Blue Zoo

[W.E.D.]

Posting here because I need some tips and directions. Mods please move if this is inappropriate here.

DW would like to have dinner one night during our trip at Blue Zoo. Wondering if anyone has reviews, how we would go about getting there from POR, and judging from the photos I've seen, do I need a jacket and tie to eat there???

Thanks for any help!

 

[ScoJo15]

Bluezoo is awesome! Easily one of the best on property

It's located at the Dolphin hotel, as soon as you enter (from the Boardwalk entrance) it's on the right hand side. The food is incredible, and the bar features well trained mixologists and some very interesting drinks.

You do not need a jacket and tie and you'll find customers ranging from the Disney resort type (shorts, t-shirts) to conventioneers (khakis and a polo).

From POR you could take the boat or bus to Downtown Disney and then transfer to a Swan/Dolphin bus....or walk to the Dolphin from either HS or Epcot...or take a short cab ride.

Have a great time...you're gonna love the experience.

 

[W.E.D.]

Thanks ScoJo15!

It looks great, and the menu looked absolutely amazing!

Like your route from POR to DTD to the Dolphin. Hadn't considered that one and it sounds good to me.

Looking forward to it, and thanks again for your info!

 

[Pakey]

bluezoo is our favorite restaurant at Disney, except for V&A, and we try to eat here every vacation. We were there last week for another great meal with outstanding service. It's the only meal where I try to have dessert because their pasty chef here is quite good.

We like to go early to grab a drink in the bar; the martini selections are quite interesting. Everything I've had here has been very good but I'm partial to the raw bar for appetizer and the dancing fish or sashimi ahi for entree.

 

[W.E.D.]

Thanks for the info, Pakey!

We've never really ventured out from the TS restaurants at the parks before, and it sounds like DW made a good choice for our first time!

 

[POOHsie]

We have had wonderful meals at BlueZoo. Great choice! I would wear nicer casual clothes. Not shorts and tees.

I wouldn't take the bus/boat to DTD, then Swan/Dolphin bus. That would be a real time-waster, and you'd be going out of your way in the wrong direction.

I would take the bus from POR to DHS, then either walk or boat to the Dolphin. I'm not sure if Swan/Dolphin boat stop would be first, second, or third. Walking along the water from DHS to the Swan/Dolphin is probably quickest, but if you're in nicer clothes, you might think about getting sweaty.

If DHS is closed by the time of your dinner (no bus), I would seriously consider a taxi to the Dolphin as your best option. You would arrive upstairs on the lobby level, and would need to take the escalator or elevator down to the lower level.

 

[ppony]

One thing we didn't know because we'd never gone to or thought about going to the Swan or Dolphin, you need to pay to park, but BZ will validate.
You already know about the menu. I'm not a seafood eater so I was just OK w/ it and hubby liked it but not enough to go back. Dress nice but that's all you really "need" to do. Have fun!

 

[mattsdragon]

I think the best TS places are outside the parks, and that is saying a lot because some of the places at EPCOT and DHS are spectacular.

Every trip, we go to a different resort place.

That reminds me, gotta find something for marathon weekend. . .

 

[TLinden16]

I'm going to move this to our restaurant board.

 

[W.E.D.]

Thanks for all the additional information everyone!

Going to process all the suggested directions and see what works best for us. I forgot about the boats from DHS to the Dolphin.

Thanks again!!!

 

[JenKatt]

The only thing with taking disney transporation is what time your reservation is and what time the parks are closing. You might do better to save yourself the hassle and hail a cab....

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I think the best TS places are outside the parks,

Bluezoo is awesome!

Have a great time...you're gonna love the experience.

The menu/cuisine is so creatively prepared from the appetizers to the entrees. I've often felt that Disney dining prices and quality don't meet but Blue Zoo delivers on all counts! Love the tartare and the parmesan fries!

 

[W.E.D.]

^^^OH!! Parmasean Fries?!?! Think I might not eat the whole day so I have room for all the awesome stuff at dinner!

