Disneyland has several sit-down restaurants located inside Disneyland Park, California Adventure, Disneyland Hotels & Resorts, and of course Downtown Disney.
When you hear of nice restaurants at Disneyland the first restaurant mentioned is the Blue Bayou. The Blue Bayou is a very sought-after reservation that is extremely hard to get.
You will have to be on top of your reservations at the 60-day mark to get a reservation there.
What is the Blue Bayou Restaurant?
The Blue Bayou is famous for its unique ambiance, which simulates a serene nighttime setting along the Louisiana Bayou. The restaurant is located within the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, offering diners an immersive experience as they enjoy their meal.
The cuisine at the Blue Bayou is inspired by Cajun and Creole flavors, featuring gumbo, and the Monte Cristo sandwich. The restaurant is a popular dining destination for guests seeking a memorable and atmospheric meal within the park.
Our Experience
When we arrived at the Blue Bayou, I checked in through the mobile app. Once your table becomes available, you’ll be alerted through text message to see the stewardess.
This is where the disaster began
After waiting 20-30 minutes for our table, I checked with the stewardess. I wanted to be sure our name is on the list and to let her know we have yet to be seated.
The stewardess told me the mobile check-in does not work and I should have come up to her to check-in. So, we then checked in with her and we sat down.
20 more minutes went by, and several other families were seated. I went back up to the stewardess to ask for an update, we have already been waiting 40 minutes.
She said that someone should be out soon to take us back to our table. After waiting another 10 minutes we received a text letting us know to see the stewardess, our table was available.
The stewardess again asked us to take a seat and wait for somebody to call our name. We waited another 10 minutes. A new stewardess took over the front counter, so I went up and explain the situation to him.
After another 10 minutes of waiting, we were finally seated at our table.
Our Dinner
After we took our seats, we ordered our drinks and asked for an allergy friendly menu. I had notated this in the app, but he was able to fix this error rather quickly.
We started our meal with the New Orleans lemonade it was really delicious. Followed up by a medium rare filet, mashed potatoes, and carrots for me. Though the filet was more on the medium side, but it was still really good.
My husband ordered the chicken gumbo with seafood, the flavor of the gumbo and chicken was really good. Unfortunately, a few of the shrimp were not deveined but the waiter brought out some replacement shrimp.
We didn’t ask for the replacements, we just wanted the chef to know so this doesn’t happen to any other guests. The replacement shrimp was a nice gestor from the waiter and was much appreciated.
We let our waiter know that he was fantastic and he’s the best server we’ve had at the Blue Bayou. None of the errors that had occurred were because of him and we appreciated his kindness.
This isn’t the first time we’ve had a bad experience at the Blue Bayou. The service here has always been very subpar compared to other sit-down restaurants located on Disney property.
Our Rating and Review
Our experience with the check-in process, seating, and food, I would rate the Blue Bayou a 5 out of 10. If we are reviewing just the food alone, I would give it a 7 out of 10.
We definitely will not be going back which is a shame, we really do love the ambiance of this restaurant. For our family it’s not worth it due to the service inconsistency and the hefty price tag.
Why you should still eat at the Blue Bayou
Here are some key details about this iconic restaurant:
- Ambiance: One of the most notable features of the Blue Bayou is its unique ambiance. The restaurant is designed to resemble a charming Louisiana plantation mansion set alongside a peaceful bayou. Guests dine in a dimly lit, serene atmosphere surrounded by lush foliage, fireflies, and gently glowing lanterns.
- Location: The Blue Bayou is situated within the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Guests can enjoy their meal while watching boats leisurely drift by on the attraction’s serene waters.
- Signature Dishes: One of the most beloved items on the Blue Bayou menu is the Monte Cristo sandwich. A delightful combination of ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese, battered and deep-fried to perfection. Other popular dishes include the Louisiana-spiced fish and the bone-in rib-eye.
- Experience: Dining at the Blue Bayou offers guests a unique and immersive experience unlike any other restaurant in the park. The ambiance, combined with the cuisine and proximity to the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, creates a memorable dining experience.
Is the Blue Bayou worth the price?
My honest answer even after this last terrible experience is everybody needs to try it once. The ambiance and the Pirates of the Caribbean ride floats right next to you is something spectacular.
For many guests, dining at the Blue Bayou is more than just a meal. It’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in the magic of Disney and enjoy a unique dining experience. If you value ambiance, atmosphere, and novelty, then the Blue Bayou may be worth the cost for you.
