Try the Grey Stuff - It's Delicious!

If you’ve seen Beauty and The Beast, you probably know the famous line from Be Our Guest in which the dining room sings about the meal and they suggest you try the grey stuff.  

Wonderfully, at Disney World’s Be Our Guest restaurant, you can do just that.  Trust me (just ask the plates) - it IS delicious!

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There are 3 rooms at BOG - The Grand Ballroom, the West Wing and the Castle Gallery.  We were seated in the West Wing.  

Each room is done in true Disney fashion - you feel like you are truly inside the Beast’s castle.  If you’re seated in the Grand Ballroom - be sure to look for the snow falling just outside the windows.  The West Wing is a dark and mysterious room where you’ll find the enchanted rose.  Also, watch the portrait of Adam as it changes from prince to Beast!  The Gallery features a nearly 7-foot tall music box.

Whichever room you’re in, take the time before you leave to walk through the other rooms.  It’s definitely worth your time.

The food at BOG is considered French cuisine.  Don’t worry though, if you have picky eaters in your group.  My family (including me!) is the definition of picky eaters and we found the food to be great.  You can always get a Mickey Meal for the kid that just won’t try anything different. 

Do save room for dessert!  Besides the grey stuff (have I mentioned it’s delicious?) there are 7 other options!  

We ate lunch at BOG so didn’t get to meet the Beast, but if you go at dinner, you’ll most likely get a chance to take photos with him.  It’s not a “typical” character meal where he goes from table to table.  You’ll get a chance to take a pic with him as you exit the restaurant, but beware that you may have to wait in a bit of a line - just depends on timing as other guests finish their meal and line up.  

If you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, BOG is a quick-service meal at breakfast/lunch and a table service credit at dinner.  You can order your food in advance of your trip - keep that in mind as it will save you time once you arrive at the restaurant.  And you know how I am - less time spent eating is more time riding rides!!

This popular restaurant is located in the Magic Kingdom in New Fantasyland.  Even though it opened several years ago, reservations are still hard to come by.  You’ve got to be dedicated and get online at 5am on the 180 day mark ahead of your trip to snag one.  I’ve heard of people just walking up and getting in on the day they’re there, but that’s pretty rare and you’ve got to be willing to be disappointed if they’re full.  When you book your trip through me, I will be the one getting up early to get this reservation for you!

Once you're there - take lots and lots of pics!  I especially love this one of us reenacting the stained glass...

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Have you tried Be Our Guest?  Comment about what you thought!!

Get in the Picture - Everyone!!!

Update as of 10/11/2023…. The pricing for Memory Maker has increased to $185 for advanced purchase and $210 if you don’t purchase at least 3 days prior to your trip.

One of the best things about Disney world is their Photo Pass system and Memory Maker.  Here I will explain what these things are and some tips to help you make the most of them.

Disney's PhotoPass Service is the system used to take your pictures in the theme parks, on certain attractions and at some Character Dining locations. Memory Maker allows you to download all of those photos and videos for one price. If you purchase Memory Maker, you will have the rights to use your photos in any way that you'd like, including printing them from any service that you choose. In addition, you will also get on-ride videos and animated Magic shots that are only available to Memory Maker purchasers. 

I love the pictures that are included when purchasing Memory Maker - the Magic Shots are some of my favorites!

I also love the in-ride photos.  My hair is awesome in this pic!  :)  The pics are captured automatically based on your MagicBands.

And I love that in our Disney pics - unlike most vacations - I'm actually in the picture!  On other trips, I usually have the camera because I love torturing my children by making them take a billion pictures (according to them).  It's nice to be able to have myself included for a change.  You also have the choice to download them with frames and stickers which is fun.

If you feel like you've already spent enough money just getting to Disney World and don't want to spend money on your photos, not to worry!  Every single PhotoPass Photographer I've encountered has taken pictures using my own camera or phone.  When I went on my solo trip a while back, I didn't think it was worth the money to just have pictures of me alone so I didn't purchase the Memory Maker.  But I had the photographers take my pics and I came home with a couple hundred pictures.  

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My favorite is this one - when I handed the photographer my phone, he asked if I'd like some candid photos as I visited with Cinderella, rather than just the staged photos.  I said sure and then had a great belly laugh when I flipped through the pics later and saw his "candid" photo.

You also need to only purchase 1 Memory Maker per group if you are traveling with others.  Even if you are on a different reservations, as long as you are linked in My Disney Experience, all pics will be captured and can be downloaded.  I can help you when the time comes to make sure you've got it linked.

Stop and take pictures - always!!  Especially if you've paid for the Memory Maker, you'd be silly not to take advantage of every opportunity.  So when you see a photographer, stop!  Even if you're not buying the pics, have them take one with your camera.

When you get your pics made, ask the photographers if they do any Magic Shots.  Some will offer it and some won't tell you what they're doing - which is fun when you look at your pics later.  But some will just not mention it at all, so be sure and ask.  I think the photographers move locations often and they just don't think about the Magic Shots unless you ask.

Also, ask for some fun and different shots...  your backs as you look up at the castle, getting a kiss on the cheek from Mickey, anything you can think of to make your pics unique and truly a memory you will never forget.

