Anyone NOT eat at a buffet?

[budafam]

Please no flames... I have a very picky eater for a husband and we are planning doing a ton of ADR's (some buffets)... what if we go to a buffet and there is nothing there that he will eat? I'm afraid of this happening after looking at some of the pictures. Will he be able to just sit there with us or will they ask him to leave? Either way we really don't mind but it would be nice to have him with us and just grab him something later to eat (as long as we don't get charged for him)... anyone know?

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

My husband is the pickiest man on earth and he can always find something to eat at the buffets, sometimes it is even something from the children's section. I don't think they will ask you to leave if just one person isn't eating. I wouldn't think they would charge you if he isn't eating, just don't let him eat off your plate. He could just order a drink.

 

[noahdove]

I am a picky eater and I have always found many items that I love on the buffets, and I have eaten dinner and breakfast...I never go away hungry...good luck

 

[worm761]

You will most likely be charged for him even to just sit there. What exactly will your husband eat? And what buffets do you have reservations for? You can't really go off of what you see in other peoples pictures with buffets since you will rarely get an accurate account of what is available.

 

[zales127]

They charged my cousin last year at Hollywood and Vine. She wasnt feeling good and didnt eat. However, we didnt mention this to the waiter until after we got the bill. Maybe if you let them know before hand it would work out different.

 

[minnie mum]

Your husband will be charged whether he eats or not. This is standard practice for all of the buffets or family style meals at WDW. Every person seated at a table must pay the fixed price whether they eat 4 plates full of food or only has a drink.

The whole idea behind buffets is that there is such a huge selection of foods that there is something for everyone. I have read some of your previous posts regarding your husbands dietary problems, and honestly, it would probably be better if he just ate elsewhere. At the current price of Disney buffets it would be a terrible waste of money if he would only eat one thing off the entire buffet.

 

[MikeOhio]

Like others have said, if your husband is with you in the restaurant you will be charged the full meal price even if he doesn't eat. Can you imagine the logistics of trying to keep track of who is eating and who isn't. Also at character meals a big part of the fee is the character experience so even if he doesn't eat he would deserve to be charged for the character interaction.

That being said I can't imagine how even the most un adventurous eater could not find at least one thing to eat at a disney buffet.

 

[purple figment]

Disney charges everyone at the table, especially at the character buffets, because part of the price is for the character interaction and entertainment. At any buffet whether it's Disney or elsewhere, everyone at the table is charged because there's no way the wait staff can keep track of who is or isn't eating.

The majority of Disney's buffets offer familiar dishes. Even a more "unusual" buffet such as Boma is mainly Americanized food with only hints and overtones of Africa. Also all the buffets have a children's area that might appeal to your husband.

 

[Princess Sleepy]

Your husband will be charged whether he eats or not. This is standard practice for all of the buffets or family style meals at WDW. Every person seated at a table must pay the fixed price whether they eat 4 plates full of food or only has a drink.

The whole idea behind buffets is that there is such a huge selection of foods that there is something for everyone. I have read some of your previous posts regarding your husbands dietary problems, and honestly, it would probably be better if he just ate elsewhere. At the current price of Disney buffets it would be a terrible waste of money if he would only eat one thing off the entire buffet.

If he has health issues, maybe you could talk to the chefs and they could make something for him. My understanding is that most of the TS restaurants, even the buffets, are very accommodating if you ask.

 

[budafam]

Thanks everyone. Mostly I've seen breakfasts with scrambled eggs that have cheese in them (DH won't eat that, only plain scrambled eggs)... I've also seen a white mac & cheese (not sure which one it was) but he wouldn't do that either. Sorry but I'd really love for my husband to be a part of our meals even if he doesn't eat... so that's why I'm asking. On our last trip I did email Disney prior to but they didn't accommodate anything. He ended up not eating at a few of the restaurants we went to. I was just wondering if anyone has had experience going to a buffet and having someone not find anything they want on there and what they do in that case.

 

[winterman]

The buffets have such a wide variety of foods that there should be something for everyone. I would think that buffets would be the best bet for a very picky eater.

But, as others have said, if he sits at the table in a buffet restaurant, he will be charged. (At least that is what I have read many times here.)

 

[Familyof4lovesDW]

Thanks everyone. Mostly I've seen breakfasts with scrambled eggs that have cheese in them (DH won't eat that, only plain scrambled eggs)... I've also seen a white mac & cheese (not sure which one it was) but he wouldn't do that either. Sorry but I'd really love for my husband to be a part of our meals even if he doesn't eat... so that's why I'm asking. On our last trip I did email Disney prior to but they didn't accommodate anything. He ended up not eating at a few of the restaurants we went to. I was just wondering if anyone has had experience going to a buffet and having someone not find anything they want on there and what they do in that case.

What does he like to eat? By knowing that we could telll you if we had seen those things. I am super picky (so is DS8), too and we were able to find something at every meal to eat. I know at Ohana the eggs did not seem to have cheese in them. They had mickey waffles and bacon. They also have sausage and some potatoes.

We also ate at Garden Grill. He may not like the things served to adults, but it is served family style and you can get as much of whatever you want. For the kids it was baked chicken legs, mac and cheese that was orange, Stoffers I think??. For adults they had turkey with gravy, which I am sure you could get without and beef tenderloin, with a sauce or something that you could also get on the side.

