Beer and wine to be served at Be Our Guest

[Jared]

The title says it all. I will post a link when it becomes available, but this is official.

Debate. I'll be back later with my personal thoughts on the matter. (In a nutshell, I have no problem with it.)

[Disney Hungarian]

Oh my... that place is going to be packed and I may never be able to get an ADR there.

[Melanie]

Big news out of a press conference at WDW this afternoon - beer and wine will be sold during dinner hours at Be Our Guest. From what I'm seeing, you will not be able to get any alcohol "to go". Seems polling showed folks wanted fine wine, etc. to go with their fine dining experience at BOG.

So, what does everyone think? What would Walt think?

[Jared]

Here's the official word from Disney.

From Disney Parks Blog:

When it opens at Magic Kingdom Park on November 19, Be Our Guest Restaurant will magically drop guests into the world of Belle and the Beast with a whole new level of theming for a Disney restaurant. “More than ever, we’re using storytelling and creativity as we develop our menus,” says Maribeth Bisienere, vice president of Food & Beverage and Merchandise for The Walt Disney Company. “We’re continually creating magical experiences, and Be Our Guest Restaurant at New Fantasyland is the next step in the evolution.”

The storytelling starts with Walt Disney Imagineering, but it’s not long before the Food & Beverage team starts creating a menu to match the theatrics. This time, it’s all about the mysterious new Magic Kingdom Park castle that’s home to Beast from “Beauty and the Beast,” with a majestic Ballroom with 20-foot-tall ceilings, elegant chandeliers and a wall of 18-foot-tall windows that overlook the French countryside where a light snow is falling; the Rose Gallery, with a large music box centerpiece that’s almost 7 feet tall, with Belle and the Beast slowly twirling atop; and the forbidden, dramatic West Wing, with the warm glow of the Beast’s enchanted rose.

A team of Disney chefs, including longtime Disney Chef Roland Muller, a native of Alsace, France, has spent more than three years developing the French-inspired menu, creating both a quick-service menu for lunch and a more elegant table-service menu for dinner.

“Our role is to finish the story,” says Walt Disney World Executive Chef Lenny DeGeorge. And while the quick-service lunch is more of a French bistro, dinner is a more elegant affair with dishes themed to the film: a whole roasted hen, a pork rack chop, pan-seared salmon with leek fondue and saffron potatoes. Gourmet cupcakes and mousse-filled cream puffs are finished tableside.

And just for dinner, select wines and beers will be offered that complement the French-inspired cuisine.

“As part of the overall theming, we wanted to offer wine that enhances the guest experience and complements the French-inspired cuisine,” says Stuart McGuire, Beverage Director, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “The wines focus primarily on France’s famous wine-growing regions, including Champagne, Alsace, Loire, Rhone, Burgundy and Bordeaux.

“We’ll also offer the leading French beer, Kronenbourg 1664,” says McGuire. “And, staying in the general region, we’ll also offer Belgian beers.”

Servers complete the picture, dressed in a style inspired by European fashions from the 1400s to the 1600s: a royal purple embroidered doublet, or vest, over a shirt with knickers that reach just below the knee. For evening service, a jabot or ruffle, buttoned at the throat, is added.

“From the moment they cross the bridge into the castle, it’s all about immersing our guests in the dining experience,” says Bisienere. “Every detail is part of the story.”

Added by Moderator Team

[Brer_Fox]

Interesting.... very very interesting!

[BrowncatP]

I guess that I am too much of a traditionist, but my thought is NOO!

[SBETigg]

Big news out of a press conference at WDW this afternoon - beer and wine will be sold during dinner hours at Be Our Guest. From what I'm seeing, you will not be able to get any alcohol "to go". Seems polling showed folks wanted fine wine, etc. to go with their fine dining experience at BOG.

So, what does everyone think? What would Walt think?

Well, I'm glad I wasn't the only one who would have skipped it in favor of a venue where I could get wine with dinner. I think it's awesome as long as it doesn't open the doors to bring alcohol into other areas of the MK. Wine or beer with dinner, not something most people go overboard on (though I have seen it). So... yeah, I'm cool with this.

