Disney4me Posted February 28, 2023 Report Share Posted February 28, 2023 Is there any image more iconic in all of Walt Disney World than Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle? Cinderella Castle in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Believe or not, there IS another place in Magic Kingdom that comes pretty darn close. It’s the Beast’s Castle in Fantasyland, and — much like Cinderella Castle — it is home to a uniquely themed dining experience that has become a must-do for many guests visiting Walt Disney World. Be Our Guest Restaurant Today we’re chatting about Cinderella’s Royal Table AND Be Our Guest Restaurant — quite possibly the most popular restaurants in ALL of Walt Disney World. We’re excited to bring you into not one, but TWO CASTLES today. So if you’re trying to choose between both of these sought-after experiences, we hope to shine a little light on the differences between the two so you can know which might best suit your traveling group. So, are you ready to step into a castle or two? Let’s go! Castle to Castle: Theme and Atmosphere Cinderella’s Royal Table Let’s start with what most people consider to be THE Castle: Cinderella Castle is the world-famous landmark right at the end of Main Street, U.S.A., and home to Cinderella’s Royal Table! Cinderella Castle You think the OUTSIDE of Cinderella Castle is stunning? Well, you’re certainly not wrong about that. Cinderella’s Royal Table Fortunately, the inside is every bit as grand! Cinderella’s Royal Table From the moment you step inside, the setting is every inch the classic fairy tale Castle. You Are Most Cordially Invited to enter Cinderella’s Royal Table! And, in fact, the experience starts in the presence of Disney Royalty: with a greeting by Cinderella herself in the Grand Hall! Cinderella at Cinderella’s Royal Table Next, you ascend a winding staircase, complete with stained glass capturing the Princess as she appears in the Disney animated classic film, Cinderella. Stained glass inside Cinderella’s Royal Table And finally, it’s time for the big reveal of the Banquet Hall! Inside Cinderella’s Royal Table All in all… Inside Cinderella’s Royal Table … it’s not too shabby. Take a Photo Tour of Cinderella’s Royal Table here! Be Our Guest Restaurant Now we’ll wind our way from classic Fantasyland (which has been open since the park itself opened on October 1, 1971) to the area that was deemed “New Fantasyland” when it opened in 2012. The Beast’s Castle in the distance This section of the park includes more recent additions — well, more recent than 1971, in any case — such as Storybook Circus, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, and Enchanted Tales with Belle (which will reopen on February 19th!). It is also where you’ll encounter a path that leads guests into the Beast’s Castle… otherwise known as Be Our Guest Restaurant! Be Our Guest Walkway Unlike Cinderella Castle’s well-known exterior which leaves little doubt as to what kind of styling you might find inside, the way that leads to the Beast’s Castle offers hardly a clue as to what you’ll encounter beyond the gray gargoyles and behind the gates. “You’re gonna have to go inside yourself. I’m not spilling ONE SINGLE DETAIL.” That’s what makes entering The Grand Ballroom all the more breathtaking! The Grand Ballroom in Magic Kingdom’s Be Our Guest Restaurant We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: walking into the Grand Ballroom, with its gorgeous chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows, and golden accents is like walking INTO the Beauty and the Beast film. Be Our Guest Restaurant It’s remarkable. And did I mention it’s also ENCHANTED? The Grand Ballroom at Be Our Guest Restaurant Those gorgeous windows allow you to view gently falling snow as you dine. But that’s just one feature. Enchanted touches find their way to the West Wing, as well. The West Wing Entrance into the West Wing, as the Beast himself would tell you, is FORBIDDEN!! Unless you’re seated there by your host or hostess, of course. Then you’re all clear. There it is… glowing in front of the window This is where you’ll find the Enchanted Rose, dropping its petals and reminding the Beast of his potential fate… Enchanted Rose A clap of thunder and flash of lightning may be accompanied by a glimpse of the Beast in the ripped portrait of the Prince. Portrait in the West Wing Many guests, actually, prefer the mystique of the West Wing over sitting in The Grand Ballroom. Then finally we have… The Rose Gallery. Rose Gallery at Be Our Guest Restaurant The centerpiece presents a larger-than-life music box featuring a dancing Belle and Beast. Inside the Rose Gallery The walls are covered with portraits capturing moments and memories of the inhabitants of the Beast’s Castle! Rose Gallery Portraits Aaaaand that’s about it. Look, I’m not saying The Rose Gallery isn’t lovely in its way. What I am saying, though, is that compared to the Grand Ballroom and the West Wing, it is simply… well, less enchanting. Rose Gallery Portraits and Seating And it does makes sense… or at least, it DID, given that the Rose Gallery was initially only used to seat guests during the previous Counter Service lunch, which is no longer available (at least, at this time). The Rose Gallery wasn’t originally intended to be part of the full Table Service dining experience (which is currently the only style of dining that Be Our Guest offers). It just doesn’t hold one of Lumiere’s