Dining Question

[SCRAPBOOKQUEEN]

Getting ready to make my reservations. Was thinking of Blue Bayou but after looking at the menu I do not believe that my daughter will like most of the selections. However, she really wants to go to the restaurant. Is there a possibility that we can go and sit for a bit and just have a desert or a glass of iced tea? It's pretty expensive to go and she leave most if not all of her meal. Just not her type of food. She's more of a sandwich/hamburger/fried chicken girl.

Thanks,

Scrapbookqueen

 

[Niltiac]

I think it would be ok not to have a full meal, but personally I would definitely order dessert or some type of appetizer rather than only iced tea to justify holding up the table since it's a popular restaurant. Even if your daughter doesn't have any (you could have your real meal beforehand), you could just order something for the table. I don't know that it is required, but personally I would feel better ordering some type of food, especially if other groups are waiting for a table. I've heard of people doing dessert-only reservations there before and that's totally fine.

 

[SCRAPBOOKQUEEN]

Yes, I totally understand taking up a table, but as paid guests into the park, we want to have the experience but not necessarily the food. So, do you have to have a reservation to just order dessert? Paying the full price meal and not eating it is a waste and then with ordering just dessert we would most likely not take nearly as much time.

 

[Niltiac]

Oh I definitely understand not wanting to pay for the meal. I did, even though the food didn't appeal to me, and in retrospect I wish I had only gone for dessert. The counter service food we had during that trip was much better than either of the sit-down restaurants we tried.

You don't have to have a reservation at all, but if you don't you may have to wait a while or be turned away if it's busy. My guess is that going for dessert-only wouldn't make much difference in whether you get seated without a reservation. If I were you, I would make a reservation to be safe and when you check in, tell them you're only planning on dessert. Or if you're not set on going there, you could just try without a reservation whenever you're in the area, but it wouldn't be a guarantee.

 

[WillowRain]

I would call and ask on that one. I would assume that you have to order an entree, otherwise why go. I don't think I have ever seen anyone not order a meal there.

 

[Viviene Anthony]

Yes, I totally understand taking up a table, but as paid guests into the park, we want to have the experience but not necessarily the food. So, do you have to have a reservation to just order dessert? Paying the full price meal and not eating it is a waste and then with ordering just dessert we would most likely not take nearly as much time.

The food is very good there, but understandably pricey. You're paying for the ambiance as well, I suppose. However, if you don't want to pay for something your daughter may not even like, you can certainly go for just dessert. As another poster mentioned and as busy as the parks always are now, I recommend reservations for any of the restaurants that take them. Especially with the more popular ones like Blue Bayou. I have seen some people walk up and ask if they could be seated for just desert and they have been told to return towards the end of the day when they are winding down and it's less busy, but getting a table is not guaranteed since they can pretty much be booked the entire day. I have learned my lesson and booked way in advance to make sure I guarantee a table during my preferred day and time. They used to be able to reserve a water side table if you requested one at the time of booking. They no longer do that, I'm guessing because so many people want to be seated there. Instead you can request when you check in, but you likely have to wait longer than your reservation time.

 

[smartlabelprint]

We had dessert only. We made reservations.

 

[tlovesdis]

Yes you can have dessert and drinks only. I know a lot of people who do this since they are not fans of the food or prices.

 

[rentayenta]

WE also have had just dessert. We had a reservation as well. We tipped well.

 

[avalon451]

Maybe you could order your own meals and have her pick what she likes from your plate, or she could just have dessert? She could eat a simple packed meal you bring in the park before you are seated- fruit, veggies, crackers, cheese. Then do her dessert and maybe a fancy drink with light up cup there?

If you'd like to go for lunch, here's a good way to get waterside seating with no wait: Make reservations for the earliest lunch seating-- I believe it's 11:30. Show up for check in at 11:15, and ask for waterside seating when you check in. You should have no problem getting right in on time with a waterside table and a great view of the PoTC boats floating by! (my DD made a whole thing out of waving at every boat, just to see who'd wave back!)

