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Kicking off a Magical Race Weekend: Tips for a Successful Expo Experience

We are less than three weeks away from the Health and Fitness Expo that will kick off Disney’s Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend! I love going to the expo. For me, it’s the start of the race experience. It can be crowded and overwhelming, but with proper planning, you can see (and hopefully buy!) everything that you want. Remember, you have to go to the expo to pick up your race bib, and you have to show ID – no one else can pick up your bib! If you’ve pre-ordered items (pins, a Dooney, etc.), you will also pick those up at the expo.

Tip #1: Arrive Early

The expo is held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports, and officially opens at 10:00 am, but in my experience, they usually open the doors early on the first day. If there’s specific merchandise that you have your heart set on, you will want to arrive as early as possible – lines will be L-O-O-O-N-G just to get in the door. If you don’t care about merch and just want to get your bib and get out, then you might want to consider waiting until later in the day, or even going on another day when the crowds are much lower.

What’s the best way to get to the expo? I have taken a bus from the resort (follow the signs for the race transportation, DO NOT go to the regular bus stop for the parks), and I have also driven and taken a taxi. The only advantage to driving is that you can get there earlier than on the bus. In my past experience, the bus came in a timely manner and wasn’t too crowded. I believe they start running 30 minutes prior to the expo opening, so be at the bus stop early!

Tip #2: Know Your Plan

Many times you have to go into two different buildings – the HP Field House for your bib, and the Jostens Center for your shirt (usually the shirts are at the very back of the room on the left side). At some events, the shirts will be with the bibs, but the vendors will always be in the Jostens Center. If there is specific merchandise that you have your heart set on, go to the Jostens Center FIRST. There will be signs and cast members directing you where to go. This will mean going back and forth – buying merch, then going across the street for your bib, then coming back again for your shirt(s). But the merchandise goes quickly, especially jackets and wine glasses. Hit the official runDisney merchandise booth first, and go in with some idea of what you want. In the past, runDisney has provided a preview of some of the merchandise on Facebook a few days in advance. I usually decide which are the “must-have” items for me, and try to grab them first, before I peruse the rest of the booth. Expect to see jackets, tech shirts, “I did it!” shirts, wine glasses, pins, sweaty bands, car magnets, etc. If you are with a friend, it may be wise to divide and conquer for the most coveted items. Know what sizes you need, and each of you have a designated item to get.

If this is your first expo, you may also want to take a look at the expo map beforehand, to get an idea of which vendors will be there. Budget for how much you’ll want to spend – there are LOTS of vendors! Sparkle Skirts and Raw Threads are usually there with big displays, and there will be lots and lots of other eye-catching booths with running attire, headbands, jewelry, medal racks, and other running gear.

Tip #3: Pack Your Patience

Especially if you are attending the first morning, expect to stand in lines. Lots and lots of lines. A line to get in the door, sometimes a line to get into the runDisney merchandise booth. Definitely a long line to check out with your newfound runDisney merch (and don’t forget – you can use your AP or other discounts for your official gear!). There will also be lines to get your bib. And if you don’t bring a signed copy of your waiver along, you’ll have to wait in another line to print one off before going in for your bib. Just like at the parks, the expo is going to involve some waiting.

Tip #4: Allow Yourself Enough Time

Plan for enough time that you won’t feel rushed if you have to stand in lines, and also time to walk around and take everything in. The expo should be a fun experience, not a stressful one. Remember to allow a few extra minutes for walking from the parking lot inside, and then to two different buildings. Also remember that the expo buses only run to the resorts, they will not take you to a park. Be mindful of this when planning your day or any dining reservations.

Tip #5: Sign Up in Advance for New Balance!

Want a pair of those coveted runDisney New Balance shoes? Typically at 6:00 am each morning, you will be able to sign up for a virtual queue to try them on. You will be able to select a style/size that will be held for you, and you will receive a text when it is your turn to go to the booth. There may not be as much of a demand later in the year (and since the older models were just on sale at the outlets), but for new models at the races early in the year, the demand is extremely high. If you don’t sign up for a time slot, you will have to wait in yet another line just to get into the New Balance booth.

