Couple of notes on BOG dinner (just back)

[jtowntoflorida]

We ate dinner at BOG last night. Our ADR was at 6:20, and it was a Christmas party night. We waited about 20 minutes for our table, and were done with our meal around 8:00. We were then escorted from the park since we didn't have party tickets (totally expected).

Anyway, I did notice a few things. I haven't seen this mentioned, but we sat in the room with the Belle/Beast dancing statue. Not sure if this is common, as I thought that room was only used at lunch. The main room (the ballroom) did have a few empty tables and the room we were in was less than half full. We did enjoy eating in there...it's so much more quiet than the other two rooms.

Also, when we were checking in, we saw two different groups walk up and asked to be seated without ADRs. One was a group of 6, the other was a group of 4. Both were told they'd have to wait about 30 minutes. I overheard one CM say to the other that they had to cut it off soon (???)...I assume that means walk-ups? They also mentioned that walk-ups had to be seated by 7:00...I assumed that it meant that they couldn't seat anyone after official park closing/start of the party.

Anyway, I thought I'd pass on the info. I think with the copious amount of space available, BOG may be more able to accommodate walk-ups than other restaurants at Disney.

 

[JenB1104]

Did you get to request which room you dined in?

 

[disneyholic family]

We ate dinner at BOG last night. Our ADR was at 6:20, and it was a Christmas party night. We waited about 20 minutes for our table, and were done with our meal around 8:00. We were then escorted from the park since we didn't have party tickets (totally expected).

Anyway, I did notice a few things. I haven't seen this mentioned, but we sat in the room with the Belle/Beast dancing statue. Not sure if this is common, as I thought that room was only used at lunch. The main room (the ballroom) did have a few empty tables and the room we were in was less than half full. We did enjoy eating in there...it's so much more quiet than the other two rooms.

Also, when we were checking in, we saw two different groups walk up and asked to be seated without ADRs. One was a group of 6, the other was a group of 4. Both were told they'd have to wait about 30 minutes. I overheard one CM say to the other that they had to cut it off soon (???)...I assume that means walk-ups? They also mentioned that walk-ups had to be seated by 7:00...I assumed that it meant that they couldn't seat anyone after official park closing/start of the party.

Anyway, I thought I'd pass on the info. I think with the copious amount of space available, BOG may be more able to accommodate walk-ups than other restaurants at Disney.

this is a function of when you are there and i wouldn't bank on it..
if you don't have an ADR, then of course you have nothing to lose by walking up and attempting to get a table.

However, when DD was there in November, there were no walk ups at any of the park restaurants (in any of the parks). they had signs out and CMs blocking people from walking up anywhere.
But again, if you don't manage to get an ADR, then there's nothing to lose by trying!! (we managed to get a BOG walk up last year). But keep your expectations in check

 

[Airship Ariadne]

Did you get to request which room you dined in?

Can't speak for the OP, but we were there last week and did request the West Wing first, but were told it was an hour wait...but that we could tour the whole place so if we didn't mind sitting elsewhere, we could be seated in 20 minutes...hunger won out.

We also were seated in the room with the music box...and it really was the best for a quiet dinner. The Ballroom is so large the sound echos, and the West Wing is very dark.

And the CM's at the door were telling people that wanted to look inside that they allowed people just to walk through for the first hour after park opening (not counting EMH's).

 

[ariane37]

Did you get to request which room you dined in?

We've had dinner there 4x and haven't been asked where we wanted to sit. The first time we really didn't know where to ask for anyway; third time I commented I hoped we'd be in the room with the music box as that was the only room we hadn't eaten in, and the CM seating us said "you're in luck, that's where I'm taking you!" The fourth time I asked at check in if we could NOT sit in the ballroom if possible and we didn't. Don't know if they were accommodating me or if we were just lucky! Ballroom is my least favorite-too big and noisy.

 

[disneyholic family]

and my favorite is the ballroom!

 

[ariane37]

and my favorite is the ballroom!

Part of the fun in going more than once is sitting in the different rooms And I do like the snow outside the ballroom windows! My fave is the West Wing.

 

[RainSW6]

I apologize if this is too off topic, but since different BOG rooms are being discussed figured I'd ask here...

Is the thunder in the West Wing very loud? Could it be considered frightening to small children? We have a reservation next week, and my 18 month old is a bit skittish with sudden loud noises (he cries when he hears our kitchen garbage disposal).

 

[MakiraMarlena]

It's about the level of staffing in the restaurant. Not about how many empty rooms or empty tables there are. Rose Gallery is not always open at dinner but it is used at times. If it is not in use, it will be blocked off and used as a staging area for the servers.

Is the thunder in the West Wing very loud? Could it be considered frightening to small children?

Yes, it might bother an especially sensitive child.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

I apologize if this is too off topic, but since different BOG rooms are being discussed figured I'd ask here...

Is the thunder in the West Wing very loud? Could it be considered frightening to small children? We have a reservation next week, and my 18 month old is a bit skittish with sudden loud noises (he cries when he hears our kitchen garbage disposal).

In addition there will be a fanfare played every 45 minutes to an hour to announce the Beast who will walk from room to room before returning to the library to greet after your meal. That might also take him by surprise.

 

[RainSW6]

In addition there will be a fanfare played every 45 minutes to an hour to announce the Beast who will walk from room to room before returning to the library to greet after your meal. That might also take him by surprise.

That's good to know, thank you!!

 

[patty57]

I apologize if this is too off topic, but since different BOG rooms are being discussed figured I'd ask here...

Is the thunder in the West Wing very loud? Could it be considered frightening to small children? We have a reservation next week, and my 18 month old is a bit skittish with sudden loud noises (he cries when he hears our kitchen garbage disposal).

I saw a family with two little girls have to leave the West Wing dining room because the kids were very scared and crying. I would probably skip the West Wing with your 18 month old.

 

[RainSW6]

I saw a family with two little girls have to leave the West Wing dining room because the kids were very scared and crying. I would probably skip the West Wing with your 18 month old.

I'll definitely ask to be put in a different room then. Thanks for the info!! My five year old might be a little disappointed, but I'll just take him to peek into the room to see what it looks like.

 

[Amanda999]

My twin DS9s were too scared (off put??) of the dark lighting (and probably the thunder noise/light effect, and the picture that changes) to eat in that room. HTH.

 

[jimandami]

My DD5 is very skittish of loud noises and she won't go near the West Wing!

 

[jtowntoflorida]

Sorry, just coming back to this thread.

We did not request which room to sit in, but I do think we got the best of the choices.

Both times we've eaten there for dinner, our servers have encouraged us to take a look around the various rooms and to take pictures.

The West Wing was very frightening for my 4 year old. He had me walk him over to it, but refused to go in. With all the slashed up décor, and the creepy lighting, I don't think it's even the thunder/lightening that puts him over the edge...it's the whole thing.

 

[dachsie]

I keep scoping the website to see if a cancellation comes up for 2/26. Not giving up on it but I may consider the walk up thing after reading this thread. I am solo. I would love to get a pic with the Beast if possible. But if its meant to be, it will work out.