Blue Bayou with Picky Eaters

[Abharmagic]

My dad worked in CA in the 1970-1990s and frequented DL often and always wanted to eat at the Blue Bayou, never did. This trip to DL I want to make that happen. The menu looks fine for 3/4 of our party, but we have two picky Disney Adults (kids). They like plain pasta, no meat, cheese/grilled cheese, bread, carbs... anyone ever taken a picky eater here that's not a Disney "kid" (as in someone age 10 or older). Any experience? I don't mind paying adult prices for a larger portion of a kids meal. The kids meals aren't really appealing, either- very meat heavy. Sigh.... this is for my dad, and I want to make it happen. If it were just my immediate family going I'd never book here.

 

[Indiana Scott]

Have you looked at the menu on-line?
Food there is "OK" and the menu is fairly limited. If you don't find food for everyone, you might consider go there in the late evening just for dessert.

 

[BadPinkTink]

if eating at Blue Bayou is just for your Dad and another member of the party is the pickey eater, then my solution would be have a father daughter special meal at Blue Bayou and the rest of the party eat somewhere else. You cant please all of the party all of the time so dont make it more stressful than it has to be. Just explain to x person, well if you dont find something to eat on the menu, me and dad will will just go here and meet up with you guys later

 

[Abharmagic]

Have you looked at the menu on-line?
Food there is "OK" and the menu is fairly limited. If you don't find food for everyone, you might consider go there in the late evening just for dessert.

This may be the best idea. My dad is pushing 80. Is going with us to do something special with us before he gets "too old" (his words) and this is his only request, which is why I'm trying to make it happen. 5 of us are ok with the menu, 2 are less than pleased... he is paying...

 

[tarheelalum]

Have the picky folks eat so some other place before or after blue bayou and just get them desert at blue bayou.

 

[DLgal]

Have the picky folks eat so some other place before or after blue bayou and just get them desert at blue bayou.

Yes this is what I would suggest also. There are plenty of counter service locations nearby where you can have the picky eaters eat beforehand.

 

[Sue M]

There is child’s Mac & cheese on menu. Or a House Salad. Or as others suggest have them eat elsewhere.
It sounds to me like your Dad wanted it to be a family meal though, so hopefully they can make an effort to find something on the menu they will eat.
I love B.B., Gumbo is yummy, and we love the Monte Christo Sandwich.

 

[GenGen22]

I would call and ask them if you could order the kids Mac and cheese for a higher price because the kids are picky eaters. I'm pretty sure they will accommodate you because its on the menu.

 

[Kender]

32 year old picky eater here. As in "I don't want my food touching" level of picky eater and often order from the kids menu as I prefer my food simple without strong flavors.

Another option as long as you're not doing a F! meal is to just order dessert for the picky person and they can eat properly before or later. I do this a lot even in life outside of Disneyland. But I'm also a legal adult and can make such questionable meal choices. I even ended up having dessert for three out of four courses at C33.

I've also found where possible, restaurant staff is more than willing to work with you. Calling them beforehand might be helpful because then you can find what things might be able to be modified to be palatable for the picky eater.

Or, of course, the suggestion of just making it you and your dad. Which in itself would make it a very special treat without the extra concern of feeding the picky eater.

 

[Abharmagic]

32 year old picky eater here. As in "I don't want my food touching" level of picky eater and often order from the kids menu as I prefer my food simple without strong flavors.

Another option as long as you're not doing a F! meal is to just order dessert for the picky person and they can eat properly before or later. I do this a lot even in life outside of Disneyland. But I'm also a legal adult and can make such questionable meal choices. I even ended up having dessert for three out of four courses at C33.

I've also found where possible, restaurant staff is more than willing to work with you. Calling them beforehand might be helpful because then you can find what things might be able to be modified to be palatable for the picky eater.

Or, of course, the suggestion of just making it you and your dad. Which in itself would make it a very special treat without the extra concern of feeding the picky eater.

You “get them” and my feeling (on vacation, especially) is that “questionable” choices are ok. I really do try with these two and they do eat things other than carbs and refined white sugar... at least a few things they are just no frills, not a lot of spice and added flavor kids. I will call. I wasn’t sure if it was better to call in advance or just ask when we are seated. Pasta is fine. I see there’s Mac n cheese and the one kids dish comes with pasta with marinara- we could get that on the side... When Harry Met Sally style- my son likes some marinara. Maybe they could just get a whole serving of the pasta minus the chicken. I was a picky eating kid who grew out of it in college. Thinking they will be similar. Thanks for no hate everyone! Hey- different strokes for different folks! Glad the responses stayed civil.

