question on Cafe Orleans

[disneydreamin03]

so i was reading my DL planning book & i know you should make reservations for Blue Bayou, but my book says to also make them at Cafe Orleans. is this really necessary? i was also wondering about the monte cristo sandwich. i see that its cheaper at Cafe Orleans. can anyone tell me the difference? is it smaller or something? or are you just paying extra for the ambiance at Blue Bayou? anyways i was interested in trying it & wanted to go to Cafe Orleans but didn't know about the reservation thing. thanks in advance for helping this DL newbie =)

 

[Californian Elitist]

When are you planning on visiting the parks? That will the determining factor on whether you should make reservations or not. If you feel more comfortable making reservations, then do so. The Monte Cristo sandwich should be the same as it is in Blue Bayou.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I will second what raven said. We had luck with a walk up to cafe Orleans this past June. We did go right when the cafe opened though. The monte cristos are the same size at both restaurants. I like getting them at cafe Orleans a little better because then I can get Pomme frittes to eat too!

 

[sweetpee_1993]

As a first timer I sorta feel like I should eat at Blue Bayou but good golly are those prices kinda crazy. Having lived in the greater New Orleans area for 10 years then in Texas for years now and having read the menu descriptions I truly don't see us being overly impressed by the food. I'm still torn, tho, because so many people say eating at Blue Bayou is a must-do. Ugh! So torn! Do I spend the big bucks just to sit and eat there? Or do I miss it because the cost is high for food that's not going to be worth it to us????

 

[Californian Elitist]

As a first timer I sorta feel like I should eat at Blue Bayou but good golly are those prices kinda crazy. Having lived in the greater New Orleans area for 10 years then in Texas for years now and having read the menu descriptions I truly don't see us being overly impressed by the food. I'm still torn, tho, because so many people say eating at Blue Bayou is a must-do. Ugh! So torn! Do I spend the big bucks just to sit and eat there? Or do I miss it because the cost is high for food that's not going to be worth it to us????

I've heard from New Orleans residents that Blue Bayou is not good. There are better table restaurants in the resort. To me, floating by Blue Bayou on Pirates is great and enough ambiance for me. I don't have to eat there to feel it.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

As a first timer I sorta feel like I should eat at Blue Bayou but good golly are those prices kinda crazy. Having lived in the greater New Orleans area for 10 years then in Texas for years now and having read the menu descriptions I truly don't see us being overly impressed by the food. I'm still torn, tho, because so many people say eating at Blue Bayou is a must-do. Ugh! So torn! Do I spend the big bucks just to sit and eat there? Or do I miss it because the cost is high for food that's not going to be worth it to us????

I remember double negative reaction to some recent changes at Blue Bayou: worse food and higher prices. I am also the kind of person that would tear myself up over missing something "iconic" like this, but I think you guys should probably just suck it up. You don't see anything that you don't see on Pirates itself, and your food money is better spent elsewhere.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Thanks @raven24 & @Cosmic Commando. That's what I was thinking, too. Just wasn't sure if it'd be a terrible loss if we skipped it.

@raven24 , along the same lines as New Orleans natives and the food at Blue Bayou....what's their typical take on Ralph Brennan's??? Yes or no? LOL!

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Ralph Brennan's is more authentic to be sure. And that bread pudding - Lord. Lord. Lord. LORD.

Blue Bayou was great about 8 years ago when the food quality matched the prices (to an extent). But $40 a plate for not that great food doesn't cut it, even if the atmosphere is fabulous.

 

[harveyt0206]

W

Thanks @raven24 & @Cosmic Commando. That's what I was thinking, too. Just wasn't sure if it'd be a terrible loss if we skipped it.

@raven24 , along the same lines as New Orleans natives and the food at Blue Bayou....what's their typical take on Ralph Brennan's??? Yes or no? LOL!

We struggled with this one too as "first timers". Those prices really were a negative and as you mentioned, the menu wasn't really all that appealing to us. In the end we decided to do it because Pirates - the attraction- will be down for refurb during our trip. We figure this will at least get us inside the building. And I can mark it off our "must do" list as I am sure one visit to this restaurant will be enough. If the ride itself were going to be open, I think I would probably lean more towards skipping this restaurant due to the high prices.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Thanks @raven24 & @Cosmic Commando. That's what I was thinking, too. Just wasn't sure if it'd be a terrible loss if we skipped it.

@raven24 , along the same lines as New Orleans natives and the food at Blue Bayou....what's their typical take on Ralph Brennan's??? Yes or no? LOL!

I've actually never eaten at Brennan's, but I plan to, someday. I almost never eat any of the table service food at the parks. It's usually quick service or In-N-Out.

 

[Figments Friend]

I was gifted a dinner at Blue Bayou by a friend on my first visit to DL back in 2007.
At that time, the Resort was in the midst of it*s *Pirates of The Caribbean - At Worlds End* movie premiere that week and BB was serving a special themed menu.
I still have it.

At the time, i thought the Blue Bayou was quite nice.
I enjoyed the food and the themed desserts were quite delicious.
The atmosphere was unique, but it was not as quiet and removed as my initial impressions eluded to.
Receiving it as a complimentary meal made it all them more special, when i was surprised at the conclusion of the dinner.
At that time, i would have gladly paid for what i had recieved..i felt it was worth it that one night.

I have heard since that time the food quality has gone down some notches.
This is a shame, as the setting is nice and could be even better with a few changes.
Today i would have a hard time going there and paying for what i know would be a inferior experience.
For a first-timer though...i would still recommend it just from a experience perspective.


Cafe Orleans...on the other hand....
( yum..)

 

[westie]

The thing about BB is there are only about 10 tables worth sitting at and the other 30 have an obstructed view. Also the monte cristo is disgusting. Its like a fried donut with ham, turkey and melted swiss cheese with a jelly dipping sauce. It is a huge portion, I'll give it that. But halfway through it you feel like a greasy donut. I'd save my dough (lol) and go to steakhouse 55 or Carthay Circle. They don't rush you there and the wait staff is a lot better.