Are You Cancelling Buffets?

[clombardi]

confused here -- what is the new pricing plan - what ages does it involve. My DGD turns 8 one week before we go and I have PS at Princess Story Book Breakfast Norway and Ohana for July 4 dinner -- are these affected?

Also if we don't cancel our PS for Ohana on July 4 will be charged anyway? Want to keep our options open for that night.

The new prices are for children 10 and over. You can cancel any PS or just not show up and you won't be charged EXCEPT at HDDR, Spirit of Aloha, and Mickey's BBQ. I think you have to cancel those 48 hrs in advance so that they can give you a credit on your charge card since you pay for them in advance. Or, if you are using the dining plan, you give them 48 hrs notice so they don't subtract the credits.

 

[jarestel]

The only reason we even do buffets is for the grandchildren. They like to see the characters and so we have to book the buffets in order to do this for them. So no we won't be cancelling, we'll still be doing the character buffets when the grandchildren are along. When they're not with us, we don't have any interest in the buffets anyway.

 

[Jakesmom1]

I'm still on the fence for this one, We have several buffet ps planned for 4th of July week. I think its really unfair to change the policy this close to our trip.....

Not sure it's worth $25 for my ds to eat mac and cheese


We were going to Cape May, Biergarten and Ohanna's . So, its not like there are even any characters there to warrant the extra $$.

What to do, what to do?

 

[Julia M]

Well, our trip isn't until December, so I'm not ancelling anything, because no pS's have been made.

I had planned on Chef Mickey's, Boma, Crystal Palace, Biergarten and Trails End. I will probably keep Biergarten (ds's favorite), but eat at lunch, not dinner. I may keep a Trails End dinner, also. That's about it.

Chef Mickey's would run us about $140 for the 5 of us, and that's with a 10% tip. I'm just being priced out of the market!

Julia

 

[bigbabyblues]

To be honest, I don't know what everyone is so upset about. We love buffets and eat at them often. Most restaurants end their children's pricing for buffets when the child reaches 10. Disney is just getting in line with the rest of the country. I'm actually happy to eat at the buffets because my kids at least will have fruit and vegetables available, something rarely seen on children's menus.

I agree! I do think the "junior pricing" is a great idea!

 

[Dagny]

confused here -- what is the new pricing plan - what ages does it involve. My DGD turns 8 one week before we go and I have PS at Princess Story Book Breakfast Norway and Ohana for July 4 dinner -- are these affected?

Also if we don't cancel our PS for Ohana on July 4 will be charged anyway? Want to keep our options open for that night.

kkana: Just to clarify.... with the Princess Storybook breakfast (or Cinderellas) you have to cancel 24 hours in advance or you will forfeit your deposit ($10 for adults and $5 for children).

Also, since your Ohana PS is on a holiday (July 4th), I assume you had to provide a credit card to guarantee. If you don't show up, Disney will charge you a per person penalty (I believe it is $10.00 per person) for a no-show.

Have a great trip!!!!

 

[babybunrab]

We're not cancelling, but then, DS loves Crystal Palace, I love Boma, and we've never been to Chef Mickey. That said, it's just the two of us and I do have the DDE card, so it's a less bitter pill to swallow.

I did just talk to a CM at dining who said that only the already paid buffets (like Fantasmic) would stick to the old prices if you booked before July 1st. Any buffet not already paid for (like Boma) would be subject to the new pricing. Oddly, he did say that 'no-one will card you to make sure he's not 9.' He seemed to feel bad about the increase! (Fear not, I will be honest about DS' age. I can't really teach him to be honest and then ask him to lie about his age, now can I)!

I also checked to be sure that DS could still order off the kid's menu at non-buffets and was assured he could for the prices of the kid's menu. The poor kid needs his once a year chicken fingers fix!

Anyhow, I can see how having a larger family might make a difference and cause some folks to cancel buffets. Eating a $50.00 increase over three meals is bad enough, but multiply that by two or three kids...yikes!

 

[tjmw2727]

I am probably not going to do the buffets this time - I don't mind paying an inflated price for the food at a character meal as I consider it an "entertaiment fee" but not the adult price.

I have a very picky 10yo and honestly, considering the food alone, buffets for us were never worth it even at childrens prices. Now that she pays adult fare, no way. Last trip at the Beach Blub breakfast she ate 5-6 strawberries and a mini muffin.

I imagine we will now do counter serve and since my girls usually order soup, salad or an appetizer at the table service restaurants anyway we can still do that. I know that my neices were offered the kids menu even though they were 13 and 15 last trip so maybe that will still happen at counter or table service with a menu.

Oh well, this means we will definately skip ME and use a towncar for our grocery stop to have breakfast and the occasional lunch in the room. We will definately save more than the cost of the TC now!

TJ

 

[tjmw2727]

I also checked to be sure that DS could still order off the kid's menu at non-buffets and was assured he could for the prices of the kid's menu. The poor kid needs his once a year chicken fingers fix!

Sorry for the snip but I wanted double check about the kids meals at CS/TS. I have read elsewhere and on other boards here that they are going to charge double for a 10+ to order the kids meal. Honestly, I am having a hard time believing this and can't verify it. Its good to know that you heard from a CM this can still happen.

Thanks
TJ

 

[babybunrab]

TJ-

He was quite clear that the price of child's menu food at non-buffets (I would guess assuming you didn't order double the amount of food) would stay the same.

