Paint the Night Blue Bayou packages

[texasgingerbread]

My husband and I did the Blue Bayou Paint the Night Package last friday (January 22nd 2016) and thought it was great. The set menu is 62$ (or 25$ for kids aged 3-9) and has a great selection to choose from (including entrées that are almost 50$ normally, making the package excellent value). The food was excellent and the service was friendly and fast. We have passes so got 10% off dinner which was a bonus. We arrived early for our reservation and requested a water-side table (definitely worth doing) for a nice atmospheric view of the Pirates ride. The viewing area for the Parade is curbside at Main Street by Carnation Café, it's nice to get a good spot without having to camp out mega early and waste valuable Disneyland time!! (it's not got seats, but there's nothing stopping you sit on the curb if you want to) We enjoyed it and would consider returning another time to do a Fantasmic dinner package instead

How early did you get to reserved seating area for curbside? I know it says 30 minutes but curious. I saw another review that said 1 hour to be safe?

 

[luulu1999]

How early did you get to reserved seating area for curbside? I know it says 30 minutes but curious. I saw another review that said 1 hour to be safe?

I haven't done this yet but I have seen several people just doing the 30 or even 20 mins and still able to get a curb!

 

[calilou]

We did the BB PTN package this past Friday. Dinner was very good!!!Our group ordered the Surf & Turf, Filet Mignon, and Portobello Mushroom. All were excellent and the mint juleps were very good too. The brought our viewing tickets when they brought the bill.

We got to Main St around 6:45? and milled around a bit until they let us into the preferred area which was at 7 pm. We sat there on the curb until the parade started at 8 pm (my feet were soooo tired!). The parade was awesome! Very fun and upbeat and colorful.

When the parade was over, everyone moved into the street to watch the fireworks. The fireworks show was amazing as expected but I almost felt that the projections were their "own show" and the fireworks were just an added bonus. We were able to see the projections on Main St buildings, however sometimes it was a little hard to see because the buildings weren't a true flat surface. It wasn't bad by any means, just had to adjust your eyes to figure out what the projection was or look for a flatter surface. I was looking towards the castle for the fireworks and turning to the side to see the projections, so it was a bit of back and forth but not in a bad way. We were not able to see the Matterhorn from where we were but we were able to see Tink fly at the castle!

On Saturday, we didn't do a dining package but ended up over at the tiered area by IASW to see the parade at 8 pm. I went and looked for the dining package area for Aladdin's Oasis guests and it was an area roped off closest to IASW (and close to the gate that the parade comes out of. It appeared to me that the rest of the tiered area going toward the Matterhorn was open to anyone who didn't have preferred viewing. We sat on the wall right in front of the railing and watched the parade again.

When the parade was over, we had to wait for it to get to the end of Main St before the fireworks started so we had like 20 minutes to kill. We moved over into the middle of the street closer to IASW and waited. There was plenty of room for people, lots of open space there. Fireworks started and were going off to the left of IASW and at castle. The projections were on the front of IASW and I felt that the projections were better there than on Main St. I kept looking back at Matterhorn because I thought I had heard there were projections on the mountain but I never did see any. Maybe they were on the other side that faced castle/Main St? And I also thought I had read something about Dumbo also flying around Matterhorn? Maybe I got that wrong. From that viewing spot, I was not able to see Tink fly either. I thought I would be able to as I could see the wires from the castle to the Matterhorn. Either way, the projections were great and easy to see so just be aware that each viewing area has pros & cons. I liked both areas very much so it would be hard to say which one was "best". lol

During the Nemo portion of the fireworks show the Matterhorn is incorporated (as a volcano) and there is a second fly-over character (I won't say who and ruin the surprise ). I don't believe there are projections on the Matterhorn through? Not that we've been able to see anyway. You can see the two fly-over characters from Main Street though it is difficult the further away from the castle you are (especially for children). Ideally, from the reserved BB area it is best to try to make your way up to the next "block" on MS, past Carnation Cafe and closer to Jolly Holiday for firework viewing. However, this may not be entirely do-able within the crowds and with a group of more than two or three.

How early did you get to reserved seating area for curbside? I know it says 30 minutes but curious. I saw another review that said 1 hour to be safe?

We did the package this last Saturday night which was considerably crowded. Parade started at 8:00, and we arrived at 7:35 (after waiting FOREVER in the Starbucks line). The curb seats were taken by this time for the most part. However, a large family of 4 were selfishly taking up enough room on the curb for 8 people. The CM asked them to move over so that my two young daughters could sit on the curb. They reluctantly did but still took up much more room than they needed. I stood behind my daughters. By about 7:45 most of the other standing room in the reserved section had been filled in, but it did not feel overly squished. There was elbow room and it was comfortable once the parade started.

Anyway, as for timing I think you are very likely to get a curb seat if you arrive 30-40 minutes early, even on a busy night. If you're able, check in a little early and get spots and then take turns using the restroom if needed (it's right behind you at Carnation Cafe) and/or send someone in to Starbucks for warm drinks. And of course the ice cream parlour is close by too!

 

[PSofiasMama]

Quick question - do the cancel the PTN parade for rain? If so, what will happen if you bought the package through BB? We leave in a few days and there is a 65% chance of rain that day.
Thanks.

 

[tlovesdis]

I think it is only cancelled if it's raining really bad. Here is what the website says under the PTN BB package information. Looks like if it's cancelled you do not get a refund of any kind...

Cancellations

• Paint the Night can be cancelled due to technical or weather issues without notice.
• No refunds or exchanges will be available, even if the show is cancelled.

