UPDATE: Please note that as of February 25, 2015, FastPass+ is no longer available, as Be Our Guest Restaurant began to accept Advanced Dining Reservations for lunch. For further information, please click here.
I had an awesome weekend in Disneyland, but today I’m headed to New Fantasyland with a lunch review of Be Our Guest Restaurant in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!
The restaurant has taken the park by storm. Even after being open for more than a year, it’s still one of the top draws in New Fantasyland. If you want to eat lunch here, be prepared for long lines!
But on a recent visit to Walt Disney World, I had a little surprise awaiting me in my email inbox — the opportunity to use FastPass+ for a lunch reservation at Be Our Guest. No way was I passing up the opportunity to eat lunch here without waiting in line. Come along with me across the bridge to the Beast’s Castle!
Atmosphere
We first told you about the FastPass+ system a while back, when Erin Foster had the opportunity to test it out.
Be Our Guest Restaurant
Erin found the whole process to be practically flawless. So I was anxious to see if they had streamlined it even further since that early testing phase.
Booking the FastPass+ reservation was similar to making a regular advance dining reservation. I thought the FastPass+ option for Be Our Guest was still an invite-only opportunity, but if you see the comment by a reader below, it looks like anyone with a resort reservation can book it. I haven’t tried, so let us know what your mileage is.
Once I’d logged in at the special website, I was offered several different times to dine. The time window works like a regular FastPass — you have a specific window of time in which to show up and use your FastPass. I chose a late lunchtime, but I was really hoping for an early option.
And here’s a TIP: I preferred an earlier dining time, so I checked back the next morning and an earlier spot had opened up! So be sure to secure a table, any table. There’s a good chance you can change your time later. In fact, you can change your time up until arrival.
Choosing the Time for Your FastPass+ Reservation is Easy
I took advantage of the opportunity to order online. The menu that popped up looked similar to the ones I had used during my previous lunch visit.
I could even make alterations to the entrees — leave off a sauce, for instance — and the menu would show me the nutritional information changes for different choices.
Ordering an Entree Via FastPass+
I could even pre-order drinks and desserts.
FastPass+ Dessert Ordering!
On the day of my reservation, I arrived a little early and checked in at the same spot where you confirm your dinner advance dining reservation. The cast member gave me a rose — the customary red one, not the yellow ones that were used during earlier testing — and directed me to a FastPass+ line that was right beside the regular line.
Be Our Guest Restaurant Check-In Area
And speaking of lines, they’re still long. Real long. Like, back to The Little Mermaid long. It was spring break though, so I’m hoping it’s not always so crazy.
But if you really want to eat here, be encouraged by the fact that the line generally moves pretty quick. It took about 30 minutes for me to get in the last time from the back of the bridge.
Line to get in to Be Our Guest Restaurant for Lunch
Once in, I went to the podium via the FastPass+ line and was directed to a regular pay kiosk. The cast member confirmed my order and I paid there.
Cast Members Help Guests with Ordering
It’s important to note that I could have changed anything or everything about my order at this point — from my selections, to leaving some of the trimmings off of my sandwich.
Normally, I show you the menus closer to the food, but the ordering process is a little different at Be Our Guest, so let’s take a look at them here.
Main Menu — Click to Enlarge
You can also read up on the way things work here if you’re still a little confused 🙂
Desserts and How Things Work at Be Our Guest — Click to Enlarge
If you aren’t visiting Be Our Guest for lunch via a FastPass+ invitation, you will still be directed to a cast member or kiosk to place your order.
Banner Over Ordering Kiosk
Kiosk Where You Place Your Order
At that time, you’ll be given your rose.
Rose That Tells My Food Where to Find Me
And this is where the two experiences meet up! From there, I went to the drink station, which is self-serve during lunch.
Drink Station
Don’t you love the fancied up fountain drink station?
Drink Station — Up Close
I’ve mentioned it before, but it bears repeating. Real silverware and plates make a Be Our Guest lunch just a little more special. Pick up your flatware, napkins, and condiments on the way to your table.
Silverware Trolleys
During lunch you have your choice of places to sit. You can choose the beautifully themed but extremely loud Ballroom.
Ceilings in Ballroom
But if you decide to pass, at least look around — especially at the snow outside!
