HOW child friendly IS Blue Bayou?

[mamaCta]

Our 3yo and 6yo can be rambunctious, and all bets are off about their ability to sit still after most of a day in the park. We do our best, but you know how kids are.

Are we going to get judgy eyes at us from the other patrons?

 

[Cinderpamela]

Well that depends I guess... if they are just hanging out looking around, then probably not, there are usually quite a few kids in there, but if their behavior is disturbing others who are trying to have a nice meal, then you might.

Are there items you can bring that will keep them occupied if they get restless, like phone electronic games, or a book to read? Our one DS loved to draw so we would always have a sketchpad and other assorted distractions on hand for those times when he was bored? That way you are prepared with a plan just in case.

 

[JennyN]

Maybe wait until the kids are a bit older. It would be terrible for your meal to be ruined because you were worrying about your kids being bored. Also its fairly dark in BB, so if your little one wanders you might have trouble seeing where he has gone to.

 

[mamaCta]

so if your little one wanders you might have trouble seeing where he has gone to.

I can guarantee they will not be allowed to wander. Leaving the chair means a threat of leaving the restaurant without eating.

I will play it by ear. Maybe what we need to do is more practice eating in restaurants.

 

[larina]

Maybe what we need to do is more practice eating in restaurants.

That's what we dis leading up to our Christmas Eve dinner at Napa Rose. My kids are not strangers to eating out, but we did some practicing anyways (was a good excuse).

 

[Mama Who]

Our 3yo and 6yo can be rambunctious, and all bets are off about their ability to sit still after most of a day in the park. We do our best, but you know how kids are.

Are we going to get judgy eyes at us from the other patrons?

Well... it's an expensive meal in a quiet, dimly lit atmosphere. On the one hand it's Disney and kids are expected. On the other I would really hesitate to take kids I would describe as "rambunctious" to eat there. Not fair to the other diners and not fair to the kids themselves. Most 3 year olds and many 6 year olds are simply not going to enjoy the experience.

There are a number of restaurants better suited to kids that age and personality. I'd stick to Goofy's Kitchen or even the wonderful buffet at Storyteller's until they age up a little and can appreciate the atmosphere at BB and be appreciated by their fellow diners.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

Assuming "rambunctious" does not mean "run around the table and through the restaurant screaming" you will have fun. It's not AT ALL snooty if that's what you're asking. No need for super quiet voices or to sit up straight as a poker. If you haven't gotten glared at at the Olive Garden you'll be fine. The servers use tray stands so it is pretty important that they stay at your table so as not to tip over a table's plates.

 

[Cinderpamela]

If you haven't gotten glared at at the Olive Garden you'll be fine.

Ha!! Love it!!

Assuming "rambunctious" does not mean "run around the table and through the restaurant screaming" you will have fun

I agree with alice... you know your kids best... I like the idea of doing some practice rounds to see if this might be something they are up for.
We have gone there with a 3 year old and it was fine, but every kiddo is different. If you don't enjoy the "practice rounds" you might want to skip it for a year or so. Or maybe just do a dessert reservation, where you will be able to enjoy it but it won't take too long??

 

[DarthMole]

While it's not on par with Napa Rose or the other high end places in the resort, it is still a quiet dimly lit space and people will not appreciate a bunch of horseplay or a loud child who can't sit through an hour long meal without causing a commotion. The atmosphere is not Olive Garden and the prices are 2-3 times Olive Garden so take that into consideration. We didn't take our kids when our youngest was 4 for a couple reasons but one was certainly the big unknown. Taking kids that age out to any meal can be an adventure. We did take them when the youngest was 6 and it was a good experience. Yes, kids are expected in all of these restaurants but if you think you'll have to constantly be on them to behave, then maybe another restaurant would make for a more enjoyable meal for everyone, most importantly you.

 

[Freesia123]

I've taken a three year old there with no problem. I wouldn't take my one a half year old there though because she gets antsy and has to move. A good compromise would be to take them for lunch instead if dinner. Same everything but they will be better rested, they'll get a break from the mid day heat and lunch is seen by most as more casual. You know your kids!

 

[mamaCta]

I appreciate all of your honest answers. I will take them into consideration in the coming months before our trip.

 

[TigerlilyAJ]

Taking kids that age out to any meal can be an adventure. We did take them when the youngest was 6 and it was a good experience. Yes, kids are expected in all of these restaurants but if you think you'll have to constantly be on them to behave, then maybe another restaurant would make for a more enjoyable meal for everyone, most importantly you.