Love BB, definitely making ressies there when we go!

 

[MrJT]

I looked at the menu on two different websites. I didn't see any desserts listed. What options are there?

 

[Viviene Anthony]

I looked at the menu on two different websites. I didn't see any desserts listed. What options are there?

I don't believe they have a regular dessert menu. It may be seasonal and changes every so often. They let you know what is being offered after your meal of when you are ready to order if dessert is just what you're there for. The last time we dined at BB, we had a crème brûlée with fresh berries and a raspberry sauce that was 60th Anniversary themed... delicious! You might be able to call Disney Dining to ask about their current desserts.

 

[MrJT]

I don't believe they have a regular dessert menu. It may be seasonal and changes every so often. They let you know what is being offered after your meal of when you are ready to order if dessert is just what you're there for. The last time we dined at BB, we had a crème brûlée with fresh berries and a raspberry sauce that was 60th Anniversary themed... delicious! You might be able to call Disney Dining to ask about their current desserts.

Thanks

 

[lindyv321]

I'm so glad I found this thread. We really want to do blue Bayou also but the food is not overly appealing for the little ones in our group. Our trip is planned for a slower time in the season so I am going to do a reservation for a lunch and just do dessert what a great idea!

 

[5forMickey]

Just a thought about little ones that are not "kids meal" age. When we went in November we did Fantasmic! dining at BB and our party included two girls who were 12 & 13. The mother asked if the girls could order "kid meals" and the waiter was very accommodating. He modified some requests for them and only charged the kids meal price. He also let them order dessert off the adult menu -- we had fantastic service. I suspect this is not the norm, and it may have been because we were a big party (16 total) but they could not have been better about it. As was mentioned above, we tipped well for this service and I realize they were under no obligation to do this and other's may have a different experience.

I would just ask that you remember that the wait staff is paid by tips. If all their tables are taken by guest only ordering "desserts" it makes for a tough financial day for them.

Also on this same trip (and the same girls), they did a shared meal at WCT. When the pasta came it was less than what the girls needed and they gladly ran back and got more for them. I didn't ask what they charged her, I'm not sure she cared because it was more about not wanting to waste. The only place we ever had issues was at Storyteller's......they were not flexible and after three tries this is a "NO" restaurant for us.

Have a great trip!

 

[lindyv321]

Even just doing dessert we would tip well just like I do at all restaurants

 

[Malcon10t]

Even just doing dessert we would tip well just like I do at all restaurants

We generally tip what I would have tipped for a meal, since we are taking a table away from a meal that would have afforded them this tip. But that is me.

We have also had excellent experiences at all Disney restaurants making special requests. This coming weekend, we plan to visit CCR simply to get the biscuits. It will probably be 100% tip since we will be taking time and space for this.

 

[Kiwigirls]

We did this on our trip as well, for the same reason. We did make a reservation, for about 3.30 pm so that it was toward the end of the lunch session and served as afternoon tea for us. My thinking was that that would be less disruptive to those who wanted a full meal. The wait staff were lovely and we did get a waterside table. (Checked in 15 mins early - shown to the table 20 mins later so only 5 mins after our booking time).

 

[Kiwigirls]

Oh, and the desserts were great! Kids had a cake thing, I had a chocolate mousse and my Mum had a lime pie. We ordered the drinks with the light up ice cubes too. It was fun!

 

[wench]

My son doesn't love the menu there either, but they always let him adjust the meal. They'll let him get the spaghetti without the sauce & just put shredded parmesan on it. That is one of his favorite meals, so it always makes him happy. And I have no doubt that if you asked for something different, but simple, they would make it. Something easy that you know they have the ingredients for like grilled cheese. They often allow menu changes & alternate options for those with special dietary needs, so I don't think it's that unusual for them to get a request for something a little different.