 

[AussieNSW]

We had never been to BB and were very excited to do the PTN package at the BB. The only concern was my daughter is a very fussy eater and I was a bit concerned that she was not keen on anything on the adult menu. When we arrived at our table right by the water I asked the water could she get a children s meal even if we had to pay the adult price. He said no problem they will just up size it to an adults sized serving and that they do it all the time for people. The food, atmosphere and service was brilliant. On the night we went we arrived in the area about an hour before PTN and sat on the curb. There was also no problem with one of us going back and forward to get drinks and go to the restroom. They gave you a passout. The area was full and I loved every minute of it. When PTN was over they removed the rope and we just walked out onto main street.it was fantastic to be in a crowd that sung along to the music with the fireworks and it sent chills through me when standing in the middle of main street the whole crowd joined into sing Let It Go. For us the price of the package was worth it.

 

[luulu1999]

Quick question - do the cancel the PTN parade for rain? If so, what will happen if you bought the package through BB? We leave in a few days and there is a 65% chance of rain that day.
Thanks.

Is there a different day you could change your reservation to just to be safe?

 

[texasgingerbread]

Quick question - do the cancel the PTN parade for rain? If so, what will happen if you bought the package through BB? We leave in a few days and there is a 65% chance of rain that day.
Thanks.

I would wait and cancel the night before if needed. Book more than one and cancel what you don't need.

 

[PSofiasMama]

I think it is only cancelled if it's raining really bad. Here is what the website says under the PTN BB package information. Looks like if it's cancelled you do not get a refund of any kind...

Cancellations

• Paint the Night can be cancelled due to technical or weather issues without notice.
• No refunds or exchanges will be available, even if the show is cancelled.

Is there a different day you could change your reservation to just to be safe?

I would wait and cancel the night before if needed. Book more than one and cancel what you don't need.

Thanks for the info and thoughts. We will be there on Saturday 1/30 for 4 nights and as of now, there are no other reservations available. But it looks like the forecast has shifted a bit - 23% chance of rain on the night we have booked.

My plan is to check the weather the day before and then make a decision. Thanks again!

 

[firefly87]

Thanks for the info and thoughts. We will be there on Saturday 1/30 for 4 nights and as of now, there are no other reservations available. But it looks like the forecast has shifted a bit - 23% chance of rain on the night we have booked.

My plan is to check the weather the day before and then make a decision. Thanks again!

When I was there last weekend, there was rain scheduled for Saturday and the forecast changed from day to day and even hour to hour. Our rain forecast bounced around between 20% and 60% with even Saturday morning saying. 50%. It did start to rain for a few minutes later in the morning but then it stopped and that was it. So keep in mind that the rain forecast can vary greatly. Hope you stay dry and can enjoy the parade/fireworks!

 

[luulu1999]

Thanks for the info and thoughts. We will be there on Saturday 1/30 for 4 nights and as of now, there are no other reservations available. But it looks like the forecast has shifted a bit - 23% chance of rain on the night we have booked.

My plan is to check the weather the day before and then make a decision. Thanks again!

Also if you end up having to cancel you may could call to see if there is any availability sometimes when you call they find stuff that isn't online

 

[Jdhjph]

I just cancelled a 4:40 PTN package at Blue Bayou for 1/30 (6 ppl) if anyone needs one - sadly it will be too tight to get there from LAX for us.

 

[bumbershoot]

I asked the water could she get a children s meal even if we had to pay the adult price. He said no problem they will just up size it to an adults sized serving and that they do it all the time for people.

So glad I didn't know that ahead of time.

Because DS demolished his plate of "I don't like THAT kind of mushroom" portobellos because there was no other option for him. I rarely set things in stone like that for him (the 3 of us routinely have 3 different meals at home because my tastebuds aren't connected to theirs, and what appeals to me one night might not be appealing to them), but I did this time, because he and DH were the ones that wanted the PTN package, so by golly, the food was going to get eaten.

Also, the last time he had their mac and cheese it was atrocious. He couldn't even finish the kid's portion, let alone an adult's.

 

[corinne76]

So how hard is it to get a reservation? I tried searching on 3/28 (the last day that's open in the calendar) for a 5pm table for 4. it says there are no tables available?? Do I need to get on it at midnight or something?

 

[wanderlust7]

So how hard is it to get a reservation? I tried searching on 3/28 (the last day that's open in the calendar) for a 5pm table for 4. it says there are no tables available?? Do I need to get on it at midnight or something?

Looks like reservations are open only through 3/26 for both the BB and Aladdin packages. Weird that it's 2 days slower than everything else.

 

[corinne76]

Oh weird. I didn't think to check before that. Our first day in park is the 30th so I'm waiting for it to open.

 

[corinne76]

How early is early if you want to request a water-side table? Our reservation is Wed March 30 at 5:10 if that makes any difference

 

[Symon]

We had reservations for 5 people at 4:50 pm on Friday Jan 29th. We checked in about 4:40 pm and asked for a water-side table. They told us the wait would be 30-40 minutes, but we were seated at 4:57 pm (only 7 minutes past our original reservation time!)

 

[tkradtke]

I did the online chat with a CM the other day and was told that PTN packages are released later than regular dining reservations. She said around 6 weeks out. We'll be in the parks 3/28-3/31 and yesterday nothing was open online after 3/26, today it looks like that whole week is open. So I'm not really clear on how they are released. Regardless, I was able to get our first choice of times for Aladdin (3/28), BB (3/31) and a WOC (3/30) package. Not sure if we'll use them all, but I wanted to have them and will cancel if needed.

 

[pennym]

The Disney blog says it's outside the Fortuosity shop, there are 3 rows, the front row sits. There are not many of them available as it's a small area.