Can you decline the buffet?

[larkles]

We are going in early June for 5 nights with ME, DH, MIL, FIL, DS9, DS7 AND DS4:dance3:
We are trying to make the most out of TS meals and have made reservations for:

Marrakesh
Ohana
Boma (for adults) Simba's for the kids!
Hollywood and Vine -Breakfast
Whispering Canyon-lunch can't get dinner:headache:
Crystal Palace

Can we go to Hollywood and Vine and let the kids eat while we have coffee or do we have to order?

Thanks for your help popcorn::

[Grumpy_Disney_Dad]

I am not sure if this is still the case, but in the past they have charged a $10 entertainment fee for character meals that you dont eat at. I am not sure how that would work since you are technically ordeing something

[Chloesmom]

A few years ago we ate at Cp and my ex MIL didnt want to eat so they charged her for the entertainment ( I think it was $5 then.. but its been several years). They did bring her a drink for free though.
I am not sure how many people you are taking and wanting to do this with. I think if you reserved a table for 6 and only 2 or 3 kids were paying full price they may have a problem with it. I would ask when making the ADR so you know what to expect when you get there

[kaytieeldr]

Just a guess, but I'm thinking no, they will not allow four adults to not eat/pay at this - really, any - buffet restaurant. It doesn't appear that they sell individual beverages, either so each having a cup of coffee appears 'out'.

[larkles]

Just spoke with a CM and she said she "thinks" there is a $3 charge per person:confused3 She would not elaborate or didn't really know.

Not too helpful, unlike the FANTASTIC CM who made my ressies earlier this afternoon:goodvibes

[renessa]

Can you?? Probably.
I was a server in college and I don't imagine your server would be thrilled unless you planned to tip for all four. If you add the coffee price, the entertainment fee, and tip...couldn't you just enjoy breakfast with your children?? JMHO.

[larkles]

I could just enjoy b-fast with the boys by myself. I thought it would be more pleasurable for our group if the 4 adults could all go and just get coffee and a bagel/pastry instead of the whole buffet, since we aren't big b-fast eaters. I wasn't sure if a la carte was an option.

[Pumbaa_]

My niece will be 3yo in Sept when we go. This buffet is right up her alley, she loves these characters. The whole group is not going, just her parents and grandparents, the rest of the group are going elsewhere for a meal at the same time. Is that an option for your group and then meet up later?

[Deb & Bill]

I could just enjoy b-fast with the boys by myself. I thought it would be more pleasurable for our group if the 4 adults could all go and just get coffee and a bagel/pastry instead of the whole buffet, since we aren't big b-fast eaters. I wasn't sure if a la carte was an option.

Ala carte is not an option at buffets. As a server, I'd be upset to be expected to fill up a table of 8 (you can only seat 7 at a table for 8) and then only get a tip based on three kids' buffets. You are seriously impacting her income for that morning. Unless you intend to tip based on a breakfast of $130 instead of $36.

[gigi1313]

how 'bout going for lunch or "brunch" (the latest breakfast seating) instead? by then perhaps the adults will be hungry and the experience (w/the characters) is the same :)

[bicker]

The fee started out at $5, but was increased to $7 at many venues a few years ago. It might be as high as $10 now, while some restaurants may simply charge full price regardless of whether the patron is eating or not.

[larkles]

My niece will be 3yo in Sept when we go. This buffet is right up her alley, she loves these characters. The whole group is not going, just her parents and grandparents, the rest of the group are going elsewhere for a meal at the same time. Is that an option for your group and then meet up later?


Thanks for the ideas. I think I may end up taking the boys and meet the others later or plan to eat a la carte at WCC instead. The issue is 3 extra kids TS from the night the grown-ups are eating at Boma.

I have never worked in food service- way too clumsy :rotfl2: - so the input about having people who don't order was very informative. I would never have imagined that going with a group who didn't all order was a breach of etiquette as well as affecting wages for a hard working waiter.

I feel badly for the times we have done this:sad2: fortunately not often since we have 3 BOYS and don't get out of the house much these days!!! I will remember to tip accordingly next time:goodvibes

PS Bicker- I am in Burlington, NC!