Getting my hands on these beauties was definitely a highlight from my first expo!

Tip #6: Take Pictures!

There will be opportunities for pictures from the time you walk up the sidewalk (large banners with the race logos or medals on them). Inside, there is usually a background or two for photos. If you follow runDisney on Instagram, you can usually have a fun picture taken with some sort of special effect (you just have to show them on your phone that you follow them). Occasionally there is even a character, but this isn’t the norm. At the Star Wars Dark Side expo, I waited about 40 minutes to meet BB-8 (he was in a separate tent). This was unusual for an expo, but it was definitely worth it, since I didn’t have to wait the following mornings in the long pre-race lines.

Fun effects from the 2015 Wine & Dine Expo.

Tip #7: Take Advantage of the Speaker Series

Another really cool thing about the runDisney expo is the Speaker Series. At various times throughout the day, there will be short seminars on running, training, and nutrition. You can get some advice from Jeff Galloway, Tara Gidus, and other running professionals. They usually run 30 minutes to one hour, and past seminars have included information for spectators, costume inspiration, training tips, and race nutrition. There is occasionally a celebrity speaker, as well.

Tip #8: Socialize!

Walking around the expo (and standing in those aforementioned lines) is a great way to meet fellow runners. If you are part of a running team or even just one of the many Disney Facebook groups, odds are good that you’ll see someone that you know – or at least someone that you recognize from social media. Don’t hesitate to say hello! One of my favorite things about runDisney events is getting to see my running teammates and meet new people.

Coachmen outside the doors of the Princess Expo.

Jeff Galloway is also usually at the expo. He is extremely friendly and approachable, and many runners who have followed his program enjoy meeting him and sharing their success stories with him. There is usually a line to meet him, but he is always willing to take pictures and sign autographs. I have even seen runners have him sign their bibs or magic bands.

You can also interact with professionals and learn about new products, try fuel samples, and play games. The expo was the first place where I experienced The Stick, which is one of my favorite things now. Many runners also use this opportunity to get taped at the KT Tape booth.

If you’re feeling a little thirsty from all the shopping, there is usually a stand with beer and snacks somewhere on the expo floor. There will also be concessions on your way out of the Jostens Center (where the merchandise is found), and usually there is a stand outside with things like lemonade and pretzels.

Whether this is your first expo or you are an old pro, enjoy yourself and have patience with others. This is the beginning of an exciting, magical race weekend!

Do you have any questions about navigating the expo? Any additional tips? Let us know! We’d love to hear from you.

Are You Ready to Brave Disney on a Holiday?

If you ever dreamed of spending a Thanksgiving or Christmas at Disney World, you are not alone! Thousands descend upon the parks during the holiday season, but don’t be surprised if even your fellow Disney lovers don’t share your excitement. Just ask on any Disney-related Facebook page about traveling the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day and you’re sure to be flooded with negative commentary…masses of people, hour long waits, Fastpasses gone by noon, impossible to make dining reservations… every worst case scenario you could imagine.

wdw201333224885848_6894267764 — A Thanksgiving trip so perfect, we even got a Christmas card out of the deal!

Does this mean you’ll never get a chance to meet Santa Goofy or see the fireworks extravaganza on New Year’s Eve? Of course not! Spending a major holiday at Disney can easily be done with some planning and flexibility, and give you unforgettable memories to last a lifetime!

wdw201333425366990_6893744129 — Santa Goofy in Dinoland, Animal Kingdom

Know Before You Go!

I was born on Thanksgiving Day, and had my heart set on celebrating my 45th birthday at Magic Kingdom. Even better? I realized it was going to fall on Thanksgiving that year! Being a teacher, I don’t have the flexibility to travel when I choose. I often only get to travel during the busiest and most expensive times of the year. Even so, the thought of celebrating my birthday at Disney was unbelievably exciting! I didn’t need to check the crowd calendars to confirm it would be a “red” level day…but it reminded me that I would have to take advantage of every pre-planning tool and trick I have! (Helpful Hint: Both Touring Plans and Kenny the Pirate have very popular crowd calendars to help you plan your trip.)

wdw201333224798656_6894257523 — A magic shot celebrating my birthday at the happiest place on Earth!

