Blue Bayou Dilemma

[DaveinFallsChurch]

If I plan on dining at Blue Bayou around 4:30-5:00pm on a Wednesday in mid-October, how long should I plan on being there (from time of check-in to the time I leave my table)? Would it be reasonable to plan on being done in an hour or should I plan for more?

I'm having a dilemma in terms of whether I should include Blue Bayou in my touring plans for this upcoming solo side-trip to DLR (Here's my PTR). I only have one full park day (at DL) plus a few hours the evening before (at DCA) and I'm trying to pack as much in as I can since this will be my first trip since 1984! I would really like to try Blue Bayou having read everyone's experiences but at the same time, don't want to give up too many attractions and rides in place of it especially since the park hours are so much shorter during that time of the year.

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[FlameGirl]

Our experience there has been that they get you in and immediately start rushing you through your meal, so that they can get you out and free up the table. I think you could definitely be in and out in an hour, assuming they seated you right on time.

 

[lana772]

It is true... they do provide FAST service. An hour is enough time. We have actually had lunches that took longer in other park resturants. rancho Del Zocalo can take forever to get your food and find a table. We always go for a lunch when we are there. For us a trip to DL isn't the same without Blue Bayou. You may want to pick a different time as that early dinner is the busiest time for them. We have found that early lunch 11:30 (ask the phone reservation clerk for the earliest avaliable), to be the best time. Check in early and ask for a water table. You may have to wait a few minutes for it, but it will be worth it.
Oh yeah... if you go early to check in, make sure you are standing in the right line. We accidently got in the line for people making reservations for their dinner one time and stood there for about 15 minutes before we realized that we could just walk up to the desk, because we made ours over the phone.

 

[blackjackdelta]

I have never had the "rushed" feeling. We have had lunches over 2 hours long waterside, relaxing and enjoying the atmosphere. Let your server know you have a time constraint and they will help you out the best they can. Have fun.

Jack

 

[Eeee-va]

If you want a water table at 4:30-5 PM, I think you'd be lucky to get in and out in an hour. Not impossible, but if all the water tables are in use, you can have quite a wait.

We had a check-in around 11:45 AM or 11:50, I think, and DID get a water table (party of 2, so probably the same size table you would get ). It took us a bit more than an hour to get in and out, and we were kind of tucked away and got a bit ignored at the end. So if you're seated right away (which should probably happen if you don't need a water table or if you can get an 11:30 reservation) an hour is probably a reasonable guess.

If you expect to be back to Disneyland someday in the next few years, I would personally skip the Blue Bayou, but I'm not into fine/expensive dining. It's a neat restaurant to try once, but on a short day I'd rather be out riding rides. If you're thinking this is more once-in-a-lifetime, then fair enough...you have to eat and you're probably looking at at least 30 minutes to get your food and eat even at counter service.

 

[pixiewings71]

Give yourself an hour to an hour and a half, that will be more than enough time. Enjoy!!

 

[DarthMole]

Our experience there has been that they get you in and immediately start rushing you through your meal, so that they can get you out and free up the table. I think you could definitely be in and out in an hour, assuming they seated you right on time.

This was our experience too. One of my pet peeves is not having the table cleared when the main course arrives. A 5-10 minute delay between soup/salad and main course is expected when paying these prices. Nope. The food was flying out at record pace and they were clearing dishes as they put down others. We all were shocked at how quick they had our main courses out of the kitchen. Now this was dinner and it was standing room only in the lobby so I can understand what they're doing but I will not return. For a Pirates fan, it's a must do once in your life so I'm glad to have done it.

 

[lana772]

This was our experience too. One of my pet peeves is not having the table cleared when the main course arrives. A 5-10 minute delay between soup/salad and main course is expected when paying these prices. Nope. The food was flying out at record pace and they were clearing dishes as they put down others. We all were shocked at how quick they had our main courses out of the kitchen. Now this was dinner and it was standing room only in the lobby so I can understand what they're doing but I will not return. For a Pirates fan, it's a must do once in your life so I'm glad to have done it.

You might give it another chance at early lunch time. Even though the service is quick, I have never felt like I was being rushed out of the table. My husband considers it his favorite place to relax at DL. It can be crazy crowded in the park and we always have a peaceful lunch.

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

Thanks everyone for your input!

Some follow up questions.

1. How much of a difference is there in the experience between waterside tables and non-waterside tables?

2. What would be the last reservation timeslot available if the park closes at 8pm? Is it possible to get a 7:30 or later ressie, and eat past park closing time like they do at WDW?

Thanks again!

 

[DisneytheKid]

Good questions. Id be interested in hearing more about your first question...

Thanks everyone for your input!

Some follow up questions.

1. How much of a difference is there in the experience between waterside tables and non-waterside tables?

2. What would be the last reservation timeslot available if the park closes at 8pm? Is it possible to get a 7:30 or later ressie, and eat past park closing time like they do at WDW?

Thanks again!

