BOG Doubts

[Jennafoo]

So, I'm going to WDW for the first time ever in September and I'm going solo. I upgraded to Deluxe from free dining, and am usually planning for one table service and one signature a day.

On my MK day, I lucked into a BoG reservation...for 4:45. It makes for an awkward day, since I can't have lunch and then such an early dinner. Current plan is to have breakfast at Kona, a snack and then BOG.

But now I'm doubting. I've heard such mixed reviews and I won't have kids with me. Is it worth it? Maybe I should give up the res and go spend the credits somewhere nicer. Or try for lunch and do dinner elsewhere. I'd like to see the castle, but I'm worried its not worth the hassle.

Thoughts?

 

[jrtoastyman]

I think the people you hear grousing about BOG probably had unrealistic expectations going into it, because it did get an awful lot of hype. It may not be the end all, be all, but it is quite good and if you're looking for a TS place in the Magic Kingdom, it's the best of the bunch and it's not a close call.

Also, I don't think the presence or absence of kids makes much difference as it pertains to BOG. If anything, it's a bit more adult friendly because (1) you can have booze, and (2) their is neither a hot dog nor an order of chicken fingers to be found on the menu.

If you don't want to go, don't go, but the food there is very good -- particularly for the price -- and it's well worth a visit. Just have reasonable expectations.

 

[WsPrincess]

I would do it for the opportunity! It will be early so it should go quick and I love trying new things.

 

[WDW in Pearls]

Honestly I've been trying to get a reservation...no idea if I'd like it, I just want to try it! I say give it a shot! The worst that will happen is that it's just not your cup of tea. The next meal will be better!

 

[Jennafoo]

I guess my main issue is that the early time will mean I only spend two credits that day (I get three meals and two snacks a day.) maybe I can spend it on another day. Even though I'm getting the DxdDP discounted, I don't want to not spend credits...

And yes, I realize this is a 'first world problem'.

 

[WDW in Pearls]

I guess my main issue is that the early time will mean I only spend two credits that day (I get three meals and two snacks a day.) maybe I can spend it on another day. Even though I'm getting the DxdDP discounted, I don't want to not spend credits...

And yes, I realize this is a 'first world problem'.

Why not just book a signature meal some other time? I had the deluxe plan last year and ran into the same issue.

 

[MADnNOLA]

Definitely go!

I traveled solo in April and was lucky enough to get a reservation at BOG. It was a great meal and service. I had previously seen the inside of the restaurant in October during dress rehearsals, so knew what to expect as far as setting.

Afterwards I was able to check out the other dining rooms and meet with the Beast for photos.

As far as the extra TS credit for the day, as the PP suggested, book at signature restaurant. I would suggest Citricos at GF or The Brown Derby at HS. This is how I handled two days of extra TS credits on my dining plan. It was great was to enjoy restaurant I normally might not have dined.

 

[jhryb]

I say go and then double up on your signatures another day

 

[North of Mouse]

So, I'm going to WDW for the first time ever in September and I'm going solo. I upgraded to Deluxe from free dining, and am usually planning for one table service and one signature a day.

On my MK day, I lucked into a BoG reservation...for 4:45. It makes for an awkward day, since I can't have lunch and then such an early dinner. Current plan is to have breakfast at Kona, a snack and then BOG.

But now I'm doubting. I've heard such mixed reviews and I won't have kids with me. Is it worth it? Maybe I should give up the res and go spend the credits somewhere nicer. Or try for lunch and do dinner elsewhere. I'd like to see the castle, but I'm worried its not worth the hassle.

Thoughts?

We have gone for lunch 3 times and loved it each time. Cancelled our dinner ressies after hearing that you had much more freedom at lunch - choosing your seat, room, being able to walk around as long as you wanted, take endless pictures and really enjoy the ambiance. We have no regrets! Will go there every trip now for lunch.

 

[TwinkleKS]

I'd keep it and do signature dining for another meal. I've eaten at BOG for lunch and supper. I preferred the atmosphere at supper time. At lunch it just seemed like the CM and the dinners were very busy / harried / hurried ... I'm not sure what adjective I want here, but it wasn't as calm.

 

[focusondisney]

I assume you won't want to do 2 signature meals on another day. But you can use the credits til midnight on your check out day. Will you have time for a nice sit down lunch before you leave?

 

[WDW in Pearls]

If it were me, I'd use those extra credits for a night of eating lobster during Wishes at Narcoosees! Depending on when you're going in Sept you might see me there!

 

[shortnsassy730]

You could always do what we do. Brown Derby is two credits all day. So one day on deluxe we do a signature for early lunch at Brown Derby and then a signature for dinner. We usually do Flying Fish late. Then on AK day we do 1 TS at Yak and Yeti and 1 TS credit at Ragland Road (must do for us everytrip)!

