Heading to Disney World is a wonderful experience for children of all ages. A big reason why kids get so excited about Disney is all the new things to discover, but there are always a few specific things on the to-do list as well.
For fans of the movie Beauty and the Beast, Belle is one of the most beloved characters out there. Every single day, Belle can be spotted on Disney property at different locations. This allows superfans to meet the character at least once, or even multiple times a day in different settings. Here is the full list of places that you can meet Belle at Disney World:
- Enchanted Tales with Belle
- Epcot France Pavilion
- Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavilion
- Be Our Guest
Meeting Belle
The best parks to meet Belle are at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot parks. There are other opportunities in other Disney parks and even Disney Springs, but she is guaranteed to make appearances here. Whether it be an attraction, a live show or a dining option, there are plenty of ways to see Belle for a meet and greet, or from afar.
Enchanted Tales with Belle
In the Magic Kingdom, there is an opportunity to meet Belle and interact with her during storytelling time. Known as Enchanted Tales with Belle, this is an experience that a lot of kids try to make an appearance for. Wearing her yellow gown at the attraction, kids are vying for an opportunity to help out with the storytelling to a small audience. If selected, they also get a chance to interact with her after the show.
Perhaps the trickiest part about Enchanted Tales with Belle is that the experience happens in a very small area. It’s important to get there early for standby options or strive to get a FastPass reservation early in the day. On busy days, it can be a pretty long wait, but most people are fine with it because of the level of interaction Belle provides.
When a child does get a chance to meet Belle, she spends time with each individual to make it a very memorable experience. This is probably the best overall way to specifically meet Belle without feeling too rushed.
Epcot France Pavilion
For a more traditional meet and greet, the France pavilion in Epcot is the way to go. Kids will have the opportunity to meet Belle wearing her blue dress. Between around the hours of 11 AM and 5 PM, she is usually there meeting fans of all ages.
Exact start times are always posted each day, so it’s important to check early on in the day to plan out the opportunity. This is another slow-moving line so that everyone gets the opportunity to meet her, so plan ahead to maximize availability.
For park hoppers and those visiting on multiple days, there are enough differences in location and attire to make the two major meet and greet opportunities very different. A lot of people take the opportunity to meet her twice if they can pull it off.
Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavilion
This is the one area of Disney World that is a bit hit or miss with Belle. She is usually going to be there for photos with guests throughout the day near the entrance, but not necessarily inside the dining room itself.
They are always rotating princesses in and out, so there might be a time where she has not seen. To make matters worse, people do need reservations in advance, and they don’t have any way of knowing whether or not she will be there at the time.
Think of this as an opportunity to have a bonus chance to meet her. If she is not there for one reason or another, it reduces the chance of disappointment.
Be Our Guest
This is by far the best option for someone to get up close and personal with Belle, as well as the rest of the cast of the Beauty and the Beast during a meal. It is a very popular restaurant at Walt Disney World, located inside the Magic Kingdom. Because of that, it’s important to start working on reservations as early as possible.
There are three separate rooms in Be Our Guest, and each has a unique setting that will impress. They are the Grand Ballroom, the West Wing and the Castle Gallery.
The most popular of the three is the Grand Ballroom, which really blows away people when they first step in. Disney does a great job re-creating some of the details that made people fall in love with that famous first dance Belle and the Beast had in the movie.
The West Wing is known for the Enchanted Rose, but it is also a much more intimate seating arrangement for a lot of people. This might not make it as suitable for really young children, but it’s still a great place to enjoy food and have a very memorable experience.
Finally, the Castle Gallery might be the perfect place for people who are fans of Belle in particular to eat. This room is built exclusively for her, and it has some great artwork, amazing music and some surprises along the way.
See Belle From Afar
Sometimes, meeting up with Belle is tricky for some to fit into their schedule. There are other opportunities to see her from afar, whether it be in a parade, they show or some other future activity.
- Festival of Fantasy
- Beauty and the Beast Themed Area in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom
- Live on Stage Beauty and the Beast at Disney Hollywood Studios
Festival of Fantasy
The Festival of Fantasy parade happens every day at the Magic Kingdom, usually starting at 3 PM. This is a great way to see Belle in all her beauty from afar. The parade, in general, is a very fun experience for children of all ages, so it is worth checking out.
The best way to do the parade is to also catch some shade if possible. This happens in the middle of the day, so it is often pretty hot for people to stand or sit in the direct sun. Plan to get there a little early, and there will be some places with quality shade. The best shade is found near the train station, so head that way and scope a spot out. Watching from the front of the park usually gives a person the best experience.
Beauty and the Beast Themed Area in Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom
This entire section is dedicated to Beauty and the Beast, so it would make sense to see Belle and other characters throughout the day. They are always floating around, but there are no guarantees that Belle, in particular, will be out during a specific time.
It’s definitely still worth checking out for anyone who is a fan, because chances are they like the movie in general. It is also very close to some of these other locations, so no Disney trip is complete without at least a short visit.
Live on Stage Beauty and the Beast at Disney Hollywood Studios
There isn’t quite as much for Belle fans at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but there is a live 30-minute show offered throughout the day for people to check out. It comes at no extra cost, and it’s a great way to not only have a wonderful experience but cool off from the heat outside.
For visitors in the evening, there is also a show called Fantasmic! that Belle and the Beast participate in. They are just one part of the show, but it is a must-see for any person who has not witnessed it in their life. Other than these live shows, Belle isn’t seen much at Hollywood Studios.
Additional Trip Tips for Belle Fans
Meeting the Belle character from Beauty and the Beast is great, but there are other ways to make the most of a Disney trip for people who are really into the character. For starters, there is no better place to stay when visiting Orlando than one of the Royal Rooms located at the Port Orleans Riverside. They do a great job with all of the decor inside each room, as well as the common areas.
When not at the actual parks, Disney Springs is a free entry shopping area that offers so many different items and activities. Some cool items can’t be found anywhere else in the world to purchase, so people need to take advantage while on vacation. The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a must-visit for the Belle fans, either in Disney Springs, or in the Magic Kingdom.
Overall, with a little bit of planning, it isn’t that difficult to get a chance to see Belle a few different times at Disney World. The Beauty and the Beast is still a very prominent movie, showcased fairly heavily at Epcot and The Magic Kingdom. The characters who play Belle also have a wonderful reputation of being extremely great with kids, taking the extra amount of time to make their experience magical. It might take a little bit of extra planning to experience it all, but finding and meeting Belle is very doable for families if they put their mind to it.