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Category: Hard to Get Reservations

Tables in Wonderland November Events: Be Our Guest Restaurant Dinner, and Beer Dinner at the Wave

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Tables in Wonderland

has announced two events for November. Along with The Wave’s Discovery Dinner at the Contemporary Resort, there’s an opportunity to dine at Be Our Guest Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom!

Be Our Guest Restaurant Dinner

Location

: Be Our Guest at the Magic Kingdom® Park
Date: Sunday November 18, 2012, 4:00pm – 9:30pm
Cost: You will only pay for the cost of your meal

Tables in Wonderland Be Our Guest Reservations - click image for larger version

Tables in Wonderland members are invited to the Be Our Guest Restaurant in the New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. This is your chance to enter Beast’s Castle and admire the imagineering marvels that bring the Beauty and the Beast story to life! The menu is [Read more…]

Guest Review: Be Our Guest Restaurant Dinner at the Magic Kingdom

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We are absolutely thrilled to bring you our first review of dinner at the Be Our Guest Restaurant in the New Fantasyland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Welcome guest author Amy Gagliardi with details of her experience during an unexpected Be Our Guest Restaurant preview night!

Be Our Guest Sneak Preview Walk-In Experience

Serendipity is one of my favorite things about visiting Disney. The unexpected coincidence of events that can make any moment a truly magical memory has come to be what I expect from each visit. This is how I came to dine at Be Our Guest Restaurant. It was quite by accident and good fortune.

My husband Peter was given a tip by a server at dinner one night that Be Our Guest would be taking walk ins the following night. He recommended we go to the podium and ask if we could dine and that is exactly what we did.

With a simple walk to the outside reservation podium, we were able to be seated for any time that we selected. In addition to myself, our party of five consisted of my husband, a friend of the family, our youngest daughter Faith and her boyfriend Jon.

Atmosphere

We were thrilled and filled with anticipation as we were escorted beyond the heavy wooden castle doors and through a foyer, which brought us to the Ballroom dining room in which we were seated. The hostess and server seemed as delighted to be a part of the dining experience as we were. The congenial warmth of the staff contributed to a feeling of hominess even in such a grand surrounding.

We were invited to wander at will throughout the 3 dining areas. We truly felt like guests as we strolled through the West Wing and Rose Gallery and wondered in awe.

Panoramic View of The Rose Gallery

The rooms connected to each other with smooth thematic transitions.

Walkway Between Ballroom and Rose Gallery

The dimly lit rooms, common to each sitting area, reinforced an enchanted fairy tale atmosphere supporting the Beauty and the Beast story line.

From our table in the Ballroom we could see the large painting of the Beast as a handsome prince, which stands tall in the West Wing. At intervals we could hear a crashing of distant thunder and at that moment, like a stroke of a clock, the face on the portrait would turn to its Beastly counterpart.

Princely Beast

With faux snowfall gently trickling across a midnight blue back drop behind a window on the back wall of the Ballroom, we relaxed into our seats to view a rose theme at out table.

Rose Themed Menu

From the rose on the cover of the menu to the rose-like folding of the deeply red napkins, we were transported to another time. The room was filled with [Read more…]

Video Tour and Photos: Be Our Guest Restaurant West Wing, Rose Gallery, and Ballroom

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On Sunday, we took you on an EPIC adventure into Be Our Guest Restaurant and Gaston’s Tavern in Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland.

Be Our Guest Lobby

Today, we’re stepping into the Be Our Guest Restaurant again. But this time, we get to finally check out the dark and foreboding Be Our Guest Restaurant West Wing and the bright and enchanting Rose Gallery!

In the video below, Walt Disney Imagineers Chris Kelly, Ted Robledo, and Tim Warzecha walk us through the three dining rooms in the Be Our Guest Restaurant. Let’s follow them through the royal entrance and into the elegant Ballroom, lovely Rose Gallery, and the darker West Wing where the Enchanted Rose awaits.