I agree with PP, BOG is not to be missed!

 

[Jennafoo]

Thanks everyone! I don't think I was totally clear: As I said in my op, I have signature meals planned every night I'm there. I can't really eat two huge meals a day, which is why I was going to do a breakfast and then BOG. This does leave me a couple credits short and maybe that's okay. My question wasn't how to plan meals; I really just wanted to know if BOG was worth perhaps leaving a few credits on the table.

 

[wiigirl]

I say go and then double up on your signatures another day

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Thanks everyone! I don't think I was totally clear: As I said in my op, I have signature meals planned every night I'm there. I can't really eat two huge meals a day, which is why I was going to do a breakfast and then BOG. This does leave me a couple credits short and maybe that's okay. My question wasn't how to plan meals; I really just wanted to know if BOG was worth perhaps leaving a few credits on the table.

This is such a subjective question. If you're a huge fan of Beauty and the Beast, then it is absolutely worth it. It's also the only place at WDW to meet Beast now (not sure if this is a factor) Beast only meets at dinner. It's not a character meal, he does a walk through every hour and then you can meet him when you're finished dinner.

BOG is the "hottest" reservation at WDW and proving the hardest to get. If you cancel, it's highly unlikely you'll get another one.

 

[MVC1225]

Thanks everyone! I don't think I was totally clear: As I said in my op, I have signature meals planned every night I'm there. I can't really eat two huge meals a day, which is why I was going to do a breakfast and then BOG. This does leave me a couple credits short and maybe that's okay. My question wasn't how to plan meals; I really just wanted to know if BOG was worth perhaps leaving a few credits on the table.

Obviously, this is subjective but in my opinion no it is not. We did not like our meal here in December and actually cancelled a reservation we had in place for February the next morning.

As for a PP that said we had unreasonable expectations, I do not feel like that was the case AT ALL. The steaks were not cooked to the temperature ordered, the quality of the steaks were worse than Outback, the mashed potatoes tasted awful to the point that we did not eat them (think of boxed mashed potatoes only way worse), and the service was rushed and just ok. We were not expecting signature/fine dining but we were expecting better entrees than you could get at Applebee's or Ruby Tuesday.

However, the restaurant is beautiful, we really enjoyed both soups and the cupcakes are great. Since you can see the restaurant and get the soups and desserts at lunch, I would use a credit at lunch and go to another signature for dinner. Again, this is my personal experience and opinion others as noted don't agree.

 

[princessallegra]

Obviously, this is subjective but in my opinion no it is not. We did not like our meal here in December and actually cancelled a reservation we had in place for February the next morning.

As for a PP that said we had unreasonable expectations, I do not feel like that was the case AT ALL. The steaks were not cooked to the temperature ordered, the quality of the steaks were worse than Outback, the mashed potatoes tasted awful to the point that we did not eat them (think of boxed mashed potatoes only way worse), and the service was rushed and just ok. We were not expecting signature/fine dining but we were expecting better entrees than you could get at Applebee's or Ruby Tuesday.

However, the restaurant is beautiful, we really enjoyed both soups and the cupcakes are great. Since you can see the restaurant and get the soups and desserts at lunch, I would use a credit at lunch and go to another signature for dinner. Again, this is my personal experience and opinion others as noted don't agree.

We ate lunch there and canceled our dinner res. It was great to see and try it for lunch, but after eating there we didn't feel we needed to do dinner as well. We've met beast and belle at mvmcp before so maybe that had some influence too.

 

[rustyanchor]

So, I'm going to WDW for the first time ever in September and I'm going solo. I upgraded to Deluxe from free dining, and am usually planning for one table service and one signature a day.

On my MK day, I lucked into a BoG reservation...for 4:45. It makes for an awkward day, since I can't have lunch and then such an early dinner. Current plan is to have breakfast at Kona, a snack and then BOG.

But now I'm doubting. I've heard such mixed reviews and I won't have kids with me. Is it worth it? Maybe I should give up the res and go spend the credits somewhere nicer. Or try for lunch and do dinner elsewhere. I'd like to see the castle, but I'm worried its not worth the hassle.

Thoughts?

I guess it depends on how badly you want to see it, but I'd say go at least once. I went for the first time in February and had a dinner reservation about the same time as yours. It was a great time for a res, we got in right away and it wasn't long before the Beast came out to greet the dining room. After eating we had plenty of time to look around the castle taking pics and to get our photos with/interact with the Beast. No, the food isn't on par with a signature restaurant or anything, but it was passable and our server was wonderful. I thought it was worth it just to dine in the castle. It's beautiful! With that said, it will probably be a few years until I eat there again.

 

[WDW in Pearls]

I've never been to BOG so I can't really say. But I'm dying to try it so if it were me, I'd probably give up a dining credit or two. Or meet an attractive stranger and have them join you ;-) lol