Paint the Night Blue Bayou packages

[VTOWERS]

VToewers, did you have the same experience as a PP that non dining people entered the reserved area at parade time?

I get that at some point, it gets really difficult to keep people out and the CMs try their best.... But that's still pretty disappointing to hear.

We didn't have any noticeable trouble with non-dining folks trying to come in; the lead Cast Member at the rope opening was both a tall and burly guy and required FastPasses of everyone entering. (I believe there were one or two other CMs posted along the section directing people to the 'entrance' too.) He told us early on that even if we were leaving to go to the bathroom we needed to see him to get a FastPass beforehand so he would let us back in the section. What I did see was that between 7:30 (the posted fastpass time) and start of parade, there was a glut of dining people trying to get in the section and being dismayed that curb was gone, AND there were also several people behind the curb refusing to stand, or refusing to make their kids stands, which took up space and I think helped cause the back-up at the entrance. Also the area that was serving as the opening from the street wasn't available for seating until just before the parade reached us, since people were still entering there near the sign. CM made sure to have only kids in the dining section lined up to sit there as soon as the post and sign were removed.

 

[hanna-nana]

What I did see was that between 7:30 (the posted fastpass time) and start of parade, there was a glut of dining people trying to get in the section and being dismayed that curb was gone

And others are saying that those who were there early were asked to move. So confusing

 

[amazonfamily]

I've got 5 in my family including a 2 yo. Does he need a fast pass to join us in the reserved area if we buy the paint the night dining package?

 

[lucky1]

We had reservations for Saturday 2/27 at 6pm at the Blue Bayou PTN package. We were given tickets to the 8pm parade and not the 10pm parade, but we were okay with that. I have not done the Fantasmic Dinner packages before so nothing to compare it with. We have done the original Fantastic dessert buffet, when it was on the balcony above pirates and then when it was a seated area near the water with a boxed dessert package. Both seemed to be well managed and well done. I would say this is not as well done and probably needs to kinks worked out and also they are not prepared for the crowds that they are getting at DL.

We saw on Thursday that people were waiting next to the curb before they started taking the fastpasses with their foot on what seemed to be their spot. I assumed that is what people did to ensure that is how they got a curb location.

We arrived at 7:20 before and were told we could not stand next to the roped area, but they just said come back in 5 minutes, but they also would not tell us where to come back to. When we did come back we found CM and she said the waiting area was on place and another cm said the line is in another place. It was dark and lots of people were around so it was hard to see what they wanted us to do. Just not well managed with the crowd control. They started letting us enter at 7:26 and then they directed us where to sit. Those who enter first were told to sit on the curb at the far end of the roped in area (away from the castle) and did this until they had filled all the curb area. Then did the rows behind us. There was lots of space and they told us that we did not have to stand for the parade and everyone could remain seated, which everyone did, except in the very back (they felt that if they got down on the sidewalk, they would not be able to get back up). An older lady next to me was having a rough time sitting for so long on the concrete. I had to help her up after the parade so she was not trampled.

Was it worth it... Hard to say $62 for a meal and a space that was reserved that is all you got. We still had to be at the reserved space at least 35 minutes early to ensure a curb.

They did have the Hub area blocked off with chairs and I asked what group got those chairs and they mentioned it was for VIP guests of the company or Make a wish recipients. I wish they could put chairs up for Blue Bayou guests, but I would say they could not manage it once the crowds moved into the streets for the fireworks, they need the sidewalk space for movement.

 

[mrp4352]

I attended Friday night using the Blue Bayou package and have to agree with lucky1 - for a premium package, it was very unorganized and frustrating. I ended up leaning on a trashcan for the parade. I did appreciate how hard the cast members worked at making sure only dining package guests were in the area.

I enjoyed the parade, though - and went on line and booked the Aladdin's Oasis package for the next day. The space is much bigger and honestly, I thought it was a better viewing location for the parade. Next time - I'm going back to Aladdin's!

 

[lucky1]

I attended Friday night using the Blue Bayou package and have to agree with lucky1 - for a premium package, it was very unorganized and frustrating. I ended up leaning on a trashcan for the parade. I did appreciate how hard the cast members worked at making sure only dining package guests were in the area.

I enjoyed the parade, though - and went on line and booked the Aladdin's Oasis package for the next day. The space is much bigger and honestly, I thought it was a better viewing location for the parade. Next time - I'm going back to Aladdin's!

How was IASWAA viewing for fireworks? The picnic lunch from Aladdin's did seem quite tasty and would consider it..

 

[mrp4352]

I'm sorry, I had seen the fireworks the night before, so I didn't stay to see them this trip. We've watched from back in that area before - you can see all the high fireworks, but as I recall, Tink was harder to see and you don't get any of the laser and video effects that you can see on Main Street.

 

[row]

We had reservations for Friday, 3/4. I don't normally do dining packages, but since we planned to eat at Blue Bayou anyway, we decided to go for it. PTN was scheduled for 8:00 and 10:00 that evening. We got tickets for the 8:00 showing. The FP said to be at the reserved spot at 7:30. We got there a little early, and people were already sitting in the roped area. We sat as well. CMs kept coming by and stating that if we were waiting for PTN, we weren't allowed to stay there, and that there wasn't a designated waiting area. We couldn't even wait in the street, outside of the roped area. One CM basically said to walk up and down Main St, until 7:25, when they allow people to start lining up. They wouldn't give us any information on where the line would start or where the entrance would be. Come 7:25, everyone lined up where the lighted up sign was (closest spot to the castle), but the CM there directed us to the other end of the reserved area. At 7:30, they started letting people in, and directed us where to sit. They fill the curb first, starting from the far end of the reserved area, then going towards the castle. Then they fill in the rows behind. A few minutes before the parade starts, they instruct everyone but the curb to stand up.

