When To Visit Blue Bayou?

[Nosepass]

In the interest of waterside seating, when would you recommend getting to the Blue Bayou? Is the wait known to be shorter if you get there as it opens or during off-peak hours or something?

 

[Rainforest_Elf]

I've asked for a waterside table the last two trips, and my request was granted, but both times I had to wait 15-20 minutes on top of my priority seating (glad to do it, the waterside table is well worth it). Both times were for dinner reservations.

I hear that lunch is less crowded, but I think in general, you should add 20 (or more) minutes to your plan if that's what you're asking for, and plan on waiting.

 

[Midnightred]

I made reservations for 4:30 for a waterside table and we were seated within 5 to 7 min or so. It's not like you are actually eating your food at 4:30, because it takes time to look over the menu and for your food to come. It may be that you are eating at a more crowded time in the parks, which is good. Later people may leave or watch the shows.

Midnightred

 

[figment_jii]

I usually make a reservation for when the Blue Bayou opens (11:30 am) and have been pretty successful in getting a waterside table. It's worth noting that if your party is very large, they do not have waterside tables. (I can't remember if the size limit is 6 or 8, but it's something to consider if you're a large group.)

When I chatted with the CM at check-in, she mentioned that they seat all of the opening ADRs at waterside tables (as long as it's possible); which fits with my experiences. So if you have an ADR for 11:45 or noon, there is a good chance that when they say the wait will be 45 minutes, it will be. You have to wait for the folks that had the 11:30 am ADRs to finish dining before a waterside table opens up.

 

[zanzibar138]

On our last trip we booked the first seating of the day at 11:30am, and were shown immediately to a waterfront table (there were 2 of us). We're doing this again for our next trip (this time with 4), and hoping it will be the same

 

[HydroGuy]

I usually make a reservation for when the Blue Bayou opens (11:30 am) and have been pretty successful in getting a waterside table. It's worth noting that if your party is very large, they do not have waterside tables. (I can't remember if the size limit is 6 or 8, but it's something to consider if you're a large group.)

I do the same. 11:30AM. You cannot request waterside when you make the res. You need to show up with your whole party at 11:10-11:15 for check-in and request it then.

There are two waterside tables that can handle 6. None that can handle over 6 if I am not mistaken. See I usually am there with a group of 5-6 we are shooting for one of those two tables. And we usually are able to get one.

 

[Rainforest_Elf]

You cannot request waterside when you make the res.

Has that changed recently? When I went in 2008 and 2012, I made a waterside table request over the phone and it was granted both times.

 

[HydroGuy]

Has that changed recently? When I went in 2008 and 2012, I made a waterside table request over the phone and it was granted both times.

It has.

 

[amylew]

We try and make reservations for 2pm and request a water side table at check in, usually it's a 10 or 15 minute wait.

 

[Nosepass]

So the optimal time is either precisely when it opens or a significant amount of time after it opens, that makes sense. Thank you everyone!

 

[sleepymouse]

If you would really prefer to do dinner, is a 4:30 reservation ideal? Would 5:00 be too late to get a waterside table for 4 with a short wait?

Also, I assume it is fairly easy to speak with the chef about preparing something vegetarian (other than the portobello).

 

[figment_jii]

If you would really prefer to do dinner, is a 4:30 reservation ideal? Would 5:00 be too late to get a waterside table for 4 with a short wait?

I don't know that it necessarily matters. For example, today lunch service ends at 3:55 pm and dinner service starts at 4:00 pm. So there isn't going to be any gaps in the seating that would make a fair number of waterside tables open. Pretty much the only time when you can get a waterside table with little to no additional wait is at opening.

 

[dsnyfamily4]

We ate there last week and we were also unable to reserve a waterside table over the phone. We tried going early in the day for our reservation and asked then but that we're told to come closer to our reservation time. Which was ok, so we came around 6:45 for our 7:10, requested waterside seating, and we were sat around 7:15. I had the surf and turf with gumbo. Best meal I've had this trip do far. : D

 

[Nosepass]

Also, I assume it is fairly easy to speak with the chef about preparing something vegetarian (other than the portobello).

When some of my parties asked they got pasta, which didn't have much going for it at all.

 

[stiqi]

How long of a dining duration for a lunch reservation for 11:30 on a Sunday? I'm planning to make an appointment to the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique after lunch, but was wondering if 2:30 was cutting it close or enough time. TIA!

 

[figment_jii]

How long of a dining duration for a lunch reservation for 11:30 on a Sunday? I'm planning to make an appointment to the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique after lunch, but was wondering if 2:30 was cutting it close or enough time. TIA!

Assuming you make a reservation for 11:30 am, the wait to be seated should be pretty minimal because they open at 11:30 am. I would guess between 5 and 10 minutes because they do take in parties one at a time. After that, I'd allow about an hour for the meal. Most of my lunches took between 60 and 75 minutes. So I think you could probably make a 2:30 pm BBB reservation (that's three hours).

 

[karmacats]

Just a thanks to everyone for the info on this thread. We had a noon reservation at Blue Bayou for our Sept/Oct trip but i was able to call and change it to 11:30 in the hopes that we can get a waterside table, or at least one close by. It's our first trip to DL and I'm dragging poor DH, so I figure I can at least give him a good view.

We're WDW vets so it's a little weird trying to plan a trip and knowing absolutely nothing, but threads like this are really really appreciated.

 

[LostGen]

I think the most important thing about dining at the Blue Bayou is to go during daylight hours because then it's so much more magical when you walk into the nighttime.

 

[zanzibar138]

I think the most important thing about dining at the Blue Bayou is to go during daylight hours because then it's so much more magical when you walk into the nighttime.

That's definitely one reason I enjoy going for lunch

 

[KOUKLI]

This will be my third DLR trip and I am yet to eat at the Blue Bayou. I'm hoping I can make it happen this time around, all this info has been helpful!