Disneyland: Blue Bayou Restaurant

Date of Visit: June 27. 2024

We have rarely done any table dining at Disneyland, but I have always thought Blue Bayou would be an interesting atmosphere to dine in. Dad says he remembers dining here before, which we think was probably when we visited for my 10th birthday (Mik's first Disneyland trip) and thus why Mik and I don't remember ever dining at Blue Bayou.

The whole checking in and waiting for a table experience is awkward. There is an indoor waiting area, but they told us to wait by the exit of Pirates because that's the way we would have to go in with the wheelchair. Then they clearly have the wheelchair on the reservation, but they call you from the front of the inside waiting area and it was hard to get their attention that we were waiting for them outside to take us in because of the wheelchair. Then you got to go against the exit traffic to get to where you can enter Blue Bayou through a side door, which was not that big a deal as they did end up stopping the exit traffic. Not being the main entrance meant when exiting using it to get out kind of difficult as right inside the tables are not far from it and we had to wait for a waiter to be done serving a table to be able to get out.

While we did not end up with a table near the water to be able to tell you were by the Pirates ride, we found the overall atmosphere a good New Orleans feeling theme.

As a starter, we ordered the Rosemary & Sea Salt Brioche, which was delicious.

Mik had a Hurricane drink. I enjoyed the seasonal julep, which I think was watermelon or some combination of flavors that included watermelon.

Mik had Creole Roasted Chicken.

I had the Pistachio Lemon Basil Pesto.

For dessert, Mik had the Chocolate Basque Cheesecake, which he liked, but he said it seemed more like a pie than a cheesecake.

Destination Info:
Blue Bayou Restaurant at Disneyland
1313 South Harbor Boulevard
Anaheim, CA 92802

Disneyland: Star View Station DVC Member Lounge

Date of Visit: June 27, 2024

We had time to kill before our dinner reservation at Blue Bayou, but not really enough time to do anything, so we decided to go to the DVC Member Lounge in Tomorrowland for about 30 minutes. It is a little confusing going to it as it was also the pathway was also towards a character photo experience (Disney Visa?), but there were cast members there that told you where to go if you told them you were going to the DVC Lounge.

Similar to the Epcot Lounge, the DVC Member Lounge at Disneyland is up a set of stairs. There is an elevator option. Nothing special, though (really bummed Indiana Jones is now too rough of a ride for Mik because that elevator "warning walls will move" was always a favorite part of our trips when he was a kid). The area before the elevator (and stairs to lounge) is interesting with some Star Wars exhibits.

Once upstairs the entrance to the lounge area is down an interesting path that shows various DVC resorts in a space travel poster style.

In the lounge we enjoyed drinks from the Coca Cola Freestyle and lattes from the coffee machine. The tables are rather annoying, though, as they are all either really low or high. Still a good place to stay cool and kill some time, though.

Destination Info:
Star View Station - A Member Lounge at Disneyland
1313 South Harbor Boulevard
Anaheim, CA 92802

The Villas at Disneyland Hotel: Palm Breeze Bar

Date of Visit: June 26, 2024

One of the afternoons at the hotel Dad convinced Mik to try out the Palm Breeze Bar and we all ended up going for an early dinner. Dad used the Disneyland app to join waitlist for table, which we found rather useless as it never told us a table was ready and we just decided to wander down there and checkin and were then shortly seated. Not sure if the app just never told us a table was ready because it was not working corectly (have often found the Disney sites and apps glitchy...) or if it was because it was waiting to give us an actual table that Mik could roll up to (we had selected we had a wheelchair in party), but then when we just showed up they decided to at least ask us if the low table was okay and seated us when we were okay with it.

The table was low and somewhat awkward for Mik, but since it was just for drinks and mainly finger food appetizers it worked out. 

For food we ordered, Cheese Fry Poutine, Avocado & Lime Hummus Dip, and Beignets. The small size of the table was somewhat an issue for all the beignets ended up hazardously on the edge.

We enjoyed all the food and for the prices it was pretty generous amounts. In particular, thought the beignets would have been just one of each flavor.