candles in comparison to the other two rooms, and to some guests being seated here may be something of a disappointment from what they had in mind. Castle Comparison As you can see, at the Beast’s Castle, there is a bit of chance involved when it comes to seating atmosphere (though a few of our readers have had luck being able to state a preference, but also noted that this resulted an extra wait at an already busy restaurant). At Cinderella’s Royal Table, on the other hand, all guests are seated in the Banquet Hall no matter what, and it’s a stunner. If you can’t miss those enchanted touches or can’t resist the opportunity to practically step inside Beauty and the Beast, then you may opt for Be Our Guest. If you prefer the sure thing when it comes to setting, though, Cinderella’s Royal Table may be a better fit for you. Either way, the stunning settings are primary reasons why these two restaurants land in our list of the Best Restaurants in Magic Kingdom. (You can learn about the Best Restaurants in Disney World here, while you’re at it!) Overall Experience: Character Meal vs. Character Appearance Okay, there is a VERY IMPORTANT differentiation between the character encounters at these two dining locations. Cinderella’s Royal Table — once again as of February 28, 2023 — is a complete Character Meal. Cinderella This means that while you dine, Disney characters approach your table, chat with your group, pose for pictures, sign autographs, and offer hugs. Magical Moments DO happen here! There is true interaction with the characters, and here at the Royal Table, those characters are none other than DISNEY PRINCESSES! Princess Aurora — Sleeping Beauty — at Cinderella’s Royal Table The Royalty rotates here, but in the past we’ve met the likes of Snow White, Princess Aurora, Ariel, Jasmine, and more! Be Our Guest Restaurant, on the other hand, is NOT a Character Meal. However, a character does make an appearance: it’s THE BEAST himself! The Beast greeting guests at Be Our Guest Restaurant Guests can see The Beast in productions like Fantasmic! And Beauty and the Beast — Live on Stage (both in Disney’s Hollywood Studios). But, save for the very rare occasions when he may stop by EPCOT’s France pavilion for a bit of fresh air, this guy is fairly impossible to catch up close. So seeing him at Be Our Guest is certainly a boon. The Beast on a stroll But we must emphasize the word “appearance.” The Beast strolls through the various rooms so guests can see him at one point during their meal. There are no individual table meet and greets or posing for photos — at least, not at this time. Prior to the temporary closure of Disney World in 2020, guests DID get to meet the Beast and pose for a photo with him after their meal. However, that photo opportunity has not yet returned as part of the experience. Castle Comparison What you’re weighing in this category is the chance to see a rare character versus the chance to truly interact with SEVERAL Disney Princesses. True, there are plenty of places in the parks and at other Character Meals where you can meet one or more of the Princesses (including Story Book Dining at Artist Point and Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in EPCOT). But between the two options we’re discussing here, those looking for a genuine character experience will want to book Cinderella’s Royal Table over Be Our Guest. (No offense, Beast.) “Hey, how ya doin’? Nice to see ya.” On the flipside, even though we truly believe that Character Meals aren’t just for kids or any specific age of guest, perhaps they simply aren’t your preference. (We even have some readers who have shared some of their “fails” meeting characters at Cinderella’s Royal Table… but really, they’re pretty much fun and cute stories that have become entertaining memories.) If that’s the case for you, Be Our Guest is your better fit. Our readers share their Character Experiences at Cinderella’s Royal Table HERE! Either way, this should come under consideration when you consider the overall value of the experience for you. As will our next category… Cuisine of the Castles: Food What do guests dine on in each castle? While both Cinderella’s Royal Table and Be Our Guest Restaurant are Signature Dining experiences featuring prix-fixe options, the menus and even mealtime options differ, so let’s dig in. Be Our Guest Restaurant For this round, we’re starting with Be Our Guest Restaurant, because it serves only Lunch and Dinner featuring the same prix-fixe menu at each. Be Our Guest Menu The French cuisine is presented in three courses, starting with each guest’s choice of appetizer from options such as French Onion Soup, Escargot de Bourgogne, Duck and Pork Terrine, and Potato-Leek Soup for adults. French Onion Soup For children (guests ages 3 to 9), the Appetizer options include an Iceberg Wedge Salad, House-made Peach Applesauce, or a Fruit and Cheese Plate. Kids’ Appetizer Each guest chooses their own entree. Duroc Pork Chop Adults may select from options such as a Duroc Pork Chop, Trout Amandine, a plant-based Vadouvan-spiced Vegetables, Roasted Poulet Rouge Chicken, and a Center-cut Filet Mignon. Roasted Poulet Rouge Chicken Kids can choose an entree from Grilled Beef Tenderloin, Pan-seared Chicken Breast, or House-made Macaroni & Cheese with a choice of two sides including kid-friendly options like French Fries, Green Beans, and more. Kids’ Entree Each guest at the table receives the Dessert Trio plated with a Lemon Jam