Hi Tina! Welcome to planDisney, your one stop shop for answers while planning a
Disneyland Resort visit!
Your visit is just around the riverbend, and that is always an exciting feeling. Let’s get right to your question so you can start your visit off right.
Blue Bayou Restaurant is one of my favorite places to dine in Disneyland Park, so I completely understand why it is on your must do list. Located in New Orleans Square, serving Louisiana inspired cuisine, and set along the waters of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, it truly does not get more magical than dining at Blue Bayou.
I took a look at the advance dining reservation calendar, and while the restaurant is not closed, there are currently no available reservations during your visit. Blue Bayou is incredibly popular, and dining reservations open 60 days in advance, so it looks like other Disneyland adventurers snagged those coveted tables a bit earlier. The good news is that there are still a couple of ways you may be able to enjoy a meal there.
First, I recommend continuing to check the
Disneyland mobile app. Guests can and do cancel reservations, sometimes even the day of, up to two hours before their dining time. If you have a little flexibility in your plans and check frequently, you may just see one pop up at the perfect moment. Another option, when available, is the Mobile Dine Walk-up List. You can check for walk-up availability directly in the app. One helpful tip is to be physically near the restaurant when checking, as availability can sometimes appear for nearby Guests. I also recommend checking right at opening, which is currently 11:00 a.m. for lunch and 4:00 p.m. for dinner, and refreshing the app occasionally throughout the day since spots can open unexpectedly.
If you are unable to dine at Blue Bayou during this visit, a wonderful alternative is
Café Orleans. It offers similar Louisiana inspired dishes and is located nearby with views of the Rivers of America. When I was checking availability for Blue Bayou, I did see reservations open for Café Orleans, so that could be a great option if you are hoping to enjoy that area and cuisine during your day.
Tina, if you are looking for something special to do, and if you happen to be a train fan like my family, I recommend the
Disneyland Railroad Guided Tour. It is full of history and connection to Walt Disney and his own love of trains, and gets you an experience that is sure to be the talk of the town with your friends with a rare chance to ride onboard the Lilly Bell, the Presidential Car (weather dependent)! The Tour includes a keepsake, a sweet snack, and a Lightning Lane to a select attraction! Sounds like a full
steam ahead kind of fun to me, and I'm
all aboard for that kind of magic! I checked the reservation calendar for that too, and there is availability for your trip!
I hope your upcoming visit is filled with fun, magical memories, and plenty of smiles. We are always here if you have any more planning questions before your trip.
See ya real soon,
Kimberly