 

[TxDisneyFan]

I am so glad that our trip was a couple of weeks ago. I paid for both my DDs as children. Under the new pricing, I would have had to have paid for the older as an adult and she eats next to nothing. It's hard enough to pay $11 for her to eat 2 chicken nuggets and a cup of pudding...it would pain me to pay $27 for that!

With the dining plan and all, they really need to come up with pricing and meals for "juniors." The kids meals are pretty bad - little variety. A 9 year old and a 3 year old don't eat the same. But a 10 year old and an adult don't eat the same either. I think they need a category of meals and pricing for the 8-13 year olds (kind of like McDonalds did with Mighty Kids meals).

In one way it makes sense for a kid to be the same category (child or adult) for both park tickets and meals. It makes it easy to remember. However, almost every 10 year old child is tall enough to ride every ride; almost no 10 year olds eat as much as adults eat.

missypie has a great suggestion. I hope you forward it to Disney. Let our voices be heard.


Ok, so here's my question. Our family trip is Dec 18-23. My DS turns 10 on Dec 19. Since Disney considers his age on the first day of the trip to be 9 - therefore a child MYW ticket, could I apply this rule towards dining for our trip?

I think a call to Disney Dining is in order!

 

[tjmw2727]

TJ-

He was quite clear that the price of child's menu food at non-buffets (I would guess assuming you didn't order double the amount of food) would stay the same.

Awesome - thats great news, thank you.

I just read elsewhere that if you made your ps or ar prior to the change, you will be charged according to the prior age limits. So if your already booked and have a 10 or 11yo no need to stress!

TJ

 

[tjmw2727]

Yes its around $50. I can understand for someone over 21 because of the wine & beer but for a 11 year old! Come on. They really need to go back to a junior price.

I calling now to cancel Biergarten, Crystal Palace, Mamma Melrose FDP, CMC breakfast & Dinner. At least YC galley has a regular menu in addition to the buffet.

Oops...and Chef Mickey's too!

I hope you didn't call yet as I just read they will honor the pricing in place at the time you made the reservation. So if you made the AR/PS prior to the change they will charge the child price. If nothing else call dining and confirm before you cancel.

FTR- on the Jr pricing, I think that is a great idea. Kids meals in general are a pet peeve of mine and, in addition to the characters, one reason why we do buffets. Otherwise we often get a fruit & cheese plate as an appetizer and my girls will order a salad and or soup as a meal rather than the fries and fingers.

TJ

 

[jjohnson]

I hope you didn't call yet as I just read they will honor the pricing in place at the time you made the reservation. So if you made the AR/PS prior to the change they will charge the child price. If nothing else call dining and confirm before you cancel.

FTR- on the Jr pricing, I think that is a great idea. Kids meals in general are a pet peeve of mine and, in addition to the characters, one reason why we do buffets. Otherwise we often get a fruit & cheese plate as an appetizer and my girls will order a salad and or soup as a meal rather than the fries and fingers.

TJ

I actually called this afternoon to cancel & was happy to hear that any AR's made before July 1st would be honored.

 

[TDC Nala]

I may go to more buffets!

You can cancel any PS or just not show up and you won't be charged EXCEPT at HDDR, Spirit of Aloha, and Mickey's BBQ.

Watch out, you may also have been obligated to a no-show fee for the princess meals. If you had to leave a credit card number when you booked, make sure you call to cancel rather than just not showing up.

 

[jacksmom]

I have an 8yo ds that eats a fair amount (no where near what an adult would eat though). I wouldn't mind a junior pricing! But, I would not pay an adult price for a 9 yo! I would eat counter service or off site instead!!!

 

[DisneycrazedX6]

I have a 10 and 11 year old and am pretty upset with this price increase. I made all my ressies 90 days out and the thought of trying to change them is just killing me!!!!! I have several buffets planned and I can't afford all of them now. I called DD today and they told me that I will be charged adult prices for the kids,even if I booked before July 1st. They said we will be told about the increase before we enter the restaurant and again when we order,so I guess it depends on who you talk to!!!! I am keeping my ressies for now and will see what happens. I hate confusion!!!!

 

[n2mm]

I also have a ressie for Cape May for July 21. Since we are staying at the BC, we will check the policy while we are there. If they will not honor the old price, we will cancel then. I do think that a 90 day notice should have been given, therefore, no one would have made PS by then. On another note, can you imagine paying adult price for a 10 year old at HDDR, now that is one place that needs to bring the junior prices back, especially when you consider that adult prices include beer and wine...why charge the 10-20 year olds the same price. They use to have a junior price back in 1989 because I used it then. The junior price was for ages 12-17. Disney, are you listening?

 

[jjohnson]

I have a 10 and 11 year old and am pretty upset with this price increase. I made all my ressies 90 days out and the thought of trying to change them is just killing me!!!!! I have several buffets planned and I can't afford all of them now. I called DD today and they told me that I will be charged adult prices for the kids,even if I booked before July 1st. They said we will be told about the increase before we enter the restaurant and again when we order,so I guess it depends on who you talk to!!!! I am keeping my ressies for now and will see what happens. I hate confusion!!!!

I hope they were just misinformed. I spoke with 3 different CM yesterday at Dining including a manager & they said just to tell the restaurant to check the notice dated 6/17 in their computer. It will state that all AR's made before July 1st will be honored.

 

[jenr812]

I hope they were just misinformed. I spoke with 3 different CM yesterday at Dining including a manager & they said just to tell the restaurant to check the notice dated 6/17 in their computer. It will state that all AR's made before July 1st will be honored.

Did they happen to say what the notice dated 6/17 said? I have read a post from a CM that it only refers to pre-paid AR's such as HDDR.