Blue Bayou vs Other options

[FeliciaB23]

My Mom and I will be going to Disneyland next month (3 park days with hoppers). We currently have Blue Bayou booked for 11am on our first full DL day because I read the ambiance is a "must see" / unbeatable. To be honest, their current menu and pricing doesn't really appeal to either of us. The Cafe Orleans menu looks SO much better, not to mention it's slightly cheaper; we have it booked as well for another day for both lunch and dinner and will pick one this week when I finalize our plans.

Is Blue Bayou truly a MUST do, even if we plan to do a sit down at Cafe Orleans? We LOVE unique / immersive dining opportunities we wouldn't typically be able to do outside the Disney bubble (ie: The San Angel Inn in Epcot, 50's Primetime & Sci-Fi in HS, BOG in MK, Sanaa at AKL) and this seems to fit that bill... but I can't get past the menu.

Also - we have park hoppers and there are so many quick service places in DCA that look absolutely delicious. Would it be completely crazy to park hop just for a QS meal? Would that waste too much time?

 

[SOCALMouseMommy]

The ambiance inside BB is awesome and there's nothing else like it in the park. But if the menu doesn't appeal to you, I don't know that it's worth it. Note that the ambiance is very dependent on having a waterside table. That should be what you get at 11am, but check in a few minutes early and request a waterside table specifically.

 

[Lumpy1106]

I'd keep Blue Bayou for the reasons you mentioned. It's a special experience. Park hopping is really easy at DL/DCA and I would not hesitate to hop just for a meal if that's what you want to do. Isn't that why you are getting park hoppers?

 

[tlovesdis]

I am not a fan of BB so I would say if the menu doesn't appeal to you, definitely do something else!

As for park hopping...it is so easy to hop between the two parks, so yes to hopping for a meal that appeals to you!

 

[monkeypat83]

I don't have much to add on Blue Bayou since I haven't been since pre-COVID which also coincides with having kids and my kids are quite old enough to consider eating there and appreciate the experience but if you are going next month and are going after November 10th when Christmas starts in the parks there are likely to be even more quick service foods in DCA that you want to eat. The Festival of Holiday Booths always have a whole assortment of special foods that are worth a try. They should announce those menus a few days before...I wish the announced them earlier but it seems to be less than a week before the open that we get the Foodie Guide

 

[DizMe]

I say stick with Blue Bayou. You got a great time and be sure to request waterside as soon as possible (like when the check-in stand opens).

My suggestion is to pick a couple of sides or split a meal and have dessert. They actually have good food IMO and I LOVE the Basque cheesecake. I like to split the Monte Cristo (where they split it for you and you each get your own sides). Have a Hurricane--yummy drink!--if you're so inclined. It really is something I'd recommend for the experience.

 

[maleficent55]

There is nothing like the Blue Bayou

It is such an experience. If nothing else, just get soup and salad. The gumbo is delicious and the last salad that was on the menu was delicious!

 

[BobaFettFan]

I'm going and just ordering dessert.

 

[Kiwigirls]

I'm going and just ordering dessert.

That's what we did a couple of years ago, as the menu didn't appeal to us, but wanted to experience it! Went at an off peak time, and just ordered dessert. Tried to leave a decent tip so as not to disadvantage the waitstaff. Was fun to do, but glad we didn't do a full meal.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Honestly, there are a lot of people who would love a chance to eat at the BB and I would recommend canceling so that someone else can enjoy the delicious gumbo and famous monte cristo while overlooking the boats on the bayou in Pirates.

Cafe Orleans has great options at a better price and Tiana’s food is really good as well.

 

[Pluto468]

I think Blue Bayou is worth trying, but if the menu doesn't appeal to you don't feel like you HAVE to. No need to pressure yourself to go somewhere that doesn't appeal to you when you have so many other places you'd like to try.

One thing you could do is plan it for a later day of your trip, and take a look at BB as you pass by on Pirates. If you do want to go, you could order dessert only.

As SOCALmousemommy mentioned, the ambience does depend on where you're sitting. I've been at BB a number of times. Water tables were lovely, but once we had a table near the kitchen and another time in the back near the bathrooms. Let's just say those tables weren't as charming.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Blue Bayou is no longer a must do for us. Not when Cafe Orleans is cheaper, better, with more food variety. You add Tiana’s and forget about it. But if you’ve never tried, it’s worth a shot.