Dancing Snow Outside of Be Our Guest Ballroom
With its lower ceilings, the West Wing is much quieter. But because of the incredible themeing here in the Beast’s lair, it will probably be crowded. (There wasn’t a single table available on my visit this time.)
West Wing Dining Area
Still, duck in long enough to catch a glimpse of the Master’s portrait as he slowly transforms from Prince to Beast!
Watch Closely — The Prince Morphs into the Beast when Enchanted Rose Petals Fall
This is where you’ll find the Enchanted Rose as well.
Enchanted Rose
I chose to sit in the Rose Gallery this time, however. This room is used mostly for lunchtime crowds, although sometimes it’s used at dinner during busy times.
While other rooms in the restaurant are brought to life straight from the film Beauty and the Beast, the Rose Gallery is not. But it has a story of its own. (Of course it does!)
Music Box and Chandelier in The Rose Gallery
The enormous, rotating music box that dominates the room is said to be a gift from Belle’s father, Maurice, to the happy couple.
Eats
It wasn’t long after I found a table that my rose worked its magic, and my food found me. It’s delivered to your table via these beautiful, glass-covered carts.
Food Delivery Cart
I began with the Potato Leek Soup. The classic dish is surprisingly light, yet flavorful. It’s been good since the restaurant opened, and I still highly recommend it at both lunch and dinner.
Potato Leek Soup
We also tried the Carved Prime Chuck Roast Beef Sandwich which comes with a side of crispy Frites. This replaced the steak sandwich, which was on the original BoG lunch menu.
Carved Prime Chuck Roast Beef Sandwich
Served on a warm, crusty Baguette, it’s topped with a Horseradish Cream Sauce that wasn’t overpowering. In fact, I could barely taste it.
Carved Prime Chuck Roast Beef Sandwich — Cross Section
Overall, this sammy was less than incredible. I likely wouldn’t order it again. However…
…even though I had enjoyed it before, I couldn’t pass up another chance to try the incredible Braised Pork. The dish is so rich and tender that it’s practically impossible to believe that you’re eating at a counter service restaurant while you enjoy it.
Braised Pork
The potatoes are great. The green beans are crispy and perfect. Seriously, this dish is a winner every time.
Now, on to dessert! We began with the Master’s Cupcake — this was my first time trying it!
Moist, Chocolate Cake is crowned and filled with a healthy helping of The Grey Stuff — except not really. You see, The Grey Stuff originally was a whipped Cookies and Cream Panna Cotta…and maybe it still is when it comes out as a special event dessert. But this topping was much lighter and more “whipped creamy” than the panna cotta was on my first few visits.
The Master’s Cupcake
Maybe I’m wrong — I’m sure some cast members will let me know if it’s the exact same recipe as before — but this seems like a cheaper, thinner version of the original. Anyone have any info on that?
But I also tried the Strawberry Cream Cheese Cupcake — a favorite of mine for its awesome cream cheesy frosting, of course! This one is a must-try.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Cupcake
But we had also heard rave reviews about the Chocolate Cream Puff. So of course, I had to try it as well.
Chocolate Cream Puff
Filled with airy Chocolate Mousse, it was the perfect ending to a rich meal.
Chocolate Cream Puff — Cross Section
And with that, another excellent meal at Be Our Guest was in the books!
Overall
Be Our Guest Restaurant continues to be an excellent addition to Magic Kingdom’s lunch offerings, and I really enjoyed the enhanced experience of the FastPass+ option for lunch. It was great to be able to plan ahead, but still have some flexibility. With the option to change my mind about any part of my order when I arrived, and the option to change my dining time, I felt like it was the best of both worlds.
If you haven’t had the chance to eat at Be Our Guest yet, really, carve out some time and do it soon. It such a beautifully, immersive experience. And the food is incredible, too!
And absolutely, if you have the chance to try out FastPass+, don’t pass it up.
Would you love the chance to try FastPass+ for Be Our Guest lunch? Leave a comment below and tell us your thoughts!
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Alyssa,
When you say reserve as soon as your days open, when is that? The 180 days before like all dinner reservations or only 1 month before the trip?
