Paint the Night Blue Bayou packages

[AZMermaid]

I'm in the same boat. DH wants to see the fireworks too... So that means we need Main St for the parade. But 5:30 is almost three hours before the parade. It probably is 3 hours before it gets there. No way can my 4 and 5 year olds handle that. I think they could do 90 minutes. Anyone know if 90 minutes is enough to get second row, the row behind the curb people, on Main St?

 

[wanderlust7]

Aaaaaahhhhh, I'm so confused! There is no way in heck my husband will agree to wait 2 hours for a parade but I want to see the fireworks too. We have a 5:00 PtN reservation at Blue Bayou but I primarily made it for ease of access to the parade. We usually avoid Louisiana type restaurants when we travel, especially those inside a theme park. I am extremely snobby when it comes to Cajun/Creole. Once you've had Mamaw's jambalaya or Aunt Sis' gumbo everything else is just a pale imitation. And the preparation doesn't sound right. I don't eat much red meat and $62 is a lot to pay for chicken or yet another theme park salmon dish. I eat so much salmon at WDW that I have no problem "swimming" upstream when fighting the crowds there. All that salmon has altered my DNA.

There's no second parade that night or I'd definitely plan to see it then.

What would you do in my situation? Is Blue Bayou really that good or would we be better off eating elsewhere and taking our chances with the parade?

Do you like lobster? I read somewhere that you can get surf and surf (instead of surf and turf) - 2 lobster tails instead of 1 lobster tail and steak.

Your comment about eating salmon is hilarious!

 

[TwoLittlePrincesses]

I'm bummed about the recent reviews regarding the new viewing location! We're going to DL for only two nights in July and I want to see the fireworks, Paint the Night and World of Color. I thought this package would make this a little easier without having to camp out for hours, but now I feel like I'm back to square one! Any recommendations?

 

[monorailrabbit]

I'm bummed about the recent reviews regarding the new viewing location! We're going to DL for only two nights in July and I want to see the fireworks, Paint the Night and World of Color. I thought this package would make this a little easier without having to camp out for hours, but now I feel like I'm back to square one! Any recommendations?

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm thinking about maybe trying to do fireworks and parade on sep. nights now, as I'm not thrilled about the new location and there is no way I can hang out on a curb for 3 hours. Maybe our plan will be fireworks the first night, parade the next.

 

[tlovesdis]

I found this on Facebook. It's from French Market and looks tasty but is NOT jambalaya. I don't care what the menu says. Still it does look good! Has anyone had the Blue Bayou version?

I've had both the FM version and the BB version and I don't like either one at all

 

[wanderlust7]

Here's a video my DH shot of the fireworks on Main Street in front of the Fortuosity Shop (the Carnation Cafe is next to it, closer to the castle). This is as close to the castle as I felt we could get after leaving the PTN/BB area (flag pole spot in front of the train station). It's possible to walk since the sidewalk is kept clear for traffic, but it just looked too crowded to find a spot for our family of 4 with a stroller.

This was spring break - April 3 (Sunday). Taken by my DH, probably above eye level and he's about 5' 7''. Hope this is helpful.

 

[AZMermaid]

You got almost to Carnation Cafe from the spot by the train station? Hmmmm.... that isn't bad at all.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm thinking about maybe trying to do fireworks and parade on sep. nights now, as I'm not thrilled about the new location and there is no way I can hang out on a curb for 3 hours. Maybe our plan will be fireworks the first night, parade the next.

Definitely do the fireworks first. They cancel fairly often for wind, and that leaves you with more chances left to try again.

 

[wanderlust7]

You got almost to Carnation Cafe from the spot by the train station? Hmmmm.... that isn't bad at all.

Yup, just edited my post to clarify that. We didn't hightail it out of there either. We hesitated as first because some people just stayed at the flag pole area on the side facing the castle. But once we decided to move, we did move reasonably fast. I didn't think the view was great, but I guess there are worse spots. We did get the projections, the inflatable, the "snow", and Tinker Bell and Nemo flying across but they were tiny.

 

[monorailrabbit]

Definitely do the fireworks first. They cancel fairly often for wind, and that leaves you with more chances left to try again.

