PS Snafu for Birthday Lunch at BB - Advice Wanted

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Eating waterside at Blue Bayou for lunch is third on my list of what I most want to do on my birthday at DLR. With this in mind, I called Disney Dining when they first opened 60 days before my birthday. I got the first seating of the day (11:30AM) for our party of four and while I couldn't request a particlar table, the CM told me that since I was the very first person with PS for BB that day, as long as I got there 15 minutes early, I should be able to get a waterside table. Perfect, right?

Except that second on my list of what I most want to do that day is have my DMIL and DFIL watch our two girls in the evening so that DH and I can do the parks sans-kids that night. My parents were out of town and we thought my DH's mom and stepdad might be gone for a conference and just found out that the timing will be perfect and they are going to watch the kids that night!

BUT!!! They also want to join us at the parks that day. Since DMIL and DFIL are completely awesome, this is a good thing. And it makes possible my #2 most wanted "surprise" for my birthday. But it does possibly interfere with waterside lunch at the BB. Not the end-of-the-world! I'm very grateful for just being at DLR and having my in-laws come help with the girls! But, to keep a long story from getting longer, here are my questions (finally! ):

1. Should I keep the PS for a party of four at 11:30 and just let them know when we get there that we now have a party of six? If so, should we plan on getting there even earlier, say 11:00? Are they even open that early?

-or-​

2. Should we just try to make the next available PS for a party of 6 (we called this morning and the first available is at 11:50). That time probably wouldn't bode well for getting waterside seating, but, again, if we got there early 11:00-11:15 to check in for 11:50 would we have a good chance of getting one of the two waterside tables that seat six?

Thanks!!!
Stephanie

 

[jenpace]

Can you call back and just amend the original reservation to add the 2 extra people rather than making a whole new reservation?

 

[sonnyjane]

Can you call back and just amend the original reservation to add the 2 extra people rather than making a whole new reservation?

Yes, try this first. DEFINITELY don't do number one, lol. In another life I was the hostess at a very popular restaurant and showing up with more people than you have a reservation for is never a welcome surprise There is a magical orchestration involved in getting everyone seated in an acceptable amount of time.

 

[Disney Dreams]

There are no tables for 6 waterside at the Blue Bayou. By being a party of 6 you are seriously lowering your odds of getting waterside. In order for all 6 of you to eat waterside at the BB, you would need to wait for 2 four-tops near each other to open up and they would be made into a 6. This would complicate your waterside chances.

So....
You said you have a great relationship with your in-laws. Could you get a PS for 2 at the same time as your PS for 4 and request waterfront, then do a table of 4 and a table of 2 on the day of, explaining to your in-laws the entire waterfront situation? You and your hubby could sit waterfront for 2 and your in-laws could enjoy grand-kid time at the 4-top. You might get a 2 and a 4 waterfront, even if not near each other. Or, you might get lucky and get all of you together.

- Dreams

 

[DizMe]

We got a waterside table for 6, but we were initially told that it couldn't be done and then that would take a really long time. So, we said that's fine, we'll take "close." They put us at a big table near the wait station on the waterfall side (farthest to the right as you walk into the restaurant), and we were waterside! I don't know if it technically qualifies as it was a little obstructed but not much. We only waited about 10 minutes.

But anyway, DisneyDreams is right about there not being many options for waterside with a larger party. We got lucky, I guess. I like her suggestion about splitting into 2 parties, but here's another suggestion. How about having lunch together somewhere else and then you and dh can go back to BB for dessert that night? It's pretty easy to get a waterside table for 2. We love to eat somewhere else for dinner and go to BB kind of late for dessert.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Thanks so much for chiming in, Everyone! I'm going to let the excellent suggestions percolate through my brain for the evening and try to decide how to best proceed. I had not realized there were no tables for six by the water. Bummer! I really thought I remember reading that there were two tables for six by the water. Might have to search HydroGuy's posts...I think it was his family that I remember sitting at one.

I do think my in-laws would happily let DH and I have lunch at a table with just the two of us, but lunch was going to be the only meal we had as a family that day, so I'm not sure I want to miss sitting down with the DDs during lunchtime. But, it's a definite thought! I also like the idea of coming back for dessert, though I would surely miss splitting that Monte Cristo for lunch on my BDay! On the otherhand, maybe we'll just go for a random ol' table of six and ask for as close to the water as possible. Maybe we would luck out like Diz Me!

Loved the suggestions and help everyone! Thanks again. Knew I could count on all of you.