Take Advantage of Pre-Planning Tools

The key to getting exactly what you want is by booking your top choices as early as possible. If you are an on-site guest (staying on Disney property), this means you can book your ADRs (Advance Dining Reservations) 180 days in advance! Fastpasses for rides and attractions can be booked 60 days in advance. If you are staying off-site, you can make your Fastpass selections 30 days in advance once you link your park tickets. Off-site guests can book 180 days in advance as well, but can only book reservations day by day, instead of for the duration of your trip.

img_2921_2 — Thanksgiving Day lunch at Be Our Guest

By logging in to My Disney Experience at 6:00 am EST, I was able to not only book Be Our Guest for lunch, but Cinderella’s Royal Table for our Thanksgiving dinner! If you don’t know, these are two of the most sought after dining reservations in Magic Kingdom any day of the year, and I was able to score them both for Thanksgiving! Woot! Woot! You can call to reserve your ADRs starting at 7:00 am EST. But, if you are tech savvy you can do it online, allowing you to start booking an hour earlier! (Helpful Hint: When your window for booking dining opens up, you will be able to book all the meals for your entire trip. Prioritize your holiday dining first, as these will be the hardest reservations to get!)

img_3015_2 — Our view from Cinderella’s Royal Table during Thanksgiving dinner.

Seasonal menu offering…turkey and all the fixings!

wdw201333224901767_6893744048 — Cinderella greets us pre-meal in her beautiful seasonal dress!

Dining experiences aren’t the only events that can be booked 180 days in advance. My daughter wanted the royal treatment, so I booked a princess make-over at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique right in the castle! We were also able to reserve our spots for the Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party for that evening. Pretty cool, right? It’s not every day you get fireworks on your birthday! (Helpful Hint: While at times the Dessert Party has been bookable 180 days in advance, it isn’t always consistent. Sometimes it opens up without notice, or won’t be offered until 60 days prior, so keep checking back!)

wdw201333224771237_6894254234 — Fairy Godmothers working their magic at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique!

wdw201333525581213_6893744045 — Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party photo op!

img_3247_2 — Wishes and birthday fireworks!

At 60 days out on-site guests can book their Fastpasses! Remember, you no longer have to stay up until midnight…you can now start booking these online at 7:00 am EST. Popular meet and greets and rides like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and Space Mountain will go fast, so lock into your top choices! At the very least, you know you will have three rides with minimal waits, compared to the hours-long waits that will develop by the afternoon. Feeling overwhelmed? Check out my blog post about using a Disney spreadsheet to see all your plans at a glance! The Agony (and Ecstasy!) of the Disney Spreadsheet

wdw201333124481763_6903805388 — Pre-booking your fastpasses are a must on holidays!

Front Load Your Day and Strategize, Strategize, Strategize!

Yes, I know it is your vacation and not a military operation, but holidays at Disney are no time to sleep in! First, take advantage of Extra Magic Hours, or EMH. While typically offered year-round, Parks offer additional extended hours around their busiest days. On alternating days, some Parks may open early, and other Parks may stay open hours later. On Thanksgiving morning we found out that Magic Kingdom would be opening not one, but two hours early! We were stoked for a 7:00 a.m. opening! It’s not everyday you have a chance to watch the sun rise over the Train Station!

IMG_2854_2 — Extra Magic Hours pre-dawn shot!

Next, show up for Rope Drop! While this can be used synonymously with “park opening”, at Magic Kingdom there is actually a daily show! This Welcome Show is performed about ten minutes before the park opens and is a highlight of every trip! The Main Street Citizens sing and dance while waiting for the Disney World train to pull into the train station with Mickey and friends, as well as the Family of the Day! (Helpful Hint: Though it’s a long shot, being early and chatting up the Cast Members greatly increases your family’s chance of being chosen for Family of the Day!)

Rope Drop Welcome Show…around 6:50 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day!

