Disneyland California - New Orleans Square (part II)

This is probably my most favourite area in the park to eat and drink. I think the scenery is most picturesque and the food is AMAZING! Let's take a stroll through the restaurants, food outlets and stores of New Orleans Square.

The Blue Bayou is my ultimate favourite food outlet. Set in New Orleans Square, the restauarant has a particularly unique backdrop - the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Don't worry though - you won't be getting the songs stuck in your head. Rather, the restaurant over looks the very start of the ride, where boat loads of riders drift quietly past, 'fireflies' are buzzing around and the banjo music quietly plays. Guests dine in a terrace style area and dine by candle light with paper lanterns hanging overhead. If the restaurant is quiet enough - you will hearthe faint, distant screams of riders going down their first drop on the ride. Make sure you watch the sky too - you might even see a shooting star. It is recommended when dining here that you book at least one day in advance. We booked several days in advance, made sure to mention it was a special occasion (our honeymoon) and when we showed up, we had a table, by the water with a few little treats on it. We felt very spoilt. The food is some of the best in any Disney park I have ever been too. Themed around 'Southern American' cuisine, there is something to please everyone - despite only ten or so options being on the menu. A word of advice - come on an empty stomach. The appetisers (entrees) are HUGE and the entrees (mains) are even bigger. And despite paying a 'theme park' premium to eat here, the food, atmosphere and wait-staff make the experience totally worth it. The Blue Bayou is open for lunch and Dinner - however, I have only dined here for dinner. All the meals we saw, and were able to smell excited our senses. We enjoyed gumbo and soup to start and enjoyed a Cajun-Spiced Salmon and Pepper Roasted Prime Rib for mains. Dessert was exquisite - but I won't spoil the dessert menu for you! (you can have a little look at our shared dessert below!) You must go here!! IT IS AMAZING!

Dining by candlelight and lantern at the Blue Bayou

A special dessert our waiter organised as we were on our Honeymoon!

There are several other food outlets in New Orleans Square. These outlets include the French Market Restaurant, Mint Julep Bar, Cafe Orleans and the Royal Street Veranda. Each restaurant keeps with the 'Southern American' theme and the food, for the most part, won't disappoint you. Although parents may be craving a little alcohol to take the edge off a long day with the kids, the Mint Julep Bar serves only the non-alcoholic version of the famous drink. However, the bar also offers some satisfying sit-down meal options that will be sure to please. My other MUST eat at Disneyland is a Clam Chowder Bread Bowl. You can find this at the Royal Street Veranda - neatly tucked away near the Pirates of the Carribbean ride. You'll know that you are at the right place by the queue. At about $8 (USD) you get a rather large bread roll filled with clam chowder (or gumbo, or even a vegetarian alternative) and some crackers. It's absolutely delcious! We ate ours sitting on a ledge looking out at the Rivers of America - and ended up having a perfect view of the Princess Tiana's Mardi Gras Celebration! Amazing!!

Make sure you try the Clam Chowder - it's a bargain at under $10!

Shopping in New Orleans Square is probably some of the best within any Disney Park. Others may disagree, but I just love the eclectic range of goods you can find here! Crystal D'Orleans is definitely a shop to keep little fingers away from. It sells amazingly beautiful custom made crystal pieces ranging from paperweights to chandeliers. I always love looking here because every day I see something different.  If you are a fan of Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas you must take a look at Port Royal for some scary souvenirs. Those who are more interested in Captain Jack Sparrow and his motley crew should take a look inside Pieces of Eight where you will find hats, treasure and clothing inspired firstly, by the ride and then by the famous movie franchise.

I'm sad to be leaving New Orleans Square now - but we are heading to our two final Disneyland stops next. Firstly to Toontown and then to Tomorrowland. It's going to be an exciting ride from here.

Once again - remember to find us on Facebook. Just search for Disneyland Dreaming and like the page! I'm looking forward to answering your questions!

Until next time, Have a Magical Day.

Love,
Michelle
xxx

Disneyland California - New Orleans Square (part I)

New Orleans Square is themed around 19th century New Orleans. A similarly themed area can be find in Tokyo Disneyland. Interestingly, New Orleans Square is not actually a square - rather a collection of streets  that twist and turn around shops, restaurants and the original Pirate's of the Caribbean building. Attractions in New Orleans Square include the Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion and Princess Tiana's Mardi Gras Celebration. There are also a great range of shops and restaurants in the land, that we'll explore futher in New Orlean's Square (part II that will follow this post).

If you haven't caught at least one of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, you are definitely in the minority. This was the very last attraction that Walt Disney himself participated in designing. It opened in spring 1967 just three months after his death. Guests board boats amongst glittering fireflies in a quaint bayou. As you set sail, on your right you will see the Blue Bayou restaurant (see the second part of the New Orleans Square blog for info about this). You pass quiet houseboats and on the verandah of one is an old man, rocking gently back and forth. There is the quiet strumming of a banjo playing famous tunes like "Oh! Susanna" and "Camptown Races." I won't tell you exactly what happens next except that you will pass many famous scenes from the movies - except that the ride was built long before the first movie!!! Let it be known, my favourite part of this 15 minute ride is cruising along between a pirate ship and a fortress with "cannon balls" splashing in the water, lighting and air effects simulating a fight! You'll just adore this ride - young children may be a little frightened, but a little forewarning that it is "just pretend" will probably help you along. Generally, the during busy periods, this ride has excessive queues and will be quietest early mornings and late evenings - especially during the evening parade times and Fantasmic! showings. However, during quieter days, the queues will rarely be longer than 15 minutes.

The Haunted Mansion has been another family favourite ride since 1967. Many people will be familiar with the Haunted Mansion movie starring Eddie Murphy that was released not too long ago, and like Pirates of the Caribbean, the film was based on the ride. Guests enter the queuing area through a pair of beautiful gates and queue along side beautiful gardens and some rather funny tombstones (make sure you read them, they are so funny!). Guests enter the mansion and stand in a portrait gallery - and the portraits start to stretch. Is the floor lowering or the ceiling raising? I'm not going to tell you, but it's a pretty cool effect regardless. What happens next in this room is something you have to be there for - I don't want to ruin the surprise. A wall opens and you exit the portrait gallery to board your 'doom buggy.' The 'doom buggy' will take 2 adults or 2 adults and a small child through the Haunted Mansion where you will see some amazing special effects, awesome audio-animatronics and will be singing the tunes of the Haunted Mansion for the rest of the day. I'd love to give you more details but I really don't want to spoil what I think is the most visually spectacular attraction at Disneyland! Although you would anticipate the ride to be quite scary - it isn't too bad and will mainly leave you smiling from ear to ear. You would be wise to warn small children about potentially 'scary' things - but all in all they will probably enjoy everything once you are beyond the portrait gallery!

Princess Tiana's Mardi Gras Celebration is a street parade and party featuring characters from "The Princess and the Frog." There is a small marching band that set up overlooking the Rivers of America and Princess Tiana, the band and some dancers parade down from the back of New Orleans Square. The show lasts 15 minutes or so and the Princess often stays to sign autographs and for photos after the show! Check the show times - as it's great to see!

Stay tuned for the shops and restaurants in New Orleans Square! The Blue Bayou is a not-to-be-missed restaurant and I'll give you some details in the next post!

Until next time, Have a Magical Day.

Love,
Michelle
xx