Blue Bayou F! Package

[neonderlyn]

First time to disney and we are going to book the Blue Bayou package for F! I have a few questions:

1) Is the full menu available for the F! Package?

2) How is the food/whats best? And will they bring out an extra plate for my 3 and 2 year old to split their meal?

3) How does seating in the Blue Bayou area work, is it based on the time you make your reservation or first come first serve in that area?

4) If it is first come first serve how early should we arrive to get front of that area?

Any other helpful tips would be nice =)

 

[DWillowBay]

I'm wondering all these same things. Hopefully, someone will share.

 

[nicolispicoli]

Yes, the menu options are the same.

The monte cristo is not on the dinner menu for BB. I don't know if you can still order it, hopefully someone else can confirm. Normall they charge for a split plate, but with their ages, I'm not sure. As far as food goes, I've only had the surf and turf, monte cristo and crab cakes (no longer available) before. All were good in my opinion.

It is based on the time you make your reservation, but I cant say for sure what time the cut off is. We got stuck with an early reservation, 4:40 and that gave us the earlier show. They had a 7:30, but told us that would obviously be the second show and I knew my toddler wouldn't last.

I have yet to do the fantasmic dining, my first time will be this coming Sunday. It has a return time on the ticket, they won't allow you to line up before that time. But when you enter, it is first come, first served.

Hope this helps a little!

 

[ludari]

I've eaten at Blue Bayou many times however I have never done the Fantasmic package. Looking at the package it looks like a great bargain considering all that you are getting. When I book my regular reservation to dine at BB I always asks for a table near the water and I don't mind if I have to wait. My favorite meal is the Royal Street Seafood Jambalaya with the gumbo soup although others might say that Monte Cristo Sandwich is the best. Since you are doing a dining package I am not sure if they will bring you an extra plate for your children but they might considering their age. I wish I could have been more helpful and since I live local I might have to try this F package.

 

[neonderlyn]

Thanks guys, this helps! My main concern is since my girls are so small, i want to have the best view option possible. What time are the two showings? Is there always too showing. We are going the end of april if that makes a difference

 

[figment_jii]

If there are two F! showings that night, you can pick which show you want. I think they default and give guests passes for the first show, but you can request the second show if you prefer. I haven't heard of folks not getting the show time they wanted, but I guess it could happen (more likely for the first show). In terms of the viewing area it is first-come-first-serve for where you want to sit. I don't think they let guests in until about 45 minutes before the show (after the FP folks have already gotten in), but I can't remember for sure.

In terms of sharing, just make sure you ask for a second plate. Don't say you want to split the meal, just that you want a second plate so the two children can share a single meal. I would normally think it's not an issue because a 2 year old will not need their own meal of the F! dining package and would probably be assume to share something with an adult. The three year old will need their own meal.

nicolispicoli is correct that the Monte Cristo is not on the dinner menu. Most all reports have indicated that it can not be ordered during dinner because they put away the ingredients and equipment necessary for the item.

There are usually only two showings because during much of the year, F! is only presented on Fri, Sat, and Sun. I'm guessing you're going in late April or early May. Based on last year's schedule, it looks like F! was only presented on Fri, Sat, and Sun during that period. The show times were 9:00 pm and 10:30 pm.

 

[Angrose]

When I called to reserve our F! dining package, the CM told me that reservations before 6:40pm would get the early show and reservations after that time get the later show. That would be great if you could just pick the show you want when you get to the restaurant, but then you may not get the one your 1st choice if everyone is picking the same show. I went ahead and booked a 6:20pm dinner so we get the earlier show, which is what we want.

 

[figment_jii]

Angrose, thanks for the update! It makes much more sense to have show times based on reservation times (like they did for WoC). When the F! dining packages first came out folks were reporting that it was whatever show time you requested, which was kind of confusing (and seemed odd).

 

[jenjersnap]

When I called to reserve our F! dining package, the CM told me that reservations before 6:40pm would get the early show and reservations after that time get the later show. That would be great if you could just pick the show you want when you get to the restaurant, but then you may not get the one your 1st choice if everyone is picking the same show. I went ahead and booked a 6:20pm dinner so we get the earlier show, which is what we want.