Yes, I think I read that on here. I love all the info and advice! I just hope we can catch the fireworks that first night. I feel like I would be stressing the whole second day if we didn't! Stressing seems to be my favorite lately...

 

[sarahk0204]

Just made our Aladdin's reservation for Sunday, June 12. There are 2 PTN parades that day, and we wanted the earlier one, so the latest we could pick up dinner was 3:45. We were planning on an early lunch at Flo's that day, but maybe we will have to make it a late breakfast instead. DH thinks we could just take all of the dinners to the hotel and eat a little later. We are staying at VGC, but I still think that would be a pain. We are fine with the less desirable viewing area for fireworks. Not having to wait for eons is the most important.

 

[sarahk0204]

We usually avoid Louisiana type restaurants when we travel, especially those inside a theme park. I am extremely snobby when it comes to Cajun/Creole. Once you've had Mamaw's jambalaya or Aunt Sis' gumbo everything else is just a pale imitation.

DH is the same way about Italian food. I made the reservation for Mama Della's at Universal only after I checked with people to make sure it wasn't "Olive Garden" Italian.

 

[auteur55]

I just cancelled our Paint the night BB. Don't like the spot for the fireworks and don't want to be the last stop to see the parade. We are going to camp out early, or at least one us. Shame I know this is a parade package but they should know the fireworks are the main draw.

 

[lindyv321]

I'm really surprised they don't have a fireworks viewing location to go along with this. I was considering this package but with this new viewing location I think I'll stick by IASW for free....

 

[jsmla]

We've decided to keep ours and see the fireworks on a different night. I really want to see the projections on Main Street.

 

[ncgator]

There were definitely people who arrived after 7:45 who were still let in, but I am not sure what time (if ever) they stopped letting guests with the package tickets in. We arrived right at 7:45 and by the time we were let in, we were the second group sat in the second row (earlier people were sat on the curb in front). When everyone was in, you basically had: row 1 on the curb sitting all the way across, row 2 on the sidewalk sitting behind them all the way across, row 3 sitting on a few benches elevated behind row 2. There seemed to be plenty of space left in the roped off area and you could stand in the back if you wanted. Because everyone is sitting, it wasn't easy to make a quick move to Main Street for the fireworks (and unfortunately for us, they were cancelled last minute due to wind).

As for food, we thought BB was good, not great. Definitely don't plan on the type of Cajun/Creole food you'd get in New Orleans (my absolute favorite food city!).

 

[ElenaJane]

There were definitely people who arrived after 7:45 who were still let in, but I am not sure what time (if ever) they stopped letting guests with the package tickets in. We arrived right at 7:45 and by the time we were let in, we were the second group sat in the second row (earlier people were sat on the curb in front). When everyone was in, you basically had: row 1 on the curb sitting all the way across, row 2 on the sidewalk sitting behind them all the way across, row 3 sitting on a few benches elevated behind row 2. There seemed to be plenty of space left in the roped off area and you could stand in the back if you wanted. Because everyone is sitting, it wasn't easy to make a quick move to Main Street for the fireworks (and unfortunately for us, they were cancelled last minute due to wind).

As for food, we thought BB was good, not great. Definitely don't plan on the type of Cajun/Creole food you'd get in New Orleans (my absolute favorite food city!).

Thanks so much for this. It really helps me picture it! Sitting on a bench 3 rows back actually doesn't sound too bad!

 

[jpessa]

I did the package last night, thought I'd share my experience since I debated canceling and ultimately decided to go.

First off I loved my dinner. I had the salad as the appetizer (delicious) and the surf and turf as the entree (quite good, especially the filet - the lobster tail was over done) , with the meyer lemon creme brûlée tart for dessert (yummy, yummy, yummy). I drank mint juleps, which they kept refilling. Mmmmm. I was planning on eating at the Blue Bayou anyway, so it wasn't much more to do the package. Made sense.

My daughter had Mac and cheese, which she liked but cost me $25. Not worth it, but it is what it is. For the 2 of us after annual pass discount, tax and tip, I spent just over $100. It's pricey, no doubt about it.

I actually really enjoyed the viewing area. We got to sit, my daughter got curb and I got third row. I was surprised the ground was not cold. It was lovely being able to sit. The parade last night was at 8:45, and I got there at 8:25. They were letting people in until 8:45, then they pulled the ropes and it became (I think) open to all, but there was so much space it didn't matter.

