Best day and time to eat at the Blue Bayou

[Crazy4Goofy]

DH and I are going to Disneyland from Nov. 15th -18th. It is a last minute surprise trip to celebrate our 17th anniversary. I have just started putting this trip together as of last week because the airfare was too good to pass up. Of course I have made no PS arrangements as of yet because of the late planning. So, I am wondering what is the best day and time to visit BB during our trip?? do we visit on the weekend?? do we have lunch or dinner?? We have never eaten here before and I want to do it since I have read many great things here on the board. Any help you can offer me would be fantastic!!

 

[DonaldTDuck]

You better just call and beg for any time you can get. I called 58 days out and couldn't get anything for the weekend and got a late lunch for Monday last week. But the food was absolutely amazing. I never ate rice until recently, and I'm glad I did or I would have missed their gumbo. And at lunch, the Monte Cristo is fantastic. But at 6'2" and 280, I gave one section of the sandwich away and was stuffed.

 

[audrabolster]

I would call and take what you can get You'd probably be better off on a weekday. I prefer lunch just because it is cheaper, and the portion is pretty much the same!

 

[GBShorts]

I called 2 weeks before our trip and got dinner at 4:20 pm on halloween. There was NO wait (okay. 2 minutes) and we checked in at the podium at 4:17 after being told at 5 minutes to 4 that we were there too early.

The restaurant was half empty when we got inside.

It was strange to me that it was so empty given that the park was so busy on Friday.

 

[kkgunn]

I like lunch better. A late lunch is nice, you are in the restraunt during a busy time of day and if you've been there since it opened, you are ready for a break. Food is a bit spendy, but the Monte Cristo is best!

I bet they have a late lunch PS. I've gotten them even on the day we go to DL and that was during Spring Break.

 

[avalon451]

You never know, you might be able to get just what you want.

We ate there three weeks ago, and because of what I'd read here, I made PS's for lunch on a weekday (it was Thursday and the park was busy that day). Here's the plan: try to get PS's for lunch at the first seating of 11:30 a.m., and when you call, request waterside seating. Show up at the podium at 11:15 to check in, and repeat your polite request for waterside seating.

To see how our lovely lunch turned out, read my trip report, page 6 (link in my signature below). We loved it!

 

[GBShorts]

By the way, I'd go for lunch too. We did that the first time and I much preferred what I ordered at lunch over dinner. I am kind of picky and didn't find anything I liked on the dinner menu (they refuse to serve lunch items at dinner).

 

[pixiewings71]

I would do as Gail suggested, that's what I'm going to do soon for our Jan. trip, try to get an 11:30 PS for lunch. DBF and I will likely share the Monte Cristo and maybe an appetizer and the cookie boat for dessert. Hmmm, I should get on that, I'm 60 days out!!!! WOOT!

 

[Crazy4Goofy]

Thanks for all the info!! You guys rock!!

Gail, I read your trip report and loved it!! It looks like you and your daughter had a marvelous time!! I am hoping DH and I can have a magical trip too!! We have only done Disneyland with kids and since our DS 8 is not crazy about "big" rides one of us is always sitting out with him.. Of course we do stuff he likes while sitting out and the other one of us is off riding rides with the older two DD's. I can't wait to experience the "magic" together.

K I just called and got the first seating for lunch on Saturday the 15th. I was honestly shocked that it was open for a PS!! O well, now I will get to finally experience the Blue Bayou!!

 

[Dawn16]

Just curious as to why the earliest lunch reservation is so popular? Just b/c its less crowded and easier to get a seat by the water? Planning lunch in December and will certainly follow this strategy if it's beneficial?

 

[daneenm]

Just curious as to why the earliest lunch reservation is so popular? Just b/c its less crowded and easier to get a seat by the water? Planning lunch in December and will certainly follow this strategy if it's beneficial?

You are more likely to get a seat by the water. I agree with checking in 15 minutes early. We were delayed during our trip in August and only arrived 5 minutes early and got the LAST waterside table, next to the kitchen.

 

[avalon451]

I don't know if it's popular, I just heard it recommended here, as a really good way to get waterside seating. They can't guarantee you a waterside seat, but if you show up 15 minutes early for for a PS for the very first seating, that's where they usually put the first diners, anyway. I have also read of others saying they showed up 15 or so minutes early for their evening PS's, and requested waterside, and "only had to wait a half hour..." Others have had bad experiences and still had to wait much longer past their PS times for waterside. Others have been lucky. I guess I'd rather take a lunch seating and be fairly sure that I won't have to wait so long.

 

[Crazy4Goofy]

Hey if it works for others, I'm for sure going to try to get a waterside seat by going early! It will be our 17th anniversary that day. I am going to be sure we get our anniversary buttons at city hall before we go!! Who knows, it may help our case to sit by the water!!

 

[pixiewings71]

It probably will help having the buttons, when you're celebrating something the CM's really go out of their way.

We actually get there about 20 min. early and always ask for and get waterside. We went last Jan. and walked up and had a waterside table (one of our party was wearing his first visit pin) in about 20 minutes. BUT, it was raining and crowds were really small so that was probably why.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Hi ~

Just agreeing with getting the 1st PS time available, checking in 15 min or so early and request a water front/side table. This is what we do and will do next month!

I'm wondering ~ I see your from UT so I assume your flying out of SLC what airline are you flying on and what airport are you flying to? I love JetBlue flying to LGB.

I hope you and your DH have a wonderful time ~ Happy Anniversary.

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

We took the early PS advice, and on Wed. Oct. 22nd, we checked in about 11:15. I forgot to remind them of my waterside table request I made with the PS over the phone. The waiting area was about half full I guess.

They started calling names just before 11:30 and I believe they seat from the front (waterside) first as that way people aren't bumping your table or chair to get by. We got the third from the left as you face the water - waterside table. Right behind the boat (low little boat). It was great -good service -fast-and yes, expensive. But it was a first and probably only experience and we had a wonderful lunch.

 

[Crazy4Goofy]

Yes I'm from West Jordan, Utah. We will be flying on Jet Blue to LGB. First time flying to Disneyland and first time on Jet Blue. I hear they are wonderful so can't wait to experience it for myself. do you fly jet blue??

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Yes I'm from West Jordan, Utah. We will be flying on Jet Blue to LGB. First time flying to Disneyland and first time on Jet Blue. I hear they are wonderful so can't wait to experience it for myself. do you fly jet blue??

We're in Pleasant View. I love LGB & JetBlue, I've only flown into LGB & LAX and I much prefer LGB. I have only good things to say about JetBlue. Make sure to bring your own headphones ~ they no longer provide them, you can watch lots of channels during your short flight from SLC to Long Beach. We got a really good deal for our flights next month ~ 3 round trip flights for under $400, I'm hoping for similar prices for early March.

 

[Crazy4Goofy]

Hey glad to hear Jet Blue is great!! We normally drive since there are five us in our family so flying this time will be such a treat!!

Thank you again to everyone for all the tips on getting a waterside seat. We are all set to go with our PS. I can't wait to till we are finally in Disneyland enjoying our anniversary getaway!

 

[DizMe]

I requested the first seating for lunch on our October visit. Unfortunately, I didn't notice until too late that I was given 11:50 instead of 11:30. In spite of arriving early, we had to wait over an hour for a waterside table. If you don't get first seating, my recommendation is to wait awhile because all of those who go there at the first seating are going to be at the waterside tables for a while!