| Blue Bayou | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Blue Bayou Restaurant at Tokyo Disneyland | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | March 18, 1967 |
| Food type | Cajun |
| Dress code | Casual |
| City | Anaheim, California (Original location) |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 33°48′40″N 117°55′16″W / 33.8111217°N 117.9209931°W |
| Website | Official website  |
Blue Bayou are full-service New Orleans/Cajun-style restaurants noted for their unusual ambiance. They are located at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disneyland, in Chiba, Japan.[1]
The restaurants are built within the same show building that houses part of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, with parts of the ride even taking place beneath the restaurant. Although seated in a large, enclosed building, diners experience the illusion of being in an outdoor restaurant at nighttime. The effect is achieved through the use of a dark and distant ceiling, air conditioning, and carefully coordinated lighting. The theming is intensified by the sounds of crickets and frogs, the glow of fireflies, and projection effects that imitate a night sky. The restaurants are also popular for offering a view of the beginning portion of Pirates of the Caribbean. Guests are able to see riders floating by in their boats, and riders can see the restaurant's nighttime lighting as they pass by.
Guests wishing to dine at the restaurants are advised to make reservations at least a day in advance. At Disneyland, it is advised to reserve at least one week in advance for the 4-8 p.m. dinner period; reservations are accepted up to two months in advance.
The Disneyland restaurant opened on March 18, 1967,[2] to respond to persistent criticism of the park's lack of fine dining options. It was originally to feature live entertainment, but, as Disney historian Jim Korkis reported, after a dress rehearsal and trial dinner in 1966, Walt Disney declared, "In this restaurant, the food is going to be the show, along with the atmosphere".[3]
Blue Bayou was the first reservation-based eatery at Disneyland. A reservation could not be made by telephone. Guests had to physically go to the restaurant to sign up for an available time, often prompting an influx of guests arriving at the restaurant as soon as the park gates opened.[4]
Similar restaurants
The Blue Lagoon restaurant at Disneyland Paris takes a similar approach to that of the Blue Bayous at the other Disney parks, but it is themed as a Caribbean beach rather than a Louisiana bayou.[5]
Blue Bayou at Disney's Virtual Magic Kingdom
Virtual Magic Kingdom featured a single room inspired by the Blue Bayou. The waiter was Gator Waiter. "Magic words" such as "mint julep" and "gumbo" allowed players to order food and drink.
References
- ↑ Los Angeles Times
- ↑ Chronology of Disneyland Theme Park
- ↑ The Story of the Red Wagon Inn
- ↑ Carricker Smothers, Marcy (2017). Eat Like Walt The Wonderful World of Disney Food. Disney Editions. p. 132. ISBN 9781484782293.
- ↑ "Disneylandparis.co.uk". Archived from the original on 2009-01-06. Retrieved 2011-05-28.
External links