I was able to log in and see the reservation but it says “no fast pass available ”
Thank you
Annie,
It’s opening one day at a time, and as of today should be open through to June 12th or 13th. It’s approximately one month in advance, but that’s also recently changed (before, it would open on/around the 15th of the month for the following month), so it may change again. If your trip is further ahead than June 13th, it won’t show that any are available at this point.
Hope this answers your question!
I booked a Fastpass+ for lunch at BoG for our January trip and found it was flawless! I never received an email invitation, but found the booking website through a google search (maybe on the DIS boards?). I booked it and held my breath when we checked in, as I wasn’t sure it would actually work. We were, in fact, booked for lunch and got to walk past the huge line! The food was wonderful and we really enjoyed the atmosphere. Huge timesaver! Highly encourage a fastpass+ for this! By the way, it did not count as one of our 3 ride or attraction fastpass+ selections! Also, it did not appear on our My Disney Experience itinerary at all. I printed out the confirmation page after booking just in case there was a problem.
One of our new favorite restaurants! We’ve been for lunch using fastpass+ and dinner using the ADR and both were excellent! And meeting the Beast at dinner is an extra treat. Wonderful atmosphere and awesome food! A++++++
I just wanted to let everyone know that when I originally received my email invite, there were no FP+ available. But I kept logging onto the site for the past 4 days and last night a FP+ popped up for me on the day I really wanted. So, keep trying. Maybe they release only so many per day 🙂
I too received the FP+ email for the BOG lunch test. I have tried everyday since I received the email to book a reservation and it continues to say their are no fastpasses available for any of the days. How frustrating!
Tiffany….
When are you going??? Looking for a glimmer of hope- I keep trying everyday for my may trip and so far still nothing available 🙁
So I just got my special invite Sunday and its saying that no days are avaialbe for my trip which is May 11th thru the 16TH…Do you think some will become available and that disney just has not released the times yet for those days?
Thanks,
Jai
Thank you Alyssa 🙂
Yes my trip is only in October so I’ll try every month or so!!!
So glad I found this site, it’s an amazing source of info 🙂
BIG Thanks to the people who created this blog !!
How long do you have to wait to get the invite to try fast pass to Be Our Guest Restaurant? I wrote a comment that I would be interested in trying. I have not gotten a invite yet 🙁 We are going to Disney the first week in June. I hope I am doing this right? I really would love to surprise my family member for her birthday that we are eating there. Thank you for your help.
Don’t wait until you receive the invitation! Book it as soon as your day becomes available! Early May is most likely already full, and it’s now open to book through to approximately June 14th.
Alyssa, where can I do it?
https://beourguestlunch.disney.go.com/
You need to log in to your Disney account and enter your resort confirmation number which is 12 digits all numbers. Good luck!
And remember to print out your confirmation because it does not appear anywhere else in your account!
Thank you everyone for your help! I was able to get the date I wanted!!!
Lisa….
My trip is May 9 – 15. I received the email last Friday, April 11th (exactly 4 weeks prior to arrival). No FP+ were available until I went online last night at 11pm. I don’t know if they release a few per day or if someone canceled or if going on at night was better bc of less activity on the site???? I’m not exactly sure but keep trying!!! 🙂
This is just my 2nd trip, but both have confirmation #s that are 8 characters in the format of number, 2 letters, 5 numbers. Where do I find the 12 digit conf to use on the BoG reservation page??? TIA!