Macaron, a Dark Chocolate Truffle, and a Chocolate Tart. (Plant-based eaters may request a Vanilla Cake with Lemon Curd instead of the Dessert Platter.) Dessert Trio “But wait… where is the famous GREY STUFF???” you may ask… Why, it’s part of the Chocolate Tart! It’s made with Grey Stuff, Crisp Pearls and a White Chocolate Wafer with Chip atop it. The Chocolate Tart with the Grey Stuff is part of the Dessert Trio Children receive their own version of the Trio, but with a fun extra touch… they can paint a white chocolate Chip cup with edible coloring! Childrens Dessert Trio Since it’s the same meal for lunch and dinner, the price is the same as well: it’s a set price of $67 for adults and $39 for children ages 3-9. Because we’re covering so many various aspects of each experience in this post, we won’t be running down each of the individual dishes here — but don’t fret! You can see our most recent review to get the full scoop on the meal, and we’ve also provided links to reviews for individual dishes in the text above. How ’bout a little sticker shock to go with that Grey Stuff? Still, in order to share our general perspective, we must say this: we find the food here to be underwhelming, and many of our readers agree… especially considering the huge price tag. There are some really solid dishes such as the Center-Cut Filet Mignon, and the French Onion Soup is fantastic (though it’s hard to go wrong with French Onion Soup, and you can find it in several restaurants around Disney World). The chance to try the Grey Stuff that Lumiere is always singing about is indeed a fun touch (and the whipped cookies and cream is — say it with me — “delicious!”), but the dessert portions are small — tiny, even — and don’t live up to what you might expect from a signature meal. THIS is What You Need to Know about Dining at Be Our Guest Restaurant Now let’s see how Cinderella’s Royal Table stacks up. Cinderella’s Royal Table Cinderella’s Royal Table is, likewise, a prix-fixe dining experience with individual choices for select courses. Beautiful However, Cinderella’s Royal Table also serves Breakfast, so let’s start there! GOOD MORNING! The meal starts with an assortment of pastries shared by the table. (Alas, that Mimosa Flight you see above is an extra cost, and not included with the meal.) The Pastry Plate Each guest chooses an “Entree Royale.” Beef Tenderloin For adults, the options include a Traditional Breakfast (Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Bacon, and Potatoes), Baked Quiche, a plant-based Royal Avocado Toast, Shrimp and Grits, Beef Tenderloin and Egg, and an indulgent Caramel Apple-stuffed French Toast. Shrimp and Grits The kiddos (ages 3 to 9) can choose from an Egg White Frittata, Fruit and Seed Oatmeal, a Mickey-Waffle, and assorted Cold Cereals with a choice of two sides. Click HERE to find our FULL REVIEW of Breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table The price for Breakfast is CURRENTLY $45 for adults and $29 for children ages 3 to 9.* Lunch and Dinner feature the same menu. Guests can each choose their preferred Appetizer from a Soup of the Day, Steamed Mussels, Charcuterie, and Castle Salad. Charcuterie at Cinderella’s Royal Table Kids may choose from a Garden Salad, Sliced Apples, or Bite-sized Cheddar Cheese and Grapes. For Lunch and Dinner, the adult Entrees Royale include the Magic Carpet Ride (Spiced-crusted Pork Tenderloin and Pork Belly with Curry Couscous), the Sustainable Catch En Papillote, the Tenderloin of Beef, and a plant-based Chickpea Panisse. Tenderloin of Beef There is also a 50th Anniversary item which will presumably be available until the Anniversary Celebration ends on March 31, 2023: When Will My Life Begin Chicken and Pasta. When Will My Life Begin Chicken and Pasta For children, entree choices are Seared Fish of the Day, Chicken Nuggets (SO LUCKY!!), Beef Tenderloin, and Macaroni & Cheese with a choice of two sides. Save room for dessert! Jaq & Gus cheesecake Adults may select the Jaq & Gus (cheesecake featuring a seasonal flavor), the Coffee Pots de Creme, or the signature — The Clock Strikes Twelve. The Clock Strikes Twelve Kids may choose from a Seasonal Sorbet, Yogurt Parfait, a Build-Your-Own-Cupcake, or The Sword in the Sweet (Cookies ‘n Cream Cheesecake Mousse, another 50th Anniversary item)! Sword in the Sweet from Cinderella’s Royal Table Oh, and the little dining princesses and princes receive a wand or sword! Toys for the Kiddos The price for Lunch and Dinner WITHOUT Characters is $67 for adults and $39 for children ages 3 to 9.* Find our most recent review of Cinderella’s Royal Table HERE! *Make way for the ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM: The prices reflected above — as you have read — are the prices for the dining experience at Cinderella’s Royal Table WITHOUT the full Character Dining experience. The Disney World website currently reads: “Characters will return on February 28, 2023 and pricing will be updated to reflect these changes closer to this date.” However, at press time, the new prices have not yet been updated. We will keep you posted immediately when we learn more. Again, we aren’t sharing a full review here, but you can link to our most recent one right above, and you can click on any dish of interest to you with a link to learn more about it. Overall, though, Breakfast tends to be quite the crowd pleaser for many of our readers and for us, with a good range of choice and unique offerings