 

[DizMe]

Thanks so much for chiming in, Everyone! I'm going to let the excellent suggestions percolate through my brain for the evening and try to decide how to best proceed. I had not realized there were no tables for six by the water. Bummer! I really thought I remember reading that there were two tables for six by the water. Might have to search HydroGuy's posts...I think it was his family that I remember sitting at one.

I do think my in-laws would happily let DH and I have lunch at a table with just the two of us, but lunch was going to be the only meal we had as a family that day, so I'm not sure I want to miss sitting down with the DDs during lunchtime. But, it's a definite thought! I also like the idea of coming back for dessert, though I would surely miss splitting that Monte Cristo for lunch on my BDay! On the otherhand, maybe we'll just go for a random ol' table of six and ask for as close to the water as possible. Maybe we would luck out like Diz Me!

Loved the suggestions and help everyone! Thanks again. Knew I could count on all of you.

Hey, you could have lunch at Cafe Orleans (or is it French Market? The sit-down one across the alley from BB) and still get the Monte Cristo

 

[ballarinamom]

We were a party of 4 and they put us the 6 top off to the right of the fence by the water

 

[Lostgirlz]

I just wanted to jump in, and give a heads up on the Blue Bayou. I went in March for a week with DH, and they had it then, but went at the very end of July again to the BB, but this time I brought my Cousin in law, and her DBF after saying how great it is, and how the Cookie boat is AWESOME. Well we did dinner, and then I said we will have the cookie boat for dessert. Well when the waiter brought it out there NO SAILS!!!! NOTHING just a badly boat shaped cookie. After appologizing to my family, and feeling embarassed I asked the waiter why this was not what I had back in March with the complete ship. He said he told the chef that it did not look good, well no it seriously did not look right, or good. He said they ran out of the sails, and were waiting for more, so he gave her the Tortuga chest to bring home. I went back at the end of October I had dinner there. I looked forward to the boat, or the brulee, and was told they no longer had those desserts. What they offered was some sort of brownie type chocolate cake, a plain vanilla brulee, and something that was served in a Halloween mickey pumpkin mug. I asked if it was coming back, and he said if they can get sails and all made, so obviously they have no one to make the parts. I was bummed I tried the Vanilla brulee, it was ok but not like the others. They may have another special demitese dessert in a christmas mug during christmas season. I will be looking for all the Christmas treats they only have during this season, but just wanted to heads up anyone who maybe going for those desserts they are no longer offered, or on the menu.

 

[sonnyjane]

just wanted to heads up anyone who maybe going for those desserts they are no longer offered, or on the menu.

Thank you for that warning! I remember reading on here that they no longer had the sails, and they were just bringing out the cookie-shaped "boat", but it's very interesting to see that they've taken it off the menu altogether. Luckily there are plenty of spots in the park for me to find sweet treats afterward!

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Can you call back and just amend the original reservation to add the 2 extra people rather than making a whole new reservation?

Yes, try this first.

Just realized I never addressed your very sensible suggestions! When we called this morning, the earliest time they had available for a party of 6 was 11:50. This is currently what I'm leaning towards and will probably call in the morning. The reason I didn't jump on the time when we called this AM was because I thought the BB had two tables waterside that seat six and I knew they would both be taken by people with an 11:30 PS with a party of six. Now that I know tables of six aren't likely to be available waterside, I'm not concerned about the time as much. After all, it's still the Blue Bayou!

 

[Disney Dreams]

There are no tables for 6 waterside at the Blue Bayou. ...

...I had not realized there were no tables for six by the water. Bummer! I really thought I remember reading that there were two tables for six by the water. Might have to search HydroGuy's posts....

... Now that I know tables of six aren't likely to be available waterside, I'm not concerned about the time as much. After all, it's still the Blue Bayou!

I was fairly certain there were no tables for greater than 4 waterside from our numerous visits to the BB. I read HydroGuy's comment about sitting 6 waterside and was puzzled by my memory vs. his comment.

So, today, I picked up the phone and called Disney Dining for you. I asked very specifically, "I am making plans for an upcoming trip with no specific date yet. I was just wondering, can I sit with a party of 6 waterside? I thought I heard they are all tables for 4 or less."

She asked me to hold while she looked up what information they had available. She then told me there are not any actual 6 tops waterside; however, if it is do-able, they will push together 2 4-tops and create a 6. She continued to explain that for obvious logistics reasons, this could cause quite a wait, if they could do it at all based on others dining there, PS's, etc....

Then I posted my above reply to your question.

Just wanted to help provide information for your decision-making. I can't tell you about dining with my kids at 1 meal of the day as I am not a mom. I can tell you, waterside at the Blue Bayou is a very nice, unique experience.

