Blue Bayou Restraunt

[madjohn]

I will be visiting on Dec 18, 2009. Last time there I saw the blue bayou and want to eat there. Is it worth it, is it fun for kids 9 and 7, how far in advance will I need to make reservations. any help would be great.

thanks John

 

[mechurchlady]

It used to be the ultimate place to dine. Currently the main kitchen is being expanded and currently I have seen a lot more not so happy persons there. If they are asking the average person to fork over $30 to $40 for a meal then why not eat a sumptuous feast at Ariel's that is regular food and not blackened or overly spiced. I could have eaten break fast at Minnie's and gotten me a cheddarburger, fries, and soda pop from Taste Pilot's Grill then popcorn for less than what I paid with tip and tax at Blue Bayou.

Wait until October to see how things change if at all. I had the Tesoro Island Chicken. I cook chicken without the skin and spice it and slow cook it in a saute pan. When you remove the skin you loose a lot of the flavor. Tesoro Island is a mix of English (Island) and Spanish (Tesoro - treasure). It was good but I can get 4 chicken drumettes for $14 because I am gluten free. I would bring with me next time some herbs and maybe some garlic for the chicken. Veggies were ok. Service and atmosphere was great.

For me as a person who cannot have gluten and soy I felt I could have had a better meal at Ariel's Grotto for the same price. I could have had me 3 chicken dinners at Plaza Inn for less than that one checken diner with a scoop of ice cream and iced tea.

Wait and see how the site evolves as complaints roll in and they finish up the kitchen improvements. it is silly but I heard at the bus stop that all meals were being prepared at the restaurant next to the Tiki Room, the Plaza Pavillion then shipped to New Orleans. One person was a trainer who worked rides and one was a lower level foods. I probably heard wrong, lol.

 

[dismsn]

Are your kids picky eaters? If so, you might want to check out the menu (there is a link on this site somewhere) and find out if they would eat anything off the menu.

We ate at BB last month and had three teenagers (13, 16 & 18) and we all enjoyed it. It was definitely a splurge but it was fun and we enjoyed the atmosphere and food. We are not gourmet diners so it doesn't take much for us to enjoy a meal. My kids are fairly picky and they all enjoyed their meals (I can't remember what they ordered), I ordered a steak and it was good.

If you want a memorable experience, it is worth the splurge. Eating in the POTC ride is relaxing and something a little out of the ordinary that you and your kids will remember for a long time.

I don't know why more themed dining experiences aren't in Disneyland. My family had a great time in WDW--we ate at a drive-in (in cars), we had our waiter yell at us for not eating our veggies at a diner, we were entertained by a Japanese chef at Epcot, etc. Disneyland is definitely lacking as far as themed dining goes so if you want that experience, BB provides it.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Disneyland uses something called Priority Seating. They make it clear it is not a reservation, but I still get confused over the difference. It has to do with you get seated before the walk ins. However, at the BB you pretty much have to have a PS to get in during busy times. You can make a PS 60 days in advance. If you have already decided you want to eat there, you may as well call then to get the time you want.

 

[avalon451]

There's a love/hate relationship with BB on these boards. There was a huge thread not too long ago about it; many people saying that it's just not worth the price for average food and service. Other people say their food and service were great. Most everybody agrees that it's the ambiance you go for, not the food.

My best experience was having lunch there, and I made PS's according to the strategy I learned here on the boards to get a waterside seat. Make PS's for the first lunch seating at 11:30 a.m. Then show up at the podium at 11:15 and nicely request a waterside table. This will usually get you in right away, to one of the nicest seats in the house, overlooking the bayou.

Then, it's good to know what you want ahead of time, so you can order quickly. That way the food and service will be better. For a report with pictures of our food when we did this, click on my trip report, linked in my siggy below-- it's on page 6.

Here's a link to Allears.net; they have menus. http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_bay.htm BB doesn't change that much. Also, you could get one entree and one dessert, and just share it-- don't ask for a split plate because they'll charge you extra; just share from one plate or ask for an extra plate after they bring you the meal.

Hope that helps!

 

[madjohn]

There's a love/hate relationship with BB on these boards. There was a huge thread not too long ago about it; many people saying that it's just not worth the price for average food and service. Other people say their food and service were great. Most everybody agrees that it's the ambiance you go for, not the food.