You can save some money on Memory Maker by purchasing it in advance of your trip (at least 3 days in advance). As of this blog post, it costs $169.  If purchased at the parks, it's $199.  Also, be sure to note that your PhotoPass photos and videos expire 45 days from the date they are taken, so you will want to download them before they expire. 

Also, I don't work for Shutterfly or get any money for advertising for them, but they have a really cute Disney theme you can use and once you purchase Memory Maker, you are free to use them in a photo book.  I LOVE our books from our trips - and I catch the kids looking at them pretty often too.

Give me a call if you have any questions about these great services!  I'd love to book a trip for you and give you even more tips to increase the Magic!!

I'm Going to Disney... Again?

I'm actually not going anytime soon (but do have trip planned for Marathon weekend in January - more to come on that in the future!).  But anytime I tell someone that I'm going to Disney, they always have the same reaction.  Again??  Yes again!  It's obviously not my home but I really do feel at home while there.  Something I really love is that the cast members at every resort I've ever stayed at on Disney property always say, "Welcome home" to me while checking in or returning after a day at the parks.  Insert warm, fuzzy feeling here!

This is the sign as you enter Magic Kingdom.  And it tells it all - I love visiting my favorite older attractions from years past. And since I'm not able to go as often as I'd like there tends to be something new each time I go.  Just this summer, Disney is opening the new Pandora land and it won't be too long until the new Star Wars and Toy Story lands open. So I'm always excited to experience new things.  The best part of the sign though is the Fantasy.  

I'll never get too old (I hope!) to believe in the Magic of Disney and the feeling that dreams and wishes do come true here.  Even if it's only for a few days, that's an amazing feeling.  Throw in the fact that I don't do dishes or laundry and it truly is a dream come true!!

Disney allows - and encourages - everyone to be a kid again.  I love traveling with my boys to a place where they can act Goofy and it's totally normal!  I wish daily for time to slow down and my kids to stop growing older and I feel like it really does happen when we're at Disney.

Here's proof:

So when people ask why Disney again, I feel like they never quite understand when I say that it feels like home.  I could go into the unbelievable customer service Disney provides, the amazing attractions and shows, the mouth-watering food, the wonderful resorts and pools...  But the main reason I return is a feeling that you won't know about until you've experienced it.  Call me and let me help you get that feeling for yourself!!

Character Greeting Tips

One of the most fun parts of a Disney vacation is meeting your favorite Disney characters.  A little planning helps as some of the characters have long lines.  Here are a few of my favorite character pics and then see below for tips to make the most of your time with your Disney pals.

This is one of my favorite character greetings to date.  Andrew had spent the week wearing his Mickey Mouse baseball cap.  Each time we went up to meet a character, he would turn his hat around backwards so he could get a big hug without bumping his hat into them.  When he saw Buzz, he threw his hat down and took off running.  Looking back, I imagine he totally jumped the line but Buzz gave him hugs and high-fives and it was THE BEST.  If you know Andrew, you know he's always been super shy, so to see him so excited was the cutest thing ever.

Here are other favorite character pics:

Tips to get the most fun out of your character greetings:

* Be sure and get a FastPass if your favorite character has one available.  If your kids are desperate to meet Anna and Elsa, you really need a FastPass.  Wait times are often over an hour for them.

* Don't waste time.  It drives me nuts when the group in front of me gets to the front of the line and waits until it's their turn to start digging in bags for cameras, autograph books...  Be ready!  May not seem like a big deal but if a minute is wasted on each group going thru, the lines get unnecessarily long.

* Be ready with your phone if you want the photographer to take a picture with it.  I love Memory Maker and Disney's Photopass service, but sometimes I want a pic on my phone so that I can immediately post it on social media.  Photographers are awesome and are always willing to take other pictures using your phone/camera.

* Be prepared for your little one to wait in line, be super excited to see the character and then refuse to go near them for pictures.  Sometimes it's all a bit overwhelming to them.  The photographers are great at getting candid shots and if you can just coax your child into getting into the general vicinity of the character, you can probably still get good photos.

* Be creative.  Characters that are able sign will sign other items besides autograph books.  I've heard of them signing hats, MagicBands (I can't believe I've never done this!), shirts (as long as you're not currently wearing it), hats and postcards.  Be sure to bring your own pen - sharpies work well on everything except autograph books.  Use a regular pen for those.

* Check the times.  Most characters have posted times as to when they'll be where.  Get to them early.  If you wait until late in the time frame, you may be told that even though the character is still there, the line is "closed" to new arrivals.

* Visit with them.  The characters that are able to speak will answer questions about themselves and their stories.  Super fun and can be quite funny - in the case of Gaston, Cinderella's Step Sisters, Peter Pan...

* Book a character meal.  If you want to meet Mickey but don't want to worry about getting a FastPass or waiting in line, you can book a breakfast.  You'll get a few minutes during your meal where you are guaranteed to meet and visit with characters and get photos.

Have fun and enjoy your time with the characters.  Where else can you get a warm hug from Olaf?  When you're ready to go get that hug, give me a call!!!