 

[jsmla]

Due to mobility issues we will need to stand. Can you request this when they open the viewing area? How is the view from the back? We have a 6:00 ADR booked but I'm wondering now if it's worth it.

Thanks!

 

[meltom214]

We had reservations for Friday, 3/4. I don't normally do dining packages, but since we planned to eat at Blue Bayou anyway, we decided to go for it. PTN was scheduled for 8:00 and 10:00 that evening. We got tickets for the 8:00 showing. The FP said to be at the reserved spot at 7:30. We got there a little early, and people were already sitting in the roped area. We sat as well. CMs kept coming by and stating that if we were waiting for PTN, we weren't allowed to stay there, and that there wasn't a designated waiting area. We couldn't even wait in the street, outside of the roped area. One CM basically said to walk up and down Main St, until 7:25, when they allow people to start lining up. They wouldn't give us any information on where the line would start or where the entrance would be. Come 7:25, everyone lined up where the lighted up sign was (closest spot to the castle), but the CM there directed us to the other end of the reserved area. At 7:30, they started letting people in, and directed us where to sit. They fill the curb first, starting from the far end of the reserved area, then going towards the castle. Then they fill in the rows behind. A few minutes before the parade starts, they instruct everyone but the curb to stand up.

Reading all of this is giving me an ulcer!
Neither of us have been to Disney in nearly 10 years so we wanted to book these packages to have an enjoyable time. Sounds kind of stressful though! Nothing drives hubby as crazy as standing around trying to figure out what to do...

We chose one of the weekdays we'll be there to see in hopes that it'll be a little less crowded.

 

[WillowRain]

Hi everyone. I want to book a viewing package, but I am really torn. Looking at Youtube videos, I really feel like the BB package is WAY too far away from the Castle and I would be fighting after the parade to get close to see the fireworks. I have 3 kids, baby and a 4 and 5 year old. I want them to have the best experience, but I just don't want added stress of fighting my way through the crowd. From what I am gathering, the IASW area is better for viewing the parade and perhaps even the fireworks. Plus you know the 140 in savings, because man that's a lot of money to still be stressed out! We did Fantasmic dining on day 1 in 2014, and oh man was it unorganized. Worth it, but total chaos that day!

 

[wanderlust7]

Any more recent reports? We have a reservation for Sunday, I know it's going to be busy. Are CMs still not letting people in until 35 min before and are they still playing guess where the line starts? Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[mcm574]

Following for reports - we have the Blue Bayou package booked for 4/12.

 

[yupikgal]

I just booked us for the 4/10 BB pkg, but it's sooo late compared to when we would normally eat dinner (8:50p) which means we would have to do the late parade, what time are the fireworks? I'm thinking I may cancel if I don't hear better reviews about the location. Do we have to stand or do we get to sit?

 

[SpaceMtnGirl]

There was a really unfavorable review on the Blue Bayou package on Reddit.

Kinda nervous about keeping our reservation now.

 

[Nermel9]

There was a really unfavorable review on the Blue Bayou package on Reddit.

Kinda nervous about keeping our reservation now.

I think I saw the same review, the one about how they changed the viewing location and now it's awful? I'm really annoyed, they said in that thread that they were only testing it out this week but if they don't change it back in definitely going to cancel. The whole point of the package is to get a decent spot to see the parade and not have to wait.

Can anyone who has done the PTN/BB package in the last few days comment on this?

 

[AZMermaid]

I just read it too. We saw the parade from the train station area but facing Main St. (not with a package, we snagged the bench about two hours before hand). It was fine because we wanted a bench and to be near the exit. But, I would agree that facing the train station would be awful. You would be almost behind the parade coming towards you. And that it said they got there at the return time and were behind two rows of standers.... uh.... no thank you. I wonder if they moved it here because too many people complained about roping off on Main St and this is a less crowded area. Either way- it stinks. It is really far from the fireworks. I won't be keeping my reservation (that I haven't made yet, haha) if it stays here.

 

[mom2rtk]

I just read it too. We saw the parade from the train station area but facing Main St. (not with a package, we snagged the bench about two hours before hand). It was fine because we wanted a bench and to be near the exit. But, I would agree that facing the train station would be awful. You would be almost behind the parade coming towards you. And that it said they got there at the return time and were behind two rows of standers.... uh.... no thank you. I wonder if they moved it here because too many people complained about roping off on Main St and this is a less crowded area. Either way- it stinks. It is really far from the fireworks. I won't be keeping my reservation (that I haven't made yet, haha) if it stays here.

That really would stink and definitely not be worth a pricey BB package.

 

[wanderlust7]

Oh gosh, now I'm really nervous about it. Reservation is for tomorrow at 6 so too late to cancel I guess. I wonder if I can ask the CM at BB the location and if it's the new one if I can switch to the regular menu instead of the package.

 

[mom2rtk]

Oh gosh, now I'm really nervous about it. Reservation is for tomorrow at 6 so too late to cancel I guess. I wonder if I can ask the CM at BB the location and if it's the new one if I can switch to the regular menu instead of the package.

I hope you will report back.

And honestly, if you aren't happy with where the viewing area is, I would go to guest services and complain.

I'm sort of glad they are adjusting, but I wouldn't be happy with this either.

I don't see how they can continue to take up all the prime real estate on Main Street for PTN if they cut back to one showing per night. I don't think that will go well at all.