Beak and Barrel Review: The Best New Spot in Magic Kingdom?
Is the new Beak and Barrel lounge actually worth the hype, or are the critics right? We headed to Magic Kingdom for a spooky day of rides and food to test out the newest addition to Adventureland. From pirate punch in a souvenir skull to a prefix dinner at Be Our Guest that left us wanting more, here is our full report on what’s worth your time right now.
The New Heavy Hitter: Beak and Barrel
We’ve heard the mixed reviews, but we have to say—we loved the Beak and Barrel. Located in Adventureland, this standing-room-only lounge is packed with detail and "pirate treasures." Every few minutes, different effects trigger around the room, making it feel alive and immersive.
Plooger Punch: This was the winner for me. It comes in a souvenir skull that you actually get to keep (they’ll give you a clean one at the end).
The Provisions: We tried the chips and dip, which featured a spiced guava sauce and a chimichurri that was easily the highlight of the table.
The Vibe: It feels like you need more than the allotted 40 minutes just to see everything happening in the room. It’s a strong recommend from us!
Be Our Guest: A Beautiful Miss?
On the flip side, our dinner at Be Our Guest was a bit of a letdown this time around. While the ballroom is still one of the most beautiful places to eat in the park, a few things have changed for the worse.
The Prefix Menu: It’s now a set price for an appetizer, entree, and dessert. While the Filet Mignon was delicious, the overall experience felt a bit rushed and less special for the price tag.
The Beast: Instead of a dedicated meet-and-greet in the study, the Beast now just walks through the ballroom periodically. It’s much harder to get a good photo, and it feels a lot less personal than it used to.
The Verdict: If you’ve never been, it’s worth seeing for the atmosphere, but for the food and character interaction, there are better values in the park.
Magic Kingdom Classics & Crowd Updates
For anyone saying the parks are "slow" right now—I beg to differ! By noon, the crowds were wall-to-wall. We used Lightning Lane to navigate the big ones, which is a must if you want to maximize your day.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: We caught a ride in the back row and got mildly wet, but it’s a fantastic transition for the mountain.
Country Bear Musical Jamboree: The updated show is a lot of fun. It’s the perfect place to duck out of a rain shower and catch some classic Disney humor.
Columbia Harbor House: We stopped here for lunch, and the lobster roll is still a top-tier quick-service option.
Pro Tip: Breakfast at the Spring Roll Cart
Next time you're rope-dropping Adventureland, check the Spring Roll cart. They’ve started testing breakfast bagel sandwiches in the morning. It’s a great way to grab a solid breakfast before hitting your first big ride of the day.
The Verdict: Is It Worth It?
A huge "Yes" for the Beak and Barrel and the classic lobster roll at Columbia Harbor House. Be Our Guest is still a "hit or miss" for us—great for the vibe, but the new prefix setup and character changes make it a one-and-done for a while.
Have you tried the Plooger Punch at Beak and Barrel yet? Let us know what you thought in the YouTube comments! And if you enjoyed the tour, make sure to subscribe to The Roaming Twins for more Disney strategy.
