How is it ting at Blue Bayou if Pirates is Down?

[helenb]

We had an 11:30 am lunch reservation at BB last Friday. We got into the PotC line at 10:50 and were done with the ride about 11:15. We decided to just check into the BB then (since we were right there) and make a bathroom trip while we waited to be seated. Turns out they were already 'open' and ready to seat us ASAP! We got one of the last waterside tables, 15 minutes before official opening!

We looked at the menus and were waiting for the waitress to come take our orders when we noticed that the boats in front of us were empty and that the ride had stopped. While we ate we first heard announcements about the ride 'resuming shortly' but then it became clear that wasn't happening after a few of those. There was one boat of people in front of the shack with the man in the rocking chair on the porch, and suddenly a light came on and they were evacuated. The light then went off and it was clear that the ride would be shut down for a long time. I have no idea what the issue was. We were glad we had gotten onto the ride early, because it looked like it had broken down perhaps a minute or two after we had disembarked!

Anyhow, here's the relationship to this thread: we saw the ride when it was dark and not in use. The weirdest part was the still water. It was so still (and the lighting so dark) that it almost looked like it wasn't there. We were able to clearly see the rails that guide the boats. The 'atmosphere' was still there, as the lighting for the 'scenery' was present, and they still played the banjo music in the background, but it was a little eerie. Still, I don't think it took away from the atmosphere of eating at the restaurant.

Now if the full lights were on and the water was drained and they did not have the 'atmospheric' lighting or music, I think that would take away from it. But while the absence of people going by on boats was different, it still made for a nice meal experience given that 'the rest' was there.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

DL is usually very good about camouflaging construction and refurb work wherever it takes place. If the water is drained during the refurb, I would expect the BB to have some sort of foliage/curtain/decorative distraction in place to maintain a nice atmosphere for guests. The fact that the restaurant is supposed to remain open during the refurb (unusual, I think, since it usually is closed during refurbs) would indicate that Disney doesn't think the work will be disruptive in any way. Curious to hear how things go for the OP and others with reservations during that time.

 

[whoever]

They may have provisions for keeping the upper level full of water, but the lower levels drained.

 

[Cheshirecatty]

We had an 11:30 am lunch reservation at BB last Friday. We got into the PotC line at 10:50 and were done with the ride about 11:15. We decided to just check into the BB then (since we were right there) and make a bathroom trip while we waited to be seated. Turns out they were already 'open' and ready to seat us ASAP! We got one of the last waterside tables, 15 minutes before official opening!

We looked at the menus and were waiting for the waitress to come take our orders when we noticed that the boats in front of us were empty and that the ride had stopped. While we ate we first heard announcements about the ride 'resuming shortly' but then it became clear that wasn't happening after a few of those. There was one boat of people in front of the shack with the man in the rocking chair on the porch, and suddenly a light came on and they were evacuated. The light then went off and it was clear that the ride would be shut down for a long time. I have no idea what the issue was. We were glad we had gotten onto the ride early, because it looked like it had broken down perhaps a minute or two after we had disembarked!

Anyhow, here's the relationship to this thread: we saw the ride when it was dark and not in use. The weirdest part was the still water. It was so still (and the lighting so dark) that it almost looked like it wasn't there. We were able to clearly see the rails that guide the boats. The 'atmosphere' was still there, as the lighting for the 'scenery' was present, and they still played the banjo music in the background, but it was a little eerie. Still, I don't think it took away from the atmosphere of eating at the restaurant.

Now if the full lights were on and the water was drained and they did not have the 'atmospheric' lighting or music, I think that would take away from it. But while the absence of people going by on boats was different, it still made for a nice meal experience given that 'the rest' was there.

Thank you so much for reporting back your experience/impressions---very helpful!!!

 

[mystic95]

They may have provisions for keeping the upper level full of water, but the lower levels drained.

That's what I am really hoping is the case for our BB experience

 

[Elias1901]

We have a lunch reservation for Sunday, May 18th. I was a bit worried on how the atmosphere would be at the Blue Bayou while POTC was down. But at the same time, I couldn't pass up the chance to get as "close to riding" POTC as we could since it would be closed during our visit... and that, of course, would mean dining at the Blue Bayou. I was actually shocked that we managed to snag a reservation while they are working on the attraction. Keeping the restaurant open during POTC refurbs is just something they usually don't do. Disney must be only working down below in the show scenes, that'd be my guess.

That being said, how's lunch at the bayou? We've only ever done dinner and I was very dissapointed with the quality of the food on our past trip in February. I had ordered the surf and turf, the most expensive entree on the menu, and a lot of it was dry and kinda tasteless. I said I wouldn't be back for a while as I was not very impressed, but I still adore the atmopshere so much! I remembered that we could always skip getting our Monte Cristo Sandwiches at Cafe Orleans (since we've been there many times for them before) and instead get them at the Blue Bayou! So, we're going to do that instead. Hopefully, they don't mess up our Monte Cristo Sandwiches... but I assume it would be pretty hard to do that. At least we'll get some of that delicious gumbo they serve up at Blue Bayou as well. Well, that and seeing inside the attraction!

 

[Diznygrl]

I think it would lose its appeal if the ride wasn't operating.

Only if you're one of the few lucky people to actually be seated at one of the few tables on the water's edge.