I was told nearly the same thing - they said the cut off between first and second shows was 6:30 pm - by two different CMs.

 

[letsgoreds]

We just did the BB F! package last Wednesday, and our experience was wonderful. The only confusion I had was whether or not the kids get an appetizer (listed on the special menu for prix fixe menu, but they didn't get anything, kids were happy with rolls).

We had a 4:40 ADR and asked for a water table at check-in (can't reserve ahead of time). We were told 40 minutes, given a pager, and told to stay close by. We hopped on the train (it just arrived), and checked back 25 minutes later to find that they called our pager 10 minutes after we checked in (oops, bad mom for not waiting). So, given another 40 minute wait time, and it was sadly 40 minutes that time. This hosed our plan of riding BTMRR after dinner/before F! with our fastpasses, but probably a good idea as we were quite full ; )

The water table was 110% worth it for the kids (and mom/dad too). My 4yo especially enjoyed waving and even yelling (bad DS4) at an occasional boat. It was fun, and we had other kid-centric tables nearby, so all smiles. The fencing also kinda corralled my 4yo.

Here are some tips.

1. On the kids menu, you can order the grilled chicken and substitute super yummy mac and cheese (not the orange gross stuff throughout the parks) for the pasta/sauce. My DS4 wanted mac and cheese, mom wanted protein for DS4, and our awesome server had the solution. Fresh fruit for us was a generous portion of red grapes (yeah...no melon!). Chicken was juicy sliced chicken breast. Thanks for the slicing! I am also used to getting hockey pucks for chicken breast, so pleasantly surprised. Enough for a 2 and 3yo to share. DS9 had the salmon and enjoyed it. He enjoyed the plainish spaghetti. The sourdough rolls were great, others in the basket not so much. Dessert was a mickey shaped chocolate cake in ganache. Looked good. Server was slammed when we were seated and had to wait a while for drinks...so she was kind to gift the boys the glowy pirate clip + POTC cups. Very cool.
2. Adult menu, there isn't an upcharge for shrimp cocktail if you want it. I heard from a family that tried one of each app, and liked them all. I wanted a salad and DH gumbo, so can't attest. Both were great. We both chose surf/turf and it was super yummy. Steak cooked perfectly and lobster not over. Lots of other options. Desserts were as expected, chocolate/hazelnut layer cake, creme brulee, and fruit (ours were huckelberry) galette. I loved the CB, and DH the galette (very generous).
3. Ask your server for a To Go bag to carry the cushions. Much easier...ours held 4, guessing they could hold up to 6. Our foam pads were purple.
4. Drinks are non-alcoholic. Boo. I wanted a glass of wine and didn't know DL was alcohol free...after seeing everyone with a beer in their hands at DCA they day before. Some folks had some fancy NA drinks (mint julep?), we went for coke zero. Service was great. Very dark...pirate drink glowy lights came in handy. Once a crayon rolls to the floor, consider it lost forever.
5. The CMs will say no lining up before the time on the FP. The reason being is that it is in a narrow walkway during a busy time of night. We just kinda hung out to the side 5-10 before (8:15FP time) and chatted up the CM, so felt like we weren't standing in line, but we kinda were. It was mobish as people tried to get into the area with CMs checking in groups by FP, so hold onto kids hands. The CM saw it getting out of hand, and STOPPED everyone at one point. Stay inside the taped area, marking off walkways and other areas (left half is for RBT). We sat in the front, and the area is sitting only. If you need to stand, hang out in the back of the area, and you should be OK. Same if you have a stroller with sleeping kiddos...one family just parked the stroller at the end/side of the section, towards the back, so as to not block others in the area. Worked well. You could easily enter around 8:35 (for 8:15 FP), sit near the back of the section and have a great view/time. When you sit in front, you have the fence in your way. Further back, not so much.
6. In retrospect, you could send one member of your party with their FP and all the cushions in first, if you trust their seat selection : ) This would make it less crazy if you have young kids and increase your chances of front row seating...although it is all excellent seating. I would argue that second/third row might be better than front...kinda like sitting in the orchestra. Front row doesn't always = best seats, so don't stress about getting in first.