The good food and service experience at the Palm Breeze Bar was the one real enjoyable part of our stay at The Villas as Disneyland Hotel. Of course, it would have been better if the table was higher and square for more surface area, but they do have some seating like that and maybe would have been an option if there are actual time reservations or we had been willing to wait longer (an hour, though, for a pool bar was long enough...even with it having good food and drinks).

Destination Info:

The Villas at Disneyland Hotel - Palm Breeze Bar

1150 Magic Way

Anaheim, CA 92802

Cozy Dog Drive In

Date of Visit: June 18, 2024

When planning Mik’s 30th birthday trip, we had considered doing some Route 66 things. Originally it was something we were going to do towards the end of the trip when we went from Anaheim to Chicago, but we ended up starting the trip from Chicago (it was a change we made about a week before the trip to allow Dad and I to make a quick weekend detour to go to see the ceremony for mom’s uncle being inducted into the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame). When planning the trip, Mik ended up only wanting to do Pops in Oklahoma. The first rest area we stopped at in Illinois, though, had info on Route 66 attractions in Illinois and Dad suggested we stop at some of them. Mik could not be convinced to stop at the Man with a Giant Hot Dog statue or World’s Largest Catsup Bottle, but he was up for having an early lunch at the Cozy Dog Drive in…once I told him it was no farther off the route than stopping somewhere else for lunch. 

With it being called a drive in, we thought it be similar to Sonic, but it actually has seating inside and a drive through. Eating inside was definitely the right choice as they have Route 66 decor and information including Route 66 books you can you look through while you’re there.

Mik found the booth tables perfect for him to roll up to. I little hard for Dad and I to get in and out without moving Mik, but once all in it was good. There are also regular tables that you can pull chairs away from to roll under.

Mik, of course, had to have a corn dog.

He also had a chili cheese dog.

I enjoyed the cheese on a stick and we all shared the fries, which were Mik's favorite style of fries.

To drink, Mik had the Cozy Dog cola and I had the Cozy Dog root beer.

Mik said the bathroom was good as they were just one person style rooms that are spacious versus bathrooms with stalls that even the accessible one frequently is not big enough for a wheelchair and helper.

Cozy Dog Drive In ended up being a great early lunch stop. We got there around 10:30am and there was pretty much no one there. By the time we left probably half the tables were in use and the drive through line was around the building almost to where we were parked. 

Destination Info:
Cozy Dog Drive In

2934 S 6th St

Springfield, IL 62703

Ole Red Orlando

Date of Visit: December 13, 2023

I had been wanting to check out Ole Red the past several trips to Orlando and this trip we finally got around to it. We went for lunch, which turned out good with it being pretty much empty. However, it did end up meaning no live music, although they do play music videos on the screen above the stage.

For the starters, we had the Fried Pickles and the Southern Fried Cheese Curds. We enjoyed them both, but I really liked the Fried Pickles.

For the meal, Mik had the Honey Bee Hot Chicken & Waffles, which was enough for him to take home for dinner later. I had the Some Beach Fish Sandwich. Mom and Dad both had the Bluetick and Ahi Tuna burgers. It was all good other than we were not fans of the tots.

For dessert between the four of us we tried all 3 of the mason jar desserts, which included Banana Pudding, a Seasonal Cheesecake (white chocolate and cranberry), and Blake's Choice (peppermint mousse that day).The were all good, but probably the Banana Pudding was the favorite.

Overall we really enjoyed dining here and probably would do again. So often restaurants have the tables too close together to be able to get to the tables without people having to get out of their chairs and push them in and the table legs make it so Mik cannot roll up close. So it was a plus that neither of these things were issues here. It may be different when there are actually people here, but they did seem to purposely have the low top tables set up to be accessible when they were choosing were to seat us at one of the tables in front of the stage as the areas on the sides of the stage had more tables including high bar style areas.

