Tell me about Enchanted Tales with Belle

[jawa7400]

I would like to try this one on our trip in June. I'm still a little confused about what it is. Is this a continuous thing throughout the day or certain show times? Big theatre seating or intimate sit-on-the-floor seating? I was thinking this would be something DD5 would enjoy but if it's like story time at the local library, I'm afraid DS3 might get restless. Tell me what to expect, and if this is one that DS and DH should skip because he's too young to sit through/enjoy (and by enjoy I mean not distract everyone else).

 

[Robo]

I would like to try this one on our trip in June. I'm still a little confused about what it is.

1. Is this a continuous thing throughout the day
2. or certain show times?
3. Big theatre seating or intimate sit-on-the-floor seating?
4. I was thinking this would be something DD5 would enjoy but if it's like story time at the local library, I'm afraid DS3 might get restless.
5. Tell me what to expect, and if this is one that DS and DH should skip because he's too young to sit through/enjoy (and by enjoy I mean not distract everyone else).

1. Yes.
2. No.
3. Neither. It's a large "family room" kind of room, with seats for everyone.
4. The show/story is very, very short, so not much time to get restless.
5. You know your child. No way for me to predict, but there are lots of little kids in the room.

My wife and I attend a show every day we are at MK, and we are "ever so much more than 20."
The show is not draggy.
And, Lumiere, the candlestick (he's candle-sized and sits on the fireplace mantle,) is absolutely amazing.

 

[jawa7400]

1. Yes.
2. No.
3. Neither. It's a large "family room" kind of room, with seats for everyone.
4. It is very, very short, so no time to get restless.

Thank you! What is "very, very short"? I thought I read 15-20 minutes somewhere.

Also, if I'm going at rope drop and plan to head straight for Fantasyland and want to do both ETWB and PP, could I do one or both standby that early? If not, which would you do standby and which FP?

 

[PSULion]

I would certainly not compare it to story time at the library! My DS loved it at age 3. I'm not sure he even blinked.

 

[Robo]

Thank you! What is "very, very short"? I thought I read 15-20 minutes somewhere.

Also, if I'm going at rope drop and plan to head straight for Fantasyland and want to do both ETWB and PP, could I do one or both standby that early? If not, which would you do standby and which FP?

There is a very brief pre-show, then walking into another space, a very brief "choosing of parts to play" for guests (all guests can participate, but none "have to" participate,) then walking into the story space, and guests are seated in the room to greet Belle.
All of that takes up several minutes, but it keeps moving.
Then, the "story telling" is actually not long at all.
------------------------

Do Peter Pan, then Belle.

 

[Cruisin Spartan]

The general premise is that you are going to surprise Belle with a retelling of the story of how she met And fell in love with Beast which is acted out by the audience. Pretty much any kid that wants a part can participate. Essentially, it's a cute, intimate, interactive show. If I remember, there are bench seats. My 3yo DS was a little shy, but I convinced him to participate. He was supposed to have a small part, but for some reason, the boy who was playing the part of Beast backed out. My DS was "conscripted" into taking the part. It wasn't the best portrayal, but there were cute parts. I would say that it's worth doing if your kids like Beauty and the Beast. Especially if you can convince the 3yo to take at least a small part. The CM's are great, and help the kids with their parts. The kids get to take photos with Belle at the end.

 

[CarrieR]

I'd go to PP then go to ETWB. You'll probably have a short wait but PP should be a walk-on and it only takes about three minutes to do the ride.

ETWB is a bit of a "storytime" but not like at the library. You go first into Maurice's workshop, where you watch a short clip and say a little thing ("take me back to the day the beast and Belle fell in love," or something.). The effect to transition from the workshop to the next room is one of my favorite effects anywhere in all of WDW... And I say that as a true Disnerd adult.

Next room is with the wardrobe, who assigns parts to the kids (and anyone else who wants to participate.). The whole group gallops like Phillipe, growls like the Beast, etc. They make sure any kid who wants a part gets one (but no one has to have one.). "Parts" are designated by holding up picture cutouts of whoever they are - so like a 1' square cutout of Chip, etc. Grown ups can have a part too if they so wish, lol.

Then you go into the library, where you sit on benches and Belle comes out. The story is "told" with the characters coming forward - and then everyone parades around the room. I don't think a 3yo would have any problem sitting for this part, either on a bench or on your lap. The kids get an opportunity for a quick (very quick) photo op with Belle and then it's out the door.

Yes, 15-20 minutes is probably accurate, but because of how it's broken up, I don't think any kid would have an attention span issue.

Hope that helps!

