Best buffet restaurant for evening meal?

[tracy021083]

Inventions is a bit too pricey really, unless someone tells me its amazing and so worth the huge cost!

Was thinking of restaurant des stars, plaza gardens or agrabah?

(Our children are 3 and 6 and my 3 yr old is so fussy!)

What type of foods do these buffet restaurants have?
We're not keen on fish or tex mex style food.

Also, would Annette's be ok for evening meal or just for lunchtime?

 

[DLPdaft]

restaurant des stars won't be open for evening meals. Agrabah may not be either (these restaurants open for lunch only often, you'd have to check with dining line if Agrabah will be open for dinner on any of your nights).

Plaza Gardens is great, I'd recommend that one totally.

Annettes is okay, its open in the evening, but you can't book it in advance. So if you want to go there go at a quiet time (ie when the parade is on ). Otherwise you may have to queue to get in and be seated.

 

[tracy021083]

restaurant des stars won't be open for evening meals. Agrabah may not be either (these restaurants open for lunch only often, you'd have to check with dining line if Agrabah will be open for dinner on any of your nights).

Plaza Gardens is great, I'd recommend that one totally.

Annettes is okay, its open in the evening, but you can't book it in advance. So if you want to go there go at a quiet time (ie when the parade is on ). Otherwise you may have to queue to get in and be seated.

Thanks (as always )
I'm struggling of where to go for our evening meals (most lunches will probably be places like earl of sandwich) thought the kids might like Annette's because of the roller skating service, they've never seen anything like it.

So on the list I've got cafe mickey and plaza gardens lol only need 2 more restaurants

 

[aliscrapper]

We were hesitant about eating at Inventions because of the price; we eat there at lunch-time so no characters but a bit more affordable. The food was so amazing Inventions has become a "must do" restaurant for future trips.

DH and I have been going to DLP yearly since our honeymoon in 2010 and neither of us think a trip is complete without a meal to Annettes - funny enough we are not burger and chips type people; but I'm not sure what Annette's do that makes the food unlike anywhere else we have tried. After being recommended the King Elvis Banana Split it now makes my mouth water just thinking about it and it was huge and cheaper than 2 separate desserts.

 

[aliscrapper]

Just checked back on my trip notes from last June and the food at Inventions was as follows:

Starters included duck and orange pate, duck with orange terrine, nachos with tomato slices and guacamole, coleslaw, fish terrine, prawns, mozzarella, smoked ham, smoked turkey, crispbread, pate in a pastry, lentil and pea soup, hard boiled eggs with a mayonnaise type dressing with little bits of vegetable incorporated in it.

Mains included pizza, chicken nuggets, the most amazing Fantasy potatoes (mickey head shaped potatoes in batter), potato gratin (I thought I’d died and gone to heaven with this!), the most amazing tender chicken with lemon and herb that literally fell apart in your mouth. Breaded chicken, beef, chicken and bacon.

Desserts included pistachio cake (which I think was DH’s favourite judging by the number of times he told me how amazing it was! Lol!), gateau, cheesecake, chocolate cakes with mocha cream and a raspberry on top that had a liquid dark chocolate filling, dark chocolate cheesecake, pecan tart ( this had become a DLP favourite of ours from our visit to Cowboy Cookout last year where it is served) and my favourite dessert was a sponge with caramel liquid topping and finished off with Demerara sugar – it reminded me of caramel shortcake. There were also flumps, boiled DLP sweets and some yummy lemon Minnie lollys.

Plaza Gardens

Starters and mains we saw were
Couscous and prawns, cheese board, cockles, fish shapes in breadcrumbs, vegetables, pasta, pizza, a beef lasagne, potato gratin, Chicken wings, various rice’s, the most amazing tender beef, potato salad with peppers, ham, tomato and chives, fish in sauce, chips, chillis con carne and hot dogs – there really was something there for all tastes.

Desserts - maple syrup and pancakes, marshmallow flumps, fresh fruit, chocolate mousse, pecan tart, yogurts, lemon meringue pie, squares of cake consisting of a caramel top with a cheesecake and biscuit base, cheesecake, caramel shortcake with the most gorgeous chocolate topping..

 

[tracy021083]

We were hesitant about eating at Inventions because of the price; we eat there at lunch-time so no characters but a bit more affordable. The food was so amazing Inventions has become a "must do" restaurant for future trips.

DH and I have been going to DLP yearly since our honeymoon in 2010 and neither of us think a trip is complete without a meal to Annettes - funny enough we are not burger and chips type people; but I'm not sure what Annette's do that makes the food unlike anywhere else we have tried. After being recommended the King Elvis Banana Split it now makes my mouth water just thinking about it and it was huge and cheaper than 2 separate desserts.

We've got Annette's on the definite list of places to eat - it looks really cool with them on roller skates!
I'm hesitant on Inventions due to the price (over £150 for our family meal - ouch!) but we won't be returning to dlp anytime soon so think we'll have to try it and see hopefully it'll be worth it from things I've read.

 

[tracy021083]

Just checked back on my trip notes from last June and the food at Inventions was as follows:

Starters included duck and orange pate, duck with orange terrine, nachos with tomato slices and guacamole, coleslaw, fish terrine, prawns, mozzarella, smoked ham, smoked turkey, crispbread, pate in a pastry, lentil and pea soup, hard boiled eggs with a mayonnaise type dressing with little bits of vegetable incorporated in it.

Mains included pizza, chicken nuggets, the most amazing Fantasy potatoes (mickey head shaped potatoes in batter), potato gratin (I thought I’d died and gone to heaven with this!), the most amazing tender chicken with lemon and herb that literally fell apart in your mouth. Breaded chicken, beef, chicken and bacon.

