Blue Bayou reservations question

[Bossy22]

So I just made reservations for Blue Bayou. Have been there before and had a nice waterside table (just lucked into it). I would love to have a waterside table again. How do I do that? Do I call back and get it added to the reservation? Do I show up earlier than my reservation and make the request? Please help me out as I am a little worried now!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Check in early and ask. If you are willing to wait a little longer for a waterside table, let them know that.

 

[Gisele]

I like to arrive at least 15-20 minutes early so as to state my interest in a water side table. And so far I have been fortunate enough to receive such.
Requests for waterside tables cannot be made over the phone, but who knows maybe one day.

~~ I love you Phil and you will forever be with me! Forever my very best and most special friend! I love you to no end. ~~​

 

[Girimama33]

If you opt to do lunch, make sure you get the earliest reservation right when they open. Chances of getting a waterside table would be likely.

 

[Mr Snappy]

By the way, it's totally worth the extra wait.

 

[Brumbie13]

Here's a tip...
When you go to check in, MAKE SURE you tell them that you are checking in.
Specifically mention the words "checking in" to avoid all confusion.


Now the long story that goes with that advice...

We had a reservation at the Blue Bayou, and we showed up 20 minutes before our time (which was right when they opened because we wanted a seat by the water as well). We were about the 5th group of people waiting there. As soon as we got there, We went to the hostess and told her that we were "here for our 11:00 reservation." She looked on her computer and "confirmed my appointment." I thought that meant we were good to go, so we waited around like everyone else was doing for the restaurant to open.

When they opened (at 11:00) they started calling names out. We though it was a bit weird when they called some names and people we knew had showed up later than us were seated first, but we figured they knew what they were doing. Finally, everyone who had 11:00 reservations had been seated and we were still waiting around for our name to be called. Now it seemed like they were taking walk-in's. I was curious as to why they had called everyone and were now taking walk-ins while we were still waiting for our names to be called.

At this point, I was confused, so I went and asked why our names weren't called. I figured they thought they called us, but hadn't, and it was just a fluke. Nope. The hostess told me, "You didn't check in, you just confirmed you reservation. Would you like to check in now?"

I asked her what the difference was. She replied that all I had done was confirm that I did indeed have a reservation at 11:00, but I hadn't actually confirmed to her that I was there for my reservation. I asked her if, when I said, "We're here for our 11:00 reservation," she honestly took that to mean that we were just curious whether we had one, as if we were randomly walking around New Orleans Square and we suddenly got the idea to just approach her and see if, by chance, our names happened to be on the reservation list. She replied that I shouldn't have said, "We're here for our 11:00 reservation," we should have said, "We're here to check in for our 11:00 reservation."

I asked her why she though I would have shown up at the same time as everyone else who had an 11:00 reservation, gone over to her and and told her we were there for our 11:00 reservation like everyone else had done, then stood there and waited around for the 11:00 reservation if all we wanted to do was "confirm that we had an 11:00 reservation" but not check in for our reservation.

She very rudely replied that it wasn't her fault that I didn't know to tell her that I was checking in instead of just confirming my appointment.

... You know that crazy guy you always see at Disneyland who is making a big scene because something didn't go his way? That day, I became that crazy guy. I had booked the reservation as far out as I could, literally 90 days in advance, to the day. I called Disney a week before my trip to make sure my reservation was still there. I arranged that morning's schedule to be at the Blue Bayou 20 minutes early to ensure that I would get a seat by the water, and now, thanks to this braindead hostess, That wasn't going to happen. I told her that, as a hostess, if she couldn't figure out that someone showing up and saying "I'm here for my reservation" was actually there for their reservation, that she must have been the stupidest person to ever have worked at Disneyland.

At this point, the manager noticed the argument, came over to get us, and took us to our seat. He asked what happened, and I told him. After we were seated, I took a moment to cool off. I decided that I wasn't going to let the stupid hostess or the argument ruin my meal. My meal was indeed very good. It's just unfortunate that it started off so terrible. I've never had such a bad experience with a Disney cast member before or since.

