Getting a table on the water at Blue Bayou

[Duffy Lover]

I have made my reservations for BB and I have ordered my birthday cake so, the only variable left to making this a perfect birthday dinner is finding a way to get a table by the water.

So does anyone have any tips or tricks to getting of those coveted tables? I figured I could check in early and let the cm at the podium know that we would like a table by the water and that we are celebrating a birthday but...we could still get stuck at that horrible table next to the kitchen door that I hear so much about in bad reviews (it seems like 80 percent of people who leave a bad review include complaints about being seated at a table next to the kitchen door and that sitting there spoils the illusion and ruins their meal).

Would it help to tip the host/hostess? Is there anything one can do to up their chances of getting a good table, preferably one by the water?

Here's our recent BB waterside story... We arrived about 15 minutes before our reservation, asked about a waterside table and the CM checking us in went to find out how long our wait would be. She came back with a 15-30 minute wait (from that point) and I said we were more than willing to wait. So we got a beeper and wandered the stores in the area, saw the pirate band play and in about 20 minutes we were beeped back for our waterside table. We were a party of two adults and two children on a Tuesday evening in July.

No tipping involved, just a polite request with a willingness to wait. Here's our pictures:

 

[Sith]

I never have a problem getting a waterside table. I just check in with hostess a few minutes before reservation. I say that I would like a waterside table and that I totally understand if I have to wait a little longer. I have always been accommodated. I have waited an extra 5-25 minutes. They even give you one of those pager/ buzzer things, so you can browse the nearby shops while you wait.

Also, if people in the boats are waving at you, especially kids, wave back. They love it when the people at the restaurant actually wave back.

 

[GatorChris]

We had to wait about an extra 30 minutes for a lunch ADR to get a water table. That said, it was worth the wait. On my first trip to Blue Bayou back in 2006, we were seated 3 rows back from the water and close to the kitchen. We walked away saying we'd never do that again. Almost 10 years later we finally went back, but this time waited for water side. It sure did make a big difference. Although if we were sitting underneath the big tree and not on the water, it probably would've been fine. But the kitchen area is noisy and really kills the ambiance.

Same thing happened to us at WDW on our first trip. We went to San Angel Inn, which is a lot like Blue Bayou with a river ride running along the restaurant. We asked for a water view - instead we were seated by a wall next to the kitchen. 6 trips back to WDW, and we never returned. Totally ruined for us.

 

[Meldev]

Made a reservation for BB - have never been there, are tables for 6 near the water as well?

 

[bkoyle]

Last time I was there, I had the table one away from the the kitchen. I admit that it was a little distracting, but I enjoyed myself, and it was fun to be near the water.

 

[Number Six]

Made a reservation for BB - have never been there, are tables for 6 near the water as well?

There were tables at least that size (I think they were 8-tops) on either side of our 4-top 2 weeks ago, all next to the water.

 

[Meldev]

Does the BB close during Halloween Party nights? I'm having trouble finding reservations past 4:00 PM for those nights.

 

[mom2rtk]

Does the BB close during Halloween Party nights? I'm having trouble finding reservations past 4:00 PM for those nights.

They did a special event last year during the party. I imagine they are holding on final word on whether they will do something similar this year.

 

[Xenorye]

We had to wait about an extra 30 minutes for a lunch ADR to get a water table. That said, it was worth the wait. On my first trip to Blue Bayou back in 2006, we were seated 3 rows back from the water and close to the kitchen. We walked away saying we'd never do that again. Almost 10 years later we finally went back, but this time waited for water side. It sure did make a big difference. Although if we were sitting underneath the big tree and not on the water, it probably would've been fine. But the kitchen area is noisy and really kills the ambiance.

Agree wholeheartedly. I'd go so far as to say Blue Bayou is straight up not worth it unless you get a waterside (and that waterside is worth the wait) in my opinion.

 

[Kindermouse]

Does the BB close during Halloween Party nights? I'm having trouble finding reservations past 4:00 PM for those nights.

I had one for as late as 4:50 but I changed it out for lunch since I was thinking if you're the last table of the night or before a changeover to a special event they are less likely to say-sure if you can wait to be seated 25 minutes later we can get you a seat bu the water. if they have a hard closing time then you dont get to be choosy. but I want to be choosy so i'll have lunch instead! But I know that they are booking to at least 4:50

 

[Meldev]

They did a special event last year during the party. I imagine they are holding on final word on whether they will do something similar this year.

Ah, that makes sense.

 

[monorailrabbit]

Thanks for all the great info here! I will be sure to request one when we go now - we have an early dinner, and I have no problem waiting. Getting SO excited for this trip!

 

[Indiana Scott]

... We went to San Angel Inn, which is a lot like Blue Bayou with a river ride running along the restaurant. We asked for a water view - instead we were seated by a wall next to the kitchen. 6 trips back to WDW, and we never returned. Totally ruined for us.

They did the same thing to us! I had no reservation but the place was at least half empty. But because we didn't have a RSVP they sat us in the little corner with the walls around it so you cant see the water or anything else. It's like a mean sprited little pumishment for no RSVP!
We walked out and never went back.

 

[mom2rtk]

They did the same thing to us! I had no reservation but the place was at least half empty. But because we didn't have a RSVP they sat us in the little corner with the walls around it so you cant see the water or anything else. It's like a mean sprited little pumishment for no RSVP!
We walked out and never went back.

Did you ask if you could be moved to another table?

 

[GatorChris]

They did the same thing to us! I had no reservation but the place was at least half empty. But because we didn't have a RSVP they sat us in the little corner with the walls around it so you cant see the water or anything else. It's like a mean sprited little pumishment for no RSVP!
We walked out and never went back.

HA! That's exactly how it happened. This was back in 2002 before ADRs were the big thing. We walked up at about 11am, asked for a 12pm slot,then we shopped and rode the boat ride, came back and we were the only ones in the waiting area. They then seated the next 4 families that came in (probably had ressies already), and shoved us in the corner with half of the restaurant empty. Top it off with mexican food that can't touch what we have in CA and we never returned. If they had Yelp back then......

 

[Spyral]

Made a reservation for BB - have never been there, are tables for 6 near the water as well?

We're a family of 5 and have sat waterside. We do lunch/earliest reservation possible, and get there a bit prior and let them know.

 

[Nonsuch]

There are some SERIOUSLY bad tables now in BB. I'm not real picky, but it's an expensive restaurant and I just won't pay good money for some of those tables...

The tables near the restrooms should also be avoided. The light from the short hallway to the restrooms spoils the ambiance of the dark restaurant, and it is a high traffic area. At one time there was a wall (or folding/rolling screen) blocking the light, but NOW the light is certainly an issue.