Don’t care to watch the video? No problem — we’ve got some incredible photos below that showcase even more of Beast’s Castle and Be Our Guest Restaurant!

Be Our Guest Restaurant West Wing

Here, the Enchanted Rose lies in the West Wing. Watch closely as the petals begin to fall just like they do in the film!

Enchanted Rose in West Wing of Be Our Guest Restaurant

Enchanted Rose in the West Wing

Check out the claw marks on the portrait above the fireplace. The imagineers didn’t stop there. Watch for the portrait to change between the Beast and the Prince each time a rose petal falls from the enchanted rose… .

The portrait begins as a painting of the Prince.

Prince Portrait in the West Wing

Once a petal falls, guests will see a flash of lightning as the portrait starts to transform into a painting of [Read more…]

The Epic Mega Post of Be Our Guest Restaurant and Gaston’s Tavern Pictures! (Now With Pork Shank!)

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Celebrating one of the most beloved animated films by Disney, Belle’s Village in the New Fantasyland area of Disney World’s Magic Kingdom transports guests to scenes from “Beauty and the Beast”. Of course, we are especially fond of the dancing flatware*!

But NOW, we have even more pictures from the two venues that we are most excited about — Be Our Guest Restaurant and Gaston’s Tavern (we even have pics of the FOOD TODAY!).

During a New Fantasyland “Dress Rehearsal,” some incredible Disney Food Blog readers and a few of our favorite colleagues captured the photos in the dazzling display below. A huge thanks goes out to Alison Durkee (who also writes over on DisZine.com), Matt Hoskins, Suzannah DiMarzio at Zannaland, Missy Rosenberg and Franklin Khamvongsa, Kelly Tressler, @CoreyPatterson, @Leah679, and @CookingGuys for these incredible photos! Let’s take a peek…

Here we gooo!

Be Our Guest Restaurant Pictures

Guests have been able to enter Be Our Guest Restaurant for the first time over the past couple of days! Even though they’re not yet serving food at Be Our Guest, there is still a LOT to take in… . You can see the Beast’s Castle from anywhere in Belle’s Village, and it looks particularly ominous from Maurice’s Cottage!

View of a Distant Beast's Castle from Maurice's Cottage

Once you make the trek to the castle, you’ll have to cross the bridge! This makes the anticipation even stronger…

Entrance Bridge to Beast's Castle!

Sad Gargoyles line the bridge to the Castle, guarding this incredible vista of rocky waterfalls!

Sad Gargoyles and Waterfalls guard Beast's Castle

Sad Gargoyle is Sad says Matt Hoskins' son, Alexander

Don’t forget that you can purchase goblets with this Sad Gargoyle on them at Bonjour! Village Gifts!

As we approach the Beast’s Castle, Disney Imagineers have placed lots of enticing detail to tell the story! The Beast’s Coat of Arms adorns this castle gate…

The Beast's Shield Adorns a Castle Gate

And other gates stand ready to repel intruders! [Read more…]

Be Our Guest Restaurant Kids’ Menu Food Pictures

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Recently, we drooled over these yummy Be Our Guest Restaurant food pictures from the adults’ menu at Disney World’s most highly anticipated restaurant!

Beast's Castle - the Home for Be Our Guest Restaurant

Be Our Guest Restaurant will soft-open on November 19 (with an official debut on December 6) in the Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland. And today, we’ve got a food photo preview of the kids’ menu, featuring grown up tastes in kid friendly flavors!

Delicious options are plenty, although the Disney chefs have not included kid-favorite chicken nuggets or pizza. Rest assured, the entrees will be appealing to kids while allowing them to dine like grown-ups.

The sneaky chefs are doing their best to make sure your kiddos eat healthy while they’re in the park: “We’re making the ketchup from scratch using carrots,” said Walt Disney World Executive Chef Lenny DeGeorge. “And the meatloaf also has vegetables and bulghur wheat, so kids are getting their vegetables and whole grains and don’t even realize it.”

Let’s take a look at those food pics!