 

[DarthMole]

You might give it another chance at early lunch time. Even though the service is quick, I have never felt like I was being rushed out of the table. My husband considers it his favorite place to relax at DL. It can be crazy crowded in the park and we always have a peaceful lunch.

Thanks for the suggestion but one should not have to book an early lunch in order to have a non-rushed experience.

I know it's not in the Pirates ride, but the night before we ate at Steakhouse 55 and we had a nice relaxing meal. Plenty of rest time between courses. Tables cleared in a timely manner. The bill was not much more if I recall and the food was leaps and bounds better then BB.

We originally intended to go there on my 40th b-day. Prior to the trip I had some doubts and asked my wife switch the b-day dinner to Steakhouse 55. In hindsight I'm happy with that decision. I'm glad I experienced BB but I doubt we'll go back. At those prices I can't justify it, even for waterside (which is where we sat).

 

[lana772]

In my opinion there is a big difference. The tables in the middle of the room seem to be too close together. The ones by the kitchen see a lot of traffic. The ones by the water are relaxing. Plus it's fun to watch the boats go by.

As far as dinner times go... call the reservation line. They can answer all questions about times for the dates you are interested in.

 

[lana772]

Ohhh... Steakhouse 55 is good, too. Different type of atmosphere, but EXCELLENT food.

 

[Eeee-va]

I know it's not in the Pirates ride, but the night before we ate at Steakhouse 55 and we had a nice relaxing meal. Plenty of rest time between courses. Tables cleared in a timely manner. The bill was not much more if I recall and the food was leaps and bounds better then BB.

Oh! You're arriving at the DLR the day before your park day, right? If you're into food, this or the Napa Rose is a great idea instead of the BB (so I've heard anyway). One HUGE bonus is that they are outside the parks, so you can eat there on your arrival day, without spending any park time.

 

[katejc]

If I only had one day I think I would save BB for another visit. It is fun, but there is so much to see and do that I would probably want to spend that time in the park. The food is not great at BB, though the atmosphere is, and I would only do a waterside table, which puts you much more into that atmosphere. Have fun whatever you decide!

 

[DaveinFallsChurch]

In my opinion there is a big difference. The tables in the middle of the room seem to be too close together. The ones by the kitchen see a lot of traffic. The ones by the water are relaxing. Plus it's fun to watch the boats go by.

As far as dinner times go... call the reservation line. They can answer all questions about times for the dates you are interested in.

Oh! You're arriving at the DLR the day before your park day, right? If you're into food, this or the Napa Rose is a great idea instead of the BB (so I've heard anyway). One HUGE bonus is that they are outside the parks, so you can eat there on your arrival day, without spending any park time.

If I only had one day I think I would save BB for another visit. It is fun, but there is so much to see and do that I would probably want to spend that time in the park. The food is not great at BB, though the atmosphere is, and I would only do a waterside table, which puts you much more into that atmosphere. Have fun whatever you decide!

Thank you! That's actually the alternative I'm leaning towards now - eating at one of the non-park restaurants on both nights so that I can focus on the attractions during park hours. It sounds like the waterside table makes a big difference in the experience and it also eats up more time waiting for one. If I'm going to lose out on the atmosphere and I would want to eat at a place that more than makes up for it in the food. I've heard a lot of good things about Napa Rose so it's on my list now, and will be looking into Steakhouse 55!

BTW, Eeee-va: LOVE your screename!!

 

[jkh1978]

Its the same food in the middle as waterside... so you could do 11:30 ressie, get there at 11:15, and if you cant get a table right away, then eat in the middle. You might tell the waiter that you are in a hurry and they may get the food out faster to you.

 

[erocrobro]

We ate there for the first time last month. I asked for a table waterside and the hostess very quickly said they were all full. Without even giving me an opportunity to ask how long the wait would be, she led us to a table in the middle of the room. Since my kids were very hungry and getting cranky I just went with it, but was disappointed. The food was decent, but unless you are sitting by the water and seeing the boats, you are basically just eating in the dark. I probably won't go again unless I can definitely get a table by the water.

 

[jkh1978]

We ate there for the first time last month. I asked for a table waterside and the hostess very quickly said they were all full. Without even giving me an opportunity to ask how long the wait would be, she led us to a table in the middle of the room. Since my kids were very hungry and getting cranky I just went with it, but was disappointed. The food was decent, but unless you are sitting by the water and seeing the boats, you are basically just eating in the dark. I probably won't go again unless I can definitely get a table by the water.

Did you ask when you checked in or when you were called to be seated?

 

[erocrobro]

Did you ask when you checked in or when you were called to be seated?

It was all done at the same time. I had a pretty early lunch reservation and got there a few minutes earlier, so we didn't have a wait. It wasn't that big of a deal, but now I just kind of have the "been there, done that" feeling. There are so many other places we want to try as well, and we won't be able to get there very often so I'm glad we can check it off of our list and try something else. My son may have a different opinion, though. He ended up eating half of my monte cristo and loved it, so he will probably want to go again!