My best experience was having lunch there, and I made PS's according to the strategy I learned here on the boards to get a waterside seat. Make PS's for the first lunch seating at 11:30 a.m. Then show up at the podium at 11:15 and nicely request a waterside table. This will usually get you in right away, to one of the nicest seats in the house, overlooking the bayou.

Then, it's good to know what you want ahead of time, so you can order quickly. That way the food and service will be better. For a report with pictures of our food when we did this, click on my trip report, linked in my siggy below-- it's on page 6.

Here's a link to Allears.net; they have menus. http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_bay.htm BB doesn't change that much. Also, you could get one entree and one dessert, and just share it-- don't ask for a split plate because they'll charge you extra; just share from one plate or ask for an extra plate after they bring you the meal.

Hope that helps!

Thanks Avalon and everyone else. Two more questions if I might. I looked at the link for the menu, is there a kids menu of any kind? Also, I have been told that you can make the PS only 60 days out, but somewhere I read at this restaurant you can make them a year out? which is it.

And I would be going just to sit and look for awhile and eat if I could. It just looks great to take your break there.

Thanks again

John

 

[Disney Dreams]

I will be visiting on Dec 18, 2009. Last time there I saw the blue bayou and want to eat there. Is it worth it, is it fun for kids 9 and 7, how far in advance will I need to make reservations. any help would be great.

thanks John

Thanks Avalon and everyone else. Two more questions if I might. I looked at the link for the menu, is there a kids menu of any kind? Also, I have been told that you can make the PS only 60 days out, but somewhere I read at this restaurant you can make them a year out? which is it.

And I would be going just to sit and look for awhile and eat if I could. It just looks great to take your break there.

Thanks again

John

As has been said, for some reason the Blue Bayou divides the forces on the DISBoards. My DH and I love the Blue Bayou. We have eaten there for birthdays, anniversaries, and Valentine's Day on various years. You cannot beat the ambiance for anything. It is incredible.

The food is the point of contention (on these boards anyhoo). We personally enjoy it. We have never had a bad meal. In fact, I used to be on a very strict food plan and the Blue Bayou chef and staff was amazing about preparing exactly what I needed without making me feel the slightest out of synch with everyone else in my party.

You cannot go in to just sit and not eat. You can go and order just dessert.

We love the Blue Bayou.

- Dreams (worth noting, we are 2 adults, no kids)

 

[LuLusApple]

We love the BB. I have eaten there many times and have watched it go thru lots of menu changes. Anyone remember the rosemary bread you used to get?mmmmmm
My kids love everything about it, even DGD 9 months old last time was alert and excited by the POTC boats passing by
It's a must do every trip for us.
We haven't had any problems with the food, my kids are fairly picky too.
Not saying it doesn't happen.
But it is something special in DL to experience and you will remember.

 

[PetitePixy]

How far in advance will I need to make reservations.

I'd like to know this too. Thanks.

 

[LifeIsTinkIsLife]

Disneyland uses something called Priority Seating. They make it clear it is not a reservation, but I still get confused over the difference. It has to do with you get seated before the walk ins. However, at the BB you pretty much have to have a PS to get in during busy times. You can make a PS 60 days in advance. If you have already decided you want to eat there, you may as well call then to get the time you want.

Sooo THAT is what PS stands for. I'm learning something new every day! Haha I love these forums.

 

[mariners1999]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2088853

The above link might be of interest to you.

My wife and I went back to disneyland in February 2009 and for the first time ate at the BB. You have to take what I say with a grain of salt as we were dumb enough to order the Mahi Mahi (stupid when you figure we have some of the best seafood up here in Washington State and I order Mahi Mahi when we visit my sister in Kauai) and do the split plate charge. I got a plate full of over cooked spinach with a piece of Mahi Mahi no bigger than a silver dollar. They only gave us one set of sides and we also had the crab cakes as well. So for dinner it was 80 bucks and I feel we would have eaten like kings for that at Anthony's here in the Seattle area or at Dukes in Hawaii.

The thing to remember is you are paying double what the food is really worth for the atmosphere! And let me tell you the Atmosphere is GREAT! The dessert (cookie boat) was the best part of the meal. If we were to do this again even with kids I would eat somewhere else and just do dessert at BB. Again JMHO.