Tiffany- thanks, my trip is exact same dates so at least maybe there is hope 🙂
I read about the fastpass for lunch dining on a blog/forum and logged on to the special site for lunch FPs at https://beourguestlunch.disney.go.com. This was not the same site I have frequented for My Disney Experience. I used my regular username/pass but had to enter my resort res# and then it recognized me and my party, but the avatars I had selected did not show. I proceeded to “secure” a FP and completed the transaction, or so I thought. No email confirmation generated as one did for all other dining reservations I have made through MDE and there was no confirmation number on the final screen. I thought nothing about this until a few days later when I viewed my itinerary, FPs, and dining reservations. The FP for BOG lunch was noplace to be found. And, I didn’t make a note of the day and time I had booked (assuming I would receive an email and l would be fine). I wasn’t even sure where I had actually been to make the FP. I phoned Guest Relations today and four CMs later, was connected to a website specialist who could not see my FP either and explained that the new FP reservation program for BOG was still in testing. He graciously tried to dig deeper and reach someone in the IT Dept to verify whether or not I actually had a FP. After a lengthy hold, he gave me the direct tel for BOG and assured me that they would be able to see the FP. We hung up and I tried the magic number. The CM at BOG seemed very alarmed that I was even able to book a FP, asked me how I knew about the feature, if I was a resort guest, did I receive an email invitation??? I have not received an email invite to date. She wanted details as to whether or not my accommodations were paid in full and if I could still cancel without penalty (I was only required to pay a deposit and balance at check-in). She explained that from what her Super told to her is that only FPs booked through the email invitation link are valid and that my FP will be purged from the system. Her understanding is that only select guests who are under their cancel with penalty window (as in no backing out of their trip now) actualy receive an invite and can successfully secure a FP for lunch reservations. I don’t mean to scare those who did the same as me, but this is what I was told. Having lunch at BOG is not a do or die event for me, but at least I know now not to get my 3yo daughter’s hopes up. I’ll wait to see what happens, if anything, between now and check-in on 5/02/14.
@Kelli & @ AJ THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS TOLD BY DVC MEMBER SERVICES. The BOG FP is BY INVITATION ONLY. Didn’t anyone find it shady that it doesn’t pop up in their FP MDE like all other and dining or resort reservations? I tried it before realizing what was going on and prior to my FP window, I couldn’t do anything, but now I technically have a FP for lunch, but I don’t thnk its legit. I’m only one person though, I don’t have to worry about disappointing little ones or finding a meal for a large party.
AJ if you have any updates as to this, that wouldbe GREAT!
We were there last August and got to try the fast pass at lunch. We loved it. We ate in the west wing but we never got a chance to see the rose room
My husband loved the pork. I would love the recipe. He had the strawberry cupcake and I had the cream puff. We loved them both.
Would love to eat at this venue when we visit in October. I hope you change your policy to allow those not staying in a Disney Resort the opportunity to use FastPass+ before our visit!
I’m not sure where I originally read about the option of getting a fast pass for lunch. I followed the link to https://beourguestlunch.disney.go.com and was able to login using my disney experience login. At first my reservation number wouldn’t work, so I called Disney. When I asked if the fast pass was legit, I was told it was only for guest staying on property. I do have a meal plan, but I’m not sure if that makes a difference. The reason my number was not working is that I was using my reservation number linked to my hotel. I needed the number from my magic bands, which I found under the tab on MDE. My fast pass does not show up on MDE, but I can see it by logging back into the restaurant website. I really hope this does work.
What if you book a wdw hotel and tix but not from wdw.com?
I know I am a little late coming in on this, but I do not have a 12 digit confirmation number either. My confirmation number is a combination of numbers and letters and 8 characters long. I know people have said look at your magic bands or go to the magic bands page on MDE and get that 12 digit number, but the number on my magic band page is the same as my number/letter confirmation number. Any ideas?
Tammy – go to My Disney Experience and find where it says Online Check-in. Hover (don’t click) on Online Check-in. A URL will pop up. The string of digits at the end of that URL is the number you need to enter for the BOG fastpass. Hope this works for you!
We will be there July 20th of this year and would love to get a fastpass for lunch. Please
I just posted that we will be there July 20th of this year but forgot to mention we are a party of 5.
When you book Fast Pass+ lunch do you still have to wait in the 30 minute line?
Sonia — If you don’t automatically receive an invitation to try FastPass, you may want to scroll up through reader comments here for some great suggestions about how you may request a FastPass for lunch at Be Our Guest
Rob — No, the FastPass allows you to bypass the line, much like it does when you use the service for a ride.
Sonya, use the links above to get your party a fastpass. I was able to get one for me plus seven. We checked in to the left of the all-the-way-out-to-the-main-walkway line, and they gave me an RFID rose and sent me to the doorway of the restaurant. It was still about five minutes of waiting, but it was worth it! I had preordered two meals, but the self-order kiosk let me start over completely.
I have been trying for months to get this fast pass. I am looking to get one for 4 on July 10th. Every time is try it just keeps say “no fast passes available try a different day”. We are staying on property and I put in our reservation # and it still doesn’t work! Frustrating!
