The Ballroom at the Be Our Guest restaurant

When I saw that the new Be Our Guest restaurant, located in Beast’s castle in the new Fantasyland, was opening while we were on our Disney family vacation, I immediately raced to the phone to book our advance dining reservation.  I was on hold for a while, but it was totally worth it – because we not only got the perfect reservation time, we also had a great experience while we were there.

As you’d probably expect, there were lots of crowds around Beast’s Castle and Be Our Guest, and guest with reservations check in at the front of the gate.  Once you receive your pager, you are allowed down the bridge to the front of the restaurant, where you wait for a gatekeeper to call your party’s name.  We only waited for a few minutes – the perfect amount of time for me to get some pictures – before we were called.

The exterior to the Be Our Guest restaurant

Be Our Guest Restaurant Review

There are three sections to the restaurant – the Ballroom (pictured above), the West Wing (which features the enchanting rose), and the Rose Gallery (open at lunch only).  While you can request a section, your seating is based upon availability.  We sat in the gorgeous ballroom, right by the “outdoor” windows, where snow lightly fell.

It’s hard to describe how magical the interior of Be Our Guest is.  It’s dark, which makes it difficult to capture the magic via camera.  But I really did feel that I was transported into the story of Beauty and the Beast.  It’s truly amazing.

So, how’s the food?  We started with the mussels Provencal, followed by the grilled strip steak with garlic-herb butter and pommes frites.  Unlike other pommes frites, these are thick cut fries – really delicious.  The mussels were excellent, and a decent portion size for two, while the steak was fabulous. My kids ordered the kids’ steak and pasta, which they both really enjoyed.  Dessert is small portions served via a dessert cart (my daughter’s was brought back from the kitchen since she has a tree nut allergy).

Keep in mind that while dinner is a sit-down affair requiring advance dining reservations, lunch is served counter service.

While we were there, the Beast was greeting guests in the library for photos.  There was a PhotoPass photographer, but the pictures weren’t printed on site.  In addition, the Beast walked across the ballroom several times – not to go table to table, but to visit the various rooms.  I’m not sure if this is going to be permanent, but it was a nice surprise.

You can find all of the menus on the Walt Disney World website.

Disclosure: I am a member of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel.  I am not a Disney employee. The postings here are my own and do not represent the positions or opinions of the Disney Company.