 

Destination Info:

Ole Red Orlando

8417 International Dr

Orlando, Fl 32819

Walt Disney World: Epcot - Coral Reef Restaurant

Date of Visit: January 16, 2020

We decided to try the Coral Reef Restaurant this trip as we'd thought the aquarium aspect would be fun, especially since the five-year-old loves aquariums. It also appealed to us that it wasn't a fixed priced like the character dining and we could eat only some courses if we preferred instead of feeling like we have to get the most for our money and making sure we're hungry enough for all the courses at the fixed priced dining.

We were immediately disappointed in the restaurant as they tried to sit us at two separate tables. Not only did we want to eat all together, but the way the tables are was difficult and crowded for the wheelchair.

Luckily, when we asked if we could sit more all together at the booths they were fine with that. That at least allowed Mik to roll up to the table more comfortable. However, it was two rather large tables that we still basically ended up feeling like we were dining as two entirely separate groups rather than as one.

The main disappointing thing, though, was the restaurant has a stepped tier design and the only accessible seating is in the back area farthest from the aquarium. Thus, we really couldn't enjoy the whole point of the restaurant, especially Mik as he ended up with his back to the aquarium, although that was our choice and probably the reason they didn't try to seat our group with a wheelchair where we decided to sit. Honestly, though, the view did seem better from the booths than the initial tables they tried to seat us at as we were farther from the wave wall and could somewhat see over it. Really though if that wave wall was just more level with the tables or a clear barrier if they want it higher for safety reasons, then it would have been better.

Overall we did enjoy the food, but there is so much different cuisines to enjoy at Epcot that it seemed a waste in the end since we didn't end up with an aquarium view experience as part of the dining as we had expected. The fact that the restaurant was very empty did make it a nice relaxing break in our day, though.

Destination Info:
Coral Reef Restaurant
Epcot
Lake Buena Vista, FL

Disney Wonder Panama Canal Eastbound Cruise: Day 14 - Mardi Gras Dinner @ Tiana’s Place

Date of Visit: November 21, 2019

Our final night was the Mardi Gras  night. We had been looking forward to it fir the beignets all trip. Having our table next to the stage, though, ended up making Mik really dislike this night as it was much louder than the other theme night here. We were at least able to get done with dessert just in time for me to take him out right before the real Mardi Gras part started.

For his appetizer, Mik had the Boudin Sausage Fritters, which he ended up not liking.

The Herb Brioche beard service was his favorite other than the pretzel bread the one night.

He had Jame’s Roasted Pork Tenderloin for his main course.

For dessert, he originally was going to just get beignets, but then he saw the New Orleans Bananas Foster Sundae. Thus, we both ended up with a sundae and split an order of beignets.

Disney Wonder Panama Canal Eastbound Cruise: Day 13 - Animation Dinner at Animator’s Palate

Date of Visit: November 20, 2019

Our last dinner in Animator’s was the night you get to draw a character that then appears in a show on the screens.

Mik didn’t mind drawing a character this time, but he did not like that “Be Our Guest” part of the dinner. He used to like it or at least not mind it, but he has grown to dislike the song because we have the “Be Our Guest” dishes and I’ve been known to sing it and even ask Alexa to play it when serving him food at home.

Mik had the Sesame Crusted Tuna Sashimi appetizer.

He also had the Lobster Bisque soup.

For his main course, he had the Chicken Schnitzel.

For dessert, he had the Very Cherry Chocolate Sundae.

Disney Wonder Panama Canal Eastbound Cruise: Day 12 - Captain’s Gala Dinner at Triton’s

Date of Visit: November 19, 2019

Our last dinner in Triton’s this cruise was the Captain’s Gala menu.

Mik had the Oysters Rockefeller on the Half Shell for his appetizer.

For his main course, he had the Pan-Seared Venison Medallions.

For dessert, he had the Chocolate Lava Cake.

Disney Wonder Panama Canal Eastbound Cruise: Day 11 - Dinner at Tiana’s Place

Date of Visit: November 18, 2019

No idea what the theme was this night, but the dessert ended up being one of our favorites.

Mik has the North Atlantic Lobster Ravioli for his first appetizer.

He also had the Chicken “Bastela” appetizer.

For his main course, he had the Braised Center Cut Osso Buco “Milanese.”

For dessert, we all enjoyed the Peanut Butter Fudge Pie.