At Disney a character meal means several characters (or princesses) go from table to table throughout the dining room. BOG is not considered a character meal because only the Beast is there and he does not circulate. He walks through the dining room, but does not stop at tables on his way to and from his meet & photo op room (the room with the breakfast and lunch ordering kiosks). For most of the evening you meet the Beast after dining when you are on your way out of the castle. If you have a late reservation there is an announcement when he is about to leave so anyone still dining can go and meet him, then return to their dinner. The description of BOG will not guarantee that the Beast will be there because there is always the possibility that he might become ill or unable to appear during the course of an evening, but such an occurrence is extremely rare.