Finally, strategically plan your day! Getting to the Park at 6:30 a.m. has its advantages…uncrowded buses, nonexistent wait times, even the opportunity to take pictures of Cinderella Castle without hordes of people!

Cinderella Castle early Thanksgiving morning

Fastpasses can’t be booked during Extra Magic Hours, so we had two full hours with the Park to ourselves before the official 9:00 a.m. opening. We headed straight for my son’s favorite ride in Tomorrowland-Astro Orbiter. Not only were we the first riders of the day, but we had the ride exclusively to ourselves! In fact, the Cast Member asked if we would like to ride again, as a line hadn’t formed yet. It was a little chilly for the three of us, but my son jumped at the chance! We have video of Luke as the solo rider-so cool!!

Solo rider on Astro Orbiter…makes the early wake-up more than worth it!

For the next two hours, we rode practically every ride in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, and met multiple characters. We even rode some rides twice! By that time we were starting to get hungry since we had gotten up so early, so we were happy to have booked an early lunch at Be Our Guest.

By the time we finished eating the Park had become very crowded…we were lucky we had saved our three Fastpasses! We only booked one of our three for the morning, as we knew we were taking advantage of the Extra Magic Hours. We saved two for the late afternoon when we knew the Park would be mobbed! (Helpful Hint: Now, you can make additional Fastpasses through the My Disney Experience app once you use up your first three. You may want to front load your day with all three in order to then be able to book your fourth, then fifth, etc. OR spread out your three knowing the Fastpasses for the most desirable attractions are likely to be gone early on high capacity days.)

wdw201333224691949_6894948767 — Enchanted Tales with Belle is a hit with both my kids…and my daughter even got chosen to play the Beast!

Make a Day of It…and Embrace the Madness!

If at all possible, plan to stay for the entire day. If the Parks hit capacity, they reserve the right to start park closures. Though rare, it’s not uncommon for Magic Kingdom to hit a Phase 3 closure on New Years or July 4th. There are levels of closures that first hit only day guests, then off-site guests, then park hoppers and people attempting to re-enter the park, and finally guests on Disney property. Don’t over-stress about this…in the last ten years Magic Kingdom has only had a single Phase 4 closure, which effectively closes the Park to all new guests!

Starting to feel a bit busy behind the castle…!

Though we knew we were taking a risk, we did head back to the Wilderness Lodge after our early lunch. Knowing we were on-site guests with both dinner and fireworks reservations meant only a Phase 4 Closure could keep us out, and we knew that had never happened on Thanksgiving Day before! (And a monorail couldn’t get you there any faster than the five minute bus ride to Magic Kingdom! Perfect location!)

Wilderness Lodge’s Silver Creek Springs Pool…I couldn’t keep my children off the waterslide!

We spent some relaxing hours at the Silver Creek Springs pool (and maybe at the Trout Bass Bar, as well!!) and it was heavenly! Though the air temperature was unseasonably cold for November, the pool was heated and steam rose above its surface! After some waterslides and Banana Cabanas, we were ready for round two!

img_2980_2 — Who doesn’t love swimming in November??

Our plan for the crowded late afternoon was simple…show up for our dinner reservation at Cinderella’s Royal Table, ride our two remaining Fastpass rides and hit the Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party! The rest of the time we were free to enjoy the theming and gorgeous Christmas decorations, see the characters decked out in their finest holiday garb and mug for the cameras!

Poinsettias, toy soldiers and Christmas trees!

The last year the holiday decorations were extended over Main Street…

wdw201333525535614_6893743992 — Main Street, USA!

Though there will always be crowds, heading to the Parks on a major holiday is something you can easily check off your Disney Bucket List! I have to say-my special day in Magic Kingdom is my most cherished and memorable birthday to date! With some advance planning, flexibility and Pixie Dust you can have your turkey and eat it, too!

The Train Station in the wee hours of the morning…some time after 1:00 a.m…beautiful!

Jacqueline lives in Southbury, CT, with her husband and two children. You can follow her on Instagram at @morphingintominnie.

