WDW Daily News

Every now and again you get a very special invitation to dinner that is so completely unexpected you don’t know what to do with yourself. That happened to me this week. Okay to be fair I sort of invited myself for dinner….but still it was a very unexpected dining experience. I managed to get the coveted Be Our Guest dinner reservation…3 days before I went! If you know anything about Be Our Guest the first thing you know is that even 180 days out it’s almost next to impossible to get a dinner reservation so I was very surprised the opening was available, but I snatched it up quick! I didn’t think I could get any luckier than scoring an evening with The Beast, but I got a breakfast reservation for Be Our Guest the very next day! I guess the dining reservation gods were on my side this week, because I got to have two amazing experiences.

I had been lucky enough to dine with the Beast two years ago, so I was long over due to visit again. Not much had changed, but there were a few changes that I didn’t know about. When you arrive now you check in before you hit the bridge. You are given a pager that goes off when they are ready for you. I really liked that because it allowed me to wander around and take a few photos before I went inside. I was seated about 10 minutes after my reservation time and the host kindly summoned me by letting me know “The Master” was ready to receive me. I love the little details, so I was very happy to hear that. I jumped up and headed inside. There are three main dining areas, The West Wing, The Music Box Room, and of course the grand ballroom. I was seated in the main ballroom which is my favorite of the three. Sitting under the big chandeliers that Belle and the Beast danced under is just the most magical thing in the world. Additionally when you look out the window you’ll see a soft and gently snow fall. Yes folks, I said snow; Disney makes it snow in Florida in the spring- talk about magic!

But enough about the atmosphere, lets talk about FOOD! The menu at Be Our Guest is delicious! I opted to try all three courses this round and I decided to be brave. On my last trip I honestly don’t remember what my appetizer was but this time around I decided to try out the French Onion Soup. It’s their signature appetizer and one of the more popular things on the menu. For me personally it wasn’t my cup of tea, but I know a lot of people like it so don’t let me put you off trying it. The flavor was delicious I didn’t care for the texture of the onions though. For my main dish I had the grilled strip steak. I’ve tried steaks all over the WDW resort and for me this steak had the BEST flavor. I was so excited to be reunited with it and it didn’t disappoint. It was delicious as per usual. And I personally love they serve it with fries and those are delicious too.  For my dessert of course I had the Grey stuff! When I went the last time the Grey stuff was only something that was served for special occasions, but the powers that be realized that the grey stuff needed to be available all the time and thus the Grey stuff brownie was born. It is DELICIOUS!!! I don’t know how to describe the grey stuff other than….it’s delicious and I didn’t even have to ask to dishes to find that out. Another fun fact about Be Our Guest is you are able to partake of beer and wine if you’re of age and that’s your thing. Everyone I saw that was sampling seemed to be enjoying their beverages as well. It is the only location in the Magic Kingdom that serves alcohol- so fun fact there.

At the end of dinner you have the opportunity to meet the beast which for me is the best part! I’m fairly certain the Beast is the reason dinner reservations are so difficult to acquire. The Beast doesn’t have any other meet and greet location, so Be Our Guest is the only place you get to see him. As a heads up he has been working on his temper and his manners were spot on. He was lovely to meet, and if you’re lucky you might even get to a do a little waltz with him. My evening with the Beast was amazing, but I scurried home because the next morning I had a breakfast date with him. I returned bright and early for breakfast the next day! The Be Our Guest breakfast offering only started about a week and half ago.  I didn’t have any expectations going into it, but I was very impressed with what was included!

