A recent visit to Disneyland Park took an unexpected turn for a group of guests dining in one of the park’s most iconic locations: Blue Bayou Restaurant.
Blue Bayou Restaurant, a staple since 1967, is best known for its Louisiana-inspired cuisine and unique ambiance. The Table Service restaurant is located inside the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, letting diners watch boats drift by on the water. The restaurant’s signature dishes, like the Monte Cristo sandwich and nonalcoholic mint juleps, have made it a favorite for many.
However, last month, what was supposed to be a celebratory meal turned sour when a fire alarm forced the evacuation of the entire New Orleans Square area, including Blue Bayou, nearby merchandise shops, Club 33, Cafe Orleans, and even the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.
“Everything started off well until the fire alarm went off just as our food was about to be served,” u/papadex89 wrote on Reddit. “We were evacuated along with guests and cast members from Pirates, Club 33, the nearby shops, and Cafe Orleans. These things happen, I completely understand that. After about 15 minutes waiting near Rivers of America, we were allowed back in. That part was handled efficiently. But here’s where things began to feel off.”
Despite the disruption being out of the staff’s control, the guest expressed disappointment with how the situation was handled once they returned to the restaurant.
“There was no acknowledgment or apology from the staff about the inconvenience,” they continued. “I know the alarm wasn’t their fault, but for an elevated dining experience, I expected at least a courteous apology or some kind of gesture to smooth things over. When we were reseated, I asked if we could be placed along the water since we were among the first seated, but the request was denied (maybe because we were mid-service).”
The service frustrations didn’t stop there.
“My niece’s prime rib was cooked well-done with no pink, even though we’d asked otherwise,” the guest said. “My roasted chicken was dry but that happens with breast meat, so I didn’t make a fuss. We still enjoyed the experience overall and didn’t want to let it derail our celebration.”
When the bill arrived, the Disney Park guest was surprised again—there was no offer of a discount or any acknowledgment of the disruption.
“When the bill came, I was honestly expecting some kind of discount or acknowledgment of the inconvenience not because we’re entitled, but because it felt like the experience didn’t match the price point,” they explained. “Instead, we were charged in full. When we asked to split the check between two cards and asked about Magic Key discounts, our server seemed visibly annoyed. That rubbed me the wrong way. Again, I’m not trying to be a Karen, I just expected a bit more grace.”
Though the Disney Park guest chose not to escalate the issue to management or Guest Services at the time, the experience left a lasting negative impression.
“It’s now a day later, and I’m still thinking about that experience,” they concluded.
If you encounter similar issues during your visit, Disneyland Resort encourages guests to visit Guest Services to address concerns.
Should Disneyland Resort have compensated these guests for their experience? Share your opinion with Disney Fanatic in the comments!
