I was able to attend a CM preview of FLE last Monday, thanks to a co-worker. We actually spent 4 hours back there, and it will probably be the only chance I'll have to see it when it's quiet and not over-run with tourists and annoying children. Here's the review:
It is a really beautiful part of the park, with nice wide open spaces that most of the MK seriously lacks. Are they trying "rip off" WWoHP in some ways? Oh, you bet they are! So first thing we did was LM.
The queue area of LM was beautiful and fascinating, and for some reason, reminded me of Mythos on the outside. Loved Scuttle and all the treasure. The ride was a really big disappointment. The AA are cheesy and cheap looking, with the exception of the big Ursula. I think Ariel looked really odd in every version; her face just wasn't right and I can't quite put my finger on what was wrong, other than it didn't really look like her. The Under The Sea room has "a lot going on", as my friend stated, and the ending did seem abrupt, and the dying/screaming Ursula off to the right was laughable. I wouldn't wait more than 10 or so minutes to ride this, ever.
This was the first day BOG was open for dining, so of course, we chose to eat lunch there. B&B is my favorite Disney movie, and in my top 5 favorite movies of all time, so I was mighty impressed with the detailing inside. It rivals Potter for sure. I was impressed with the menu choices for both lunch and dinner (a server managed to procure a menu for us), and liked the French theme and healthier options. The ordering and delivery systems, however, are sure to cause HUGE waits and angry guests. There doesn't seem to be an organized manner to get people to an open kiosk to order, and delivering every table's food in those carts, while a grand idea and fitting with the theme, is terribly inefficient. I can see hour long waits from the time you walk in to the time you actually get your food. The beverage stations and silverware/napkins were not particularly easy to find. Let's get to the food quality. Pretty impressed, and I generally think Disney food outside of Epcot is mediocre at best. However, the croque monsieur were not prepared in the classic French way, open faced with bechamel. It looked like a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. My quinoa salad was tasty, but had no discernible beets or beet flavor, which is why I ordered it. Cupcakes are more American than French, and the creme puffs appeared to be made with puff pastry instead of pate choux. The music was too loud, and the music box music kind of got on my nerves after a while. My companions also said the men's room was really small. I would love to try dinner here, but that is unlikely because I'll never get the hubby to plan a dinner 6 months out.
Enchanted Tales with Belle were, well, enchanting, with the best AA in the area. Again, I expect long lines, but kind of worth it for the mirror effect and something different than your regular meet and greet. And yes, they do pick adults to be in the little show. Some people are sure to be disappointed when they find out you don't get a photo with Belle if you aren't in the play, and I thought our Belle played her as being too coy, and Belle is not coy.
Ariel's Grotto-we had a great Ariel, but I would never wait here again. Not into Meet and Greets, and I think that queue will be horrendously hot in the summer, with no fans or misters.
Gaston's Tavern-another disappointment. REALLY small, only about 15 tables, and even though the theming is pretty good, the menu is so limited. One of my companions that day said it is essentially a turkey leg cart inside. LeFou's brew is most definitely a rip of Butterbeer, but I preferred it. I hate Butterbeer, but I found LeFou's refreshing. However, I would drop that marshmallow topping. If they do, more people will like it, and it won't be compared to Butterbeer as much. The cups are another story-cheap, Wal-Mart looking crap! One of the mugs had one sticker with a bubble in it, and the other sticker was off-center, and that was the 2nd one he got because the first one was messed up. They are ugly, and they look like something you'd buy at Dollar Tree. They could definitely have done better.
Gift shop-too small, not enough selection, and that portrait is tacky. Not impressed.
The Circus gift shop was amazing in it's themeing, however. We didn't bother with the meet and greets here, and my, but that's an elaborate set-up for Fast Pass distribution.
I would like to know what is taking so long to build a damn roller coaster? Over 2 years? Universal will have ripped down a building and built a new, E-ticket ride attraction in half the time it is taking Disney to build the SDMT. Ridiculous. The Amity replacement will probably be done in less time. This better be the best damn kiddie coaster ever.