Is there any image more iconic in all of Walt Disney World than Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle?

Believe or not, there IS another place in Magic Kingdom that comes pretty darn close. It’s the Beast’s Castle in Fantasyland, and — much like Cinderella Castle — it is home to a uniquely themed dining experience that has become a must-do for many guests visiting Walt Disney World.

Today we’re chatting about Cinderella’s Royal Table AND Be Our Guest Restaurant — quite possibly the most popular restaurants in ALL of Walt Disney World. We’re excited to bring you into not one, but TWO CASTLES today. So if you’re trying to choose between both of these sought-after experiences, we hope to shine a little light on the differences between the two so you can know which might best suit your traveling group.

So, are you ready to step into a castle or two? Let’s go!

Castle to Castle: Theme and Atmosphere

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Let’s start with what most people consider to be THE Castle: Cinderella Castle is the world-famous landmark right at the end of Main Street, U.S.A., and home to Cinderella’s Royal Table!

You think the OUTSIDE of Cinderella Castle is stunning? Well, you’re certainly not wrong about that.

Fortunately, the inside is every bit as grand!

From the moment you step inside, the setting is every inch the classic fairy tale Castle.

And, in fact, the experience starts in the presence of Disney Royalty: with a greeting and photo opp with Cinderella herself in the Grand Hall!

Next, you ascend a winding staircase, complete with stained glass capturing the Princess as she appears in the Disney animated classic film, Cinderella.

And finally, it’s time for the big reveal of the Banquet Hall!

All in all…

… it’s not too shabby.

Take a Photo Tour of Cinderella’s Royal Table here!

Be Our Guest Restaurant

Now we’ll wind our way from classic Fantasyland (which has been open since the park itself opened on October 1, 1971) to the area that was deemed “New Fantasyland” when it opened in 2012.

This section of the park includes more recent additions — well, more recent than 1971, in any case 😉 — such as Storybook Circus, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Enchanted Tales with Belle. It is also where you’ll encounter a path that leads guests into the Beast’s Castle… otherwise known as Be Our Guest Restaurant!

Unlike Cinderella Castle’s well-known exterior which leaves little doubt as to what kind of styling you might find inside, the way that leads to the Beast’s Castle offers hardly a clue as to what you’ll encounter beyond the gray gargoyles and behind the gates.

That’s what makes entering The Grand Ballroom all the more breathtaking!

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: walking into the Grand Ballroom, with its gorgeous chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows, and golden accents is like walking INTO the Beauty and the Beast film.

It’s remarkable. And did I mention it’s also ENCHANTED?

Those gorgeous windows allow you to view gently falling snow as you dine. But that’s just one feature. Enchanted touches find their way to the West Wing, as well.

Entrance into the West Wing, as the Beast himself would tell you, is FORBIDDEN!! Unless you’re seated there by your host or hostess, of course. Then you’re all clear. 😉

This is where you’ll find the Enchanted Rose, dropping its petals and reminding the Beast of his potential fate…

A clap of thunder and flash of lightning may be accompanied by a glimpse of the Beast in the ripped portrait of the Prince.

Many guests, actually, prefer the mystique of the West Wing over sitting in The Grand Ballroom. Then finally we have… The Rose Gallery.

The centerpiece presents a larger-than-life music box featuring a dancing Belle and Beast.

The walls are covered with portraits capturing moments and memories of the inhabitants of the Beast’s Castle!

Aaaaand that’s about it. Look, I’m not saying The Rose Gallery isn’t lovely in its way. What I am saying, though, is that compared to the Grand Ballroom and the West Wing, it is simply… well, less enchanting.

And it does makes sense… or at least, it DID, given that the Rose Gallery was initially only used to seat guests during the previous Counter Service lunch, which is no longer available (at least, at this time). The Rose Gallery wasn’t originally intended to be part of the full Table Service dining experience (which is currently the only style of dining that Be Our Guest offers). It just doesn’t hold one of Lumiere’s candles in comparison to the other two rooms, and to some guests being seated here may be something of a disappointment from what they had in mind.

