Cape May Cafe vs. Garden Grove's Friday Night Seafood Buffet?

[katiee37]

I wanted to see how many of you all have been to both Cape May and the seafood buffet at Garden Grove and could give your opinion as to which one you preferred. Cape May Cafe is one of two restaurants to have made our list every trip, so I kind of want to keep that up, but I know Garden Grove has characters and a slightly different variety. I'm from Maryland so I know good seafood when I have it so that plays a role in my decision. I heard that Cape May has gone downhill a bit since my last trip, but I tend not to hear too much about Garden Grove, and my budget only allows for one or the other.

Thanks so much!

 

[DisneyFansInLINY]

My parents have been to both and prefer the Garden Grove's seafood buffet over Cape May. Granted Cape May was one of my dad's favorite restaurants at WDW until he ate at the Garden Grove's seafood buffet. They said it was amazing and the service was outstanding. They had a late reservation and were a big party consisting of my parents, nieces, sisters and brother. The waiter gave them a bunch of items on the table like calamari, lobster tails, etc. And they didn't even pay the extra price for the lobster tails. I would definitely pick the Garden Grove over Cape May.

 

[ParrotBill]

Did not even realize Garden Grove did a Friday Night Seafood Buffet. Anyone know where you can get more information? Nothing on the Swan's site nor on Allears.

 

[ExBellhop]

On the Disney.com site, buried way down in the Garden Grove dinner menu, there is:

Buffet Features - Meat and Seafood
Prime Rib with Au Jus, Mussel Fra Diablo, Frutti di Mare, Snow Crab Legs, Jumbo Scallops with Wilted Greens, Bacon, and Cabernet Vinegar, Lemon Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Seafood Paella, Salmon with Tarragon Buerre Blanc, Green Beans with Shallots and Toasted Almonds

From the Kitchen - Seafood
Fried Seafood Basket with Fried Shrimp, Popcorn Shrimp, Calamari, and Hush Puppies. Stuffed Half Maine Lobster
-----

We tried Garden Grove for the first time in July, though on a Thursday (Mediterranean Night). For a buffett, which is usually not my thing, I was very happy, and ate myself happy. Desserts were also a highlight. Not very crowded, either. Impressed, but not blown away. We will return.

 

[DVC Kathy]

We were planning on trying the Seafood buffet this December. According to swandolphin.com, the dinner at Garden Grove is no longer a buffet. They have menus through their site. There is an all you can eat salad/soup bar, and a dessert buffet, but there are only a handful of entree choices.

 

[ExBellhop]

So it is. Or so it seems Weird. Literally (and for once, literally means literally) just ate there on the 4th of July as a Buffet. Ha! I will investigate - I think my brother knows the new GM at that location...

**edit**

Confirmed with GM. No more buffet as it was. Swandolphin.com is correct.

 

[ParrotBill]

Well harumph. Won't be deploying my 20% DVC discount there. Off to Fulton's.

 

[sunshineNJ]

The Garden Grove very recently discontinued all it's buffetts.

 

[disneywalkers]

We found this very disappointing. I had booked this for the first time for our September trip and then received an email with the new menu and notice of the discontinue of the buffet. I had to cancel. With 6 kids and 4 adults buffets are just easier to please everyone. It may be more work for me and hubby as we don't allow our children under 13 to go up to the buffet alone so we're making a lot of trips (often they don't go at all, and we just get what we know they like), but it's still better than the choices that non buffets offer for children. My kids like to try different foods and like veggies so nuggets and fries don't work.

 

[stormer]

We were planning on trying the Seafood buffet this December. According to swandolphin.com, the dinner at Garden Grove is no longer a buffet. They have menus through their site. There is an all you can eat salad/soup bar, and a dessert buffet, but there are only a handful of entree choices.

I received an e-mail saying the buffets were discontinued. I called to question it because the new menu they sent me did not include Fridays. The women I spoke to said the Friday night seafood buffet is staying, the other nights were discontinued. If anyone else wants to call here is the number from the e-mail:

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact the Swan and Dolphin dining line at 407-934-1717.

 

[buckeev]

I received an e-mail saying the buffets were discontinued. I called to question it because the new menu they sent me did not include Fridays. The women I spoke to said the Friday night seafood buffet is staying, the other nights were discontinued. If anyone else wants to call here is the number from the e-mail:

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact the Swan and Dolphin dining line at 407-934-1717.

They told me the same thing yesterday when I called. I'm still not convinced though.

 

[katiee37]

Thanks for the responses everyone! I'm pretty much set on Cape May now since Garden Grove seems pretty inconsistent with regard to whether it's a buffet...it'll probably be more consistent come January but at least I know Cape May is a tried and true favorite!

 

[collegeprogram01]

silly question...where is the garden grove?! i know where the garden grill is! never heard of the garden grove!

in terms of cape may cafe...i live in cape may NJ and that seafood is no reflection on what we have here! i wont make another ADR for that place!

 

[Pakey]

silly question...where is the garden grove?! i know where the garden grill is! never heard of the garden grove!

in terms of cape may cafe...i live in cape may NJ and that seafood is no reflection on what we have here! i wont make another ADR for that place!

Garden Grove is at the Swan.

 

[stormer]

If you look at the new menu it is a few set choices.there are different sides to choose from based on the day of the week except friday. The kids menu also does not list choices for friday. That is what made me call. I thought it was strange. I am hoping that means it is true that the friday seagood buffet is still on like the woman told me. I will be there in two weeks so i will report back.

 

[collegeprogram01]

Garden Grove is at the Swan.

Thanks!! do they accept the dining plan?

 

[Pakey]

Thanks!! do they accept the dining plan?

No

 

[holcomb-mania]

If anyone is interested, a 6pm ADR will be opening up on Sunday, January 12, 2014 as soon as I get off this conference call. No BBQ buffet = no me in GG.

 

[stormer]

If you look at the new menu it is a few set choices.there are different sides to choose from based on the day of the week except friday. The kids menu also does not list choices for friday. That is what made me call. I thought it was strange. I am hoping that means it is true that the friday seagood buffet is still on like the woman told me. I will be there in two weeks so i will report back.

Well we ate there tonight and it was the Seafood Buffet. The waiter said that is the only buffet that they kept.

 

[mmdisneylover]

I wanted to see how many of you all have been to both Cape May and the seafood buffet at Garden Grove and could give your opinion as to which one you preferred. Cape May Cafe is one of two restaurants to have made our list every trip, so I kind of want to keep that up, but I know Garden Grove has characters and a slightly different variety. I'm from Maryland so I know good seafood when I have it so that plays a role in my decision. I heard that Cape May has gone downhill a bit since my last trip, but I tend not to hear too much about Garden Grove, and my budget only allows for one or the other.

Thanks so much!

I live in Md and like cape mays but have you tried Fultons at Dtd the food is great you might want to give it a try too.