Blue Bayou...worth the cost?

[jory29]

Congrats, I love your story, that is so awesome!!!

We went to the BB once, with our family, and the price was very $$$ but we all found something we liked, and it was very good! We considered the chance to dine there to be a once in a lifetime opportunity, and it was fantastic, we got water side seating, if you are trying for that, when you make your booking, be sure to ask for earliest seating available, and then mention you would really prefer waterside seating and would be willing to wait, when you 'check in.'

The gumbo was super, the monte cristo so heavy and rich I could only eat 1/4 of it, and I am pooh sized, so you know it's rich when I say that... it *was* good, though. I am REALLY glad that you said that the menu looks great because since we have been there, the menu has changed... we wanted to go there some time this year to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary, but nothing seems to appeal, and if it does, (steak, lol) it's too $$$.

But... your trip is paid for, and I think you guys more than well deserve a meal there, and will really enjoy it. It really is a must-do.

Remember too, when in the park, to ask if it is at all possible to ride on the Lilly Belle train - we were able to do that once, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and it is free - if they have conductors available, they may do that for you. Good luck, and we hope to see a TR from you!!




Edited to add: Sounds like there may be a 'set' budget for meals, and remember, you can cut corners on other costs of food, such as: sharing counter service meals amongst all of you -if there are 7 of you, and obviously 5 of those are kids, perhaps 3 or 4 adult meals will pan out, as well, you can ask for cups of water (free), or order a few large sodas NO ICE, since it is cold already, and ask for extra cups... we cut corners when we are in the parks and no one has batted an eye. If you don't share meals I can almost guarantee that you will be throwing the leftovers out if you order one meal per person...


P.S... You know you are Californiamomof5grls now, right? I couldn't find the Ellen youtube link, I would love to see it - if you can post it here, or send me a PM, I'd love to see it.

 

[IndayMichelle]

I was there last Saturday and I really enjoyed myself! The last time I was there I wasn't thrilled with the food. But, like everyone else, I went for the experience. This recent visit was wonderful. My cousin and I each ordered the short rib and it was delicious. First off, it was a large portion. If you were to order short rib in another restaurant you would not get as a large a cut as we were served. I prefer short rib to steak because it's softer. The potatoes and green beans were well done.

I didn't have high expectations where the food was concerned, but they really surprised me! I'm glad that my cousin's first trip to BB was a great one. I hope you guys enjoy! Here's a few photos to hold you over. Sorry they are so dark, it's all of that ambiance!

(I like to take pictures of my doll when I travel)

 

[californiamomof4grls]

P.S... You know you are Californiamomof5grls now, right? I couldn't find the Ellen youtube link, I would love to see it - if you can post it here, or send me a PM, I'd love to see it.

Thanks guys for all of your help! We are going to take the girls. My oldest heard me talking about it with my Dh last night and started freaking out about how cool it would be to do it! So secretly the kids took a vote. Because when you are 5 girls everything is a secret society! That brought in their voting results to me and Blue Bayou was a landslide!
The pictures of the food looked great! Thank you!
Here is the youtube link you asked for Jory29 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDXNIg7bKjU
I hope that works.

 

[jory29]

Thanks guys for all of your help! We are going to take the girls. My oldest heard me talking about it with my Dh last night and started freaking out about how cool it would be to do it! So secretly the kids took a vote. Because when you are 5 girls everything is a secret society! That brought in their voting results to me and Blue Bayou was a landslide!
The pictures of the food looked great! Thank you!
Here is the youtube link you asked for Jory29 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDXNIg7bKjU
I hope that works.

Thanks for sharing the link, it was a really nice video of you and your family. Your family is beautiful!! ENJOY your time in Disneyland!

 

[nannyz]

We used to always go to the BB but stopped going because even though the atmosphere is nice, you don't get to enjoy it much because you get rushed through your meal and out the door.

 

[vettegirl]

Enjoy it! It still rates as one of my alltime favorite places to dine in the world. Atmosphere is the best

 

[Virgoinab]

We used to always go to the BB but stopped going because even though the atmosphere is nice, you don't get to enjoy it much because you get rushed through your meal and out the door.

Really? We were just there over Christmas and had two table with 19 ppl and there was no feeling of being rushed at all, with 19 ppl!

The service was well paced. I really do believe that it depends on the server at the time, some are great, some are so so.

Just relating our experiance tho, I know that all it takes for me is having one bad experiance to put me off a place as well.

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Really? We were just there over Christmas and had two table with 19 ppl and there was no feeling of being rushed at all, with 19 ppl!

The service was well paced. I really do believe that it depends on the server at the time, some are great, some are so so.

Just relating our experiance tho, I know that all it takes for me is having one bad experiance to put me off a place as well.

Like OP we have a big family and besides the "is it worth the $$" concern, I'm also concerned that it wouldn't be as fun if we weren't near the water. I've heard that there are only smaller tables near the water so I'm not sure it'd be even worth the "atmosphere".