Castle Comparison

As you can see, at the Beast’s Castle, there is a bit of chance involved when it comes to seating atmosphere (though a few of our readers have had luck being able to state a preference, but also noted that this resulted an extra wait at an already busy restaurant). At Cinderella’s Royal Table, on the other hand, all guests are seated in the Banquet Hall no matter what, and it’s a stunner.

If you can’t miss those enchanted touches or can’t resist the opportunity to practically step inside Beauty and the Beast, then you may opt for Be Our Guest. If you prefer the sure thing when it comes to setting, though, Cinderella’s Royal Table may be a better fit for you.

Either way, the stunning settings are primary reasons why these two restaurants land in our list of the Best Restaurants in Magic Kingdom. (You can learn about the Best Restaurants in Disney World here, while you’re at it!)

Overall Experience: Character Meal vs. Character Appearance

Okay, there is a VERY IMPORTANT differentiation between the character encounters at these two dining locations. Cinderella’s Royal Table is a complete Character Meal.

This means that while you dine, Disney characters approach your table, chat with your group, pose for pictures, sign autographs, and offer hugs.

There is true interaction with the characters, and here at the Royal Table, those characters are none other than DISNEY PRINCESSES!

The Royalty rotates here, but in the past we’ve met the likes of Snow White, Princess Aurora, Ariel, Jasmine, and more!

Be Our Guest Restaurant, on the other hand, is NOT a Character Meal. However, a character does make an appearance: it’s THE BEAST himself!

Guests can see The Beast in productions like Fantasmic! And Beauty and the Beast — Live on Stage (both in Disney’s Hollywood Studios). But, save for the very rare occasions when he may stop by EPCOT’s France pavilion for a bit of fresh air, this guy is fairly impossible to catch up close. So seeing him at Be Our Guest is certainly a boon.

But we must emphasize the word “appearance.” The Beast strolls through the various rooms so guests can see him at one point during their meal. There are no individual table meet and greets or posing for photos — at least, not at this time. Prior to the temporary closure of Disney World in 2020, guests DID get to meet the Beast and pose for a photo with him after their meal. However, that photo opportunity has not yet returned as part of the experience.

Castle Comparison

What you’re weighing in this category is the chance to see a rare character versus the chance to truly interact with SEVERAL Disney Princesses. True, there are plenty of places in the parks and at other Character Meals where you can meet one or more of the Princesses (including Story Book Dining at Artist Point and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in EPCOT). But between the two options we’re discussing here, those looking for a genuine character experience will want to book Cinderella’s Royal Table over Be Our Guest. (No offense, Beast.)

On the flipside, even though we truly believe that Character Meals aren’t just for kids or any specific age of guest, perhaps they simply aren’t your preference. (We even have some readers who have shared some of their “fails” meeting characters at Cinderella’s Royal Table… but really, they’re pretty much fun and cute stories that have become entertaining memories.) If that’s the case for you, Be Our Guest is your better fit.

Our readers share their Character Experiences at Cinderella’s Royal Table HERE!

Either way, this should come under consideration when you consider the overall value of the experience for you. As will our next category…

Cuisine of the Castles: Food

What do guests dine on in each castle? While both Cinderella’s Royal Table and Be Our Guest Restaurant are Signature Dining experiences featuring prix-fixe options, the menus and even mealtime options differ, so let’s dig in.

Be Our Guest Restaurant

For this round, we’re starting with Be Our Guest Restaurant, because it serves only Lunch and Dinner featuring the same prix-fixe menu at each.

The French cuisine is presented in three courses, starting with each guest’s choice of appetizer from options such as French Onion Soup, Escargot de Bourgogne, Duck and Pork Terrine, and Potato-Leek Soup for adults. 

For children (guests ages 3 to 9), the Appetizer options include an Iceberg Wedge Salad, House-made Peach Applesauce, or a Fruit and Cheese Plate.