Restaurant Review: Yak & Yeti

Before discovering the Yak & Yeti table service restaurant last year, my family had always eaten at the Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe (which is quick service). Both of these are located in the Asia section of the park (near the Flights of Wonder pavilion), and are beside one another. Once I experienced Yak & Yeti, it became my “must-eat” restaurant at Animal Kingdom. Three words: cream cheese wontons. But more on those later.

On our most recent trip, we ended up dining here twice. Once was a planned visit with an ADR, and the other was an evening when everyone except my husband and toddler decided to stay back at the resort. There is seating both upstairs and down, and some of the upstairs tables have a great window view. The restaurant really is beautiful, and I realized that I failed miserably in not getting pictures of the interior (looks like I found a reason to go back – I need a do-over!).

On the first visit, I had the Seared Miso Salmon, which comes with coconut-ginger rice, baby bok choy & shitake mushroom stir-fry. This is deeeee-licious! The glaze on the salmon had such a good flavor, and the salmon had a nice consistency, as well.

My more adventurous husband tried the Malaysian Seafood Curry, which includes Mahi Mahi, scallops, little neck clams, mussels, shrimp, as well as some veggies and rice. This was a new dish for him, and he thoroughly enjoyed it. He said it had a medium spice, and he would definitely eat it again.

The other members of our party had the Crispy Honey Chicken (more on this later, since I ordered it on the second trip) and the Lo Mein with Shrimp. Both were hits – everyone raved about this meal.

The service was also great – our server was extremely friendly and helpful. He was taking a trip to our home state the following weekend, so we were able to chat about the area a bit. Now, on to my favorite part of the meal: dessert! I had been dreaming about the Fried Wontons for months, so my choice was easy. What is this magical creation, you ask? It consists of skewers of cream cheese wontons and fresh pineaple, drizzled with a delicious honey vanilla sauce, and a side of ice cream. It is as amazing as it sounds.

Fried Wontons: this is the stuff dreams are made of…

Other desserts were ordered, as well – Pineapple Upside Down cake (served warm and covered in ice cream and caramel sauce), and the Chocolate Pudding Cake. The Pineapple Upside Down cake was very good, but the Chocolate Pudding cake was too much, even for our biggest chocolate lover (ahem, that’s me). Neither one stood a chance against my wontons, though!

Chocolate Pudding Cake with Raspberry Sauce

Our second dining experience here was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I made an ADR about 2 hours in advance, as we were on the bus to the park. We sat downstairs this time, and had a long, relaxing dinner. I started with a Kiwi Kimono, which was light and delicious.

This time I opted for the Crispy Honey Chicken, and it was great. Crispy on the outside with a sweet-but-not-TOO sweet flavor, it was perfect.

My husband opted for the Kalbi Steak & Coconut Shrimp, and he loved it. It came with a pineapple-mango salsa, chili plum sauce, wasabi mashed potatoes, and stir-fried veggies. I sampled the mashed potatoes and they were wonderful! We were both extremely happy with our meals, and the service was again great, as well.

For dessert, we both got…you guessed it, the cream cheese wontons! Have I mentioned how delicious these are? So, so good.

One more wonton picture, because I can’t get enough!

If you’re looking for a table service restaurant in Animal Kingdom, I would definitely recommend Yak & Yeti. And bonus tip: right across the street is a little kiosk called Drinkwallah. Inside, you will find my favorite drink in this park: Coconut Lychee Lemonade! It’s perfect for a hot day, and goes down way too easily.

Exploring the Parks: Animal Kingdom After Dark

I love Animal Kingdom. I know that for a lot of people, it’s a half-day park, a place to go knock out a couple of rides and be on your way. But I love it. I love walking around and taking pictures, I adore the Tree of Life, and I could ride Everest and Kilimanjaro Safari over and over (and I have, on several occasions). I admit, I would be happy if DinoLand were completely demolished, but that’s another story.

