Though we still have a week or so left, it’s definitely safe to say that 2015 has been another big year for the ever-popular Be Our Guest Restaurant in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
Looking back over the past year… February brought the announcement that lunch at Be Our Guest was ending its FastPass+ test for Disney Resort guests and opening up Advance Dining Reservations to anyone who wished to dine there. In March, we received word that breakfast would be coming to this spot that had only previously offered lunch and dinner. It was also announced that Advance Dining Reservations would be accepted for this new meal as well, even though — like lunch — breakfast is considered a Counter Service meal.
In the weeks and months to follow came a flurry of Advance Dining Reservations (ADRs) made by guests focused on their Disney World vacation plans. Perhaps you have even made one in the time since, which might mean that you may be — at this very moment — getting ready to depart shortly for your Disney World vacation! (LUCKY YOU!!)
If your dining time is for breakfast or lunch at Be Our Guest you have the option to pre-order your meal within 30 days of your reservation, and today we’re going to look at how that process works. (The pre-order process does not apply to dinner at Be Our Guest, which, as always, is considered a Table Service meal.)
The pre-ordering process is not new to Be Our Guest Restaurant. When lunch was available specifically to Disney World Resort guests via FastPass+ testing, participating guests were presented with the option to pre-order their meals.
Though the FastPass+ days are long behind us for Be Our Guest Restaurant, everyone with a My Disney Experience account — which you can create through the Walt Disney World website — now has the ability to pre-order their meal within 30 days of their dining reservation (not to be confused with the 180-window in which you can actually make your Advance Dining Reservation).
If you’re wondering where to begin the pre-order process… well, that depends on when you make your reservation. If you book your meal within the 30-day pre-ordering window, you will immediately see a link to “Place Your Order” in the confirmation window that pops up after you make your reservation, and a link will also arrive in your confirmation e-mail.
However, for those who booked a reservation outside of the 30-day pre-order window (a wise decision, considering how quickly things still book up here), you can log into the My Disney Experience site once you are within the 30-day window. If you are not yet within the 30 days, you’ll see a note letting you know the date that window opens for you, as in the example below.
By the way, let’s say you made your Advance Dining Reservation via phone by calling (407) WDW-DINE, and do not have a My Disney Experience account. No worries — you can link the reservation confirmation number you received to your account even if you create it after making your reservation.
Once you are inside the 30 Day window of your reservation, you’ll find an updated link to “Place Your Order” on the right within your reservation details.
I went through this process via my computer, but you can also enter into the process through the My Disney Experience app on your smartphone or tablet by selecting “My Reservations” and choosing your Be Our Guest breakfast or lunch reservation.
From here, the process is clear and very user-friendly, but I’d still like to walk you through so you can know what to expect when your 30-day window for pre-order arrives. While the general steps are the same for both breakfast and lunch, we’ll be looking at a lunch reservation today.
The first window to open after selecting “Place Your Order” provides a lot of great info, including the fact that you do NOT have to pre-order your meals if you prefer not to; ordering kiosks will still be available upon your arrival. You can also make changes to your selections any time before your arrival. Third, if you cancel your order for any reason, it will not affect your standing reservation.
From here, you can click the green “Start Order” button to get going!
Immediately you’ll see the first screen of the menu. (Fret not! The Braised Pork Coq au Vin Style is still available, as you’ll see later in the post; I was just limited to what displayed on my screen for this particular screenshot.)
Before we go into ordering — and viewing the rest of the menu — I’d like to point out a few features that may be of interest. In the upper-right corner you’ll see some expansion options, including “Have a Dining Plan?”
If you click it, you’ll find the standard Disney Dining Plan info, reminding you of your entitlements through the program.
Also on the upper left, you’ll see an “Allergy-Friendly menu” expansion option, which is there for dietary needs. When you expand this, you can select to display only items made without your choice of the following: corn, eggs, fish, milk, peanut, shellfish, soy, tree nut, or wheat.
Now on to the food! I only showed you one portion of the menu above, but it actually took several screen shots for me to include each section, from soups, entrees, and beverages to desserts and Kids Meals.
Though you’ll see descriptions under most items, when you click the “Plus” (+) sign by the item name, you may also get a picture, as seen here for the Tuna Nicoise Salad.
Additionally, limited customization may be an option. With the Tuna Nicoise Salad, you may choose to deselect the poached eggs on your salad, and choose if you would like your dressing on the side or tossed in with your entree. This little window is also where you click “Add to Order” to… well, to add it to your order 😉 .
Once you do, the item appears in your Order Summary on the right hand of the screen. BAM!
Further options for customization, of course, depend on the item you select. For instance, when you choose to view more information about the Carved Prime Chuck Roast Beef Sandwich, you’ll find you can choose your preferred side item (French Fries or Green Bean Jardiniere) as well as opt out of the horseradish sauce or the veggie toppers.
There is no special section to enter additional notes, however. So if you’re in need of further customization, it may be best to wait until your arrival day and speak with a Cast Member prior to placing your order at the restaurant.
Of course, after perusing the menu a bit more, you may change your mind, and that’s totally fine. Just hit the “X” next to the item in the Order Summary as seen above, and confirm that you would indeed like to remove the item.