So basically, on the off chance that the same hostess is still working there, and she's still too dumb to do her job, it might be a good idea to clearly and specifically state that you are checking in for your reservation. If you plan on relying on her to put any brain behind her job, you might be disappointed, and you might not get your table by the water.

 

[HydroGuy]

Best bet for waterside is to:

- get a lunch reservation
- get it for the earliest possible time - 11:30
- show up early (11:10AM) and check-in and request a waterside

The reservations folks cannot take waterside requests. It all happens on the day yiu show up.

 

[pixiewings71]

Yup, get there 15-30 minutes early (depending on your reservation time) and request waterside when you check in, they may tell you it will be an additional 30-60 minutes but honestly I've never waited more than 30. IMO waterside is worth the wait.

 

[DizMe]

Here's a tip...
When you go to check in, MAKE SURE you tell them that you are checking in.
Specifically mention the words "checking in" to avoid all confusion.


Now the long story that goes with that advice...

We had a reservation at the Blue Bayou, and we showed up 20 minutes before our time (which was right when they opened because we wanted a seat by the water as well). We were about the 5th group of people waiting there. As soon as we got there, We went to the hostess and told her that we were "here for our 11:00 reservation." She looked on her computer and "confirmed my appointment." I thought that meant we were good to go, so we waited around like everyone else was doing for the restaurant to open.

When they opened (at 11:00) they started calling names out. We though it was a bit weird when they called some names and people we knew had showed up later than us were seated first, but we figured they knew what they were doing. Finally, everyone who had 11:00 reservations had been seated and we were still waiting around for our name to be called. Now it seemed like they were taking walk-in's. I was curious as to why they had called everyone and were now taking walk-ins while we were still waiting for our names to be called.

At this point, I was confused, so I went and asked why our names weren't called. I figured they thought they called us, but hadn't, and it was just a fluke. Nope. The hostess told me, "You didn't check in, you just confirmed you reservation. Would you like to check in now?"

I asked her what the difference was. She replied that all I had done was confirm that I did indeed have a reservation at 11:00, but I hadn't actually confirmed to her that I was there for my reservation. I asked her if, when I said, "We're here for our 11:00 reservation," she honestly took that to mean that we were just curious whether we had one, as if we were randomly walking around New Orleans Square and we suddenly got the idea to just approach her and see if, by chance, our names happened to be on the reservation list. She replied that I shouldn't have said, "We're here for our 11:00 reservation," we should have said, "We're here to check in for our 11:00 reservation."

I asked her why she though I would have shown up at the same time as everyone else who had an 11:00 reservation, gone over to her and and told her we were there for our 11:00 reservation like everyone else had done, then stood there and waited around for the 11:00 reservation if all we wanted to do was "confirm that we had an 11:00 reservation" but not check in for our reservation.

She very rudely replied that it wasn't her fault that I didn't know to tell her that I was checking in instead of just confirming my appointment.

... You know that crazy guy you always see at Disneyland who is making a big scene because something didn't go his way? That day, I became that crazy guy. I had booked the reservation as far out as I could, literally 90 days in advance, to the day. I called Disney a week before my trip to make sure my reservation was still there. I arranged that morning's schedule to be at the Blue Bayou 20 minutes early to ensure that I would get a seat by the water, and now, thanks to this braindead hostess, That wasn't going to happen. I told her that, as a hostess, if she couldn't figure out that someone showing up and saying "I'm here for my reservation" was actually there for their reservation, that she must have been the stupidest person to ever have worked at Disneyland.

At this point, the manager noticed the argument, came over to get us, and took us to our seat. He asked what happened, and I told him. After we were seated, I took a moment to cool off. I decided that I wasn't going to let the stupid hostess or the argument ruin my meal. My meal was indeed very good. It's just unfortunate that it started off so terrible. I've never had such a bad experience with a Disney cast member before or since.