Calmomof4: look at the lunch vs. dinner menus. If DH is looking at the Monte Cristo its only at lunch time. Plus you'll have a better shot at getting a water table with your brood at an early lunch.

 

[Sally_fan]

What a neat story! We really enjoy the BB. Like everyone else has stated the ambiance can't be beat!! We have eaten there a couple of times now & have always had great food & service. I have tried the crab cakes (yum), the jambalya (very good!), the short ribs (amazing!) & the monte cristo (rich but very good) and I would order them all again. We always book the earliest lunch seating available (I think it's 11 or 11:30) & request a water side table. Then I make sure to check in as soon as the podium opens & once again request a water side table. We were a group of 6 (4 adults, 2 kids) on our last lunch there (Dec 2010) & got a water side table. I believe there is only 1 larger table on the water? It IS pricy but it's a once in a lifetime kind of thing & well worth it in my opiinion. Have an amazing vacation!!!!!
P.S. We had quite a bit of leftovers so we brought them back to the hotel with us on our afternoon break (right after lunch that day) & put them in the fridge for a snack later on.

 

[minniecarousel]

I suggest getting an 11:30 AM Lunch reservation. You will check in around 11 - 11:15 and request a water-side table at that time. I have found that having the first reservation of the day helps secure that type of table. Since the ambience is the main reason for eating there, water-side is the only way to go!

And, yes the Monte Cristo is worth it! (as long as you don't have issues with that much fat!)

 

[Virgoinab]

Like OP we have a big family and besides the "is it worth the $$" concern, I'm also concerned that it wouldn't be as fun if we weren't near the water. I've heard that there are only smaller tables near the water so I'm not sure it'd be even worth the "atmosphere".

Calmomof4: look at the lunch vs. dinner menus. If DH is looking at the Monte Cristo its only at lunch time. Plus you'll have a better shot at getting a water table with your brood at an early lunch.

For me, and for the rest of the group, not being right on the water did not in any way take away from the experiance. We could look up, and see the water and the boats even though we were seated a little more in the back of the space. You are surrounded in all the detail no matter where you sit, so for us, not being right on the water really did not feel like we missed anything at all.

When DH and I go back in oct, we will eat there again, and since it is the two of us will try for water side, but we both agreed that the whole space feels special regardless of where we end up.

 

[Kimtastic]

I have been to BB many times in the past few years. I really think it is worth it. There is nothing like enjoying your dinner and watching the POC boats go by. I have sat both near the water and away from the water and found it enjoyable either way.

As other people have mentioned it's really all about the ambiance. There is something special about going to a nicer restaurant while actually INSIDE the park.

Additionally, I think the food is very good. It may not be the BEST in the resort (I have dined at nearly every DL restaurant) it has been consistently good and better than most.

I say go, get a little dressed up and treat it as your "nice" meal and really enjoy the time with your family.

Also, you will love the BBQ, it is so fun and one of my favorite newer addition. It is delicious!!! And you will have even more fun if you participate with the folks on stage. (One night when no one wanted to participate almost every song was about/ referenced myself and my husband and our anniversary).

 

[newmouse82]

Personally I thought the food was way better at Ralph Brennans in downtown disney, but the ambiance was better at the Blue Bayou.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I think it's a place you need to do at least once. The atmosphere is worth it alone, imho.

About large tables...we have been seated together by the water when we get there at opening. I think it is more difficult for the staff to move tables once seating is circulating.

My kids loved the childrens meals. We even buy "adult" portions of the children meals for my bigger kids.

Save room for dessert!

 

[Mackysmycat]

Love it there - very much worth it!

 

[blackjackdelta]

We have gone numerous times and love both lunch and dinner, only one time did we not get waterside and it was back in the corner by the kitchen but still loved the food. Ambiance can not be beat.

Jack

 

[californiamomof4grls]

We are very excited to take the kids to do this. Pirates is one of out favorite rides. I'm trying to think of some other things to do with the kids that I may not do if I was paying for the whole trip myself. Suggestions?

 

[bydd]

I hope you enjoy the BB as much as we do. The atmosphere is awesome, dark and lantern lit. Food is pretty good for the price, I had the surf and turf last time. The scalloped potatoes were excellent! There is a large variety on the menu. But as other posters mentioned, I wish they served wine.

You should make reservations ASAP in my opinion. Expect for the reservation to be later in the week, especially with a large group. This is usually one of the first things we do(after riding Pirates of course) when we get to the park.

I've only had one bad experience there with our waitress, but other than that no complaints!

 

[princesszelda]

We normally go to Cafe Orleans the food it great. The only time we go to Blue Bayou is if we are really wanting the ambience of it.

 

[teacups]

LOVE the BB!! My son picked that for his 10th birthday dinner!!
I wouls day this:
If you can afford to plop down $150 easily for a meal... then do it! Dont miss it!
If the 100 bucks "hurts".. then skip it.

My kids have a hard time picking an item since they took away the PBJ sandwiches, but they still love going.