I received an invitation to be a part of a test for Be Our Guest in May. They are trying out a system with the magic bands where you have an hour window to show up, bypass the lines completely. I was given a reservation number, and then had to go ahead and place our orders for our lunch on May 18th. If this is successful, I can forsee those who do not mind going on and planning what they would eat just to avoid the lunch lines. I was told that as soon as we check-in, our food would be brought immediately to our table. I will let you know how it goes. I'm curious to see how it is. I have always avoided this place for lunch due to the crowds.
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I'm not sure. We are staying at one of the resorts and are APs. I never thought about using a fastpass for eating. Hated to use one that I could have put towards a ride. I had the 3 fastpasses already booked for rides, and yet am able to get the fastpass for this. So...maybe this means that this will allow guests to use a fastpass for this and still have an initial 3 for attractions and characters.
That's interesting -- that the FP+ for this is, essentially, a bonus FP+ reservation.
Robert, yes, but this is a FP+ in name only. It has nothing to do with attraction reservations. Only on-site guests can do this like extra magic hours and complimentary parking at the parks (APers get parking too). It has a separate website set up for it IIRC beourguestlunch.disney.go.com/?
I would like to know if someone staying on site could bring someone who is not staying onsite with them.
Thank you for the information. I just contacted WDW through online chat and got my bonus fast pass+ for next month. I'm finally getting into the Beast's castle!!!!
It would seem like the biggest problem with the restaurant is seating capacity. If they have overflow room, they can accomodate more people.
That is wonderful Jacquie! Get ready to be blown away by all the details and design. Anon, I have wondered about an overflow room. Is there one and if so, where is it and is it decorated like the rest?
I found it interesting yesterday, 180 days out from our check-in date, that dinner at BOG was completely booked for the entire length of our 10-day stay. For perspective, we were actually able to get a reservation at Victoria and Albert's Chef's Table (the most exclusive reservation in all of WDW), but were unable to get a dinner reservations at BOG, and this is for mid-late October, certainly not the most busy time of year.
I was able to book Be Our Guest for dinner at around 45 days out. Maybe a cancellation opened up a slot. I never considered eating there because I was looking for character meals. My wife convinced me to book there, and I saw many Youtube videos at the restaurant. I kept at it until I found a slot. That was a relief.
Typically, overflow rooms should be decorated the same as the other rooms.
I think it's telling that I could get a reservation for a place that only accepts one party per night 5 nights a week, but was unable to get a dinner reservation at BOG. Perhaps they're deliberately holding reservations back because they're tweaking the restaurant and the way service is conducted, don't want to allow bookings at a restaurant that's going through constant change, or perhaps they plan on using the space for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.
I can get a dinner reservation at Cinderella's Royal Table right now too, but BOG, SOL.
I rarely dine at a WDW sit down since it's such a hassle. We usually just use the few counter service restaurants that are OK, such as Flame BBQ and Columbia House. WDW loses a lot of potential upscale dinner money from us by having ridiculous reservation policies.
I have to say at least it's improved by requiring a credit card hold now to make any table service reservation. That simple move has probably significantly reduced the number of no shows, but I suppose those who prefer to walk-up would be disappointed, because there's a much lower probability now of getting a same day reservation at the most popular table service restaurants.
There was nothing worse than standing outside of a restaurant in a theme park for hours waiting for a table to open up. It didn't even matter if you wanted to eat outside of peak dining hours, there simply weren't enough tables to meet the demand of a walk-up crowd. 180 days in advance is a little ridiculous (60 or 90 makes far more sense), not so ridiculous for the most exclusive places like V&A's, CRT, California Grill, LeCellier. However, the system seems to work, because the most popular restaurants are fully booked within hours of ADRs opening.
If you want ridiculous, try making reservations for the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival events. It's a complete mess, and you're typically hoping that what you're signing up for is decent, since there's very limited information about the events when reservations open up in the summer.
I agree with Russell, it has improved due to the credit card needed for reservations. I'm anxious to see what happens in May when I book our dining for November. We will be taking my parents, who have not seen any of the new additions, and hope to get some dining at CRT and BoG. Hopefully things will open up. I always check periodically to see if there are any cancellations and snag them for our own.
I have also been picked for BOG Lunch (May 21st). Amanda can write the big article, but I will let you all know how it goes.
I second Russel's thoughts on F&W. They used to give you NO information. Now, at least they give you a theme...if there are no changes. I am surprised it is not a bigger problem, especially with individuals that that dietary restrictions (eg Jewish)
Amanda,
I hear there's a Grey Stuff cupcake now. Please investigate! :^)
Robert, I was at Be Our Guest lunch last Friday (May 2) and they do indeed have a Grey Stuff cupcake. I didn't get one but several in our group did. Looked great but I didn't get it. This was my third BOG lunch, had the veggie quiche.
I was part of a Disney fan group, WDWCelebrations, that has WDW meets based around park anniversaries. This gathering was for the 25th Anniversary of Disney MGM/Hollywood Studios which we attended the day before. BOG cast members were very accommodating for the 40+ of us and arranged it so we could use the order kiosks and sit as a group in the Music Box Rose Gallery room.
Already requested two of those cupcakes. My eldest son and I will be very willing guinea pigs for the grey stuff.
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I assume you are staying at a WDW resort. Being able to get a fastpass+ reservation for lunch at BOG has been limited to only WDW resort guests. As an APer that doesn't stay on-site, I can't get a FP+ for BOG.
I was wondering, what are the rules for doing this? Can you (an on-site guest) make a reservation for 6 people who are a mix of on-site and off-site guests? Does everyone and only those staying in your room get this advantage? Does each person need to have an individual FP+?