Each guest chooses their own entree.

Adults may select from options such as a Duroc Pork Chop, Trout Amandine, a plant-based Vadouvan-spiced Vegetables, Roasted Poulet Rouge Chicken, and a Center-cut Filet Mignon.

Kids can choose an entree from Grilled Beef Tenderloin, Pan-seared Chicken Breast, or House-made Macaroni & Cheese with a choice of two sides including kid-friendly options like French Fries, Green Beans, and more.

Each guest at the table receives the Dessert Trio plated with a Lemon Jam Macaron, a Dark Chocolate Truffle, and a Chocolate Tart. (Plant-based eaters may request a Vanilla Cake with Lemon Curd instead of the Dessert Platter.)

“But wait… where is the famous GREY STUFF???” you may ask… Why, it’s part of the Chocolate Tart! It’s made with Grey Stuff, Crisp Pearls and a White Chocolate Wafer with Chip atop it.

Children receive their own version of the Trio, but with a fun extra touch… they can paint a white chocolate Chip cup with edible coloring!

Since it’s the same meal for lunch and dinner, the price is the same as well: it’s a set price of $70 for adults and $41 for children ages 3-9.

Because we’re covering so many various aspects of each experience in this post, we won’t be running down each of the individual dishes here — but don’t fret! You can see our most recent review to get the full scoop on the meal, and we’ve also provided links to reviews for individual dishes in the text above.

Still, in order to share our general perspective, we must say this: we find the food here to be underwhelming, and many of our readers agree… especially considering the huge price tag. There are some really solid dishes such as the Center-Cut Filet Mignon, and the French Onion Soup is fantastic (though it’s hard to go wrong with French Onion Soup, and you can find it in several restaurants around Disney World). The chance to try the Grey Stuff that Lumiere is always singing about is indeed a fun touch (and the whipped cookies and cream is — say it with me — “delicious!”), but the dessert portions are small — tiny, even — and don’t live up to what you might expect from a signature meal.

THIS is What You Need to Know about Dining at Be Our Guest Restaurant

Now let’s see how Cinderella’s Royal Table stacks up.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Cinderella’s Royal Table is, likewise, a prix-fixe dining experience with individual choices for select courses.

However, Cinderella’s Royal Table also serves Breakfast, so let’s start there!

The meal starts with an assortment of pastries shared by the table. (Alas, that Mimosa Flight you see above is an extra cost, and not included with the meal.)

Each guest chooses an “Entree Royale.” 

For adults, the options include a Traditional Breakfast (Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Bacon, and Potatoes), Baked Quiche, a plant-based Royal Avocado Toast, Shrimp and Grits, Beef Tenderloin and Egg, and an indulgent Caramel Apple-stuffed French Toast.

The kiddos (ages 3 to 9) can choose from an Egg White Frittata, Fruit and Seed Oatmeal, a Mickey-Waffle, and assorted Cold Cereals with a choice of two sides.

Click HERE to find our FULL REVIEW of Breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table

The price for Breakfast is $69 for adults and $42 for children ages 3 to 9.

Lunch and Dinner feature the same menu. Guests can each choose their preferred Appetizer from a Soup of the Day, Braised Beef, Charcuterie, and Castle Salad.

Kids may choose from a Garden Salad, Sliced Apples, or Bite-sized Cheddar Cheese and Grapes. 

For Lunch and Dinner, the adult Entrees Royale include Parisian Gnocchi, the Sustainable Catch En Papillote, the Tenderloin of Beef, and Spice-rubbed Pork Tenderloin, and Slow-Braised Chicken. 

For children, entrée choices are Seared Fish of the Day, Chicken Nuggets (SO LUCKY!!), Beef Tenderloin, and Macaroni & Cheese with a choice of two sides.

Save room for dessert!

Adults may select the Jaq & Gus (cheesecake featuring a seasonal flavor), the Coffee Pots de Creme, or the signature — The Clock Strikes Twelve. 

