Blue Bayou and Kids

[nutshell]

I've always wanted to go to the Blue Bayou and this summer I'm going to make it happen. However, I was reading The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2008 this morning and basically said not to take kids there.

Do you agree? If I do take kids, is there a particular time that works best?

 

[DangerMouse]

I've always wanted to go to the Blue Bayou and this summer I'm going to make it happen. However, I was reading The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2008 this morning and basically said not to take kids there.

Do you agree? If I do take kids, is there a particular time that works best?

You will always see kids in there. This is one of the few times where the Unoffical Guide is just wrong. It's not as exciting for kids as a character meal, but it isn't a fine dining experience like Napa Rose, either. Take the kids, and just go whenever you want.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Blue Bayou is a great place for kids. Mine have been going there for years and my nieces have also enjoyed it since about age 4 (when they went on their first DL trip). They have a kids menu that makes into a pirate hat and kids enjoy seeing the POTC boats as they float by. Disneyland is a kid friendly place and Blue Bayou is no exception. I would try to make a priority seating for 11:30 (when they open) so that you have a better chance of being waterside or close to it.

The only thing I can see bothering a child is if they are really afraid of the dark. It is a dark atmosphere although not so dark you can't see whats going on around you! And there are always a ton of kids there including toddlers and babies. I have to disagree with the UG in this case (unusual for me).

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[nutshell]

Thanks for the info! I'll definitely be going!

 

[candied]

I have never eaten in there - is it by reservation or how to you eat in that restaurant?

TIA,
Candace

 

[nutshell]

There's no reservations at Disneyland, but you can sign up for Priority Seating up to 60 days before your arrival.

 

[victorandbellasmom]

We've taken our kids there since they were 2 and 6. We've always seen other kids as well. The kids menu is even a pirate hat. We enjoy eating there and try to do at least one meal there each trip.

I have never eaten in there - is it by reservation or how to you eat in that restaurant?

TIA,
Candace

It's best to call disney dining and make a priority seating (reservation) as Blue Bayou does tend to get busy. We have been lucky and have gotten a table without a ps, though.

 

[candied]

Thanks for the info - I might give it a try to do something different.

Thanks again,
Candace

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I've been to BB twice ~ 1st time just DS and I in July of 06 (he was 6 at the time) the 2nd time was this past Sept. with both of my kids, my mom, my sister and her DS (who was almost 1) we had a great time both times. I think next time we'll just go for dessert, the cookie boat is cute and yummy.

 

[bumbershoot]

My 3 year old loved every part of it except for the food. (stay AWAY from their mac and cheese, which is nuclear orange and tastes horrid)

If the kiddo is afraid of the dark, do NOT get a waterside table, get one closer to the doors where it is brighter.

 

[AmericanItGirl]

The kids that I sat near when I was there were all well-behaved. I think part of it is that it's a calm, cool, dark-ish place where the kids are def not on overstimulation mode, which can make even the best little trooper cranky at DL. It provides a nice break from the crowds and it's not nearly as noisy or busy as other places, so speaking from a babysitter's perspective who has dealt with all sorts of different kids, I think that it's a great place to take kids for a break, because, aside from the aforementioned benefits, with the boats going by there's just enough activity to keep them from being bored to tears.

 

[honeymom]

Kids are fine there. And, btw, we were surrounded by kids when my husband and I tried to have a nice romantic meal at Napa Rose (we had put ours into the kids club at GCH). It's Disney, it's about kids.

 

[Quest4fun]

The Blue Bayou was always a highlight of our yearly trips when I was younger. They have a great children's menu as well as an awesome hat. It's not as child friendly as a character restaurant but it's the only restaurant in the park that can provide a dinner to your child with any sort of pinache. All the other eateries tend to taste the same and all offer pretty much the exact same children's meal. BB is unique and the service is great.

It's a fancier restaurant and most people would prefer it if children would be taken elsewhere since it's also the best place for an intimate meal that could potentially be soured by a five year old clanking spoons while singing It's a Small World and crying babies.

If your children are well behaved, I repeat well behaved, then you'll enjoy it very much. If your child is say... rambunctious, you're better off at Pizza Port or one of the quick service restaurants. Your darlings can make a mess without ticking anybody off.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

If it weren't child friendly it shouldn't be at Disneyland. All kids should be welcome........it's DIsneyland! My son loved it!

 

[pixiewings71]

My girls love BB!! And they eat the mac n cheese and the prime rib. lol
I am not a fan of the mac n cheese but they will share that and the steak between the 2 of them.

 

[nutshell]

My kids don't eat mac and cheese - we've tried giving it to them a couple times and they stick their collective noses up at it.

 

[Golfing Goofy]

I am just going to echo what everyone else has said....my kids LOVE BB! It is a great place for the atmosphere.

On each trip we make sure to go to the BB for lunch. We try to make a PS for the first open time, like 11:30. That way we seem to be able to get a waterside table. The kids like to watch the boats go by.

 

[Quest4fun]

Can you say Monte Cristo Sandwhich? Put it on a pedestal.

Want that waterfront seat at dinner time? Even on a packed night it's still rather easy to get a spot. Just ask for the next available spot. They rarely say no. If they do try to grease their palm discretely. Money talks especially at this restaurant.

Reservations are always the way to go. Book in advance. Some people do it when they book their trip. This doesn't guarantee you a seat when you arrive but it puts you in the shorter line. It's kind of like a Fast Pass. If you forgot to make a reservation that $10 bill comes in handy here as well. Never pull a $20 bill. You won't impress anybody. If they absolutely won't bend the rules for you, just go to Hungry Bear.

Now I'm all hungry. I want prime rib. Just don't put me in the table near the guy in the rocking chair. Last time I ate their my entire dinner (while delicious) was accompanied by "Old Suzanna" on the banjo.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I went there for lunch w/ my hubby, teenage son and his friend on our last trip. The portions are pretty large! I ordered the Prime rib and split the plate with my son. I was wondering if any of you know if they allow adults to order off the kids menu? Since my son is a teenager, we didn't get a kids menu so I don't even know what's on it. Anyone know??? I was a little bummed out because we were too full to order dessert even though we split the plate. Next trip we may go just for dessert...

 

[bumbershoot]

I went there for lunch w/ my hubby, teenage son and his friend on our last trip. The portions are pretty large! I ordered the Prime rib and split the plate with my son. I was wondering if any of you know if they allow adults to order off the kids menu? Since my son is a teenager, we didn't get a kids menu so I don't even know what's on it. Anyone know??? I was a little bummed out because we were too full to order dessert even though we split the plate. Next trip we may go just for dessert...

We were going to go for dessert in December, after being stuffed while sharing the portobello dish in September. (DS was in a horrid mood that day we intended on having dessert, though, so we canceled our PS)

This has the menu and price from April of last year: http://www.allearsnet.com/dlr/din/menu/men_bayk.htm

Looking at the more up-to-date but unlinkable dlresortinfo website, however, I see that the info as of October shows that the prices for the 6.99 dishes is actually now 7.99, and the prime rib is now 12.99.

(but really, stay away from the mac and cheese. apart from this thread, I have never read of anyone liking it at Blue Bayou...it's completely different from the other mac and cheese at the resort)