My Rant on the Be Our Guest Menu

[DisneyDINK]

I was writing this to post on the “Be Our Guest Menu” thread and how many posters didn’t like the menu. The dinner menu did seem more Epcot than MK. I started replying and I realized I got a bit off topic, so I decided to post this separately.

I just looked at the kids menu (lunch) and now I see why kids and parents might not be too enthused: whole wheat macaroni with marinara (where's the cheese?), pulled pork (they mean sandwich, right?) with sautéed green beans (Eeew!) and mashed sweet potatoes (mom, why are they orange?), turkey meatloaf (Eeew again) with broccoli and zucchini (Vegetables!!!), seared Mahi Mahi (does "seared" mean breaded and shaped like a stick?) with finger salad (Made with real fingers?) and peach applesauce (Dad, why don't they make their applesauce with apples?) and, my favorite, carrot catsup (Eeew!/Why is it yellow?/Vegetables!/Why don't they make their catsup with tomatoes?). It seems a lot healthier than other choices at the MK.

The adult menu (lunch), on the other hand, features a steak sandwich and the Croque Monsieur, a fried sandwich covered in cheese and a white sauce, both served with fries! Woohoo! It also has an adult version of the pulled pork entree and some other interesting stuff. Nowadays I'm trying to eat more fruits and vegetables, a bit less meat, less white rice and white potatoes. It almost makes me want to order off of the kids menu: smaller portions no Pommes Frites, etc.


After a couple of looks, I'm starting to like the menu. I would be interested to actually see and taste the plated product. Will I go? Probably not. Why? It sounds like I'll be surrounded by tables and tables of families who don't like the menu. Whenever there is something new at Disney we all have to at least try it. I think people will flock to Be Our Guest not for the food, but because it is new and shiny.

As a childless adult I love seeing healthier dining options for kids on menus. Since I'm not a parent I can't fully appreciate the challenges parents face trying to get their young children to eat healthier (or at least a greater variety of) foods. I know whatever my parents tried, it didn't work with me.

I think WDW is primarily for kids and families and I love it when I see others smiling and having a good time. What I can't stand is families sad, angry or pouting at a table because there's no burgers, mac 'n cheese or chicken nuggets on the menu to keep them happy.

It will be interesting to see how the menu evolves and if the restaurant is a success.

[SBETigg]

My problem with the menu is that it's fine dining without the wine- I like wine with my fine dining. But that's the MK for you, and I wouldn't want it any other way. I'm just not excited about Be Our Guest. I probably won't be trying it any time soon. But that's me.

I don't see any problems with the kids menu, but I was raised with a "try anything" mentality and my kids, though I had a picky one, would have gone along with it, too. The picky one knew not to fuss in restaurants. They learned to try everything but were never forced to eat what they didn't like. We would always pick up a counter service to feed hungry kids later. The main thing was that they tried without making a scene. But... I know not all kids will go along with that. And if you have a kid who will only eat chicken nuggets or whatnot, then there are plenty of other choices at WDW. Just like there are plenty of other choices for me, where I can get a glass of wine with my filet mignon.

If one restaurant isn't for you or your family, is it really a big deal? Should every place have to accommodate picky eaters with a generic not so healthy menu just because some kids are picky? Maybe see it as a good time to leave the comfort zone and try new things?

[DNS]

We can't wait to try it, but for me, it is more because it is new and looks fabulous. The food is different to be sure, but I am actually glad to get something like this finally in MK. Wine would be very good though.

[SurferStitch]

I think the menu sounds wonderful! Shrimp and scallops in a rich lobster sauce in a puff pastry?? Ummmmm.... YUM!!!

And, the macaroni with marinara does have mozzarella on it, so there's probably plenty of ooey-gooey-fatty-high calorie cheese on it.

[mdricks]

When I go on vacation I want to eat things I can’t cook at home. To borrow from another site “Food IS a theme park”.

I have always been surprised by WDW’s inclination to pack all the non-traditional American restaurants in Epcot. I secretly assumed it was, in part, a push to get more park hoppers sold. It certainly has played a large part in why I hop.

When “where to eat” questions pop up on this and other boards is MK ever the winner? Is it even in the top 2?

Comparatively speaking WDW hosts the very best amusement park food experience and should be proud of that heritage. Nonetheless, the burger, nugget, pizza crowd is over represented in MK.

I will bet my paycheck to a wet doughnut this place will be packed with families like mine who, otherwise, would hop to EPCOT or a monorail resort for some “real vacation food”.

Although I agree a wine list wouldnt hurt!

[DisneyDINK]

I don't see any problems with the kids menu, but I was raised with a "try anything" mentality and my kids, though I had a picky one, would have gone along with it, too.

I agree. I think it looks good, but I'm the childless adult, what do I know. The target demo has to be families, right? I was fairly picky until about age 12-14. When I was 13 I went to Les Chefs de France and ordered the escargot on a whim. Since then I'll eat anything.

