Am I fantasizing Blue Bayou too much?

[ColoradoLime]

I have always wanted to eat at Blue Bayou. Never have because nothing on the regular menu appeals to me, the kids wouldn't like the food, and I'm not pay $35 for a steak. But I still can't help but to want to go there. I've thought about going for just dessert but now I wonder if I'll be let down if it really isn't all that.

Do I do it or skip it?

 

[mdmost]

I think you should do it at least once. The ambiance just can't be beat. The meal is okay and the prices are steep but it really is something that's fun to experience. We did it when it was part of either the Fantasmic or World of Color dining package so I didn't mind the price since we got preferred seating and didn't have to fight crowds to get a good spot.

 

[Malcon10t]

I agree you should do it once. Then you can decide for yourself. For me, it is so not worth it. But everyone has their own preferences and tastes. As I have said many times before, I kept trying to enjoy staying at the Grand, but for me, I just didn't care for it. I prefer the DLH. Many people love Blue Bayou. But for us, it just doesn't have "it". For others, it isn't a complete trip without dining there. Only you can decide how you feel.

 

[DizMe]

I love going. I don't go every time I visit DL, but it will always be special to me. I think that's part of its appeal--I associate it with special times. Is it the best food? No, but it's very good (I know the things I like there). Is it really fancy, with lots of luxurious amenities? No, but it's so fun and has that amazing way of making you feel like you're on an outdoor patio in the evening. I mean, you're actually inside of a ride!

So I agree with the above posters that you should give it a try at least once or you may always wonder about it and possibly regret that you never did it. I felt that way about the Chef's counter in Napa Rose. I'm not much of a foodie so I wasn't sure about spending that much on a meal I might not even like, but I decided to try it. My sister and I went and while it really wasn't my thing, I don't regret it at all because it was a fun experience! Had we not tried it, I would have always wondered if I should have.

 

[ktlm]

If you have always wanted to eat there, you should try it once. It does have great atmosphere, especially if you are seated by the water. If they try to seat you far away from the water, just tell them it is your first and maybe only time there and ask if you can wait for a water table-- I have seem them let people do that before.

That said-- we have eaten there multiple times, and we don't eat there anymore. My food has always been mediocre. That $35 steak has never even been close to a $35 steak you would get in a nice restaurant elsewhere. I've had it really chewy once to the point it was inedible and another time, cooked completely unevenly where one end was overdone and the other end was underdone. Tried the chicken once and it was fine, but I prefer the $15 citrus chicken at Cocina Cucamonga at California Adventure to the Blue Bayou now $35 chicken. The gumbo appetizer is really good and DH has had a seafood dish that he likes there (I don't eat seafood) and the dessert was good. When she was younger, DD usually fell asleep on her plate when we took her to dinner there because it is so dark- I have photos of that. It really is all about the atmosphere. After several times (and probably a price raise), we decided we had experienced the atmosphere enough and the food quality was not good enough to bring us back- we will just ride the ride a few times. I think you should try it once because you have always wanted to eat there. Then, you can decide if you are one and done or if you want to go back someday.

 

[Malcon10t]

I love going. I don't go every time I visit DL, but it will always be special to me. I
So I agree with the above posters that you should give it a try at least once or you may always wonder about it and possibly regret that you never did it. I felt that way about the Chef's counter in Napa Rose. I'm not much of a foodie so I wasn't sure about spending that much on a meal I might not even like, but I decided to try it. My sister and I went and while it really wasn't my thing, I don't regret it at all because it was a fun experience! Had we not tried it, I would have always wondered if I should have.

Same here. I've done Chef's Counter with Sutton. We had a good time, but that was also with who we were with. I would never have done it otherwise. Would I do it again? Yes, but it would be more of who I was going with because THEY ENJOY IT. Same with 21 Royal. If I ever do it, it will because of the right group.

 

[DizMe]

Same here. I've done Chef's Counter with Sutton. We had a good time, but that was also with who we were with. I would never have done it otherwise. Would I do it again? Yes, but it would be more of who I was going with because THEY ENJOY IT. Same with 21 Royal. If I ever do it, it will because of the right group.

Oh yes! You put it exactly right.

 

[gelatoni fan]

I agree with previous posters that if you've really been wanting to try it, you should do it just to satisfy your curiosity. If the food ends up being a let down, you'll either have enjoyed the ambiance or have a good story to tell your friends about how it wasn't worth it.

I've eaten there before and am in no rush to eat there again.

 

[PirateBrigade]

Yes - it's fun once, but don't go because of the food, or because it's a great restaurant. Go because you can sit inside of a ride and eat food, and get heckled at by riders ("heyyyyyyy throw me some brreeeeeaaaad dude!")

The only other reason to eat there is if/when they bring back the dining packages, you get some really choice seating for Fantasmic (and a comfy foam pad to sit on).

 

[gelatoni fan]

Yes - it's fun once, but don't go because of the food, or because it's a great restaurant. Go because you can sit inside of a ride and eat food, and get heckled at by riders ("heyyyyyyy throw me some brreeeeeaaaad dude!")

The only other reason to eat there is if/when they bring back the dining packages, you get some really choice seating for Fantasmic (and a comfy foam pad to sit on).