So basically, on the off chance that the same hostess is still working there, and she's still too dumb to do her job, it might be a good idea to clearly and specifically state that you are checking in for your reservation. If you plan on relying on her to put any brain behind her job, you might be disappointed, and you might not get your table by the water.

OMG, Brumbie, I can't BELIEVE that!!!! I was waiting to hear that the manager brought you something...free dessert or something...after what the hostess did to you and couldn't believe that they offered you nothing--not even an apology from the lame-brained hostess.

I'm glad you were able to enjoy yourself in spite of that experience, but I'm sure it added an extra shadow to your day. Hopefully the rest of your day was fantastic!!

 

[Brumbie13]

OMG, Brumbie, I can't BELIEVE that!!!! I was waiting to hear that the manager brought you something...free dessert or something...after what the hostess did to you and couldn't believe that they offered you nothing--not even an apology from the lame-brained hostess.

I'm glad you were able to enjoy yourself in spite of that experience, but I'm sure it added an extra shadow to your day. Hopefully the rest of your day was fantastic!!

Oh, he did do something for us. He got us a table by the water. I think it is a table they try to avoid using unless they are really busy, it was closest to the guy playing the banjo and the kitchen.

The computer where waiters put in the orders was directly behind us, and we could hear some of the noise from the kitchen and the waiters stood behind us chatting, so it wasn't the best table, but we really appreciated that he found a way to get us one of the tables by the water.

The proximity to the kitchen and the waiter's computer and "hang out area" was a negative, but like I said, we were close to the guy playing the banjo, and it was cool that we could hear that, as I love that guy. And we were close to the boats as they passed between us and the banjo guy about 7-10 feet away from us, so we got to chat with some of the riders who asked us if our food was good or if we could throw them a roll, etc. Some people might not have liked that, but we thought it was pretty fun to joke with people on the ride, so it was a plus for us.


It was a bad experience I had at Disneyland, but I have never had a bad day at Disneyland. I'd rather have that hostess at Disneyland than be in my office anyday!

 

[gypg]

Well Brumbie, you traded a bad experience for an awesome story!!!

PS - I've always heard that service at the Blue Bayou was.... off-putting.

 

[kayleigh83]

Holy cow Brumbie!! That's ridiculous!! I've got little patience for stupid people, and even less for stupid (and rude) people in the service industry, considering I've worked in it for years....

I hope we don't have an experience like that! I've got reservations for lunch for my boyfriend's birthday and I plan to wait for that waterside table!

 

[bumbershoot]

You know that crazy guy you always see at Disneyland who is making a big scene because something didn't go his way? That day, I became that crazy guy. I

OMG, good for you! I'm not big on making a scene, but she deserved it, and her manager NEEDED to know.

Even if a person said "I'd like to confirm my reservation" she should do so, then ask if they are checking in. Especially if you're there 20 minutes before, with a long line of people doing the same dang thing just with different words.



NOt everyone requests a waterside table, FWIW. If so, there are a LOT of disappointed people out there, and if you're there with someone like me, I'm not requesting one. We did the first time, I realized that I simply cannot see while that far into the restaurant, and when the doors open I'm blinded (and can't see again), so no waterside for me. My eyes were bad candidates for Lasik, I have all the "minor" problems you can list in a minute, and that sort of problems with my vision have made BB just not really worth it, and definitely not waterside.

 

[Started With a Mouse]

So I just made reservations for Blue Bayou. Have been there before and had a nice waterside table (just lucked into it). I would love to have a waterside table again. How do I do that? Do I call back and get it added to the reservation? Do I show up earlier than my reservation and make the request? Please help me out as I am a little worried now!

All of the above. Get there 15-20 minutes early to check in, and review your reservations with the CM's at the host/hostess stand.