I know at Chef Mickey's they had chicken fingers, pizza, the same mac and cheese as above and turkey and beef they would carve for you. They also have rolls and ice cream. I think rolls could be a meal themselves

Which meal is he less picky on? I know that sound strange but I know I am less picky on breakfast foods. They usually don't add sauces and marinades to those! Crystal Palace had a wide variety of breakfast foods to choose from. I think I ate the most when I ate there because I liked the most.

 

[budafam]

What does he like to eat? By knowing that we could telll you if we had seen those things. I am super picky (so is DS8), too and we were able to find something at every meal to eat. I know at Ohana the eggs did not seem to have cheese in them. They had mickey waffles and bacon. They also have sausage and some potatoes.

We also ate at Garden Grill. He may not like the things served to adults, but it is served family style and you can get as much of whatever you want. For the kids it was baked chicken legs, mac and cheese that was orange, Stoffers I think??. For adults they had turkey with gravy, which I am sure you could get without and beef tenderloin, with a sauce or something that you could also get on the side.

I know at Chef Mickey's they had chicken fingers, pizza, the same mac and cheese as above and turkey and beef they would carve for you. They also have rolls and ice cream. I think rolls could be a meal themselves

Which meal is he less picky on? I know that sound strange but I know I am less picky on breakfast foods. They usually don't add sauces and marinades to those! Crystal Palace had a wide variety of breakfast foods to choose from. I think I ate the most when I ate there because I liked the most.

Thanks for all the info! He's less picky on breakfast foods I would say. He'll eat scrambled eggs, pancakes, waffles and certain cereals. He likes french toast but not with powdered sugar on (which is hard to find in WDW). We did Chef Mickey's last time we were there and that was his favorite so we're repeating that this year. Other breakfasts we're doing are Akershus, Kona & CRT (I read that someone requested Mickey waffles at CRT so that'll work for him). I really hate to fork out that much money for him to eat waffles but I don't want him to miss the experience either.

We're planning on doing the Cape May Clam Bake as well but it's just going to be me & my MIL. DH will go with the kids somewhere else to eat... I couldn't see spending the money for them on that one.

I'm a bit worried about Hoop De Doo... even if he doesn't eat, he'll enjoy the show there and I know we'll have to pay for him.

Anyone know what's on 1900 Park Fare's buffet for dinner? That's the only one I can think of that I really don't know.

Thanks for all the helpful responses

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

When we eat at a buffet, we usually choose breakfast, because my DH is so picky and because that leaves us full for most of the rest of the day. I know that many have a make your own omlet station, DH loves those.

We have done 1900 Park Fare Dinner, but I can't remember what they had. I believe they have a carving station, many different types of meats and side dishes, salads, soups, and desserts.

Have you checked out the menues on Allears.net, those are pretty comprehensive? I always check those out before booking my restaurant, so I know if they have something DH will eat.

I have seen the Chef come out to the table and work wiht a family that had someone with dietary restricitions, you just need to let your waiter/waitress know as soon as they come to the table.

 

[snykymom]

I was just wondering if anyone has had experience going to a buffet and having someone not find anything they want on there and what they do in that case.

What they do in that case is exactly . . . nothing. Your husband will be charged. If you're worried that there's nothing he'll eat, go somewhere else.

 

[budafam]

What they do in that case is exactly . . . nothing. Your husband will be charged. If you're worried that there's nothing he'll eat, go somewhere else.

I'm wondering if he'll have the option of leaving and not being charged if there's nothing he'll eat. There are character meals that I'd like my children to be able to attend. We're not about to center all of our meals around DH but I'd like to know his options, that's all.

 

[Edgehopper]

I don't know if they'd do this, but I expect they wouldn't object to your husband looking at the buffet before seating you. I don't see why they wouldn't, and Disney is very accommodating in general.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Thanks everyone. Mostly I've seen breakfasts with scrambled eggs that have cheese in them(DH won't eat that, only plain scrambled eggs) ...>>every bf buffet i've been to has always had both plain scrambled eggs, and scr.eggs with cheese. Cape May had both. I've also seen a white mac & cheese (not sure which one it was) but he wouldn't do that either. >>>again, almost all buffets I have been to have the regular mac n' cheese. Maybe Boma is the one with white mac n' cheese? Sorry but I'd really love for my husband to be a part of our meals even if he doesn't eat... so that's why I'm asking. On our last trip I did email Disney prior to but they didn't accommodate anything. >>>sorry to say, but I dont blame Disney for not being accomodating in a case like this. If they had to accomodate every picky eater, imagine the work they'd have on their hands??? Allergies, yes. thats serious and does get taken seriously, but for picky eaters...sorry, your on your own I suppose. He ended up not eating at a few of the restaurants we went to. I was just wondering if anyone has had experience going to a buffet and having someone not find anything they want on there and what they do in that case.

What they do in that case is exactly . . . nothing. Your husband will be charged. If you're worried that there's nothing he'll eat, go somewhere else.>>> LOL! True thou. If he is there at the table with you but not eating, he will be charged. But if you ask ahead of time if he's able to look before eating, they might accomodate that.

 

[nkereina]

I would probably be more worried about the opposite - not finding something in a TS restaurant rather than a buffet. I'm a picky eater also so buffets are always a good option for me. There's usually a lot of options and I'm not stuck with something I ordered and don't like. I reviewed the menus before making ADRs and there were several TS restaurants we had to avoid because there was nothing on the menu I would eat. Make sure you look into this too!

 

[DonaldTDuck]

Have you looked at the menus on this site or allears.net? Should be a real help.