Beloved Disney Restaurant to Close Next Month

It seems we can’t keep up with what is closing and what is reopening at Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World.

From the sad closure of the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show and the continued absence of the Walt Disney World Railroad to the return of entertainment like Fantasmic! and the Festival of Fantasy parade, Guests have seen lots of twists and turns throughout the pandemic.

And now, we have another closure on our hands – this time in the form of a dining location.

Disneyland Park in Anaheim California recently saw the closure of one of its most beloved areas, Mickey’s Toontown.

Originally inspired by “Toontown” from the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit, the theme park area was loved by Guests for its colorful aesthetics, cartoon buildings, and Mickey and Minnie’s houses. It was revealed in 2021 that Toontown will be reimagined completely, and the land closed in March for its refurbishment and new attraction – Mickey & Mickey’s Runaway Railway.

Now, another area in Disneyland Park is going to be pretty empty, after both an attraction and a restaurant will be closed.

Disneyland’s iconic ride Pirates of the Caribbean is currently closed for refurbishment, and now the famous Blue Bayou restaurant will be following the classic attraction by closing indefinitely for its own refurbishment.

According to the official Disneyland Resort website, the Blue Bayou restaurant will be closing on April 21 this year.

It is not known why the unique full-service restaurant is closing and what refurbishments are happening, but it may be to do with the closure of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. 

It is odd to see what the Blue Bayou looks like right now, with Guests at the theme park posting pictures of the romantic venue modified due to the attached New Orleans Square attraction being updated.

Twitter user @disneywjoseph shared photos of the popular restaurant in its current state, calling the atmosphere “depressing”:

obviously it makes sense with pirates being refurbed as of two days ago, but blue bayou looks so.. depressing 😫 pic.twitter.com/om3CRMopTh

— joseph 📸 (@disneywjoseph) March 15, 2022

The photos show construction walls from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride update making the dining experience a very different Disney Dining method to what Guests are used to at the Disney Park.

For the hefty price tag Guests pay for meals at the Blue Bayou table-service restaurant, sitting next to a big blue constriction wall would not be something we’d want as we eat our Monte Cristo sandwich!

There is no definitive date yet as to when the Blue Bayou restaurant or Pirates of the Caribbean will reopen in New Orleans Square at Disneyland Park, but be sure to keep posted to Disney Tips for future announcements. The Disney website states that Pirates of the Caribbean is expected to be back open sometime this summer.

When the Disneyland restaurant does reopen, be aware that advanced dining reservations will be gone very quickly, so ensure you’re on the My Disney Experience App early to secure those bookings!

More on Disneyland’s Blue Bayou Restaurant

Disneyland’s official description of the famous dining locations reads:

Dine Down on the Bayou

Step into perpetual twilight as the nighttime ambiance of the watery setting surrounds you. Spot Guests embarking on a Pirates of the Caribbean adventure, as you enjoy an authentic New Orleans-inspired lunch or dinner. It’s a truly unique setting where the bayou is, literally, by you!

A New Orleans Square Classic

Blue Bayou has been a must-visit destination for many Disneyland Resort Guests since its opening in 1967. Its mystical setting takes you into the heart of the South—overhead strings of colorful balloon lanterns cast an enchanting glow, dotting the darkness while crickets chirp, frogs croak and fireflies wink in the dark.

Big Tastes from the Big Easy

Kick off your memorable meal with Southern-inspired starters. Next, choose from a selection of authentic entrées—including signature dishes such as Jambalaya and Plant-based Cajun Cauliflower.

Favorite dishes include a surf & turf combo of split lobster tail and petite filet mignon with all the fixin’s… and don’t forget the nonalcoholic mint juleps.

New additions to the restaurant’s menu include a New Orleans-inspired signature Hurricane cocktail, along with select wines and beers. And Guests commemorating a special occasion may enhance their experience with a Celebration Finale complete with sparkling wine and a unique shareable dessert. Kids can also take part in the Bayou spirit by creating their own meals, including delicious entrees and sides that cater to every taste.

Be sure to save some room for dessert—and don’t miss the best crème brûlée in New Orleans Square!