When you arrive they scan your magic band or ticket to confirm your reservation and hand you a menu. You head through the room with the sleeping knights and head through to a kiosk. I didn’t have my magic band yesterday so I was given a rose to take with me. You are able to place your order and then you find a seat. I again sat in the ballroom because it’s my absolute favorite 😀 Remember that rose I was telling you about? Well that is how they find where you are sitting. Every person’s meal is brought to their table with the help of either your rose or your magic band. I find it absolutely fascinating that Disney has made it possible to let you choose your seat and still have the ability to find you anywhere in the dining room! I believe this is the same service they use at lunch, but I haven’t been able to visit for lunch yet, I’ll update you when that happens 😉

So with this meal again I decided to be brave and try something I’d never had before! There wasn’t a single thing on the menu that didn’t sound delicious but I had never tried poached eggs so I decided to get the open faced bacon sandwich featured poached eggs. I got an orange juice along with it. When it arrived it came with a fruit cup which was DELICIOUS!!! And each table gets a whole tray of pastries. Since I was a party of one I didn’t have to share my pastries and I sampled every single one. They were all delicious but I like the chocolate chip croissant the best of all of them. But I  was a good kid and decided to eat my “real food” first. It was delicious! Not only did I learn I really enjoy poached eggs, but the sandwich was so delicious! It comes with applewood bacon, brie cheese, spinach, tomato all on a French baguette. It was so delicious, I’m just drooling thinking about it. The next table over got the chocolate sauce covered cronut with bananas….I wish I could’ve gotten that too, but perhaps and excuse to go back again.

Every single thing I had for breakfast was absolutely delicious and I would definitely recommend it to anyone. It was a really nice way to start off the morning in the Magic Kingdom and it definitely made my day a little more magical all round. My two meals in the Beast’s castle were just perfect. Thank you Beast, your service and staff were phenomenal, until we meet again sir

Hmmm…which is my favorite?  Visiting Walt Disney World or photographing the magic?  That’s a hard question to answer.  I know many of you love taking photographs at Disney World, whether it’s of family and friends or the wonders you find in Walt Disney World itself.  Each time I go, I look for new and unique viewpoints to photograph my Disney memories from.

I’m pretty sure the most photographed Disney icon must be Cinderella Castle, and I bet you all have a shot of the Castle down Main St.  Have you tried getting a reflection shot in the waterways surrounding the Castle from Frontierland or Tomorrowland?  These are especially beautiful at night when Cinderella Castle is lit up in all her magic.  Climb Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, and you’ll also find some unique vantage points for great shots.  If you’re feeling brave, let go of the handrails, and click off a few shots on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. (Make sure to hang on to your camera for dear life).

While I love Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom has become my new favorite park for all the photographic opportunities available.  While some think of this park as a half day park, I can always stay here all day just taking photographs of the wide variety of wildlife.  If your favorite ride is Expedition Everest, take some time for lunch at my favorite Quick Service Restaurant, Flame Tree BBQ.  If you grab a seat in a gazebo down by the water, this is a great place for getting shots of Expedition Everest.  You’ll also likely get some good bird photos as the birds have discovered Flame Tree’s good food as well.

My favorite of all rides is in EPCOT.  I just love Test Track!!  Test Track also offers some good photo opportunities for the quick and the brave.  Get ready because, just before the doors open for the launch outside, this ride gives you just a few seconds to prepare your camera.  Set your shutter speed high and get ready to start clicking when those doors open.  Make sure to hang on tight to your camera.  At 64 mph, letting go of it would surely end badly.  Another favorite photo spot for me is in the International Gateway area, and along the bridge to France.   With all the beautiful and unique architecture in EPCOT, there’s certainly no lack of photography subjects.

Last, but not certainly not least, is Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  My favorite time of year to photograph DHS, is during the Christmas season when the park is decorated with the Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights.  What an amazing time to take photos!  (and videos, too).   This year will be my first without photos of the Sorcerer Mickey Hat.  I’ll miss the the Hat.  Lights, Motors, Action Extreme Stunt show is a great place to get off your feet, and test your skills with action shots.   How about grabbing shots of screaming guests as the doors to Tower of Terror swing open and shut?

While photographing your Walt Disney World Memories, don’t forget to include yourself.  Sometimes, us photographers are so busy snapping pics of everyone else, that there are no pictures of us for our families to enjoy.  Remember to snap a selfie sometimes, or take advantage of the many PhotoPass Photographers around the Disney Parks.

Until next time, Happy Snapping.