 

[gmi3804]

BB is no longer a must-do for us either. FOMO got the best of us, and we're glad we went, but it wasn't all that. Sure, it's iconic, and we had a nice time, but paid a huge premium to eat with the lights off. We much more enjoy the ambiance of the patio, the menu, and the prices (!) at Cafe Orleans. CO is our must-do, and the people-watching is magnificent.

 

[FeliciaB23]

Thank you all for the replies! We decided to stick with BB lunch at 11am and check in early with hopes we get a water-side table. We will share apps and a dessert.

Will do Cafe Orleans for dinner the same night, too!

 

[TinkAgainU]

I'll be the sole voice voting against Park Hopping for a meal lol. By the time you go end to end at both parks that's a LOT of walking. I happily Park Hop one time, but find going back and forth (unless Really necessary, say, for an open time on an important ride) can take the spring out of your step before the end of the night

That said, one exception might be to add a glass of wine or a beer at DCA - that seems to add a couple hours energy to some of my party, and is certainly easy access to order there.

 

[DizMe]

Thank you all for the replies! We decided to stick with BB lunch at 11am and check in early with hopes we get a water-side table. We will share apps and a dessert.

Will do Cafe Orleans for dinner the same night, too!

I love it! You should see it, and I think you'll have fun.

When you make the request for waterside, do it as soon as the kiosk opens up and there's a CM because almost everyone is going to want waterside. Just in case they give you the standard warning that it might be 45 min or whatever, just smile and say ok. I've been told that sooooo many times and it's almost always within 15 min. no matter what time of day, but someone has to end up with those other tables so be the early bird. If your party is larger than 4, you may be seated back a little but there is still a good water view and they stagger the tables somewhat. Can't wait to hear about it!

I just re-read your original post and I see it's you and your mom. Should be golden!

 

[SpaceMan5]

In years past we have avoided the BB due to bad reviews of the food and service. I have been seeing more and more positive posts lately so we are going to add it to our ressie list for January.

I am looking forward to eating there because I can not recall how many times I have said it would be so cool to eat there as we gently floated by.

Ok, I haven't researched their menu but do they serve and Old Fashioned cocktail? Cheers

 

[DizMe]

In years past we have avoided the BB due to bad reviews of the food and service. I have been seeing more and more positive posts lately so we are going to add it to our ressie list for January.

I am looking forward to eating there because I can not recall how many times I have said it would be so cool to eat there as we gently floated by.

Ok, I haven't researched their menu but do they serve and Old Fashioned cocktail? Cheers

It seems like you love it or think it's a waste of money, ha ha. I'm in the 'love it' camp because...because it's in Pirates! The atmosphere is so amazing to me. I KNOW I'm inside but I never really FEEL like I am. My mind says I'm on an outdoor patio on a southern evening in bayou country.

Aside from the atmosphere, I do enjoy the food. I'm a picky eater, too. I still have a treasure chest made out of sugar that came with a dessert long ago. It held 2 cookies and went with...well, I don't actually remember what it was with. Creme brulee? I'm not sure, but it was cool. They used to have kid menus that turned into pirate hats. Wish they'd bring those back.

I don't know about the Old Fashioned. I think their drink menu is limited to wine, beer, and their signature cocktail, the Hurricane. I love it but it's pretty sweet. They may have expanded the list, though.

 

[chezcurrie]

I see you have made your decision and I will echo that I love BB and have been many times post covid, as recently as the end of September. If you aren’t super hungry or the mains aren’t as appealing the gumbo and salad is a great option. We cook a lot of cajun/creole at home so I was hesitant to try the gumbo but it was delish. Also a big fan of the filet, but it is now on the dinner menu. Enjoy!

edit: meant to add that one reason I prefer BB to tianas or cafe orleans is because it is so immersive I feel like it’s more of a break from the frenetic energy of the park. Kinda like at Sci-fi or San angel inn where it’s cool and quiet and you feel removed, in a good way. I am always rejuvenated after!

 

[Chickinvic]

To me, Blue Bayou is a must. I've also never had a bad meal there.