[Gator]

I hate this. Hate this! This is a dry park, a kid friendly park. I personally have a problem with alcohol in general, but a few deaths in the family at the hand of a drunk can do that. Still, I don't get it. This isn't necesary - people will go to this place with wine or no wine. I guess my question is why do people NEED to have wine with their food?

[SBETigg]

Any chef will tell you that certain foods and wines go together. It's a relationship-- they can enhance and compliment the flavors in each. Having a glass of wine with dinner is not about getting a buzz. It's about getting a full sensory experience from a lovely meal.

I'm sorry for your losses, but it's also a little offensive to equate people who have a glass of wine with dinner to people who lose control, go out, and get behind the wheel. There are plenty of people who drink and do so responsibly. In fact, statistically, we're in the majority.

[Jared]

This is a dry park, a kid friendly park.

So the presence of alcohol at the table suddenly makes the park inappropriate for children? I understand that you have a personal opposition to alcohol, and I respect that. But there's nothing wrong with adults having a glass of wine with dinner, even with kids around. I just don't think you're making a fair leap.

[Lindsey310]

I hate this. Hate this! This is a dry park, a kid friendly park. I personally have a problem with alcohol in general, but a few deaths in the family at the hand of a drunk can do that. Still, I don't get it. This isn't necesary - people will go to this place with wine or no wine. I guess my question is why do people NEED to have wine with their food? Is it that much better than a soft drink, or flavored iced tea, or do all these people just need a buzz?

I personally prefer an ice cold coke with my dinner. I can see both sides of this debate. However, MK, has always said it's a dry kingdom so why make one exception now?? Is it going to lead to more exceptions down the road? Ehh, I think it should stick with no alcohol.

[magicofdisney]

I do love a good Pina Colada however I'm not much of a wine drinker. I have no qualms with this but I seriously doubt it will forever be confined to the BOG venue.

[DizneyFreak2002]

No problem with this at all... The other three parks serve it... If someone doesn't want a glass of wine with their dinner, the simple solution is don't order it... No one is forcing you too...

[Dsnygirl]

Oh my... that place is going to be packed and I may never be able to get an ADR there.

I personally have no problem with it, seeing as it's being limited to dinnertime, and is a part of the theming/cuisine, as they put it, and I'm sure will be carefully watched. I think it will come down to CM's being very careful to uphold the rules so that it DOESN'T become an issue... that being said, I know that can be a tough job, as the CM's who work at Epcot I'm sure can attest to.

... and as to the "family friendly" arguements, as far as I'm concerned, EVERY park at Disney should be "family friendly", and if alcohol is offered at the others under this same premise, I have no problem with it being offered in a small, special way at MK. I think it (or at least hope) that it will enhance a special, new & unique restaurant.

It will be interesting to watch this unfold, and I've enjoyed reading the prior comments!

[WDWgoofy]

[PETE FROM NYC]

OK, I did not read every single post here, but I still want to add my two cents.

Most of my friends and acquaintances are at least borderline alcoholics. I personally drink wine when I have Italian food, and on an exceptionally hot day I will have ONE beer, if its frigidly cold. I just do not understand why so many folks think that their day is incomplete without an alcoholic fix.

[BrerGnat]

OK, I did not read every single post here, but I still want to add my two cents.

Most of my friends and acquaintances are at least borderline alcoholics. I personally drink wine when I have Italian food, and on an exceptionally hot day I will have ONE beer, if its frigidly cold. I just do not understand why so many folks think that their day is incomplete without an alcoholic fix.

No one here said anything about "needing" an alcoholic drink.

I don't "need" a dark chocolate covered caramel square from Karamell Kuche every day, either, but if they started selling THOSE property wide, I'd have them more often. It's about taking part in something that brings people pleasure. For some, it's a good coffee. For others, a good smoke. And, for many, a drink every now and then.

The bottom line is, some people like to drink. Some don't. The choice exists elsewhere at WDW, so it really makes no sense why MK should be any different.

And, before we go guessing what "Walt would have thought", I ask to anyone who is over 40 years old: Do you think the same way NOW as you did 40 years ago? People's opinions are often not static for the duration of their lives.

I used to think I would NEVER want to get married and I would NEVER, EVER have children. Look at me now, not even 20 years later...