Kids may choose from a Seasonal Sorbet, Yogurt Parfait, a Build-Your-Own-Cupcake, or The Sword in the Sweet (Cookies ‘n Cream Cheesecake Mousse, another 50th Anniversary item)!

Oh, and the little dining princesses and princes receive a wand or sword!

The price for Lunch and Dinner is $84 for adults and $49 for children ages 3 to 9.

Find our most recent review of Cinderella’s Royal Table HERE!

Again, we aren’t sharing a full review here, but you can link to our most recent one right above, and you can click on any dish of interest to you with a link to learn more about it. Overall, though, Breakfast tends to be quite the crowd pleaser for many of our readers and for us, with a good range of choice and unique offerings beyond what you’ll find at many other Table Service spots and well-executed dishes. (Seriously, the Shrimp & Grits you see above is impressive!) The price tag is also a bit easier to swallow, so that helps.

Lunch and Dinner can be a bit hit or miss in regards to food, though we have enjoyed some delightful entrees here as of late. And hands down, the dessert win goes to Cinderella’s Royal Table. (Sorry, Lumiere, but while the Grey Stuff is “delicious,” the portion is seriously lacking.)

Convenience

Now THIS is where our two Castles share the most common ground: because both of these restaurants offer iconic dining experiences in breathtaking settings, they have both historically been rather challenging to get into due to sheer demand.

It is a bit easier to score a reservation these days (specifically at Be Our Guests) due, we believe, to the fact that the Disney Dining Plan is not currently available. BOTH of these restaurants will accept the Disney Dining Plan to the tune of TWO Table Service credits each when it returns in 2024. (The Disney Dining Plan is now available as an add-on to Disney World Vacation Packages for stays starting January 9, 2024.)

Additionally, now that the Princesses are back at Cinderella’s Royal Table (as of February 2023), that appears to have bumped the demand for that location.

Click here for Tricks To Get Reservations At Cinderella’s Royal Table in Disney World

Advance Dining Reservations are difficult, but not impossible, to get. Basically, if you wanna dine in a Castle, be prepared to work for it. We recommend KNOWING the steps for making a reservation ahead of time, marking your calendar for the first day of your reservation window (60 days out from the day you’d like to dine), and setting your alarm to be up early on that date to make an online reservation at 6AM EST. (And, actually, we advise you start trying a bit earlier, at say 5:45AM, and hitting refresh over and over and over again in case things open up a bit sooner.) If you don’t get a reservation, stalk (I’m not kidding) My Disney Experience or the Disney World website to check for openings as your trip approaches. Go over our list of HUGE tips for landing those hard-to-get reservations.

We’ve got GREAT TIPS for snagging hard-to-get reservations HERE!

Value

We’ve compared three aspects of the dining experiences at Cinderella’s Royal Table and Be Our Guest Restaurant: atmosphere, food, and character/s. All of the factors can be considered according to your preference. But there is one thing we can put a definitive number on, and that’s the price.

Here is a reminder of the breakdown:

• Lunch or Dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant is a set price of $70 for adults and $41 for children ages 3-9.
• Breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table is $69 for adults and $42 for children ages 3 to 9.
• Lunch and Dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table is $84 for adults and $49 for children ages 3 to 9.

This is where all the factors above come together to consider what the VALUE is for you. Is the food equal to the cost at either location? From our experiences over the years at each, the answer is no. However, we have to keep in mind that the food is served in an iconic setting that you won’t experience elsewhere, AND there is some form of a character experience no matter which you choose (with the edge going to Cinderella’s Royal Table for full character interaction, and you can bet we’ll have a complete review for you on that experience soon).

We’ve Eaten at Every Magic Kingdom Restaurant. These Are the BEST.

All of this is why we have long said — and still say — that dining in a Magic Kingdom Castle, be it Cinderella’s Royal Table or Be Our Guest Restaurant, is something every Disney World guest should do at least once, if possible. It really is something you won’t forget.

What is YOUR favorite Magic Kingdom Castle? Please let us know with a comment!