1 thing WDW 1st timers really didn't like about WDW Dining...

[DnA2010]

Was all the waste

We weren't on the dining plan (stayed off-site) but did do at least one sit-down restaurant a day...we could not get over how much food we saw wasted..especially at the buffet we did (Tusker House lunch) it was just unbelievable- we watched people just fill their plates, take like one bite, then leave it and go get more...I watched a kid take 1 bite of an apple and then leave it...I mean I know that a person isn't going to like everything, but why not take a taste until you know if you like it or not we finished everything on our plates this way and our server expressed how it was nice to see people finish their food.

Even at the regular restaurants there were so many full plates going back-I mean sometimes you really don't like your food, fine, but ordering a dessert because you can, taking one bite and then leaving it is just such a waste...I don't know...I don't think we will do many more buffets as we just couldn't get over the food still left on plates...

Just our 2 cents, but something my hubby really wanted me to mention to "Those Disney people"

we can't be the only ones bothered by it?

 

[BabsBunny]

I agree. It's painful to watch. I especially don't think it's good form to teach your kids that it's okay to waste like that. But I think it's the attitude of "We overpaid for this food, so take as much as you want, kid. If you don't like it, just leave it and take more. We are entitled to it."

 

[TDC Nala]

That's the deal with a buffet - you take as much as you want to take, even if you take more than you are going to eat. I don't think it's solely something that happens at WDW. That's pretty much the only place I go to buffets (and I don't go to so many of them anymore even at WDW) so it would be the only place I see it. You can control what you and your family take and eat at buffets, but you can't control others.

 

[mpetti]

When we do the buffet we only take a little at a time. First of all everyone especially the kids when it's a character buffet are into the characters so how much do you really eat? Plus we don't want to be so stuffed that afterwards we can't enjoy the rides. Even my kids only take a little. I won't allow them to waste food no matter if we are on the dining plan or paying OOP.

 

[Tiger926]

That's the deal with a buffet - you take as much as you want to take, even if you take more than you are going to eat. I don't think it's solely something that happens at WDW. That's pretty much the only place I go to buffets (and I don't go to so many of them anymore even at WDW) so it would be the only place I see it. You can control what you and your family take and eat at buffets, but you can't control others.

Same with us! We control ourselves, especially the kids. We have discussions before we go up, about what is acceptable to eat, proper portions, etc., and the kids are not allowed to scoop their own food. My 8 year old is very capable, but it's not necessary, as I find kids try and scoop out reasonable portions, and it doesn't happen.

I can't stand the amount of parents who let their very small children, and even older children who have non concept of self control or wastage, help themselves at the buffets. We can't stand this, as it adds to wastage and sanitary reasons too.

The food wastage really bothers us, but we really control how and what we eat (don't order something unless we can eat it, share food), as this is all we can do.

Tiger

 

[wcpamotm]

Add me to the list of those who hate to see food wasted -although not enough to be a glutton and eat more of a plated meal than I'm comfortable with (thankful for take-out boxes!).

I know at a buffet that I can go back as many times as I want, so I tend to take rather small potions.

I'd like to encourage others to do the same, though I'm afraid that most of those who could benefit from such encouragement don't recognize themselves in these posts.

 

[Winky65]

It is really sad how much is wasted. Not only at buffets, I think portion sizes at restaurants is ridiculous.

We always take small portions of items at a buffet, now if something does not taste good, I will leave it on the plate. I see no reason to eat something that does not taste good when I find some things I like better at a buffet. But that is why I start with small portions.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Yes, I hate it too. It is painful to watch. And not at just buffets, either.

I used to enjoy the buffets because I am a not a big eater. I would take a tablespoon or two of several things, get alot of enjoyment and variety. I really am not able to eat alot. But at $46.49 with tax and tip (not peak pricing) for the buffets now, I can't just pay that when I eat so little. People on the Dis frequently say "it's not the money". Well for me it IS the money. I don't have much. I have to use the little money I have wisely.

 

[3pletprincesses]

agreed... that's one of the reason my triplets share meals as I know that they can't each ea a full meal without having more then half going to waste. I just don't get why people waste so much. I find it shameful.

 

[Tricia1972]

It seems that there a few different discussions/situations going on here.

Wasting at a buffet, Wasting at a regular TS, Wasting with the DDP.

I do NOT find it shameful to opt not to be a member of the Clean Your Plate club at a Disney TS. I will definitely waste any left over food if I have no safe way to cart my leftovers back to the hotel. You order your entree and can't finish it, then by all means 'waste' the rest. It's better than overstuffing yourself and taking in calories that you don't want/need. No shame in that at all.

Personally, I won't judge others at a buffet because I don't know enough about the situation to judge. Lines can be long to get your food, and perhaps something looked/smelled delicious but wasn't to their liking or was cold when they got back to the table. Take a bite, don't like it and move on. Hypocrite that I am though, I may have a harder time not judging if someone sent away a full plate with many different items at a buffet. Just because excessive waste at buffets can affect me personally if buffet costs rise due to excessive waste.

I agree with the line of thought that ordering a dessert just because you can or are entitled to it, only to take one bite is wasteful. It's one reason that the different Dining Plans don't work for us. I hate wasting money and I hate wasting food, if I don't get the dessert I feel like I am wasting money. If I get the dessert I either over stuff myself or waste food. However, I still try not to judge others in this instance. It's their money/dining credit and it's up to them if they want to order dessert just for a taste.

 

[HelenParr]

I find the discussion fascinating! I have never been bothered by the "waste" of food at Disney... in fact never thought of it that way until I saw some Dis'ers complaints. I'm hoping someone can explain it to me because honestly perplexed, and feel like I'm missing something.

