Lets talk Todd English's Bluezoo

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

It is the one signature in WDW I am clueless about. I've checked the menu and think we'd really enjoy it. More curious about the noise level/ambiance. We have a really well behaved 3yo when it comes to restaurants, but is this a place you are less likely to encounter kids. Any experiences with this restaurant?

 

[auntfrannie]

I had an early dinner there last year, around 5:30. When I arrived the place was pretty empty. I think there was one family that had a small child. I didn't notice any noise but it probably helped that because it was pretty empty they weren't seating people too close to each other.

As it got later the restaurant did start to fill up with business people attending conferences. Given how loud those can be, I can't see your well-behaved 3 year old being an issue!

Go and have a good time!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Blue Zoo: (*rev 3/26/2013*)
. . . food price value: B
. . . food quality: B
. . . food quantity per serving: B
. . . food prep speed: B
. . . food selection: C
. . . seating quantity: B
. . . seating comfort: B
. . . eatery atmosphere: B
. . . eatery convenience: C
. . . staff friendliness: B
. . . staff attentiveness: C
. . . character interaction: n/a

Our Recommendations:
. . . appys:... Shellfish Platter
. . . entree:.. Ahi Tuna, Beef Tenderloin
. . . dessert:. Chocolate Melange

NOTE: Todd English Blue Zoo has an excellent reputation. The food quality at WDW is in
line with his other eateries. It arguably has the best seafood on WDW property. I
would have expected excellent and superb service, but was not up to that standard.
Go for the food, but do not get upset if service is spotty. High-Note: the bartenders at
Blue Zoo are top notch! A great place for unusually, but great, drinks and cocktails. An
added plus is that the pastry chef is award winning - my DD#1 worked under him during
her WDW culinary internship, as well as at GF Bakery, and he really is fabulous. Not on
Dining Plan (DDP).

 

[Sweet Melissa]

We love Bluezoo. So much, in fact, that we had our wedding reception there. The food is innovative and expertly prepared, and the cocktails are the best on property. The atmosphere is nice. It's not a particularly loud restaurant, but the main dining room is wide open, so there's lots of action going on all around you. I have honestly never noticed any children in there, but the key word is "noticed." Like any other signature restaurant, well-behaved children are fine.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Agree with the others--Blue Zoo is an excellent restaurant. We eat there each and every trip.

Because its in a convention hotel and sort of "non Disney" there are few kids compared to other WDW spots.

But a well behaved 3 year old will be just fine!!

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Agree with the others--Blue Zoo is an excellent restaurant. We eat there each and every trip.

Because its in a convention hotel and sort of "non Disney" there are few kids compared to other WDW spots.

But a well behaved 3 year old will be just fine!!

Great, didn't realize it was mainly a convention clientele. That's actually good as with a 3yo, we're likely to be in and out before the crowds get too large.

We love Bluezoo. So much, in fact, that we had our wedding reception there. The food is innovative and expertly prepared, and the cocktails are the best on property. The atmosphere is nice. It's not a particularly loud restaurant, but the main dining room is wide open, so there's lots of action going on all around you. I have honestly never noticed any children in there, but the key word is "noticed." Like any other signature restaurant, well-behaved children are fine.

A wedding reception stamp of approval is probably the most ringing endorsement to any restaurant. Great stuff!

I had an early dinner there last year, around 5:30. When I arrived the place was pretty empty. I think there was one family that had a small child. I didn't notice any noise but it probably helped that because it was pretty empty they weren't seating people too close to each other.

As it got later the restaurant did start to fill up with business people attending conferences. Given how loud those can be, I can't see your well-behaved 3 year old being an issue!

Go and have a good time!

Thanks Frannie. That's about the exact time we'll be going, and it's during a low crowd calendar time, so we'll be giving it a shot!



Also Scupper, just a word of thanks for your knowledge and reviews on all the restaurant threads. Invaluable resource and you have helped me make some tough "This or That" calls. Great stuff!

 

[JZCubed]

It is the one signature in WDW I am clueless about. I've checked the menu and think we'd really enjoy it. More curious about the noise level/ambiance. We have a really well behaved 3yo when it comes to restaurants, but is this a place you are less likely to encounter kids. Any experiences with this restaurant?

We eat here as often as we go to Disney. We may eat here twice if staying on Boardwalk or at Swan (I use affinity program points from Starwood hotels).

If you happen to arrive after 6pm and just stuck your head inside, you would think the place is very loud. But that is just the bar. Past the bar is a cold seafood station and the 'Teppanyaki' grill where they cook whole fish.....and then the dining room.

http://www.swandolphinrestaurants.com/bluezoo/index.html

The attached link includes five photos, one is the bar that I mentioned, the other is the dining room. Spacious seating and reasonably elegant. But don't let that stop you from being 'casual' coming from the Parks. Personally, I always wear a collared shirt and my wife puts on a dress or skirt, but there is no dress code.

Service is knowledgable and very professional. The best bread basket at Disney comes 'free' with Fennel Butter. And unlike Disney-proper establishments, your young children (over age 4) can go to the nearby Camp Dolphin for free if you purchase an entree.

Of course, the seafood-centric menu is beyond compare at Disney with more choices than Flying Fish or any other place. And if you like a whole 'Simply Fish' (deboned table-side if you like), there will be more than one choice; no other place at Disney serves whole fish since removed from menu at Narcoossee's and with pending closure of Kouzinna. Some of the preparations are 'over-the-top like the two appetizers served with ice cream (I did not care for either), the smoking 'nitro' tuna tartare, and the outstanding cocktails.

Other than Victoria & Albert, BlueZoo is our favorite spot at Disney. Frankly, nothing else compares.

 

[L&Lfan]

We will be first timers there next month! Can't wait to try that shellfish platter!

 

[Couchy]

This is my favorite restaurant. The food is excellent and we have never had an issue with service. Love this place

 

[Uncleromulus]

Let me recommend an appetizer--scallops served over braised short ribs.

Absolutely the best appetizer from any restaurant at WDW!!

 

[leebee]

What about the non-seafood eater? DH and I would love to try bluezoo but DD20 doesn't care for fish or shellfish. Are non-seafood options available, and are they well-prepared?

 

[chalee94]

What about the non-seafood eater? DH and I would love to try bluezoo but DD20 doesn't care for fish or shellfish. Are non-seafood options available, and are they well-prepared?

yes, of course. here is a recent menu:

http://allears.net/dining/menu/todd-english-bluezoo/dinner

bluezoo is focused on seafood, but i'm sure the other options are good as well. some reviews are here:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g34515-d911448-Reviews-Todd_English_s_Blue_Zoo-Orlando_Florida.html

 

[MartDM]

One of the best dining experiences on WDW property IMO. With an early reservation, you'll be fine with kids and the noise level will be low. We've gone with DS and, although he is very well mannered in restaurants, we know some like to preserve a more adult experience during the later hours so we typically try to get a reservation for shortly after dinner service starts so we're not infringing on those that want an adult atmosphere.

 

[BuzzinDownToDisney]

Wow thanks for all the replies, think I have a new "Must try" on my WDW bucket list!

 

[Marthasor]

We have taken DS here twice. Once when he was 3 and once when he was 5. We always got there right around opening and were usually the only people in the dining room at that time! They are very welcoming to children and the food is fantastic. DS also loved the waterfall in the entrance and the pyramid of hand towels in the bathroom I wouldn't hesitate to bring a 3-year old there.

 

[Shell54]

Don't know if they are still on the menu, but we always went there for the awesome crab nachos. They were available as an appetizer in the bar area and are not to be missed! We love Blue Zoo