@Rob no you don’t have to wait in the standby line. You bypass the line, but will have to wait to order your food at the kiosks (max of 10 minutes, usually).
@Donna it hasn’t opened that far ahead yet, it’s only into early July at the moment. It’s generally around the 30 day mark, but recently has been a bit less. Keep checking and it should open up within a few more days
I was able to use the link above to book fastpass for Jan ’14, I did not receive invite. Even though it did not show up in my regular fastpasses, when I checked in I had no issues and had no wait to go in.
My family of 9 is going in November 2014, when should I try to get a fastpass for Be our guest? Looks like it isn’t possible until closer to 30 days from trip?
I received the email invitation a couple of weeks ago but there were no options available during my stay. I checked again and there were a few options available! It shoes my husband, son ad myself but not my mother. We booked her reservation through Delta Vacations and while we’ve been able to link her reservation to my MDE account it did not show her on this reservation. It did however allow me to order 3 full adult meals with the dining plan. I plan to call BOG before the trip and confirm our FP for 3 people will still work for 3 + a high chair.
We’re going to WDW over 4th of July and reservations for meals in Magic Kingdom have been near importable to get. I’m so happy we can dine in BOG without waiting in a huge line!
June 22nd and still no fast passes available for July 10th. Am I doing something wrong? Any suggestions appreciated. Thanks
I tried to do this today but was unable because I do not know my reservation number. What number do I use? I tried my resort confirmation number but did not work because it has letters as well as numbers in it. Also, can I do this before my actual date of Oct. 30 for Fast Pass availability? We are going Dec. 29.
We just received an e-mail from Disney today asking us if we wanted to try the fast pass dining option for Be Our Guest. It has to come from the My Disney Experience information, because it had the information about our family of 7. I am excited to try it, we will be there August 3rd.
Yes, I would like to try the fast pass for “Be Our Guest” lunch….I ate there last year and had to wait in line for quite awhile….I am traveling this year with my son and his family which makes us 3 adults and 3 children….2nd week of September….
Melissa’s advice worked like a charm.
Melissa
June 7, 2014 at 12:05 pm
Tammy – go to My Disney Experience and find where it says Online Check-in. Hover (don’t click) on Online Check-in. A URL will pop up. The string of digits at the end of that URL is the number you need to enter for the BOG fastpass. Hope this works for you!
Thanks!
I made a reservation for lunch for next week, but it would only let me make it for a party of 3. We are going to be a party of 4. Do you think they’ll give me a hard time or turn me away over the extra person?
Kim — You’ll likely be fine, but they do reserve the right to turn away.
Hi Kim, You should be fine. We had the same issue when we went in June. I just told them what had happened and they just changed it and they let us go in with no problem.
Kim, they won’t give you a hard time. You can even select the meals for 4 people even if the reservation is only for three. We booked my mom separately so she wasn’t on our reservation. I still ordered her good ahead of time. We went right in, found ourselves a table. I was worried for a few minutes bc we were never given a rose pager thing. Turns out they’ve made advancements and if you have a Magic Band “Mrs Potts” keeps track of you from the kitchen with it. It was so great.
One note from our experience, the darker room with the Princes portrait and the Rose was perfect for our family. I had an overheated and cranky toddler. The room was small, quiet and soothing for him. Much better option for us than the larger more bustling rooms.
Opinion Question….
Doing Be Our Guest for dinner, I fully understand the rooms do not transform or anything for dinner but is it worth also doing lunch?
Not necessarily for the food, but for the surroundings.
I guess what I am asking is can you move more freely to take pictures while it’s in counter service mode vs table service mode?
Hello. So those of you who booked BOG FP for lunch by using the 12 digit number
without having an email invite, have successfully FP the BOG lunch?
I read the same suggestion of hovering on another site, was curious if it has worked.
Tuck, yes, it works! No problems at all. I did print out my confirmation fully prepared to prove that I had a FP reservation if needed, but I did not need to present it. They had our reservation in the system by my name. SO WORTH IT!
I ‘really like to a have the chance to take a FP for the lunch and I’m sure I’m gone a have one because it’ s the magic of Disney !