I added the bold to this partial quote because I agree with this point wholeheartedly. Most people answer these questions, like if Napa Rose gets mentioned, with how terrible your kids might be for other patrons, but really, I think the primary sufferers of kids in a more rowdy mood are the parents who are doing everything they can to keep them under control while feeling so self-conscious and worried about other diners' thoughts, all while trying to enjoy their own equally pricey meal that they had equal hopes of enjoying in the lovely ambiance.
I would be cautious about listening to people who talk about taking any single child at a young age. I have three boys, and I could take any of them, even the 3yo, ALONE to any restaurant without anxiety. It's mixing two or more of them together that is the combustible element! I did not have that great a time at Cafe Orleans because the kids were not into it at all, and the two younger ones just did not eat. I'm glad we went overall because we got to try the Monte Cristo and the pommes frites, but I have no plans to return with kids to such a busy, crowded, pricey place with smallish tables. So I was glad we had nixed any ideas about Blue Bayou, which was an easy decision once I learned they no longer had the pirate-ship dessert.
But to contrast, all the princess visits and unending food deliveries in a big booth at Ariel's Grotto made for a fine meal with no problems. Also, all buffets (Minnie's Breakfast at the Plaza Inn, dinner at Goofy's Kitchen, Mickey's Surfs Up) were terrific experiences. I think it's having permission to get up that helps.

 

[beachdreamr1229]

If you do decide to go, do lunch instead of dinner. There will be more kids and fewer people looking to have a romantic or nicer meal. I personally would go with a character breakfast or something instead. I was a mature child and didn't really enjoy it until I was 10. It's a cool atmosphere, but not so cool for a kid who just wants to go go go. Service can be a bit slow, too.

 

[Rhonna]

If you do decide to go, do lunch instead of dinner.

Sorry, I don't agree with this. Lunch and dinner at BB have the same expectation of a nice dining experience. We always go at lunch because it suits our touring style better but we expect (and have always had) nice, quiet, peaceful meals at BB.

We've seen a few kids (not a lot) there every time but never experienced any of them leaving their table or being noisy/distracting. And to restate a pp - it would be a problem if any child wanted to run around since the tables are tight together and there are always food trays being set down in the aisles and being carried back and forth by the waiters and busboys in addition to hostesses seating people. Also, it's dark in there.

BB is NOT Olive Garden noise level.

 

[GrumpyGoofy]

Or maybe just do a dessert reservation, where you will be able to enjoy it but it won't take too long??

Not to hijack the thread, but what's a dessert reservation? Can they be made anytime? Any other detail I need to know to make one of these?

 

[Congo Queen]

When my kids were little and had a hard time sitting still for a lengthy meal, I found that Hungry Bear was an especially good restaurant to patronize. If you get a table right by the ROA your kids can eat, and then it's fine for them to wiggle out of their chairs and stand up at the rail and watch all the boats go by and the duckies, etc. Their fascination with the river traffic meant that I had extra time at the table to enjoy a nice sit-down and a diet soda. It's shady back there too. Just an alternative if you decide against BB.

 

[rentayenta]

I'd skip it OP, they may be too young. Hungry Bear is a great idea. Blue Bayou is expensive and rambunctious and expensive don't fit well together. And I agree, your experience is important too. I like to relax during meals not worry about the kids misbehaving or getting restless.



Having said that, my kids 16, 14, and 11 quite enjoyed our 3 hour dinner/experience last week. Even I didn't know they could behave for that that long. We gave them the option to leave early and they said: no way, we're not missing a minute of this.

 

[lana772]

I'm going to chime in here as a Mom who has been taking her daughters to nice restaurants their whole lives.
My biggest concern here would be if it is something so out of your own comfort zone you won't be able to enjoy it.
My girls have eaten at BB many times, but they are very well behaved and are use to fine dining, and we do not consider BB fine dining. It is pricey, but the atmosphere is quite relaxed.

Do what you will enjoy. If your children are not use to a "linen tablecloth" restaurant and you are going to stress about their behavior then choose one of the more rambunctious friendly places. BUT if you think this new experience would be good for them and you can relax enough to enjoy it then book an early lunch there. It all goes back to your personal comfort level.

Lana

 

[kevdo]

Concur with others that it's probably best to wait.

I love the atmosphere of Blue Bayou but honestly am not a fan of the menu (relative to the prices) so if it's worth anything skipping it for now might be a blessing in disguise.

 

[MillauFr]

I would take them. Blue Bayou is not a fancy or romantic spot. It is noisy with place with a ride running through it. I used to take my kids there but I got tired of the lousy food and we go to Napa Rose now.