Blue Bayou & Avalon Cove

[CLynnJones]

Are these good choices for dining? We will only have 1 day in each park. We've never been there before so any opinions or advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Mickey's old friend]

I love Blue Bayou and go for a late lunch because dinner prices are higher. Ask for a table by the water- very nice. I have not been to Avalon Cove. We have it planned for our Oct trip. Let us know how you like it. FYI- if you have a 2003 Birnbaum guide book, there is a coupon for dinner at lunch prices for Avalon Cove.
With the lights of the pier, dinner should be beautiful. Have fun and please let us know the parks are with all the closurers.
BTW... the Birnbaum book is on sale. Try your Disney Store or MouseSavers.

 

[hookedup]

Here is my 2 cents worth...
Blue Bayou is something that is worth doing once (or many times if you love it). It is a unique experience and it is one of the things that makes DL unique and special. We go for lunch as it tends to be a bit cheaper than the dinner menu. Make PS resrvations as it does fill up daily and there is always a line for stand by seating. Also, it is quite dark inside the restaurant.

Avalon Cove is now called Ariels Grotto. We also enjoy going here. It is the only character dining experience you can get INSIDE the park for lunch or dinner. Check on the hours for lunch as I am not sure if (during off-peak season) they are still offering lunch on weekdays. Again, make a PS here too. Since your park time is limited you don't want to waste it waiting a long time to be seated for a meal. Although I have read good and bad reviews of the food from many people I have always enjoyed it. It is unique and fun.

Let us know if you have any more questions!
Have fun!!!

 

[year2late]

HOURS

Have you given thought to having dinner at Downtown Disney or perhaps Grand Californian Hotel?

DCA closes at 6PM and DL close at 8pm...both opening at 10am.

While BB is well worth taking time out of your touring schedule...Avalon Cove may really cut into your schedule given the shorter hours.

 

[two-foxes]

We ate at both on our trip at the end of August. We did a late lunch at Blue Bayou, and character dinner at Ariel's Grotto (formerly Avalon Cove.) I was very happy with both. Blue Bayou's environment is like no other and the food was good (my very first Monte Cristo!), plus, nothing beats a mint julep! Ariel's Grotto has a set menu...you get a choice of soup or salad, entree and yummy desserts (and a plate of cotton candy!) for one set price. I was happy with the food there, too. There were a few things I wanted to try, so I told the waitress to surprise me with her choice of entree. I ended up with the fish and chips and my friend had the special pasta dish. The character interaction is GREAT...perfect for 2 fun loving adults! I am a picky eater....I love GOOD food (not a big junk or fast food kinda person), but both restaurants offered good selections.

Overall in DCA, I was VERY happy with the food. There is lots of variety, all at somewhat reasonable prices (for Disney, IMHO.) Bonus in DCA...if you ever want a break to enjoy a glass of wine or a margarita, you have that choice (however, not at reasonable prices, IMHO )

Another suggestion....I don't know the name of it, but it is the family restaurant on the lower level of the mission house by the wine tasting area....Great panini style sandwiches and pasta dishes and very reasonalble prices. The patio area offers great views.

 

[dreaminofdisney]

Both are great choices. We choose the same two when we were ther in late August. My recomendation would be to make PS's for lunch at the Blue bayou (cheaper prices than dinner). Make them as soon as you can for the earliest seating possible( 11:00 or 11:30 start). The reason is at opening everyone with PS's is gathered in the SMALL lobby and your name is called IN THE ORDER of who made thier PS first. So the first people to call get to sit by the water!!! We we had 10 in our party and were told upon calling we would be split up. We found out because we were there for the opening they set up one table for all 10 of us! It is dark in there but the food and service our wonderful.

Avolon Cove is now Ariels grotto with characters as mentioned already. We also used the coupen "Dinner for Lunch prices" mentioned abouve. It wasn't very crowded as we did an early dinner (5:30). Food was good but we were their for the characters. My daughter was taken by Dale (or was it Chip) by the hand and taken around the rest. for a gonga dance with other kids. It was so cute! If romantic is what you want I'm not sure this is the place. It was still light out when we went so no twinkling lights of the boardwalk yet.

Have a fun time!!

 

[CLynnJones]

Thank you all so much for your help!