Then just have at it again until you’re pleased with your order! Ultimately, I went with my personal list of “Be Our Guest’s Greatest Lunch Hits”: Braised Pork, and The Master’s Cupcake (that’s the one topped with the Grey Stuff) for my dessert. And also a soda, ‘cuz self-serve refills are unlimited at Be Our Guest 🙂 .
The total for the selections also shows up in the Order Summary, but you will not pay for your items until the day you dine (at that time, you would also clarify if you are using the Disney Dining Plan, and your credits will be adjusted accordingly).
Upon viewing your Order Summary, you can review your order as well, which leads to this screen:
And, finally, at the bottom right of the screen, it’s the moment you’ve been waiting for… you’ll see green “Place Order” button.
Once you click it, CONGRATULATIONS! That’s a wrap! You have successfully sent your order to Be Our Guest Restaurant.
Again, please note that you can change your order at any time before your arrival, so no worries if you have any second thoughts about what you want. After all, in the words of Lumiere, they “only live to serve” at Be Our Guest Restaurant!
Now the only thing you have to do just happens to be the most difficult thing when it comes to ANY part of your Disney World vacation… WAIT for it to begin. 😉 Here’s hoping that pre-ordering your group’s breakfast or lunch for Be Our Guest will add a little more fun to the countdown!
Do you like having the option of pre-ordering for a Counter Service meal? Please let us know with a comment!
Mark says
One of the pleasures of going to a restaurant is ordering something that suits your mood at the moment. Count me out on this idea.
Mandi says
As a frequent visitor, I love this feature. However, for first time visitors to BOG I wouldn’t recommend it…it does take away from the entire experience
Corrina says
This is taking it just a little too far. What happens if you order it a month in advance but you change your mind when you get there? I understand wanting to streamline everything, but it takes a bit of the fun out of your vacation.
Natalie says
FYI- there was a long line to get in BOG when we went and they all had reservations. We pre-ordered and were able to bypass that long line and went right in to pay. Even though ordering ahead of time might not be ideal to some, skipping that line with children is great.
Tracy says
When you arrive, you will be asked if there will be any changes to your order. So you are allowed to change your mind before the food is served. If most people know what they want, this is an easy and speedy option.
Kimberly says
Very excited!! I hope this is an option at more restaurants!! 😀
Molly says
Just a note: If you’re on the dining plan and your reservation includes people from multiple room reservations you can’t split the order if you order ahead to correctly use meal credits. We couldn’t order ahead for breakfast last week for this reason.
Hannah says
After having the French Onion Soup and Braised Pork. I can order early every time. I will have no problem knowing exactly what I want and by the time I get there the craving for this meal will be strong!
Thanks for the pictures.
Virginia says
I am on the QS dining plan and have a lunch booked at BOG for February. Thus, my meal is already prepaid, but what if I want my drink to be served in a special goblet, for instance? Will they charge me for the goblet on my magic band? How do I know how much that would be?
Santiago says
The dining plan rules say that you can substiute your beverage or dessert for a snack. Can I order the onion soup instead of a beverage? I worry that if I pre-order online they won’t allow that substitution and that I won’t be able to use a dining-plan meal credit to pay. Has anyone tried this?
Leslie says
I have pre-ordered four times, and three times I was made to wait on line and scan my magic band and do that whole process anyway. Only once were we allowed right in to the dining room. So I am a little confused by this whole pre-order thing, and then I am frustrated when I have to stand in line anyway!
Kris says
FYI I would not recommend this if you are on the dining plan and have people from more then one room…to get it credited to the correct people was a nightmare. So not worth ordering ahead.
Aditi says
We made an ADR for breakfast here and tried to preorder, but it’s not very good for people with dietary needs.
As many people in our party are vegetarians, we ordered at the restaurant and ended up paying $21.99 for a slice of bread, bechamel sauce, and one egg! OVERPRICED!
Go anywhere else but here for breakfast.
Ps- I do enjoy their dinner here, but the breakfast is very small, and overpriced.
Linda B says
Can’t wait to try pre-ordering. I am wondering, however, why it’s 30 days ahead, which seems excessive to me. Why not 2 weeks or 1 week? Am I missing something?
DFB Sarah says
Linda, guests can start pre-ordering 30 days in advance but can pre-order any time leading up to their visit (including making changes, if needed, right up until your ADR). I hope this helps clarify!
Jen says
Quick-service DDP allows adults to order an alcohol with their meal. Why does advanced ordering only allow for non-alcoholic beverages? Is there a way to correct this once you get to the restaurant?
DFB Sarah says
Jen, you’ll want to talk to the cast member when you arrive. We are relatively certain since DDP includes an alcoholic beverage, you CAN get one at Be Our Guest breakfast. It’s possible their system does not reflect that for whatever reason. I’ll keep looking into this to see if I can get confirmation.
Debbie says
If you pre-order food, do you still have to stand in the long line and review your order at the ordering kiosks?
We were there in Jan 2019 and it was a zoo. The line to order was slow and long. All the adults said one and done, but my granddaughter, who slept through lunch last year, wants to see the castle. Thanks for any info.
Mary says
My husband and I usually use a dining plan. Is there a way we could use just 1 dining credit then add a soup as a snack credit to maximize lunch and split it all?
DFB Sarah says
Mary, you are typically able to do that at lunch.
Jill says
Good morning – do you have updated BOG lunch dining suggestions? Any changes to anticipate for a Dec 2020 visit?
Always appreciate your experience and expertise –