashes shows the face of the Beast. In the far corner is the enchanted rose floating in the glass dome. Thunder and lightning rumbles amid some great music. The third room, on your right, is the Portrait Gallery, in the center of which is a 7-foot-tall music box of Belle & the Beast dancing. This room is also well lit and is smaller than the ballroom. Each room has its own fountain drink station, including water, coffee and tea, as well as a silverware cart.

Eat Smart, Eat Cheap

The Park restaurants can be rather pricey but they don't have to be. Over the years ,and many meals in Disney Parks my sister, Lisa, and I have found that ordering off of the Kid's Menu is not only cheaper but a more appropriate portion of food for us. While walking several miles & having a blast acting like a child in the Florida heat does require a significant intake of calories, a heavy meal is unnecessary and usually a waste of money and food. This has been true for several Table Service Restaurants as well as Counter Service Restaurants.

Recently I have enjoyed a couple of lunches here and both times I have ordered off of the Kid's Menu and it was absolutely delicious both times! I can personally attest to the scrumptiousness of the Carved Turkey Sandwich and the Slow-cooked Pork, both of which come with two sides and are reasonably priced at $8.49. The menu doesn't state this but you can choose which sides you would like. Make sure you try the Grey Stuff, it really is quite good!

I have not eaten dinner here yet but the dinner menu (both Entrees and Kids') is more expansive but also more expensive. The dinner menu also offers a decent wine menu and beer selection. Keep in mind that for dinner Be Our Guest becomes a table service restaurant, while at lunch it is still Counter Service. Now this counter service is a little different than your other counter service restaurants; after checking in to your reservation and being directed inside you will give your order to a cast member and pay (or just pay if you pre-ordered your meal). You will then be given a plastic sensor which will help the waitstaff find you amongst the 3 rooms. You are then free to pick your own room and table. This could be harder during more popular dining times as tables will fill up quickly. If you have the option try to reserve an early or later time so that you might miss some of the crowds.

Reservations

This is a great restaurant and as such you want to get reservations at it, if you can. There is a queue for walk-ins but this can be quite long and on a hot Florida day you might not want to wait outside for 30-45 minutes. The reservations are not easy to come by though, you really should call to make a reservation as early as you can. If you're a Disney resort guest then you can reserve 180 days in advance of your arrival day and you can make up to 10 days of Advance Dining Reservations that same day, either online, via the MyDisney Experience App or by calling (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463). For those who aren't staying at a Disney-owned resort, you can still make reservations 180 days in advance but you will have to call or log back in each day at the 180 day mark to make those additional reservations.