Be Our Guest dinner review... and yes, the Grey Stuff is delicious!

January 3, 2013, 1:19 PM · For our trip to Walt Disney World, December 8th-16th, I was able to attain something that many considered impossible...dinner reservations for Be Our Guest. The day that one could reserve a dinner time, I was on the phone and within thirty minutes I had my first choice for a dining time. It was meant to be.

Be Our Guest restaurant at Disney World

When we arrived, there were many people who wanted to go in and look around. They were denied entrance. Desperate people came, hoping against hope that they too could be allowed to eat within the Beast's home. They were sadly turned away with, "We are booked until the middle of May 2013." These poor cast members were being cursed to the darkest pit in Hades by many a park visitor. While I on the other hand held my golden ticket, AKA beeper, tightly in my fist while standing on the bridge. When our beeper buzzed, we dashed madly towards the cast member who said that we were cordially invited to dine within the Beast's home. He hoped that we would enjoy dining in his ballroom. I was so excited that I nearly skipped through the door. Okay, I have to confess...I did skip through the door.

Once through the door though all skipping came to a stop. I had to gasp at the beautiful stained glass window that I had only seen on my TV and at the theater. I was ushered into the ballroom. Mere words are inadequate to describe my jaw drop. It was softly lit by the chandeliers. The cherubs were on the ceiling. A beautiful tile rose was in the middle of the floor. Candles were softly lit on each table and along the sconces. We were seated over by one of the ballroom windows. Snow is falling the entire time outside the window. Snow piles are even along the bannister of the balcony. My eyes could not stop popping out of their sockets. It was just too lovely.

Our waitress came and took our order. She informed us that our host would be making a special apperance and then would like to meet us after we dine within his drawing room. This was huge news for my little boys (who love it when he loses his temper in the movie). I just wished I had on a ball gown instead of blue jeans and t-shirt. While waiting on our food we took a quick tour of the West Wing. I loved the torn portrait and rose. The claw marks and tapestries reflected the time period and angst of the story we had walked into.

My husband ordered the sauteed shrimp and scallops in the puff pastry with lobster cream sauce. He was in awe at this heavenly dish that he immediately dove into. Being deathly allergic to seafood, I chose the grilled strip steak with garlic herb butter, pommes frites (thank you high school French class for not making me feel ignorant when reading french menus) and hericot vertes. My pommes frites came with a side of mayonnaise. Now being a red-blooded American (a southern one to boot), I have never in my life dipped a french fry in mayonnaise. But when in Rome...or the Beast's castle...do as they do. It wasn't bad at all. My steak was by far one of the best I have had at Disney World since I ate dinner at the California Grill. My green beans were steamed with red bell peppers and onions. I have now decided that this is the only way to prepare them. While eating our host made his entrance to blaring horns. He walked thought the Ballroom, bowing to us (who were clapping as if he were truly the prince of all of Fantasyland), and into the West Wing. He then went back into his drawing room to await his guests.

Since we were celebrating my birthday during this trip, I was brought a special treat. The famous Grey Stuff. It was brought on its on plate with "Try the grey stuff" written in gold. It had little grey and white pearls and a lit candle. I was told that they only bring it out to people who are celebrating something special. It was delicious. Then the cupcake cart was brought our way. All of my guys are chocolate men. I couldn't decide which one I wanted, so I let them choose for me. I was given the chocolate cupcake, naturally. There was not a crumb left when we were all finished.

After leaving our waitress a hefty tip, we made our way into the drawing room to thank our host for letting us enter in his castle. We had our pictures made with him and then left. On our way out, we walked through a hallway of suits of armor. If you pause you can hear them whispering to each other, sneezing and saying bless you. We left laughing, extremely well fed, and euphoric that we did not enter into the castle our entire trip until our dinner reservations. It was definitely one of the best meals I have ever had at the Magic Kingdom.

For those who have or are planning on dinner at Be Our Guest, I recommend waiting until your reservation to enter into the castle. It will make it all that much better. I would also refrain from looking at pictures or videos. You will be even more pleasantly surprised for it. I would post pictures, but sadly, technical difficulties have arisen.

Replies (12)

January 3, 2013 at 2:52 PM · Great write-up. We had eaten lunch during the passholder preview and have to agree with your assessment.
January 3, 2013 at 4:36 PM · Great review/trip report, Amanda! I am extremely jealous of you and happy for you at the same time! Thank you for making my stomach rumble on the bus ride home.

Also, Happy Belated Birthday!

January 3, 2013 at 5:45 PM · What a great review. What did the "grey stuff" taste like?

- Brian

January 3, 2013 at 7:19 PM · Thank you! The grey stuff tasted like chocolate mousse. The pearls reminded me of M & M's. I have to say that this really showed the Disney "touch".
I was completely swept away with the detail and for lack of a better word, magic of the place. If the Snow White coaster has this much attention to detail, then it will be something to truly behold.
January 3, 2013 at 9:26 PM · Excellent! I am going in May!
January 4, 2013 at 2:37 AM · Word of advice, If you have no dinner reservations get in line (EARLY) and try the lunch. Eight of us jumped into line at 10:15 AM. By the time we got through the line and served it was 11 AM (a reasonable time for lunch). Try the French Onion Soup and the steak sandwich (on garlic bread). Both were excellent.

Unfortunately we did not see "the host."

January 4, 2013 at 7:48 AM · Excellent report, Amanda! You've got me looking forward to my next trip to the Magic Kingdom!
January 4, 2013 at 1:44 PM · more pics please
January 4, 2013 at 6:24 PM · ANYone who "skips through the door" for a Disney attraction is a friend of mine. Thanks for the "tidbits" for the table, it was very appetizing! Now for the grey stuff...
January 4, 2013 at 7:59 PM · I can't speak on dinner since we were one of the many who couldn't get a reservation, but I think my wife and I may be the only ones who thought the lunch food was less than stellar.
January 7, 2013 at 11:29 AM · We have dinner reservations in February. More excited about it after reading your review!
January 8, 2013 at 11:49 AM · I am super excited to dine at Be Our Guest. I have reservations for Saturday that we made way back when reservations were first announced. Thanks for this great review, I am totally looking forward to it.

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