BOG- what to do?

[puakinikini]

Hi there! Thanks in advance for the help. Here is my dilemma. I am going to WDW in march (spring break) with my DH and our 4 kids. My teenager. Age 17, really wants to eat at BOG- he has said it is the most important thing on his list. I called for an ADR and got an ADR for the Friday that we are there at 4:15. This was the only time available, and requires us to go to MK on Friday rather than Tuesday like we planned. It is a dinner TS ADR.

Then I started reading about the lunch and how you can try to get a FP 27 days in advance ( we are staying on site). I know it is possible that this would be unavailable, but if it was possible to get a FP for lunch, what should I do?

What are the differences between lunch and dinner? Are the experiences all that different? Is one better than the other? Menu? Where you eat? When I made the ADR the CM told me that seeing the beast is far from guaranteed, as it is not character dining. I don't think my son knew that.

Staying with dinner, means putting MK at the end of our trip on a Friday rather than a 2nd day on Tuesday (where crowds may be less).

Help! It would be great to hear from those who have had both experiences.

 

[tabm01]

We had lunch there this summer. Food was good and we were able to walk around looking in each room. I haven't been to dinner, but I think I would settle for lunch if it meant I could keep my plans. The only problem is getting your son to settle lol

 

[purple figment]

We've done both lunch and dinner. I would choose just one meal based on the differences in the meal service and which of these differences you want to experience.

There are differences between the two meals. The entrees are different, but the soups are the same (there are some additional appetizers at dinner) and the desserts are pretty much identical. At lunch the carts that are used to bring your food to the table are the same ones that are used at dinner for the dessert presentation so you'll get to see the carts. Also, unlike most CS, at BOG even at lunch your food will be served on china and you'll have regular stainless (no paper plates or plastic utensils). Beverages, however, are in self-serve paper cups.

One major difference is at dinner you have a photo op with the Beast after you finish dining. The CM is correct that BOG is not a character dinner because at the Disney character meals there are multiple characters who visit each table. At BOG there is only the Beast and he walks through the dining rooms, but doesn't stop at any of the tables. Instead after you finish dinner you will have a photo op in a different room (the Library where the lunchtime order kiosks are). Disney also doesn't guarantee that he will be there because there is always the possibility that he'll become ill during the evening and is unable to appear. However, I haven't ever read any posts where someone said he wasn't there at dinner.

The other difference between lunch and dinner is that for adults wine and beer are available at dinner.

If you're more interested in seeing the interior, you can walk through all the rooms at both meals. One advantage at lunch is you can usually choose your own table and room.

We liked lunch better. It was a more relaxing meal because we could eat at our own pace while at dinner it was so busy our server rushed us through the meal. Although the ballroom is beautifully designed and decorated, its sheer size made it feel more appropriate to a CS venue which it is at lunchtime.

If seeing the Beast is important then go for dinner. If you're mainly curious about the interior of the restaurant and the lunch menu appeals, then have lunch.

BOG is the hardest dinner reservation to get at this time, but cancellations do come up because of the no show penalty. Keep checking online to see if a better date and time come up. There's still plenty of time so just be persistent. You can also subscribe to the cancellation thread for your month on this Dining Reservations board once a mod starts it:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1802381

 

[puakinikini]

We've done both lunch and dinner. I would choose just one meal based on the differences in the meal service and which of these differences you want to experience.

There are differences between the two meals. The entrees are different, but the soups are the same (there are some additional appetizers at dinner) and the desserts are pretty much identical. At lunch the carts that are used to bring your food to the table are the same ones that are used at dinner for the dessert presentation so you'll get to see the carts. Also, unlike most CS, at BOG even at lunch your food will be served on china and you'll have regular stainless (no paper plates or plastic utensils). Beverages, however, are in self-serve paper cups.

One major difference is at dinner you have a photo op with the Beast after you finish dining. The CM is correct that BOG is not a character dinner because at the Disney character meals there are multiple characters who visit each table. At BOG there is only the Beast and he walks through the dining rooms, but doesn't stop at any of the tables. Instead after you finish dinner you will have a photo op in a different room (the Library where the lunchtime order kiosks are). Disney also doesn't guarantee that he will be there because there is always the possibility that he'll become ill during the evening and is unable to appear. However, I haven't ever read any posts where someone said he wasn't there at dinner.

The other difference between lunch and dinner is that for adults wine and beer are available at dinner.

If you're more interested in seeing the interior, you can walk through all the rooms at both meals. One advantage at lunch is you can usually choose your own table and room.

We liked lunch better. It was a more relaxing meal because we could eat at our own pace while at dinner it was so busy our server rushed us through the meal. Although the ballroom is beautifully designed and decorated, its sheer size made it feel more appropriate to a CS venue which it is at lunchtime.

If seeing the Beast is important then go for dinner. If you're mainly curious about the interior of the restaurant and the lunch menu appeals, then have lunch.

BOG is the hardest dinner reservation to get at this time, but cancellations do come up because of the no show penalty. Keep checking online to see if a better date and time come up. There's still plenty of time so just be persistent. You can also subscribe to the cancellation thread for your month on this Dining Reservations board once a mod starts it:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1802381

Thank you so much for all the info! Very helpful!

 

[Pirate84]

Any suggestions or best time of day to check for cancellations for BOG