 

[GenGen22]

You “get them” and my feeling (on vacation, especially) is that “questionable” choices are ok. I really do try with these two and they do eat things other than carbs and refined white sugar... at least a few things they are just no frills, not a lot of spice and added flavor kids. I will call. I wasn’t sure if it was better to call in advance or just ask when we are seated. Pasta is fine. I see there’s Mac n cheese and the one kids dish comes with pasta with marinara- we could get that on the side... When Harry Met Sally style- my son likes some marinara. Maybe they could just get a whole serving of the pasta minus the chicken. I was a picky eating kid who grew out of it in college. Thinking they will be similar. Thanks for no hate everyone! Hey- different strokes for different folks! Glad the responses stayed civil.

I was the same way. I ate kids meals until I was 24. Plain cheese burger etc. I'm still a picky eater and special order a lot of stuff but I have way more choices than when I was a kid so, I'm sure a lot of us get it. Have a magical vacation!

 

[smartlabelprint]

They serve free bread to start. The kids can eat that and plain pasta if they prefer.

I wouldn’t call. Just ask when you get there.

 

[GenGen22]

They serve free bread to start. The kids can eat that and plain pasta if they prefer.

I wouldn’t call. Just ask when you get there.

Thanks for this! This is a good idea for my niece as well!

 

[CalifLynn]

Just want to say, I feel your pain. I’ve always wanted to take my DD to Blue Bayou, she is 16 and too picky. She is very slowly starting to try other things. I kid that she is on a white flour and cheese diet, if she would eat Marinara I’d be doing the happy dance (pasta plain or with butter or olive oil only). She does eat meat however, but no vegetable and very few potatos, so I could probably order her a steak ($46) if they promised to omit the sides and not put anything on the steak, just steak on a plate, plain, please.

P.S. - she will only eat Mac and cheese if it is Kraft.

 

[Kender]

You “get them” and my feeling (on vacation, especially) is that “questionable” choices are ok. I really do try with these two and they do eat things other than carbs and refined white sugar... at least a few things they are just no frills, not a lot of spice and added flavor kids. I will call. I wasn’t sure if it was better to call in advance or just ask when we are seated. Pasta is fine. I see there’s Mac n cheese and the one kids dish comes with pasta with marinara- we could get that on the side... When Harry Met Sally style- my son likes some marinara. Maybe they could just get a whole serving of the pasta minus the chicken. I was a picky eating kid who grew out of it in college. Thinking they will be similar. Thanks for no hate everyone! Hey- different strokes for different folks! Glad the responses stayed civil.

I'm usually the one telling my friends to be mindful of their picky kids because pickiness can occasionally mean other issues (it did for me and thankfully I had a mom like you who tried her best to make sure I was accommodated). Sadly it's not always something that someone can grow out of . But that's why Disney is one of my favorite places. It's nice whenever I see someone trying to get information ahead of time so they can be prepared for feeding their kids.

All that matters is everyone eats something and enjoys themselves . I do still get some funny looks when I order just dessert, but I also look like a teenager half the time. They usually confirm with my mom it's okay which just makes us laugh.

As a funny aside that's slightly off topic, but helps support that Disney will do what they can to accommodate: I went on a Disney Cruise a couple years ago with a friend. She knows I hate bones and was trying to discreetly help me remove the bone from my chicken breast at dinner while I kept my eyes averted. One of our servers noticed this, took my plate back into the kitchen, and came back with the bone removed.

After this, every night if I ordered chicken, it came out sans bone .

 

[karly101]

Disney is very good with picky eaters or food allergies - my sister found the potatoes in her meal were spiced with jalapenos (not mentioned on menu and she just can't eat it due to medical issues) we mentioned it to the waiter and he promptly brought out some plain mashed potato for her. They do have kids items such as as pasta's so I'm sure they could accommodate - I would mention it on the booking though!

 

[cruisehopeful]

Sometimes when I go somewhere that my picky eater won't eat, we do order something as plain as possible and if it still isn't okay, we just take it to go afterward. Someone else in the group will eat it later on. We always have to go to the corn dog cart so my picky eater can eat something. Since you are talking about kids, I'd probably get them something at counter service ahead of time. They can either attempt something at Blue Bayou or just have a drink and be there for the company. The bread is not plain that they serve before the meal. I remember one being spicy, making me cough, and I cannot remember for sure, but the other one might have been cornbread.

 

[skuttle]

I'm afraid I'll have the same issues with my boys, but we (DH and I ) want to try Blue Bayou. I looked at the menu again, but don't see apps or desserts listed. I assume they offer them.

 

[Minniemouse07]

We ate there last year w/ my extremely picky 12yo. He ordered a plate of plain pasta with I think broccoli on the side. The waiter was great and it was a non-event.

That said, the 12yo still talks about that dinner as his favorite of the trip and wants to go back there when we return in December.

 

[VandVsmama]

FYI - the pasta on the kids' menu comes with barely any marinara sauce. My YDD loves her pasta to be drowning in sauce. So just be aware if your kiddos have the same hang up. Just ask for double the amount of sauce!