beyond what you’ll find at many other Table Service spots and well-executed dishes. (Seriously, the Shrimp & Grits you see above is impressive!) The price tag is also easier to swallow, so that helps. Lunch and Dinner can be a bit hit or miss in regards to food, though we have enjoyed some delightful entrees here as of late. And hands down, the dessert win goes to Cinderella’s Royal Table. (Sorry, Lumiere, but while the Grey Stuff is “delicious,” the portion is lacking.) Convenience Now THIS is where our two Castles share the most common ground: because both of these restaurants offer iconic dining experiences in breathtaking settings, they have both historically been rather challenging to get into due to sheer demand. Getting a seat here ain’t easy It is a bit easier to score a reservation these days (specifically at Be Our Guests) due, we believe, to the fact that the Disney Dining Plan is not currently available. BOTH of these restaurants accept the Disney Dining Plan to the tune of TWO Table Service credits each. Though Disney has not yet shared when, they have shared that the Disney Dining Plan will be returning. When that happens, presuming both of these restaurants remain on the Disney Dining Plan, it is likely that getting a table at either location will be even more challenging. Additionally, now that the Princesses are returning to Cinderella’s Royal Table, that appears to have bumped the demand for that location. HOORAY! Princesses are coming BACK! Click here for Tricks To Get Reservations At Cinderella’s Royal Table in Disney World Advance Dining Reservations are difficult, but not impossible, to get. Basically, if you wanna dine in a Castle, be prepared to work for it. We recommend KNOWING the steps for making a reservation ahead of time, marking your calendar for the first day of your reservation window (60 days out from the day you’d like to dine), and setting your alarm to be up early on that date to make an online reservation at 6AM EST. (And, actually, we advise you start trying a bit earlier, at say 5:45AM, and hitting refresh over and over and over again in case things open up a bit sooner.) If you don’t get a reservation, stalk (I’m not kidding) My Disney Experience or the Disney World website to check for openings as your trip approaches. Go over our list of HUGE tips for landing those hard-to-get reservations. We’ve got GREAT TIPS for snagging hard-to-get reservations HERE! Value We’ve compared three aspects of the dining experiences at Cinderella’s Royal Table and Be Our Guest Restaurant: atmosphere, food, and character/s. All of the factors can be considered according to your preference. But there is one thing we can put a definitive number on, and that’s the price. Here is a reminder of the breakdown: Lunch or Dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant is a set price of $67 for adults and $39 for children ages 3-9. Breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table is currently $45 for adults and $29 for children ages 3 to 9, with a price increase anticipated for dates starting February 28, 2023. Lunch and Dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table is currently $67 for adults and $39 for children ages 3 to 9, with a price increase anticipated for dates starting February 28, 2023. This is where all the factors above come together to consider what the VALUE is for you. Is the food equal to the cost of $67 at either location? From our experiences over the years at each, the answer is no. However, we have to keep in mind that the food is served in an iconic setting that you won’t experience elsewhere, AND there is some form of a character experience no matter which you choose (with the edge going to Cinderella’s Royal Table for full character interaction, which is BACK as of February 28th, and you can bet we’ll have a complete review for you on that returning experience soon). We’ve Eaten at Every Magic Kingdom Restaurant. These Are the BEST. All of this is why we have long said — and still say — that dining in a Magic Kingdom Castle, be it Cinderella’s Royal Table or Be Our Guest Restaurant, is something every Disney World guest should do at least once, if possible. It really is something you won’t forget. Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe! Don't Miss Out on Any Disney Fun! Order Your Copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today! With more than 900 pages, the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We've done the research for you, so you'll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family's needs! You'll get a Reference Guide, a 101 Plan, and a Printables and Resources Guide! With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis; and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you'll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2023 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2023 to save 25% off the cover price today! Use code WDW2023 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today! http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/ready-to-shop-button.png Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. What is YOUR favorite Magic Kingdom Castle? Please let us know with a comment!The post Cinderella's Royal Table vs. Be Our Guest Restaurant -- Disney World Guide for 2023 first appeared on the disney food blog.View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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