If I wanted to see the parade without paying, I would do the second parade when possible. TONS of curb spots 5 minutes before by small world.

For the fireworks: we walked up main street on the walkway by the stores, and popped under the rope when I was happy with the spot. For right at the top of main street, near the crystal shop and could have kept going. No problem at all finding a spot. With all that, the fireworks were canceled. But I'm here for a week, so I'll see them another night.

Hope this helps someone! I would recommend the package if knowing all the above and the price still makes it worth it for you. It was nice, I'm glad I did it, but won't need to do it again. I'll eat at Blue Bayou again though. I liked the food and atmosphere enough to go again some day.

 

[Disney_Alli]

I did the package last night, thought I'd share my experience since I debated canceling and ultimately decided to go.

First off I loved my dinner. I had the salad as the appetizer (delicious) and the surf and turf as the entree (quite good, especially the filet - the lobster tail was over done) , with the meyer lemon creme brûlée tart for dessert (yummy, yummy, yummy). I drank mint juleps, which they kept refilling. Mmmmm. I was planning on eating at the Blue Bayou anyway, so it wasn't much more to do the package. Made sense.

My daughter had Mac and cheese, which she liked but cost me $25. Not worth it, but it is what it is. For the 2 of us after annual pass discount, tax and tip, I spent just over $100. It's pricey, no doubt about it.

I actually really enjoyed the viewing area. We got to sit, my daughter got curb and I got third row. I was surprised the ground was not cold. It was lovely being able to sit. The parade last night was at 8:45, and I got there at 8:25. They were letting people in until 8:45, then they pulled the ropes and it became (I think) open to all, but there was so much space it didn't matter.

If I wanted to see the parade without paying, I would do the second parade when possible. TONS of curb spots 5 minutes before by small world.

For the fireworks: we walked up main street on the walkway by the stores, and popped under the rope when I was happy with the spot. For right at the top of main street, near the crystal shop and could have kept going. No problem at all finding a spot. With all that, the fireworks were canceled. But I'm here for a week, so I'll see them another night.

Hope this helps someone! I would recommend the package if knowing all the above and the price still makes it worth it for you. It was nice, I'm glad I did it, but won't need to do it again. I'll eat at Blue Bayou again though. I liked the food and atmosphere enough to go again some day.

Thank you! After reading this I've decided that for just hubby and I with no mobility issues it'll be worth it as we should be able to move far enough up Main Street for the fireworks.

 

[jsmla]

I did the package last night, thought I'd share my experience since I debated canceling and ultimately decided to go.

First off I loved my dinner. I had the salad as the appetizer (delicious) and the surf and turf as the entree (quite good, especially the filet - the lobster tail was over done) , with the meyer lemon creme brûlée tart for dessert (yummy, yummy, yummy). I drank mint juleps, which they kept refilling. Mmmmm. I was planning on eating at the Blue Bayou anyway, so it wasn't much more to do the package. Made sense.

My daughter had Mac and cheese, which she liked but cost me $25. Not worth it, but it is what it is. For the 2 of us after annual pass discount, tax and tip, I spent just over $100. It's pricey, no doubt about it.

I actually really enjoyed the viewing area. We got to sit, my daughter got curb and I got third row. I was surprised the ground was not cold. It was lovely being able to sit. The parade last night was at 8:45, and I got there at 8:25. They were letting people in until 8:45, then they pulled the ropes and it became (I think) open to all, but there was so much space it didn't matter.

If I wanted to see the parade without paying, I would do the second parade when possible. TONS of curb spots 5 minutes before by small world.

For the fireworks: we walked up main street on the walkway by the stores, and popped under the rope when I was happy with the spot. For right at the top of main street, near the crystal shop and could have kept going. No problem at all finding a spot. With all that, the fireworks were canceled. But I'm here for a week, so I'll see them another night.

Hope this helps someone! I would recommend the package if knowing all the above and the price still makes it worth it for you. It was nice, I'm glad I did it, but won't need to do it again. I'll eat at Blue Bayou again though. I liked the food and atmosphere enough to go again some day.

Thank you for taking the time to go into detail, it was really helpful.