Blue Bayou Questions (PotC down + MSEP Viewing)

[madmarttigan]

Hi all,

I'm planning a trip for my family (4 total: myself, wife, sister, all in our 30's, 4.5 year old son). We'll be going the week of Feb 20th.

I've got the following reservation booked: Mainstreet Electrical Parade at Blue Bayou Restaurant Dining Package at 5:10pm, and I have some questions I was hoping someone could help answer:

1) Looks like PotC is going to be closed during our reservation. Is it still worth going? My thought is a lot of the fun of eating at the Blue Bayou is a) riding pirates, and then eating where you were dining, or vice versa and b) people watching while eating your meal. However, my wife and sister are huge pirate fans, so this may be the best way to get their fix when the ride is down. Has anyone done dinner while the ride was down, and how was your experience?

2) I bought the package to get better viewing areas for the MSEP. This is probably #1 on my sister's must do list, as we both have fond memories of the parade as children. Is the package worth it for better viewing area? Let's say we don't do Blue Bayou because of #1, should I book another package with another restaurant for better viewing?

3) 510pm reservation seems good timing to relax and eat our meal, and still get a good spot for the parade. What do you think?

Thanks for your answers; my data driven mind has enjoyed reviewing all of the posts and expertise on this board, and helped me realize I shouldn't overplan and focus on having a great time.

 

[Steven G]

I cant comment on 1.

On 2, you could always get as good or better location for the parade, but you would have to spend 1-2 hours hanging out at that spot. The advantage of the package is that you don't have to wait as much, and you have a reserved spot. The only other package is aladdins oasis for the parade, which is quite different from blue bayou.

On 3 you should be fine.

 

[Disney_Alli]

I've eaten in BB while Pirates was down - now it was only down for the afternoon not a long refurd but it was nice being in there getting to enjoy the atmosphere and the old man's shack without people on boats shouting at dinners asking for bread as they were on my most recent trip to the restaurant (several different boats too!) or without people on the boats screaming at dinners to wave at them (as I experienced the next day while riding and I was so upset that the mother of the child was not only not telling the child to stop she was actively encouraging her to continue until someone actually waved at her) so all in all I think it's a much more relaxing experience with the ride closed and I loved that view area for Paint the Night. I've also watched the MSEP from the corresponding location in MK at WDW and think it's a fun place to watch from

HTH

 

[quietly]

I've eaten in BB while Pirates was down - now it was only down for the afternoon not a long refurd but it was nice being in there getting to enjoy the atmosphere and the old man's shack without people on boats shouting at dinners asking for bread as they were on my most recent trip to the restaurant (several different boats too!) or without people on the boats screaming at dinners to wave at them (as I experienced the next day while riding and I was so upset that the mother of the child was not only not telling the child to stop she was actively encouraging her to continue until someone actually waved at her) so all in all I think it's a much more relaxing experience with the ride closed and I loved that view area for Paint the Night. I've also watched the MSEP from the corresponding location in MK at WDW and think it's a fun place to watch from

HTH

Thanks for your thoughts on dining at BB without Pirates! I asked a very similar question to OP a few days ago so glad to hear someone enjoyed the experience without the ride operational! Thanks xx

 

[Disney_Alli]

Thanks for your thoughts on dining at BB without Pirates! I asked a very similar question to OP a few days ago so glad to hear someone enjoyed the experience without the ride operational! Thanks xx

I must have missed your question! Glad you got an answer eventually!

 

[Gisele]

I suggest speaking with Disney dining before making a reservation, to find out if the POTC is walled off from the restaurant, because if it is you won't have any view at all. When the bayou is drained, which it's my understanding it's going to be, a wall is put up. Or when the refurbishment is lengthy. And this one will be about 6 weeks long, maybe longer.