My take: It is discouraging, and unfair on many levels, that there are many people who do not have access to enough food. But there is no connection between uneaten Disney food being thrown out and people who are hungry or starving. There isn't a scarcity of food in the United States (and there are certainly arguments that we have an obligation to share food -- or to be sure everyone is fed)...but it makes no difference to the availability of food that Disney uses more food per person than is needed.

Many of us grew up with our parents reminding us that kids in other parts of the world would be happy to have our food, so we should be grateful. That does not add up to a food supply problem within the country.

 

[vicki_c]

Why is everyone looking at everyone else's plates? Really I would have no clue about waste at Disney because I don't pay attention to what other diners are doing.

 

[Tiger926]

Why is everyone looking at everyone else's plates? Really I would have no clue about waste at Disney because I don't pay attention to what other diners are doing.

You've never walked to your table, or out of the restaurant and see piles of food leftover on tables? You've never had a child drop a full plate of food on your feet or bang into you with a plate full of food?

It's funny to me how people always post this kind of a response - believe me, I am very busy with my own family, so I don't go looking at others' plates on purpose, but in the above situations, it's hard not to see the mounds of food lefover on plates.

Tiger

 

[BabsBunny]

I find the discussion fascinating! I have never been bothered by the "waste" of food at Disney... in fact never thought of it that way until I saw some Dis'ers complaints. I'm hoping someone can explain it to me because honestly perplexed, and feel like I'm missing something.

My take: It is discouraging, and unfair on many levels, that there are many people who do not have access to enough food. But there is no connection between uneaten Disney food being thrown out and people who are hungry or starving. There isn't a scarcity of food in the United States (and there are certainly arguments that we have an obligation to share food -- or to be sure everyone is fed)...but it makes no difference to the availability of food that Disney uses more food per person than is needed.

Many of us grew up with our parents reminding us that kids in other parts of the world would be happy to have our food, so we should be grateful. That does not add up to a food supply problem within the country.

First a Disclaimer: I'm not saying that everyone should feel the need to join the clean plate club. I'm talking about adults and parents who watch or encourage their kids to load up on six Danish which they know the kid will not eat.

I'll take a stab at answering your question. There are several reasons.

The first being, as you said, waste not want not upbringing. My parents are immigrants who left a war torn country for this one. It's a morality issue for them, a manners issue for me. Heck, greed and gluttony are two of the seven deadly sins. lol.

Second, you can look at it from a fiscal point of view--Disney has to pay to supply that food. When all of those Danish are being tossed, we all end up paying for it in the long run.

Third, there is the entitlement factor. It's one thing to eat as much as you can because you paid $28 for your breakfast, but it's another thing to grab all that food that you know you can't eat because "Dammit, I'm gonna get my money's worth even if I just take one bite of each of these six Danish." And back to the issue of kids, have you ever watched "My Sweet Sixteen Birthday"? I'm willing to bet those princesses have been taught their whole lives that they are entitled to whatever and as much as they want.

I dunno. I don't mean to get on a soapbox, but I understand where the OP is coming from. It's interesting to note that he/she's not from this country.

 

[klmall]

Advance Dining 'reservations' and what they really turn out to mean

 

[nessz79]

I think portion sizes at restaurants is ridiculous.

Totally agree. We've gotten better with sharing dishes, etc, as the portion sizes are just way too big, especially at TS restaurants.

 

[Horbar]

Do what you want at the buffets!!!! Disney charges big bucks for these buffets and people feel they need to get there moneys worth. Instead of crying about waste, complain to Disney about how they price gauge. If people could pay a lower price for a one trip buffet, you would probable eliminate your waste.

 

[wcpamotm]

Do what you want at the buffets!!!! Disney charges big bucks for these buffets and people feel they need to get there moneys worth. Instead of crying about waste, complain to Disney about how they price gauge. If people could pay a lower price for a one trip buffet, you would probable eliminate your waste.

I dunno... If a one-trip buffet were instituted, I could imagine plates being piled close to the ceiling with food, and even more food wasted.

 

[Alsobrook]

There are some buffets, and usually some of the nicer ones, out in Las Vegas where your table server will describe the buffet to you and then make a very pleasant request that you use a clean plate for return trips and that because your food options are more or less unlimited, you might try sampling first to see what you like best.

A friendly reminder from a table server can go a long way, if it's done in a thoughtful manner.

Regarding the dessert ordering, I have to say that in my opinion, truly stellar dessert options are few and far between. Sometimes, people order them and legitimately do not like them and decide that it's not worth it to stuff themselves with something they truly don't like. That being said, I've certain seen a lot of leftover desserts in Disney eateries.

Unfortunately, eyes being bigger than stomachs is a common thing, especially when you've been tromping around all day building up an appetite.

 

[shenaniganzz]

For me, it would really depend on the situation.

I totally agree that taking a bite of an apple and discarding it is terrible. Unless the child was trying it for the first time (and I doubt that), then this is a good example of waste and uncalled for.

However, at a buffet I would find it harder to judge. We are trying Boma on our next trip and there will be unique flavours and dishes to try... and I plan to try 'em. I know I won't like them all. There will be some wasteage! However, I won't put mounds of new foods on my plate. As a pp said, I will take samples and go back for bigger portions of what I do like.

If I see someone waste a dessert, I would like to think it was because they didn't like it rather than they were just bent on ordering something because they "paid" for it or are getting it free (FD).

I always air on the side of giving benefit of the doubt though... unless it is blatantly obvious it is just wasteful gluttony.