 

[annnewjerz]

Great choice in bluezoo! We have eaten here 3x so far and every trip has been exceptional. The atmosphere is always nice and very adult (most times we've only been one of a handful or two of tables), the bar/lounge is a great place to hang out and have a drink and the food is soooo good!

Our personal favorite is the scallops over braised short ribs and cauliflower puree. It's an appetizer, but they will give you an entree-sized portion consisting of four scallops if you ask for it.

Another favorite of ours is the tuna tartare. So light, fresh and delicious..it definitely hits the spot.

We've also had the classic flatbread, the simply fish and this chocolate peanut butter dessert (below) and would recommend any/all of them. Flying Fish Cafe is another favorite for us, but because it's a little louder during peak meal times, bluezoo ends up winning as our current no. 1.

Eat up and enjoy!

 

[ccgirl]

Posting here because I need some tips and directions. Mods please move if this is inappropriate here.

DW would like to have dinner one night during our trip at Blue Zoo. Wondering if anyone has reviews, how we would go about getting there from POR, and judging from the photos I've seen, do I need a jacket and tie to eat there???

Thanks for any help!

Do not walk from Epcot as you will need to use a day of admission to walk thru the entire park. Honestly, I would probably just do a cab unless you are going from a park. If you are already at a park, take the transportation to the BW/Swan/Dolphin. Have fun. Be sure to leave yourself time to walk around the Boardwalk. We always have so much fun doing that and it really is beautiful.

 

[PrincessAurora]

I ate there once with mixed results though the way they handled it made me book them again without hesitation. The drinks were great. I had the fish with the dijon mustard sauce with crab and lobster. Unfortunately the fish I picked was brand new to the chef. Since I didn't recognize it, that was the reason I chose it. It was raw, not under-cooked, raw. They took it back, tried again and it was raw though more cooked than before but also very tough. I couldn't even get a steak knife through the skin.

The chef was VERY apologetic. He had never cooked with it before. I asked him why not? I mean if it was a new product, he should have cooked with it in prep. Todd English would have. They pulled the fish from the menu. I was not charged for it. They gave me an AMAZING appetizer gratis for the trouble. Cooked another fish with the same sauce and it was PERFECT!

The quality of the food, their EXCELLENT service and willingness to make a fluke right earned my continuing business. Can't wait for my next dinner there.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Blue Zoo: (12/18/2010)
. . . food price value: C
. . . food quality: B
. . . food quantity per serving: C
. . . food prep speed: B
. . . food selection: C
. . . seating quantity: C
. . . seating comfort: C
. . . eatery atmosphere: B
. . . eatery convenience: C
. . . staff friendliness: C
. . . staff attentiveness: C
. . . character interaction: n/a

NOTE: Todd English's Blue Zoo has an excellent
reputation. The food quality at WDW is in line with
his other eateries. However, I think the price is slightly
high for the food received, yielding a "C" instead of
a "B" for value. Additionally, for $35 fish and $42 beef,
I expect superb service, and the service was not up to
that standard.

 

[W.E.D.]

Thanks again to everyone for the info, tips, etc. Sorry to see Rusty Scupper did not have as raving a review as others. Still looking forward to it!

Only 24 days away!!!!

 

[BriarRosie]

Thanks again to everyone for the info, tips, etc. Sorry to see Rusty Scupper did not have as raving a review as others. Still looking forward to it!

Only 24 days away!!!!

Keep in mind that Rusty's experience is a "snapshot" of one visit. You might get a server in any restaurant that isn't good on a given night. I've never had bad service either in the dining room or eating at the bar.

And since Disney owned restaurants are charging the same prices for lesser quality food, I think the value of Todd English's bluezoo™ is higher (for me) than places like Yachtsman Steakhouse.

 

[Ramsfan28]

I love BlueZoo, probably in my top 3-4 restaraunts at WDW.

I maybe have had about a dozen or so meals there and never had a bad experience.