Hello Beth. Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel.
Get ready to dine in palatial splendor and my personal favorite place to dine in all of Walt Disney World Resort (other than the vastly underrated
Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen).
Every time that I have dined at
Be Our Guest Restaurant for dinner, the Beast has made appearances to meet with Guests. In fact, some of my favorite Walt Disney World Resort photos (taken by
Disney PhotoPass Photographers) are of my little girl growling at Beast and scaring him for a change).
Upon confirming with Cast Members at Be Our Guest Restaurant, they informed me that it is not a set or guaranteed Character Dining Experience and that the arrival of Beast is to be seen as a "surprise" when he shows up to meet with Guests. However, I have dined at be Our Guest Restaurant 3 times in the past 2 years and he was there each time.
I believe that because an experience like meeting Beast is subject to change without notice that they are told to inform Guests that there is the possibility that he will not be present on a given night. They did mention Beast has missed nights in the past but that he is "known" to be there most nights.
I will cross my fingers for your Character Meeting with Beast but rest assured, the experience of dining at Be Our Guest Restaurant is spectacular, with or without your furry host.
~Bon Appétit!
~Todd