When do they give you those cushions? I have my own cushion that I bought from Tokyo Disneysea but it makes my backpack super full in the winter when I also want to keep an extra jacket in my backpack for nighttime. If I could do the lunch dining package but grab the Fantasmic cushion at about 7PM to wait for fireworks in front of the castle and then use it again for 2nd Fantasmic, it would be perfect.

 

[PirateBrigade]

When do they give you those cushions? I have my own cushion that I bought from Tokyo Disneysea but it makes my backpack super full in the winter when I also want to keep an extra jacket in my backpack for nighttime. If I could do the lunch dining package but grab the Fantasmic cushion at about 7PM to wait for fireworks in front of the castle and then use it again for 2nd Fantasmic, it would be perfect.

I'm about 90% sure they gave us the cushion and paper ticket to access the seating area upon the completion of our meal, I don't recall us getting it while lined-up (or at the seating area). That might be tricky if you have a meal earlier in the day and now have to lug around a rather neat looking seat cushion. If you want to minimize carrying it, you'll want a dinner reservation just before show time.

 

[Jane VanTassel]

We have gone several times and love it, especially being able to wait for that "by the water table". The food is definitely nothing exceptional! It's good, but not crazy amazing. Looking at the menu lately, they have made some changes. I always have ordered the surf and turf, but it's only turf now.

Why don't you try lunch? Menu seems more "kid friendly" and prices are a bit lower. Good luck, I say go for it, but do a lunch there.

 

[pharmama]

When do they give you those cushions? I have my own cushion that I bought from Tokyo Disneysea but it makes my backpack super full in the winter when I also want to keep an extra jacket in my backpack for nighttime. If I could do the lunch dining package but grab the Fantasmic cushion at about 7PM to wait for fireworks in front of the castle and then use it again for 2nd Fantasmic, it would be perfect.

They tried a couple approaches to the cushions- both handing them out at the completion of the meal and handing them out by Harbor Galley as you entered the seating area. The latter option was somewhat short lived and they went back to handing them out at the completion of the meal, I believe, but I experienced it both ways. I much preferred not having to the carry the cushions around and lots of others complained about this as well. Yes, you can stash them in a locker but we don't normally get a locker so that is an extra hassle IMO. All that said, I don't think either setup would meet your desire to pick up the cushion at 7pm to watch fireworks before BB reserved viewing of the second F!

But I have a feeling these cushions will be a thing of the past. They seem like exactly the kind of thing that hasn't been coming back when offerings return post-COVID (though the price will remain the same or even go up, naturally).

 

[Cal-Pie]

But I have a feeling these cushions will be a thing of the past. They seem like exactly the kind of thing that hasn't been coming back when offerings return post-COVID (though the price will remain the same or even go up, naturally).

Hit the nail on the head with that one!

 

[whoever]

I've been 12 times in the past decade or so. The food quality went WAY down over that time. All but one time we've waited for waterside which is essential in my opinion to maximize the experience. I still love it and will TRY to get a res on my next visit (October), but it's NOT a fine dining location any longer. It's about the experience of being in the attraction the food is just a benefit (and not worth the current cost/offering). If you've never done it, it is a MUST.

 

[ColoradoLime]

All this info helps, so thanks!

Even with the new menu there isn't an appeal to me. Spending $120+ on food that would be chosen by default rather than a want is a waste to me. I think I'll go with my original plan of just dessert and drinks. Even if it doesn't live up to my hype I can at least check it off my list.

 

[starlite_]

All this info helps, so thanks!

Even with the new menu there isn't an appeal to me. Spending $120+ on food that would be chosen by default rather than a want is a waste to me. I think I'll go with my original plan of just dessert and drinks. Even if it doesn't live up to my hype I can at least check it off my list.

This is my plan for it as well when I eventually make it there. I can splurge on the dessert for the ambiance of it haha

 

[Malcon10t]

Has anyone ordered the Celebration Finale without ordering a meal? Curious if it is allowed. Rule is supposed to be an entree required for alcohol.

 

[ktlm]

Yes - it's fun once, but don't go because of the food, or because it's a great restaurant. Go because you can sit inside of a ride and eat food, and get heckled at by riders ("heyyyyyyy throw me some brreeeeeaaaad dude!")

The only other reason to eat there is if/when they bring back the dining packages, you get some really choice seating for Fantasmic (and a comfy foam pad to sit on).

And this reminded me, that is why we ate there several times instead of just a one and done. When they quit doing the Fantasmic dessert party, and switched to the dinner packages, we did it a few times to get the prime Fantasmic spot. To us, it was worth it for that.

 

[Steven G]

I have always been a fan of blue bayou, mainly because of the ambiance. Food has been ok to good, never great, but it was useful for fantasmic as well.

however, last time we went in December 2021, we had a bad experience. We were a party of 8. 4 of us ordered the prime rib, which apparently was a special menu item for the holidays.

all 4 of the prime ribs were extremely fatty. 2 of them were so bad, it was barely eatable. I got lucky in that mine was the least fatty of the bunch.
the server apologized, and gave us credit for 2 of the entrees, but it left two of our party quite hungry.

my son had a child’s steak, and it looked better than any of ours, at least it didn’t have fat.

and yes, I know prime rib is supposed to be fatty, but this was twice to three times as much fat as we were used too.

it was the first time 6 of us have been there, and obviously those 6 would not want to go again.