Be Our Guest Restaurant Kids’ Lunch Menu Pictures — Counter-Service

On the counter-service lunch menu, turkey meatloaf is made fun by its Mickey-shaped presentation!

Turkey Meatloaf

A carved turkey sandwich is served on multi-grain bread with sweet potato wedges and peach applesauce. Even without fries, this dish is sure to be a kid-pleaser!

Carved Turkey Sandwich at Be Our Guest

Another selection is the roasted pulled pork. It’s served with [Read more…]

New! Be Our Guest Restaurant Ballroom and Rose Gallery Pictures

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Good news!! We now have a more complete look of the gorgeous Rose Gallery inside the Be Our Guest Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland.

This highly-anticipated new restaurant will (soft) open on November 19th with an official opening date of December 6th. See more photos and full menus from Be Our Guest Restaurant here!

The Rose Gallery is one of three dining rooms themed to the popular “Beauty and the Beast” film. The centerpiece of the room will be a large music box nearly 7 feet tall with Belle and the Beast slowly twirling atop.

Be Our Guest Restaurant's Rose Gallery

Adorned with rose accents, paintings and tapestries, the Rose Gallery will serve quick-service lunch featuring French-inspired cuisine. See the full Be Our Guest lunch menu here.

And take a look below at the awe-inspiring ceiling inside the Ballroom! The ballroom features [Read more…]

Guest Review: California Grill at the Contemporary Resort

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Learn About:California Grill
Disney World Restaurants

Today, we’re welcoming Alex F. with a signature dining review. Alex takes us with her to the top of the Contemporary Resort for dinner at the California Grill! Let’s go…

I have been to Disney World over 20 times and I have always wanted to write a review. So, finally I decided that on my latest trip, I would take pictures and review California Grill at the Contemporary Resort. I hope that this review is helpful and enjoyable!

Atmosphere

California Grill

, a signature dining restaurant located on the 15th floor of the Contemporary Resort, features unique views through the walls of windows and the two observation decks.

While dining here, you can either have close up aerial views of the Magic Kingdom from one side of the dining room, or distant views of Epcot and Hollywood Studios from the other (you can see Spaceship Earth, the Swan and Dolphin hotels, and even the Tower of Terror).

Table by the Window with Magic Kingdom View

To access the California Grill, you must check-in on the 2nd floor to the right of the escalators. Years ago, you were able to simply go straight upstairs and check-in, but that has all changed. Now, once you have checked in, you can head over to a special elevator just for [Read more…]

News! Be Our Guest Restaurant Menus and Food Photos!

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For those who haven’t heard about this fun new spot yet, Be Our Guest Restaurant will (soft) open to great fanfare on November 19th in the New Fantasyland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.

Enchanting diners with references to the “Beauty and the Beast” film, a rose motif and French atmosphere will be showcased throughout the restaurant.

Yesterday we reported on the Be Our Guest Restaurant beer and wine menu that will be offered during the dinner meal. The big news here is not that French wine will be uncorked inside the Beast’s Castle, it’s that alcohol will be served for the first time within the Magic Kingdom. Historically, Walt Disney had kept Disneyland a “dry” location with the exception of the private Club 33. The Magic Kingdom had followed this tradition.

But now that we’ve raised our glasses to toast Be Our Guest, it’s time to take a look at the food!

Be Our Guest Restaurant Dinner Menu

For dinner-time, the meal will be more elegant with table-service, French wine, and seating available in the West Wing and the Ballroom. The Be Our Guest dinner menu adds additional appetizer choices and more gourmet entrees.

For Starters, one of the dinner menu options is Mussels Provencal with White Wine, Tomato, Garlic, Onion, Basil, and Butter.

Mussels Provençal

The Charcuterie Plate includes assorted cured meats and sausages served with [Read more…]

Review: Victoria and Albert’s Chef’s Table at the Grand Floridian Resort

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Learn About:Victoria and Albert’s Restaurant
Grand Floridian
Disney World Restaurants

Today, we travel up the elegant stairway to the pinnacle of fine dining at Walt Disney World, Victoria & Albert’s at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

Join me for an unparalleled experience as I take you behind the opulence to the excitement and camaraderie of the Chef’s Table! And let me tell you… it’s AWESOME!!