 

[Mr Snappy]

Not quite as bad as your story, but one time I had a "challenge" with a young man at Big Thunder BBQ.

We were spending three days at the parks and had not made any reservations for "sit-dwon" restaurants because we thought we would just do counter service. Well, on the second day we decided we wanted to try the BBQ. We went over when the BBQ opened for lunch and asked if there were any reservations available for dinner that night. The young gentlemen told me that they had plenty of opening and to pick the time! Great! I said 6pm and he said no problem....then he started entering our information into the computer and seemed to be having trouble because it took him forever...but he never asked for help, so I thought all was good.

We show up a little before 6pm and were told that not only do we not have a reservation, there have not been any reservations available for a very long time as it was the weekend. We had our boys with us ages about 6 and 3 at the time and we were now in the position to go over to Fantasyland and wait in a huge line (since it was prime dinner hour) with two very hungry and unhappy boys. I think it was about 90 minutes total until we were able to eat.

I have to keep reminding myself that most of the customer facing positions at Disney are young people and that mistakes are going to happen. I was pretty steamed at the time however.

 

[pixiewings71]

Oh, he did do something for us. He got us a table by the water. I think it is a table they try to avoid using unless they are really busy, it was closest to the guy playing the banjo and the kitchen.

The computer where waiters put in the orders was directly behind us, and we could hear some of the noise from the kitchen and the waiters stood behind us chatting, so it wasn't the best table, but we really appreciated that he found a way to get us one of the tables by the water.

The proximity to the kitchen and the waiter's computer and "hang out area" was a negative, but like I said, we were close to the guy playing the banjo, and it was cool that we could hear that, as I love that guy. And we were close to the boats as they passed between us and the banjo guy about 7-10 feet away from us, so we got to chat with some of the riders who asked us if our food was good or if we could throw them a roll, etc. Some people might not have liked that, but we thought it was pretty fun to joke with people on the ride, so it was a plus for us.


It was a bad experience I had at Disneyland, but I have never had a bad day at Disneyland. I'd rather have that hostess at Disneyland than be in my office anyday!

They tried to seat us there once, it was DBF and myself and it was his birthday lunch, he asked nicely if we could be moved and they moved us, they did put someone else there tho so it is a table that's regularly used.
Sorry you had a bad experience but glad it didn't ruin your day! We need more people in the world with your attitude.

Not quite as bad as your story, but one time I had a "challenge" with a young man at Big Thunder BBQ.

We were spending three days at the parks and had not made any reservations for "sit-dwon" restaurants because we thought we would just do counter service. Well, on the second day we decided we wanted to try the BBQ. We went over when the BBQ opened for lunch and asked if there were any reservations available for dinner that night. The young gentlemen told me that they had plenty of opening and to pick the time! Great! I said 7pm and he said no problem....then he started entering our information into the computer and seemed to be having trouble because it took him forever...but he never asked for help, so I thought all was good.

We show up a little before 6pm and were told that not only do we not have a reservation, there have not been any reservations available for a very long time as it was the weekend. We had our boys with us ages about 6 and 3 at the time and we were now in the position to go over to Fantasyland and wait in a huge line (since it was prime dinner hour) with two very hungry and unhappy boys. I think it was about 90 minutes total until we were able to eat.

I have to keep reminding myself that most of the customer facing positions at Disney are young people and that mistakes are going to happen. I was pretty steamed at the time however.

WHAT?? That's ridiculous!!! I'm so sorry!!! I never try to make a reservation at the restaurant, I just call Disney Dining, I have the number programmed into my phone, I've always been told they won't make a reservation at the restaurant itself, don't know if that's true or not but that's what I've been told.

 

[CheshireGato]

Last Thursday we had lunch reservations at 1:00, showed up and asked for waterside at 12:30, and sat down to eat at 12:40.
So if you don't feel like eating at 11:30 when they open, a later time would probably work just as well, just show up early!