Desserts included pistachio cake (which I think was DH’s favourite judging by the number of times he told me how amazing it was! Lol!), gateau, cheesecake, chocolate cakes with mocha cream and a raspberry on top that had a liquid dark chocolate filling, dark chocolate cheesecake, pecan tart ( this had become a DLP favourite of ours from our visit to Cowboy Cookout last year where it is served) and my favourite dessert was a sponge with caramel liquid topping and finished off with Demerara sugar – it reminded me of caramel shortcake. There were also flumps, boiled DLP sweets and some yummy lemon Minnie lollys.

Plaza Gardens

Starters and mains we saw were
Couscous and prawns, cheese board, cockles, fish shapes in breadcrumbs, vegetables, pasta, pizza, a beef lasagne, potato gratin, Chicken wings, various rice’s, the most amazing tender beef, potato salad with peppers, ham, tomato and chives, fish in sauce, chips, chillis con carne and hot dogs – there really was something there for all tastes.

Desserts - maple syrup and pancakes, marshmallow flumps, fresh fruit, chocolate mousse, pecan tart, yogurts, lemon meringue pie, squares of cake consisting of a caramel top with a cheesecake and biscuit base, cheesecake, caramel shortcake with the most gorgeous chocolate topping..

Wow all that food sounds amazing! Thanks for posting all that info.
I'll have to make sure we're all starving when we go! I'm going to be in heaven with all those deserts!

 

[HappyPanda]

Have you had a look at the prices for other hotel buffets? I think the ones at the HNY and SQL normally get good reviews. they will considerably cheaper than Inventions (no characters though) and they both offer a decent spread!

 

[Ms Poppins]

Have you had a look at the prices for other hotel buffets? I think the ones at the HNY and SQL normally get good reviews. they will considerably cheaper than Inventions (no characters though) and they both offer a decent spread!

I agree, HNY is a good buffet and usually quiet too

 

[aliscrapper]

We've got Annette's on the definite list of places to eat - it looks really cool with them on roller skates!
I'm hesitant on Inventions due to the price (over £150 for our family meal - ouch!) but we won't be returning to dlp anytime soon so think we'll have to try it and see hopefully it'll be worth it from things I've read.

I think there was only one guy on skates when we went but they did all start dancing on the tables. We usually leave the park half hour or so before closing and this really helps with the queues for Annettes.

I was really resistant to trying Inventions as you say because of the price; but I had heard so many glowin reports of the meal DH and I decided that it was our treat for our holiday last year and we thought it was really worth the cost. We're doing the Sunday Brunch at Inventions this year which is £100 ish for 2 adults but we're putting aside a little money every month as we're so desperate to eat there with the characters.

 

[aliscrapper]

Wow all that food sounds amazing! Thanks for posting all that info.
I'll have to make sure we're all starving when we go! I'm going to be in heaven with all those deserts!

Your very welcome. I think the main thing we liked about both buffets is the variety of food - there really is something for all tastes. Definitely a meal to do when your starving I thought I had gone to heaven with the yummy desserts; especially as I'm on a diet the rest of the time and don't usually eat many cakes!

 

[aliscrapper]

I agree, HNY is a good buffet and usually quiet too

What kind of food does the HNY buffet have?? Thanks

 

[addverbaan]

Inventions is a fantastic experience. The restaurant is beautiful, the service fab and the characters just briliiant - however-----there is a very heavy seafood bias, plus things like veal etc. Really good food and very luxurious - only problem is we do not really like seafood!
So we loved our experience there, but in terms of the food, it was just not for us and we did not eat anywhere enough to get value for money.

I can definately recommend the buffet at Sequoia Lodge. It is much more homely style food if you get what I mean. different cuts of meat, pasta, pizza, loads of salads and starters and very yummy cakes and desserts.

 

[MissSkellington]

I think the buffet at SL was great! We had it during our November stay as our Thanksgiving dinner, and were very pleased! And very happy to see ham, stuffed turkey, loads of desserts, veg...potatoes...salads...they even had BBQ ribs!

Should we ever stay at SL again, would most definitely eat there.

Trying Inventions for the first time this trip!!

 

[Jazzy B Bunny]

What's the food like at Santa Fe? I've kinda budgeted €30 for an evening meal with a drink. Hoping that's enough

 

[DLPdaft]

What's the food like at Santa Fe? I've kinda budgeted €30 for an evening meal with a drink. Hoping that's enough

yes thats enough for quite a few buffet/table service restaurants, including the Santa Fe and Cheyenne buffets.

I like the Santa Fe dinner buffet anyway - but if you're going when the main park and dreams are on late, go to the Santa Fe buffet at 6pm when it opens for dinner. We did that earlier this year before heading back to the park for Dreams, and it was amazing - all the food was piping hot and fresh, there were no lines anywhere, and for the first time ever at the Santa Fe, there was a waiter there to take you to your table (usually when it gets busier you have to find your own table).

I would definitely do that again .

 

[Jazzy B Bunny]

yes thats enough for quite a few buffet/table service restaurants, including the Santa Fe and Cheyenne buffets.

I like the Santa Fe dinner buffet anyway - but if you're going when the main park and dreams are on late, go to the Santa Fe buffet at 6pm when it opens for dinner. We did that earlier this year before heading back to the park for Dreams, and it was amazing - all the food was piping hot and fresh, there were no lines anywhere, and for the first time ever at the Santa Fe, there was a waiter there to take you to your table (usually when it gets busier you have to find your own table).

I would definitely do that again .

Thanks might do that one night after our relax and before all the evening things start.