BOG for lunch or dinner?

[BraveLikeMerida]

My husband and I are going to WDW for three days in December (our first trip on our own since we had children 4+ years ago-- YAY!) Because time is short we want to maximize our time in the parks. We have one full day in MK, and then will be going to MVMCP the next evening.

My question is: If I could get us a BOG dinner reservation, should I do it? We have been to BOG for lunch before, and I know the basics of what is different about the dinner experience. I am just wondering if it is worth it timewise for us to turn what could be a QS meal into a TS meal.

We are open to other restaurants in MK for dinner, or even a restaurant in one of the resorts off of the monorail so we'd be able to get back to the park afterward. Dinner this day doesn't need to be "romantic"-- we're planning dinner a Jiko the first night we arrive that will have a more grown up vibe. What do you all think?

 

[TheOrangeBird01]

I had fun when I went to BOG for dinner, but the experience wasn't much different than at lunch. The menu was a lot fancier though and my steak was really good! If you can get a reservation and are into fancy French inspired food I say go for it, but if not, it's not that big of a loss in my book.

 

[lemon meringue]

I'm not a huge fan of quick service dinners. We prefer to not have to search for a place to sit and in general I feel like the table service restaurants have healthier, more satisfying choices. BOG is a great option for maximizing your time since you'll already be in the MK. I think BOG has the nicest dinner in the park. If you want to travel by monorail to a resort, The Wave has a really good menu for a casual dinner while California Grill is nicer (but not fast). Both of these are in The Contemporary. For something a little less fancy than California Grill but still with high quality and a nice atmosphere I'd recommend Citricos at The Grand Floridian.
Happy Planning

 

[sxeensweet]

I'm not a huge fan of quick service dinners. We prefer to not have to search for a place to sit and in general I feel like the table service restaurants have healthier, more satisfying choices. BOG is a great option for maximizing your time since you'll already be in the MK. I think BOG has the nicest dinner in the park. If you want to travel by monorail to a resort, The Wave has a really good menu for a casual dinner while California Grill is nicer (but not fast). Both of these are in The Contemporary. For something a little less fancy than California Grill but still with high quality and a nice atmosphere I'd recommend Citricos at The Grand Floridian.
Happy Planning

BOG is not quick service at dinner it's a table service with a different menu and the Beast is there at dinner to take pictures with when you leave.

 

[lemon meringue]

BOG is not quick service at dinner it's a table service with a different menu and the Beast is there at dinner to take pictures with when you leave.

I know that We've been there several times for lunch and dinner. I think BOG is the best table service dinner in Magic Kingdom. Sorry if my wording was unclear. The OP mentioned that they could be happy with just a QS meal but she wondered if BOG was worth the extra time as a sit down option. She also asked for dinner options at the monorail resorts which I took to mean table service options. Maybe I misunderstood but hopefully some portion of my answer is helpful. At any rate- I do like BOG, especially at dinner

 

[sxeensweet]

I know that We've been there several times for lunch and dinner. I think BOG is the best table service dinner in Magic Kingdom. Sorry if my wording was unclear. The OP mentioned that they could be happy with just a QS meal but she wondered if BOG was worth the extra time as a sit down option. She also asked for dinner options at the monorail resorts which I took to mean table service options. Maybe I misunderstood but hopefully some portion of my answer is helpful. At any rate- I do like BOG, especially at dinner

Your response was fine I think I personally just misunderstood it. Haha! I thought you knew the difference and I was like hmm maybe you don't. Sorry. I did umderstand though why you mentioned the other options as she had asked about other restaurant options on the monorail. Your response will be helpful I'm sure. No worries. I just misunderstood. Lol. To add we love BOG, but also love Cali Grill and 'Ohana for monorail options.

 

[BraveLikeMerida]

Thanks everyone. Maybe *my* initial post was unclear. I am trying to figure out what to do for dinner on our MK day. We are open to QS or TS options, but if we do TS we don't want it to be *too* long, and we want the experience to be worth it. You have all been helpful!

 

[belledream]

Dinner does take some time, but we find the change of pace welcoming. It seems less loud and chaotic at dinner, letting you soak in the details and music.

 

[JIMINYCR]

Dinner... West wing. West wing is quieter, more intimate, darker venue but that adds to the theming of the setting. DW and I always choose that room because it seems more suited for adults. When it first opened a CM recommended it to me and I"m glad she did. Ive eaten in the other areas as well but much more prefer the West wing.

 

[Rsj88]

If you do BOG for lunch, our favorite QS dinner is Columbia Harbor House. I don't even like seafood and its my favorite! It have a nice atmosphere and usually isn't crowded. When we only have one day at MK we prefer to do QS to have more time in the park.

 

[BraveLikeMerida]

Dinner... West wing. West wing is quieter, more intimate, darker venue but that adds to the theming of the setting. DW and I always choose that room because it seems more suited for adults. When it first opened a CM recommended it to me and I"m glad she did. Ive eaten in the other areas as well but much more prefer the West wing.

If we go, we will definitely choose West Wing. It is so quiet, but it scared my daughter, so we ate in the Rose Gallery last time.

 

[lemon meringue]

If we go, we will definitely choose West Wing. It is so quiet, but it scared my daughter, so we ate in the Rose Gallery last time.

We have never been given the option of which room to sit in at dinner. Actually the last time we had dinner at BOG they were only using the Grand Ballroom area. I'm not saying that you won't be able to choose, (maybe sometimes they do allow it) but I wouldn't want you to count on being in a particular room and then be disappointed.

 

[BraveLikeMerida]

We have never been given the option of which room to sit in at dinner. Actually the last time we had dinner at BOG they were only using the Grand Ballroom area. I'm not saying that you won't be able to choose, (maybe sometimes they do allow it) but I wouldn't want you to count on being in a particular room and then be disappointed.

Ooh, good to know. This may tip the scale toward lunch then. Thanks!

 

[sxeensweet]

We have never been given the option of which room to sit in at dinner. Actually the last time we had dinner at BOG they were only using the Grand Ballroom area. I'm not saying that you won't be able to choose, (maybe sometimes they do allow it) but I wouldn't want you to count on being in a particular room and then be disappointed.

They do use all rooms now for dinner as of when we went last in October 2015. But I'm sure that can change some nights depending. You can request a certain room at check in but it's not guaranteed. We love the west wing but was seated in the Ballroom for dinner. We eat lunch there every trip as well on a different day and usually the west wing is full too and folks weren't budging. Haha We have gotten to sit in there a few times though but mostly end up in the library which we enjoy as well. All rooms are great. We have always enjoyed lunch and dinner there.
And to add on another note as someone else mentioned if the OP chooses a QS for dinner Columbia Harbor House is delicious and a must do for us as well at least once each trip. Love the lobster roll!!

 

[JIMINYCR]

Ooh, good to know. This may tip the scale toward lunch then. Thanks!

Request the West Wing when you check in. They will honor your request and note it down, there will be a short wait because they will give you a table when the first one becomes available. We've never had to wait long .