 

[maryandthemouse]

Enchanted Tales with Belle is fabulous for any age! It is one of those things I could do over and over! It is nothing like story time at the library. People actually get to help Belle tell at story. My older sons have even participated! If I was going at RD, I would head to PP first and then go directly to ETWB. You should be able to do both as standby and that way you can save your FP for later in the day

 

[mshanson3121]

I would like to try this one on our trip in June. I'm still a little confused about what it is. Is this a continuous thing throughout the day or certain show times? Big theatre seating or intimate sit-on-the-floor seating? I was thinking this would be something DD5 would enjoy but if it's like story time at the local library, I'm afraid DS3 might get restless. Tell me what to expect, and if this is one that DS and DH should skip because he's too young to sit through/enjoy (and by enjoy I mean not distract everyone else).

Robo already answered much of this, but I'll add to it - the whole thing will take a good 20 minutes. But the actual sit-down show part is maybe 10 minutes. However, any child that wants to take part in the show, will be offered a chance to, so maybe he'd do better with volunteering for a part?

 

[dekraut]

Plenty of vids on youtube if you want to see what the whole experience is, but I think you'll be fine. Very cute, and the total time of 20 minutes or so is divided into three segments, so you aren't in any one place for all that long, giving the little ones plenty of variation. Also, even your kids don't get picked for a part (and pretty much anyone that wants to do it can) we were still invited to have our older kid take a photo with Belle at the end.

Agree that Lumiere is awesome. And the wardrobe takes a close second.

 

[bluezy]

I'd go to PP then go to ETWB. You'll probably have a short wait but PP should be a walk-on and it only takes about three minutes to do the ride.

ETWB is a bit of a "storytime" but not like at the library. You go first into Maurice's workshop, where you watch a short clip and say a little thing ("take me back to the day the beast and Belle fell in love," or something.). The effect to transition from the workshop to the next room is one of my favorite effects anywhere in all of WDW... And I say that as a true Disnerd adult.

Next room is with the wardrobe, who assigns parts to the kids (and anyone else who wants to participate.). The whole group gallops like Phillipe, growls like the Beast, etc. They make sure any kid who wants a part gets one (but no one has to have one.). "Parts" are designated by holding up picture cutouts of whoever they are - so like a 1' square cutout of Chip, etc. Grown ups can have a part too if they so wish, lol.

Then you go into the library, where you sit on benches and Belle comes out. The story is "told" with the characters coming forward - and then everyone parades around the room. I don't think a 3yo would have any problem sitting for this part, either on a bench or on your lap. The kids get an opportunity for a quick (very quick) photo op with Belle and then it's out the door.

Yes, 15-20 minutes is probably accurate, but because of how it's broken up, I don't think any kid would have an attention span issue.

Hope that helps!

I think it's worth going to see just to experience that! I'm considering going to it again in June just to experience that again.

And the "no lines, no waiting" picture of your child with Belle at the end of the show is a nice little bonus.

 

[dancemonkey]

One of my favorite attractions. I wish I still had a three year old to experience it! I have done it with my older teenage daughters and we all loved it!

 

[jawa7400]

Ok I'm super excited for this now!! Almost more for me rather than my kids! I guess I'll have to show my kids Beauty and the Beast before June

 

[Anonny]

The two times I did ETWB, only the people (children and adults) who participated by taking a part in the story telling were invited to meet and photo op one-on-one with Belle. We also received a gift, a bookmark.

 

[Anonny]

This is the bookmark I got.

 

[bluezy]

The two times I did ETWB, only the people (children and adults) who participated by taking a part in the story telling were invited to meet and photo op one-on-one with Belle. We also received a gift, a bookmark.

Yes, I should have clarified that it was only the ones who participated -- we were there at 10:30 p.m. and there was only about 15 kids and they all participated.

 

[PSULion]

Yes, I should have clarified that it was only the ones who participated -- we were there at 10:30 p.m. and there was only about 15 kids and they all participated.

When we were there, after the participants met Belle, they invited any children in the audience to also hug her and get a picture taken.

 

[agavegirl1]

We saw it as two empty nester adults and enjoyed it. I was lamenting the fact I didn't have my grandchildren with me. They would have been enthralled. The one thing I would say is that it doesn't have a big "repeatability" factor.

 

[Princess and Queen]

Is there a Photo Pass Photographer there to take photos?

 

[MickeyWaffles]

Our 12 mo was even engaged by this. The mirror in Maurice's cottage fascinated her, she got a kick out of the wardrobe and was into the story.

IMO, it goes very quickly since you are in 3 different rooms.