[DisneyDINK]

My problem with the menu is that it's fine dining without the wine- I like wine with my fine dining. But that's the MK for you, and I wouldn't want it any other way. I'm just not excited about Be Our Guest. I probably won't be trying it any time soon. But that's me.

I agree. It is nice to have some wine with dinner, but it I'm still glad there's no booze in the MK. I'm more interested to see how others like it than to try it myself. I probably will, but in a few years.

It does raise a point I hadn't thought of before: many restaurants would fail if they couldn't serve wine and coctails. What will they be charging for the meals at Be Our Guest to make the numbers work out? Disney does like to make a profit after all.

[Goes4FastPass]

My problem with the menu is that it's fine dining without the wine- I... where I can get a glass of wine with my filet mignon.

It's a guest! It's a guest!
Sakes alive, well I'll be blessed!
Wine's been poured and thank the Lord-
Uh, I mean,
How about a nice cup of tea?

C'mon, Tigg. Do we go the the Magic Kingdom to eat filet mignon? Then again, a cold beer from Casey's to go with that hot dog could be swell.

The wonder of BoG will be how many meals they are going to try to serve each day.

[BrerGnat]

I give this place less than 6 months before they drastically alter their kids menu.

I am all for kids eating healthy. Trust me on that. However, I am also a parent to two kids on the Autism spectrum who are INCREDIBLY selective eaters and it's not their fault, nor mine, that they are that way. We have been struggling with food issues for 8 years now, with our oldest, and 4 with our youngest. They will eat certain foods, and that's IT. No exceptions. No "trying new things" until they decide they want to do so. Vacation is NEVER the "right" time for them to try something new. Vacations are stressful for them, so they need to know that they can get the kind of food they are used to eating. For us, at restaurants, this means: mac and cheese, pizza, burgers & fries, or chicken tenders/nuggets. At home, they eat a lot more stuff, but at a restaurant, these are the things they will eat. Period. '

Because of this, I will likely never eat at Be Our Guest, just due to the kids menu options. This is why it's important to cater to kids who like this kind of food, because it brings the parents in as well.

We just got back from a 5 day Disney Cruise. Everyone knows how much food there is on cruise ships. Guess what my 2 boys ate all 5 days? I'll give you a hint...they did NOT try anything new. Glad Disney Cruise line understands this about *most* kids...you have to offer "the staples" and then you can offer IN ADDITION, the more unique food options.

I see this as a problem with the new Art of Animation food court as well. The kids menu options were just ridiculous attempts at healthy versions of the stuff they were serving to adults. My kids did NOT want "Buckwheat and Flax Mickey Waffles with Fruit Compote and Turkey Bacon." They wanted a REAL mickey waffle with butter and syrup and real bacon, so we bought them an adult one to share...

[ElenitaB]

I give this place less than 6 months before they drastically alter their kids menu.

That would really disappoint me. I, for one, am thrilled to see that finally there's a menu that doesn't make finding a vegetable on a plate — for adults OR children — a quest worthy of Hercules. And even better that there are varied offerings when CS hours are in effect. It's easy enough to find fruit at WDW, but vegetables (besides salads) are more difficult.

I understand the limitations you face when trying to feed your children. However, I would bet that if you went to BOG at dinner time, they would be able to serve your children the items they will eat; dollars to donuts, they will accommodate them. At lunch, you would be able to purchase those items and bring them over. But I don't think the alternative of changing the entire menu over to "standard park fare" is a business model they would want to pursue. Many guests are seeking healthier options for themselves and their children.

As for whole grain waffles, turkey bacon and fruit, that's what's on our table at home. For me, it's annoying to go to WDW and not have healthy choices. At least you were able to get them the standard choices. Harder when you're at a restaurant (like say at the POFQ food court), and you would like something whole grain and all they offer is highly processed food (and to me that includes the gluten-free options) so you're limited to a piece of fruit or oatmeal for breakfast (not that I mind either of those choices).

Changing the subject, what I find really interesting and slightly amusing about this thread is that we're discussing (and ranting about, according to the thread name) a restaurant that none of us has actually been to or seen, and won't for several more months. The passion of a WDW fanatic is not to be underestimated, is it!?!

[Cinderelley]

I may be wrong, but it seems that I've read threads where restaurants have brought children the "standard" kids fare when it was requested. I'm sure this will be continued at BOG.

[SBETigg]

It's a guest! It's a guest!
Sakes alive, well I'll be blessed!
Wine's been poured and thank the Lord-
Uh, I mean,
How about a nice cup of tea?

C'mon, Tigg. Do we go the the Magic Kingdom to eat filet mignon? Then again, a cold beer from Casey's to go with that hot dog could be swell.