As long as I have been going to the parks, I have always wished that I could ride Everest at night. So when I heard that Animal Kingdom was getting nighttime entertainment, I was thrilled! I scheduled two nights of our trip to make sure we got to do everything. The thing that really struck me on both nights was that the park seemed relatively empty. Wait times were low and the only huge crowds seemed to be around the time that the Jungle Book show was letting out. So did the nighttime entertainment meet my high expectations? In some ways, absolutely! In other ways, not so much. Let’s take a look at all of the things I experienced.

Everest After Dark

I’m a big, big fan of coasters, and Everest is my favorite at any of the Disney parks. Riding in the dark has always been on my Disney Bucket List, and I was extremely excited to check it off. Everest at twilight was actually my favorite – seeing the sky and all of the twinkling lights below. Riding in the complete dark didn’t disappoint, either! It felt like you were better able to see the Yeti, probably because your eyes were already adjusted to the dark. Over the course of two evenings, I probably did 6 rides. Lines were extremely short and the single rider line was almost nonexistent. This was definitely a highlight – it was just as amazing as I had always imagined it would be. If you’re a fan of this ride, then riding at night is an absolute must-do!

Kilimanjaro Safari: Nighttime Edition

The Safari is one of my favorite things to do at Animal Kingdom, because it is always different, and sometimes you get a really unexpected and up-close view of an animal. I was excited to try it at night, and we went on at a few different times to see what the best time might be. We went on around 6:30 (still light), 7:45 (dusk), and 8:30 (fully dark). The ride at dusk was definitely the best. It seemed to be feeding time for a lot of the animals, so we got a good look at a lot of them, but it also felt different being out there slightly later than usual. The lions were even up and about at this time! When we went in the complete dark, we didn’t see nearly as many animals. It was also nearly impossible to get any pictures, at least using my iPhone. It was really cool to get a different experience on an attraction that we have been on so many times, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you’ve never been on the safari during the day. They have lights on the jeep, and lights strategically placed in the trees throughout the ride. Another thing that I also noticed in the evening: they were only loading from one side, so this slowed things down a little. It operated that way both nights we were there, but the line was still pretty short compared to the wait during the day. I’m glad I got to experience this, even if the nighttime safari wasn’t all I had hoped it would be. Now I just need to check off the Wild Africa Trek, and my AK Bucket List will be complete!

A giraffe came up to say hello on our earlier safari.

Tree of Life: Awakening

Around sunset each night, the animals on the Tree of Life begin to “awaken”. Sometimes they just slightly move, but there are also four different entire animated sequences (lasting around five minutes each) that are accompanied by music. Imagine something similar to the “Celebrate the Magic” projection on the Castle, but with animals. I thought this was really charming, and since it happened at various times throughout the evening, you could walk up and catch it at any time. We stood and watched for quite awhile, and everyone seemed to really enjoy it. I would love it if new sequences were eventually added, but I consider this a hit and a definite must-see. Please note that since it is a projection, it’s only visible from the front of the tree.

A little fox “awakens” on the Tree of Life.

I loved the colors and music that were used.

The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic

By now, you’ve probably heard all the bad reviews about this show. Let me just add: they’re all true. This show was unbelievably awful. I was so excited about Rivers of Light, and I was bummed that it was delayed. The theater that was built for it is absolutely gorgeous, and seeing all the lights right at dusk is breathtaking. Thankfully, the Jungle Book show has now ended and if you haven’t seen it yet, you’ve missed your chance (September 5^th was the last show). It was basically Indian-style music and dancing to the Jungle Book soundtrack, while scenes from the movie were projected onto water in the background. There were also some cast members that danced up and down the aisles. It was painful. It was boring. And every single person in our party hated it. Most of them had no idea of the bad reviews going in, and I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to influence their opinion. It was surprisingly bad for a show put on by Disney, which just speaks to the fact that it was quickly thrown together as a replacement. Fingers crossed that Rivers of Light arrives quickly!

The floats were pretty. That’s the only nice thing I have to say about this show!

Overall, I loved being at Animal Kingdom after dark, and I can only imagine that it will get even better once Rivers of Light debuts and the expansion is finished. While we were there, the park felt fairly empty, and it was really fun to walk around and just enjoy the views. It seemed like a good deal of the vendors were open late, as well. I stopped to ask what time they would stop serving drinks in the Harambe Market, and the answer was 10pm.