I would rebook this package in a heartbeat. We are WDW vets that have gotten used to prebooking FP+ for parade/firework viewing and avoiding mobs and people trying to cut in front for a better seat/etc. People aren't sitting on top of each other, and everyone is friendly. The cushions helped and and show was great. Better than WDW IMO as you are so close that you feel a part of the show.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

We just booked the BB F! package for April as well, and I was wondering if it was going to be a condensed menu or not. We have never been to this restaurant, hell I haven't been to Disneyland since the 80s and my BF has never been. But we have been looking at menus online and everything looks so yummy!

PS I was also wondering about view for the show, I keep bouncing between threads and I pretty much have a handle of where we are suppose to view from, however I was wondering if it was sitting on the ground, in chairs, or standing?

 

[figment_jii]

Sitting on the ground or standing depending on where you're watching from. The technical answer is that only the guests with the Blue Bayou dining package are guaranteed to be ground seated for the show. The other dining packages and FP viewing areas are said to be standing room only, but in practice it seems like there is ground seating in the areas along the Rivers of America in most cases. For RBT and Hungry Bear Dessert Party, those viewing areas are along the Rivers of America, so unless it's super crowded (i.e., lots of folks signed up for the packages) I would guess most of the area will be ground seated. There are no more chairs available for the general public (I believe the VIP viewing area adjacent to the control booth may still have chairs, but those are not available to general public).

 

[neonderlyn]

Is there only a limited number of Blue Bayou F! Packages available a night? Should I book right at 60 days out or should i be fine if i wait til closer to the time we travel?

 

[figment_jii]

I would assume there is only a limited number of packages available per night, but they don't seem to be selling out super fast. It depends a little on when you're going (peak versus non-peak day). I don't think you need to be online right on the 60-day mark, but if you know you want the BB F! package, I would make the reservation as soon as you're comfortable doing so.

 

[jenjersnap]

Is there only a limited number of Blue Bayou F! Packages available a night? Should I book right at 60 days out or should i be fine if i wait til closer to the time we travel?

The days we were considering booked up very quickly at the 60 day mark. Right now, there is only one reservation time left the entire night for we are going. Now, we are a party of 5 so it is probably a little more challenging, but I wouldn't wait until too long, in any case.

 

[jenjersnap]

Thank you, letsgoreds for the helpful rundown! I have added your line up description to my info list.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Sitting on the ground or standing depending on where you're watching from. The technical answer is that only the guests with the Blue Bayou dining package are guaranteed to be ground seated for the show. The other dining packages and FP viewing areas are said to be standing room only, but in practice it seems like there is ground seating in the areas along the Rivers of America in most cases. For RBT and Hungry Bear Dessert Party, those viewing areas are along the Rivers of America, so unless it's super crowded (i.e., lots of folks signed up for the packages) I would guess most of the area will be ground seated. There are no more chairs available for the general public (I believe the VIP viewing area adjacent to the control booth may still have chairs, but those are not available to general public).

Cool, thanks for the notice, was wondering if buying a Disney Beach Towel to sit on would be worth our while?! Or just sit on the ground... Was planning to dress fairly well, dress shorts or Maxi dress for BB and was worried about sitting on ground in those clothes, MIND YOU I don't mind sitting on the ground at all, just making sure I am dress correctly for the occasion

 

[jenjersnap]

Cool, thanks for the notice, was wondering if buying a Disney Beach Towel to sit on would be worth our while?! Or just sit on the ground... Was planning to dress fairly well, dress shorts or Maxi dress for BB and was worried about sitting on ground in those clothes, MIND YOU I don't mind sitting on the ground at all, just making sure I am dress correctly for the occasion

The BB Fantasmic dining package includes a cushion to sit on. Think the vinyl covered foam kind you see at sporting events.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

The BB Fantasmic dining package includes a cushion to sit on. Think the vinyl covered foam kind you see at sporting events.

Oh that's awesome! Thank you

 

[keishashadow]

if somebody has bad knees/hips and can't easily sit on the ground (cushion or not) is there somewhere they can stand & 'lean' in the viewing area?