The wonder of BoG will be how many meals they are going to try to serve each day.

I think the rest of my post made it pretty clear that I wouldn't want the MK to start serving wine or beer or any alcohol. I like it the way it is-- as I clearly stated. But with a nice dinner, yes, I like a glass of wine. So I choose to leave the park and eat at a resort and have my glass of wine with my fine dining meal. I don't always drink with dinner, but it's vacation and part of my fine dining experience. Also, I eat plenty of meals at WDW without wine. But, for evening fine dining, yes, for me, there's wine. I wouldn't change the Be Our Guest experience to include it, but it doesn't have me excited to try it any time soon.

So you're right, I don't go to the MK to eat filet mignon. I do love the counter service when I'm there, and I'm happy to skip the adult beverages when I'm there. As long as I'm not trying to have an elegant adult meal.

[cer]

I find your comments on the kid's menu surprising as there has long been an outcry on this board for restaurants to have a kid's menu that is a better reflection of the adult menu - at the very least some thought put into it.

There are many restaurants whose offerings are absolutely abysmal for young diners. It is an insult to be on a dining plan only to find that your 8-9 year old is being offered PB&J and carrot sticks and little more. (That is mostly a counter service offering, but the table service choices are not much better.) This problem was solutioned by our family years ago by purchasing the adult dining plan (and therefore park tickets) for my 9 year old. -A better solution would have been to pay out of pocket for dining, but we are getting there....

There may not be the common foods for the "select" (read "picky") young diners, but I think many will find the change a refreshing step in the right direction.

MDRICKS - interesting theory about all the non-traditional food being put in Epcot to sell more park-hoppers. I would not be surprised...

[E-OR]

I'm excited to try BOG. I don't like everything on the menu but I'm that way at every restaurant. I did see some items that look good and some that I might try because they look so different and I like to try something new once in a while. I can't wait to try the cupcakes, they sound delicious.

[Zippy 1]

Seared Mahi Mahi is not breaded it is usually seared in butter or other light juice to attain a crisp outer coating with a tender juicy inside. It is usually cooked at a fairly high heat quickly

[DisneyDINK]

Seared Mahi Mahi is not breaded it is usually seared in butter or other light juice to attain a crisp outer coating with a tender juicy inside. It is usually cooked at a fairly high heat quickly

You do realize I was being sarcastic, right? It was a joke about a fish kids' meal usually being fish sticks. I've seared many a fish.

[Quadstriker]

Sounds to me like this place is the perfect counter to the outcry about how bland the kids menus have been for years.

Personally I think it's time for MK to "grow up" and allow an adult to order a glass of wine with their meal. The "tradition" reason is very weak. Every trip my wife and I think "Hey why don't we do a table service in MK for once" then we look at the options, nothing excites us, and we remember that they consider alcohol to be naughty naughty and skip it.

[Mfarquar]

Very interesting points made, DISNEYD INK! And I agree, Quadstriker!

I, also a childless adult, was really surprised but happy to see the BOG menu.

We won't be back until 2013, but we will definitely give this a try. I really do not like the food at MK. In fact, we haven't done one dinner at MK in our past 6 trips. I really do not care for the pseudo-Italian at Tony's, Cindy's seems to be more for the kids and more about your money going toward photos for dinner, etc. - I'd rather spend our money at the restaurants at the other parks and resorts.

So, while there is no guarantee that this will be GOOD, I think it will be worth a try.

I think they are taking a page out of Universal's book. The Three Broomsticks restaurant at Islands of Adventure does not serve the usual quick-service fare. In fact, they do not even sell soda (I'm not counting the Butter Beer) because it is not in the HP novels. You would think that wouldn't fly at Universal because they really seem to celebrate junk food. Quite the opposite! The place is packed all the time with adults, children, etc. (although they do have mac and cheese and chicken nuggets for kids). In fact, the artwork from Gaston's pub kind of reminds me of Three Broomsticks... I bet we see an addition of some sort of non-alcoholic soda/beer...

I think BOG has a real chance of filling a void at MK for the part of the crowd looking for something a little bit different.

If it doesn't fit the need, we're sure to see menu changes at BOG!

[civilmousefan]

To answer a PP - the Disney Web Site lists the price range from $15.00 - $35.99. The menus provided do not list any prices. Two things I noticed - 1) dessert is included with all adult entrees and 2) the child's menu says to add $2.00 for the grilled steak, but fails to mention what you are adding the $2.00 to.

[TheDuckRocks]

Oh, oh! I have just seen the photos of the food on the kids menu at BOG over on the Disney food blog. I am a person who believes children should eat what is placed before them and it sould be something other than chicken nuggets and mac and cheese all the time. That said in those photos this food looks just nasty. I don't know which looks worse the turkey meatloaf or the pulled pork. I know I wouldn't want to eat it and wouldn't think a child would want to either. Sad.