Andy

 

[PetitePixy]

A reservation 2 months out? Seriously?
0_o

 

[pixiewings71]

It's not a reservation (altho they say it is when you call Disney Dining) it's a Priority Seating, it's the same thing as say Chili's call ahead seating. And yes, you can make them 60 days out but you don't have to, of course in peak season the longer you wait the more your chances of getting what you want dwindle. If you don't want to risk the actual meal (which we have never had a bad one at BB but due to cost we don't eat there that much, probably 2 or 3 times a year, maybe 4 times year) go for dessert, just don't tell them that until you are seated. FWIW I called last week (Monday or Tuesday I think) and got a PS for Wine Country Trat in DCA for 2 pm with NO problems at all, we've even called the BB the day before to make a PS but that was in off season so remember that and don't hate me if you can't get your PS the day before.

 

[Leofoenget]

A reservation 2 months out? Seriously?
0_o

I just made "reservations", or whatever they call them, today for June 22.

 

[avalon451]

Yeah, it's 60 days out. But usually you don't have to call on the exact day 60 days before. We were able to get our preferred lunch PS's about 30 days out, although that wasn't a super busy season.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

i would be getting the MC but we have decided to just go to cafe Orleans. We will go back to bb next year when we get the meal plan an stay longer. this years just quick an cheap. for my bday.

I do think BB is worth it at least once.
if you want waterside seats ask for 11.20 PS an be there about 11:15 (i like being early)

 

[PetitePixy]

Ok so they technically aren't "reservations", but lets face it, we are trying to reserve some kind of seat for ourselves.

And I don't really care about particular seating, I just want to get in! Last time in Oct, we were amatures about it, and went to see if we could get in, but the Host told us it was packed till Sunday (we were there Fri) So I guess what i'm asking is, how far in advance to make sure we even get in the BB, is that possible to get the day before? Or is it just safe to get PS the 60 days in advance...?

 

[Gisele]

I have made a p.s. anywhere from 2 to 3 days in advance, and this has been in April as well as in August, over the past several years, and had no problem in obtaining a p.s.
Frankly, I believe I was lucky. Better to make a p.s. more advance than that, so as to make sure, that one will receive a priority seating.
I very much like The Blue Bayou Restaurant. Yes, it is a bit on the pricey side, but if someone is treating you, all the better. Last year, no such luck. Oh well.
It is nice to dine by the waterside. Definitely arrive early prior to your p.s. so as to make such request. My last trip, I arrived quite early (Hot day, so why not) I had a 2:10 p.s. I arrived at @1:40 p.m. which I then proceeded to ask if waterside seating was possible that I would very much appreciate it. I was seated in @10 minutes. I was impressed.
I have always enjoyed my dishes ordered, including dessert. The chocolate mint doubloons are very tasty, and are made on site.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Ok so they technically aren't "reservations", but lets face it, we are trying to reserve some kind of seat for ourselves.

And I don't really care about particular seating, I just want to get in! Last time in Oct, we were amatures about it, and went to see if we could get in, but the Host told us it was packed till Sunday (we were there Fri) So I guess what i'm asking is, how far in advance to make sure we even get in the BB, is that possible to get the day before? Or is it just safe to get PS the 60 days in advance...?

If you already know you want to eat there by the time 60 days aways rolls around, there is no reason not to make a PS. You may as well, and you have a better chance of getting the time you like. You could wait, but your choices will be more and more limited the closer you get if you are going during a busy time. There really isn't any reason to wait if you already are sure you want to eat there.

We were going to go there this summer for our anniversary but decided to go to Steakhouse 55. It was only a little bit more expensive and the food is supposed to be really good. But we have been to the BB before. It is very cool to sit "outside" inside.

 

[rascalmom]

We ate there on our March trip. After living in Southern California for a few years in the late 1980's, it has long been on our "must do" list.

We are regular WDW visitors and are used to doing one nice table service restaurant a day when we head to Florida. There are many wonderful restaurants there - overall, including BB, we were disappointed in the DL dining.

The atmosphere is fun, but service is slow and by the end of our meal we had had all the banjo music we could take (one song played over and over by an animatronic character in the ride area).

I guess we are glad that we can say we did it, but I can't say that we would go back. As far as fun for kids? - mine are 21 and 17, so it was fine for them, lol. I don't think little ones would find it special or exciting. No characters - pretty dark & quiet. You just get a glimpse of the ride boats floating by in the water.