Are buffets really worth it...

[UGAFan0829]

We have a couple of ADR's for restaurants that are buffets...such as Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace and 1900 Park Fare. This may just be sticker shock for me since this will be our first trip to Disney, but are the buffets really worth it? It just seems like a lot of money. If I'm figuring right, it will be around $70 at each restaurant just for me and the DH (with tip included of course.) And no, we aren't on the DDP.

 

[sandybobandy]

Well, nothing is inexpensive at Disney but you know that. lol

I think for many of the buffets, you are paying mostly for the ambience and the atmosphere (and character interaction) than you are for the food. Sure, the food will be tasty and there's sure to be a variety, but I'm not sure anyone goes to a buffet expecting a fantastic cuisine.

But that's just me.

Have fun on your first trip!

Sandy

 

[Frantasmic]

With those buffets, you are paying for character interaction as well.

If you want a buffet with just food, the Trail's End Cafeteria at Fort Wilderness may be more palatable costwise.

 

[slp87]

No, they're not really worth it to me. I could never eat the amount of food for the price paid. I've been to many Sunday brunch buffets at VERY nice restaurants that aren't as expensive. But as someone else mentioned, it's WDW and all the food is overpriced, so we accept it. We did cut back to 1 buffet on our last trip since DD is now 11 and charged as an adult.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

DH loves buffets, and he eats a fair amount of food. If it was just the 2 of us I would say it's an OK deal. I like the variety and getting to taste more than just one entree.

But we are now in the boat where DS10 will be charged as an adult and there is NO WAY he would ever eat enough at a buffet to be cost effective. We're better off going to places with menus and having him just order something small instead of paying $27 or whatever for a buffet where he will only eat one plate of food.

 

[Cass]

How much do you pay for buffets at home? 70.00 for 2 doesn't sound that bad to me.

 

[UGAFan0829]

How much do you pay for buffets at home? 70.00 for 2 doesn't sound that bad to me.

Normally here, a buffet is only $30.00 at the most for the both of us. And even a seafood buffet would only be about $50.00 at the most.

 

[Cass]

30.00 total? for 2? that's pretty cheap. I bet that characters didn't show up though

 

[Markstudy]

1) Chef Mickey's
2) Crystal Palace
3) 1900 Park Fare.
really worth it? $70

You're paying for 3 things.....
1) diner
2) a show (characters, theme, music, architecture, cast members)
3) and a seat that is always sold-out (be grateful that Disney doesn't take the highest bidder) they could sell your seat 9 times over, durring the 40 minutes you're in your chair.

$70 is a good price for those 3 things.

Reminds me of the saying- "got to pay to play"..... you can drive 4 miles from Disney and get a better seafood buffet for 2 at $47.00 But that's not where the actions at

 

[MickeyNicki]

We usually do one buffet at CP for dinner each trip.

This Oct we are doing 3 character meals, Chef Mickeys for dinner, CP for breakfast and the Princess Breakfast...normally we would never do this many but we are bringing our 2 nieces that have never gone before and I think it is worth the money for their enjoyment and excitement...the one thing that bothers me is my niece just turned 10 and she will be priced as an adult and she barely eats a thing!

In Dec we doing 1900 Park Faire for dinner before the MVMCP because I could not get into CP..hope it is a good one!

 

[Mad4Dizne]

Eating buffet meals for a late breakfast might be a better deal $$$ wise (around $48 with tax and tip at most) or just do one for lunch or dinner???

Have A Great Trip!!!!!

 

[mrzrich]

Why so many buffets, especially character ones for just you and DH? I think you'll find the food at all 3 pretty similar. Why not keep one and reserve a few Sit down dinners?

 

[IluvDonald!]

Our family likes the variety especially since dd is 11. I guess I don't look at the cost for just the meal, I look at the character interaction, atmosphere, etc. I think the cost is pretty good for the character interaction.

 

[KatGarcia]

I think the buffet is a good idea if you do them at the right time. Like if you do the breakfast buffets do it later in the morning so its more like breakfast and lunch and then it feels more worth the money you are spending. I'm a def believer that a charachter meal is never a bad one, even if it does cost a little more!

 

[tndisneyfan]

Last year we ate at 1900 PF then two nights later we ate at Chef Mickeys. While we were eating at CMs DH popped up and said, you know this would be good if we hadn't just ate the same thing the other night. Both places had different food but quite a bit of it was the same. Overall I don't think food quality on a buffet is near as good as a regular sit down meal. I think you could spend the same $70 and get a lot better meal elsewhere. Now this is just from a food point of view. If you are really into the characters you can't beat a character buffet.

 

[english rose 47]

You must not be on DDP Price doesn't matter then as it's all prepaid and includes tax & tip for approx. $39 a day,

 

[gatour]

Most of the buffets are Character interactions and that is what you are paying for, if that is what you want then go for it. Doing it repeatedly on the same trip may be a bit much. I can think of several restaraunts for lunch or dinner where you could spend the same amont of money and get a decent lunch or dinner as compared to what is offered on the breakfast buffets.

 

[UGAFan0829]

Why so many buffets, especially character ones for just you and DH? I think you'll find the food at all 3 pretty similar. Why not keep one and reserve a few Sit down dinners?

Actually, I ended up cancelling 1900 Park Fare this afternoon, so now all we have is Chef Mickey's, Crystal Palace and the 50's Prime Time (which, of course, is not buffet). I think the main reason that I reserved the buffets was because those happened to be the character meals, and I wanted character meals because this will be our very first trip ever to Disney, so I wanted to try and make it as memorable as possible, especially considering that I don't know how long it might be before we would get to go back.

 

[bomzar]

I used to take my roommate's 4 year old to the park and I have NO problem paying for a semi expensive lunch if it means I don't have to wait in 4 different lines to get pics and autographs (esp. in the Summer)! Having all the characters come to your table while you sit in the AC is worth at least $20!

 

[pixiewytch]

We are only doing one character meal buffet during our trip because I agree that it is overpriced. It all depends on what you like though. I equate pricey dining with being served in an elegant atmosphere, not having to walk up to a line at a buffet with mediocre food. Some people prefer quantity over quality.

I think the bottom line is that it is for the kids. If my son was that big into characters I would do whatever I could to accommodate him but luckily he has only expressed a desire to see the princesses so we are doing the storybook meal in Norway.

If DH and I were going alone without any kids there is no way I would do any of those buffets...not when I could eat at a buffet with the same food at home for half the price.

Although I will say as someone else mentioned Trail's End at FW is a great alternative for a cheaper non character buffet if you are a buffet person. We truly enjoyed their breakfast buffet one year and would go back again for the price.