But most people don't get to sit there anyway, and you can't even see the lagoon from a majority of the restaurant's tables, so whether the ride is operating or not really shouldn't affect most diners' experience. Unless they have work lights blazing and construction crews/noise happening while BB is open, but I hardly think that would be the case.

 

[helenb]

That being said, how's lunch at the bayou? We've only ever done dinner and I was very dissapointed with the quality of the food on our past trip in February. I had ordered the surf and turf, the most expensive entree on the menu, and a lot of it was dry and kinda tasteless. I said I wouldn't be back for a while as I was not very impressed, but I still adore the atmopshere so much! I remembered that we could always skip getting our Monte Cristo Sandwiches at Cafe Orleans (since we've been there many times for them before) and instead get them at the Blue Bayou! So, we're going to do that instead. Hopefully, they don't mess up our Monte Cristo Sandwiches... but I assume it would be pretty hard to do that. At least we'll get some of that delicious gumbo they serve up at Blue Bayou as well. Well, that and seeing inside the attraction!

We took a long time to go to Blue Bayou, because we love the monte cristos at Cafe Orleans, and didn't see a point in having them at BB when we couldn't order pommes frites with them!

That being said, the gumbo was terrific and a good starter (certainly made a nice change) and we did order the monte cristos at BB. They were exactly the same sandwich (no surprise, since they're made by the same kitchen) but the fruit on the plate was *much* better quality: a ton of berries. It wasn't just the tiny skewer you see in the pictures online, but there were so many berries on the plate as well. Also, it comes with 3 different sauces for dipping: a raspberry puree, a vanilla creme sauce, and a blackberry puree that is similar to the berry puree they give you at Cafe Orleans. We thought it was a very nice meal, with all of that included as well as the bread (that sweet potato bread is to die for).

 

[Dukland]

Yes!! Thank you!! There is a special place in you-know-where for people that use flash photography on POTC!

No doubt! The last time we rode POTC was almost 6 years ago. We are right behind a super obnoxious family that took numerous flash photos throughout the ride - to the point of other passengers yelling at them.

We went back a couple of hours later and the ride was down It was our last day so the trip filled with spots in our eyes and yelling passengers was our last ride through POTC for that trip. I was really bummed!

I would have thrown several rolls at that family!

 

[Jerry Horne]

No doubt! The last time we rode POTC was almost 6 years ago. We are right behind a super obnoxious family that took numerous flash photos throughout the ride - to the point of other passengers yelling at them.

We went back a couple of hours later and the ride was down It was our last day so the trip filled with spots in our eyes and yelling passengers was our last ride through POTC for that trip. I was really bummed!

I would have thrown several rolls at that family!

You really do wonder what goes through peoples minds. I mean here is this dark atmospheric ride, gee let's ruin it for everyone on the boat by starting a strobe light show with my camera despite the signs that say no flash photography and, very often, the ride operator telling people just before launch - "No Flash Photography".

Sigh. Oh well. It's a me me me society

 

[Gisele]

You really do wonder what goes through peoples minds. I mean here is this dark atmospheric ride, gee let's ruin it for everyone on the boat by starting a strobe light show with my camera despite the signs that say no flash photography and, very often, the ride operator telling people just before launch - "No Flash Photography".

Sigh. Oh well. It's a me me me society

Exactly!

My no flash photography thread would love to share your tale. It's on the Disney community board.

 

[whoever]

Using a flash on a ride should result in confiscation of camera (until end of day, you can pick it up at city hall). I paid some serious coin to be able to take pics in the dark, and if you aren't going to pony up, enjoy your blurry, grainy, out of focus images, without flash.

 

[Imagineer5]

I forgot to update until now - but about a week ago we ate lunch at the Blue Bayou while Pirates was closed. Ambiance was absolutely wonderful and we hardly noticed the lack of Pirates boats. I told my friend that it was actually nicer, bc last trip there was a lot of flash photography from riders which was really annoying during the meal.

It turned out to be one of the best meals of the trip!

 

[Carolynleanne]

I forgot to update until now - but about a week ago we ate lunch at the Blue Bayou while Pirates was closed. Ambiance was absolutely wonderful and we hardly noticed the lack of Pirates boats. I told my friend that it was actually nicer, bc last trip there was a lot of flash photography from riders which was really annoying during the meal.

It turned out to be one of the best meals of the trip!

Us too! Had dinner there just over a week ago and really enjoyed it. It was so peaceful looking out at the water WITHOUT the boats floating by

 

[jemmi]

We just ate there on Friday. It was our first trip to Disneyland and our first time at Blue Bayou. We enjoyed our meal and the atmosphere. All the sounds were working and the little lightening bugs were flying. We had a waterside table and there was water. You could see the boat track if you really looked. We really enjoyed our meal and our time at the restaurant. It was hot outside so being nice and cool was refreshing. I would keep your reservation, I don't think the ride being down had any impact on our meal.

 

[apicozzi]

I think the ride being down would actually make for a nicer atmosphere. You'll still have the views and the sounds, but as PP mentioned, no potential flashes or noises from passing boats. When we ate there last June someone on one of the boats actually threw a coin from the boat and it hit the table next to us. I guess they figured it was dark and they were moving so no one would see them do it.