HTH,
Dreams

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

I was fairly certain there were no tables for greater than 4 waterside from our numerous visits to the BB. I read HydroGuy's comment about sitting 6 waterside and was puzzled by my memory vs. his comment.

So, today, I picked up the phone and called Disney Dining for you. I asked very specifically, "I am making plans for an upcoming trip with no specific date yet. I was just wondering, can I sit with a party of 6 waterside? I thought I heard they are all tables for 4 or less."

She asked me to hold while she looked up what information they had available. She then told me there are not any actual 6 tops waterside; however, if it is do-able, they will push together 2 4-tops and create a 6. She continued to explain that for obvious logistics reasons, this could cause quite a wait, if they could do it at all based on others dining there, PS's, etc....

Then I posted my above reply to your question.

Just wanted to help provide information for your decision-making. I can't tell you about dining with my kids at 1 meal of the day as I am not a mom. I can tell you, waterside at the Blue Bayou is a very nice, unique experience.

HTH,
Dreams

Wow, that was above and beyond! Thank you for the information and your thoroughness in getting me the absolutely most current and correct information!

I'm still torn...I may just toss this one to my DH and let him make the decision! That way I can stop stressing and feeling guilty for wanting to do something selfish...namely, send my in-laws and daughters to fend for themselves while DH and I luxuriate at the waterside of POTC's BB! That's what I WANT to do, but haven't managed to talk myself into asking for it yet.

 

[wvnative]

I agree with the person who said go to Cafe Orleans for your Monte Cristo. Since the grandparents will have the kids for dinner, why not do a special waterside dinner just the two of you instead. That way, you can all have lunch together without issue, and you can still get to dine waterside.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I second (or third) the Cafe Orleans idea. The food there if fantastic & you can still get the Monte Cristo, plus they have the Pomme Fritas (garlic fries) & the Mickey shaped beignets!! We had our anniversary lunch there & can't wait to make a trip back to DL to do it again.

We loved our dinner at the Blue Bayou, but found the food just as good (or even a tad better) at Cafe Orleans. The price was also much kinder on the wallet here.

The wait staff was very nice & we got a anniversary card signed by the staff plus a plate with 2 Mickey beignets interlocked together (for free!!).

Plus....at Cafe Orleans you can see the menu, people & food.....lol

 

[blackjackdelta]

Just realized I never addressed your very sensible suggestions! When we called this morning, the earliest time they had available for a party of 6 was 11:50. This is currently what I'm leaning towards and will probably call in the morning. The reason I didn't jump on the time when we called this AM was because I thought the BB had two tables waterside that seat six and I knew they would both be taken by people with an 11:30 PS with a party of six. Now that I know tables of six aren't likely to be available waterside, I'm not concerned about the time as much. After all, it's still the Blue Bayou!

The two tables for 6 were there mid August when we went twice on different days and got waterside both times.

Jack

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

The two tables for 6 were there mid August when we went twice on different days and got waterside both times.

Jack

Jack, you're awesome! I'm going to try for it. Worse case scenario, we won't get waterside!

I do like Cafe Orleans and I'm certain they make a mean Monte Cristo as well. I just really, really like BB! DH and I went there for the first time in high school (when DH was DB!) and we've made it a point to try to eat there ever since. We don't always have a chance, especially if it's a day trip, but we do try! I really gave serious thought to doing the dessert course only and we might make a back up PS for just the two of us that evening! I really appreciate the input from everyone. You guys are just the best!

 

[Disney Dreams]

Jack, you're awesome! I'm going to try for it. Worse case scenario, we won't get waterside!... I really appreciate the input from everyone. You guys are just the best!

Good luck. You'll have to let us know what happens.

Turns out we are going to DL this weekend with people who have not been in 15 years. We thought it would be fun to take them to the Blue Bayou if we could get a late-minute PS. So, I called today and booked a time (YAY!). While on the phone, I asked again about the 6-tops waterside and was told there are none, unless they can push together some nearby tables to create one.

In any case, sounds like you are banking on Jack's experience and I hope it works out perfectly for you and your family. Waterside at the Blue Bayou is a unique experience. Enjoy and let us know how it goes.

Happy Early Anniversary,
Dreams

 

[DizMe]

Well, I'll check it out too. I have reservations this Friday at BB for 4, but I'll look and see what they have for 6. I got the earliest dinner reservation hoping to make it easier to get waterside seating.

 

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Well, I'll check it out too. I have reservations this Friday at BB for 4, but I'll look and see what they have for 6. I got the earliest dinner reservation hoping to make it easier to get waterside seating.

Thanks! I'll appreciate any information you can pass on!