Victoria and Albert’s is the crown jewel in Disney’s culinary offerings. And while it is certainly expensive (that might be an understatement), I aim to show you that for the true food lover, the Chef’s Table experience is worth every penny.

By the way, if you read through this review and decide the Chef’s Table is not for you, you can also dine in the Dining Room to the more intimate Queen Victoria Room.

Victoria and Albert's Plate

Reservations for Victoria and Albert’s go quickly. It is recommended that you book as close to 180 days out as possible. As for cost, the menu is prix fixe, meaning that you pay a set price for the meal. Expect your meal to begin at $135 per person for the Dining Room, with an additional charge of $65 for wine pairings. That price includes six courses. Queen Victoria’s Room and the Chef’s Table menus may include up to thirteen courses, and prices start at $210/person for dinner and $105 for wine pairings. Keep in mind that these prices do not reflect tax or gratuity, so be prepared.

While Queen Victoria’s Room offers the height of elegant dining, the Chef’s Table provides interested guests full access to the restaurant’s culinary team in a meal that is as much performance as it is sustenance.

Atmosphere

Once you check in for your reservation at the Chef’s Table, you are escorted through the well appointed (and very quiet!) main dining room. You’ll notice low light, beautiful fresh flowers, and the strains of harp music. The whole effect is quite romantic and very formal. There is a strict dress code here, and men must wear jackets.

Victoria and Albert's Main Dining Room

The Dining Room consists of a mere fourteen tables, beautifully set with spotless crystal and china. Very chi chi.

Victoria and Albert's Seating

We followed the debonaire Maître d’hôtel, Israel Perez, through this space and into the brightly lit kitchen. At that time, we were informed that Chef de Cuisine Scott Hunnel would not be joining us because of a conflicting event. In his place, Sous Chef Aimée Rivera would guide us through our meal.

Maître d'hôtel Israel Perez and Chef Rivera

Both Mr. Perez and Chef Rivera were phenomenal, and it’s clear that their passion and driving force is the comfort and enjoyment of their guests. Chef Rivera invited us to interact at will with the kitchen staff, and suggested that we voice any and all questions that we might have (Mua ha ha ha!!! She didn’t know just how annoying I can be!).

An interesting fact: once you are seated, you can’t [Read more…]

Be Our Guest Restaurant Reservation Information and Issues

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3:00pm UPDATE:

We’re being told by readers that at this point, reservations made for Be Our Guest via the automated system that do not have a credit card guarantee will not be cancelled (thank goodness). It’s still a roller coaster ride, my friends. I was told this morning that they would be cancelled, but many readers have written to let me know that the tune seems to have changed this afternoon. Call to be sure, but it looks like we’re out of the weeds.
_____________

Well, what a morning it’s been! For those of you who have battled the phone lines as I have, I feel your pain. Here are a few learnings and warnings from this morning…also some action steps:

Automated Booking Service and Credit Card Numbers

For those who booked reservations for Be Our Guest Restaurant through the automated booking service this morning (i.e. you did NOT speak to an actual human being), these reservations have not been held with a credit card guarantee and may be cancelled today due to a glitch. You will need to call back on the dining line today and modify your reservation, adding a credit card number guarantee.

My personal experience: I booked via the automated line and ended up battling busy signals for over an hour before finally getting back through to the system. The dining reservation agent I spoke to put me through to the Dining Help line. The Dining Help line agent added my credit card number to the reservations and gave me new confirmation numbers.

If you do this, continue to confirm your reservations today and tomorrow as a precaution.

Current State of Reservations

Currently, I’ve heard nothing negative about reservations that were booked through an actual agent today. Those should still be in place.

For those of us still trying to get reservations, from what I can tell many Disney dining and reservations lines are still busy, and many dates in [Read more…]

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