Be Our Guest: A Magical Dining Experience

Dine like royalty at Walt Disney World’s most popular restaurant by using this one simple tip: PLAN AHEAD.

We recently ate at the Beauty and the Beast-themed restaurant, Be Our Guest (BOG). It is – by far – our favorite of all the Disney Parks’ restaurants!

This time, we made the best decision possible. By ordering our food ahead of time, we bypassed a line of nearly 100 people!

After checking-in for our Noon reservation, we were told to keep to the left and sent directly to the register to pay for our meal. That’s when the magic happened! You see, a couple days after submitting our order, which included two light-up rose cups, we found out that the Beauty and the Beast-inspired tumblers were completely sold out. We were ready for disappointment.

But alas, PIXIE DUST! When a cast member saw the order, she called a manager, who explained that because we pre-ordered the cups, they could be purchased at our table in a separate transaction. Moments later, our food was delivered – along with two beautiful souvenirs wrapped in bubble wrap inside of a Disney Parks bag.

If you don’t already have the Disney Parks app on your phone, now is the time to get it. It’s free and serves as a vital tool for planning your Disney Parks vacation; view attraction wait times, make Fast Pass selections, and book restaurant reservations.

We were able to view the BOG menu and order, weeks before our trip. NO wait! We were seated by 12:05 p.m. and were eating by 12:10 p.m. It definitely gave us more time to enjoy Magic Kingdom! Now, we don’t know if this happened to everyone who pre-ordered the special cups – nor do we know when they will be available again.

Guests of BOG may use the complimentary order-ahead service within 30-days of their reservation. It is only available during breakfast and lunch. For more information, visit http://www.disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/dining-reservations/advance-order-dining.

And be sure to “try the grey stuff,” because it truly is delicious!

Out of Gas at Ford’s Garage

If you asked me what I thought about Ford’s Garage an hour after we arrived, I would have said, “it needs some work.” An online description for the restaurant’s newest location in Brandon, Florida location says, “…enjoy a memorable dining experience today!” Boy, did we ever…

When we tried to eat there a couple weeks ago, the line and wait time drove us away. This time, there were parking spots available and only about four-to-five families waiting ahead of us. When we got to the hostess stand they told us the wait was an hour. “Hmm” I said, “Is there ever a time when there’s not an hour wait?”. She said, “You should call ahead and make reservations.” Not what someone who just drove 45 minutes to eat somewhere wants to hear. Regardless, I gave them my number and 20 minutes later got a text that our table was ready.

I loved the atmosphere! There are a couple Model-T’s hanging over the two bars — converted into wine glass racks. The napkins are oil rags with car parts for napkin rings.

Bathroom sinks are re-purposed tires and gas nozzles — and the Mens’ urinals are cut from a beer keg (you’ll have to trust me, ladies).

One hour and 10 minutes after we ordered our burgers on a branded brioche bun, there was still no food in sight. I went from hungry to HANGRY in 0.2 seconds.

My toddler became so bored that he plunked his Hot Wheels car into Daddy’s Pink Lemonade. A new waitress emerged, “Hi I’m taking over for waitress x who went home”. I said, “Did she forget to give the kitchen our order?” She looked horrified when I told her how long it had been. The kitchen, she found out, had “lost” our ticket.

She apologized. The manager apologized. We got our food in five minutes and it was free. I joked on my Instagram that I’ve had quicker oil changes. While I’m quick to share our bad dining experience, I’d like to acknowledge the staff’s effort to turn it around. I’ll give them another go, sometime down the road… when they’ve got a few more miles under their belt.

Until next time…

Fries Today, Chicken Tomorrow

It’s a great week if you love to take advantage of free food!

Saturday, 7/11 was Free Slurpee Day at 7-Eleven. It’s an annual chance to sip a cold bit of childhood through a spoon-straw. My sensitive teeth are still chattering.

Did you know that Slurpee’s have been causing brain freeze since 1966? With more than 7.2 billion sold!

Monday, July 13 is National French Fry Day.

Today I will be happier than a seagull with a french fry. –Unknown

According to The Daily Meal, McDonalds sells more than 1/3 of all french fries served in restaurants each year.

Finally, moooooving onto July 14. Chick-fil-A #CowAppreciationDay – it’s a chance for DIY’ers and their kids to stock up on grub. Anyone who goes into the fast food restaurant “full dressed as a cow” from head to hoof, gets a free meal. Those who wear only a bovine accessory, such as a hat, get a free entree.

It’s a popular week for fast food, I better get to the gym… quick!

Disney Dining: The BOATHOUSE at Downtown Disney

The BOATHOUSE at Downtown Disney, Orlando

In our latest adventure, we embarked on Downtown Disney’s newest eating destination, The BOATHOUSE. It’s the perfect spot to set sail or enjoy a drink on dry land.

Bar at The BOATHOUSE

As you venture through the restaurant’s front doors, you’ll see fresh seafood including crab legs and oysters, chilling on ice. Boat motors hang high on the walls of the bar and flowers fill small boats in the dining areas. The Ship’s Store sells nautical clothing accessories, along with dozens of costumed rubber ducks.

But it’s what sits behind the hostess stand that will really get your engine revving. It’s the coolest dining table in Florida: a wooden Chris Craft boat-turned-booth which comfortably seats 6 or more. We’re told it’s generally booked solid with reservations, but we were able to dock there for lunch on a slow afternoon.

Boat Booth at The BOATHOUSE

The atmosphere is incredible, but don’t be surprised if other diners stop to enjoy the craftsmanship of the boat. The Crew members are attentive and friendly. The music takes you back a few decades to the ’60’s. The menu features everything from Coconut Frog Legs to S’Mores Baked Alaska. There’s also sandwiches, salads, seafood and steaks. The kids’ meals are served in a paper convertible car… a cute touch.

Outdoor seating & Dockside Bar

There’s an outdoor eating area and bar, but this Florida native would rather stay out of the sweltering, Summer sun. And if you’re really up for an adventure, you can charter an Italian Water Taxi or Amphicar. It’s a car! It’s a boat! A 20-minute guided tour inside the floating vessel from the 60’s costs $125.

Amphicar Landing

I can’t wait to set sail on my next trip to Downtown Disney!

Until next time… keep on strollin’. -MP