Unfortunately, Animal Kingdom began to cut their nighttime hours right after our trip. They are currently still open until 9pm, so you can still enjoy lots of nighttime activities, but you’ll have to hurry. The hours scale back to 8:30 in October and then to 6:00 in November. I’m looking forward to experiencing Animal Kingdom at night even more once the new show and expansion are ready!

Restaurant Review: Be Our Guest Lunch

I still remember how excited I was the first time I walked into Be Our Guest and got a glimpse of the ballroom. We managed to score a dinner reservation during a Christmas party when it was first opening, and it was (and still is) absolutely breathtaking. We have been back several times and have tried all three meals. Breakfast and lunch are quick service, but dinner transitions into a table service. It’s also worth mentioning that dinner at BoG is currently the only place in the Magic Kingdom where alcoholic drinks are available for purchase. Due to the overwhelming popularity, reservations can be made for all three meals, and these go FAST! I definitely recommend booking this one at 180 days if you plan to dine here. The food at lunch is my favorite, but during dinner, you are able to meet the Beast (I love that hairy guy!).

Another unique thing about this restaurant is that for breakfast and lunch, you are able to pre-order your food online before your trip, and then you can skip the line once you arrive. We didn’t pre-order this time, so when we arrived, we got in line to order. There is so much to look at while you’re waiting that the time passes quickly. When it’s time to order, you are directed to one of the kiosks in the library (this room transitions to where you meet the Beast at dinner). Once your order is placed, you can proceed to any of the rooms and your food will be brought out to you. The ballroom is my favorite, but the West Wing has a really cool ambiance, as well. We quickly grabbed a table in the ballroom, and our food arrived shortly.

Kiosk for ordering lunch in the library at Be Our Guest.

My favorite thing to eat at Be Our Guest is the French Onion Soup – it’s delicious! But since we had been outside in the heat all morning, I wasn’t ready for soup. I chose the Carved Turkey Sandwich. It is served warm on a baguette with Dijon Mayonnaise and Pommes Frites. I’ve had this sandwich several times, and I always enjoy it. There was lots of turkey (actually too much for me!), and the sauce was delicious, as well. Two of the others in our party also got the same thing, and everyone enjoyed it.

The Carved Turkey Sandwich with Pommes Frites.

My husband is a huge fan of the Croque Monsieur sandwich, but this time he decided to branch out and try the Tuna Nicoise Salad. It includes warm seared tuna steak with chilled green beans, potatoes, olives, roasted bell peppers, tomatoes, and a hard poached egg. He enjoyed it, but said that he would’ve preferred more spice to the tuna.

My son chose the Mickey Meatloaf, and wanted me to be sure that I quoted him when he said it was “super yummy”. This is a turkey meatloaf with broccoli and Pommes Frites, with Orange “stuff” for dipping.

Dessert is the same for lunch and dinner, and it’s delicious! We went with the Strawberry Cream Cheese Cupcake (vanilla sponge cake, strawberry mousse filling, and cream cheese icing), the Triple Chocolate Cupcake (chocolate sponge cake, chocolate mousse filling, and chocolate ganache), and the Master’s Cupcake (chocolate sponge cake topped with Lumiere’s special “Grey Stuff”). The Strawberry Cream Cheese is usually my go-to, but this time I decided to try to Master’s Cupcake. The Grey Stuff is light and almost mousse-like, and it was very good. Tip: the easiest way to eat the cupcakes is with a spoon, since the wrapping is difficult to remove.

The staff was also very accommodating. Our 14-year-old initially ordered the Tuna Nicoise Salad, but was slightly disgusted when it arrived and wasn’t what she had expected. Our server quickly offered to bring her something different, for which we were very grateful.

I definitely recommend that any fan of Beauty and the Beast eat here at least once, to experience the beautiful surroundings. I already have an ADR for my next trip, and I’m hoping that the weather will be cool enough for soup!