Buffet dining…how do you feel?

[HelsBels16]

Are you ready to return to self-serve buffet dining?
Cruise lines from the U.K. were going down the route of served buffets; one line reintroduced traditional buffet style, and COVID rates soared, so they’ve been forced to return to servers.
I’m personally not ready to return to a serve yourself buffet, and not sure if I ever will be. Based in the U.K., so WDW not yet available to me, but wondered what your thoughts were, with the reopening of Boma and no doubt more to follow…

 

[DVC92]

I stopped doing buffets quite a while ago. I did try Crystal Palace while it was serving family-style and thought it was a really nice dinner. I was about to book it again for my next trip until it returned to its buffet format. In light of all the Covid insanity, this doesn't make sense to me. Multiple people handling utensils, kids sneezing, etc. Back to Skippers for me even if they stopped serving bread (another bone I have to pick).

 

[GoingSince1990]

Absolutely fine. We went to Goofy’s Kitchen at DLR as soon as it reopened. It is the same buffet that it always was, and we (all fully vaccinated) were completely comfortable.

 

[freshmanjs]

Can't wait to go to Boma! I've already done self serve buffets in South Carolina and Vegas this summer. They were great.

 

[patty57]

I am fine with buffets returning.

 

[tseitel]

Fine with their return, and waiting for Cape May and Trails End to go back to buffet

 

[mom2rtk]

We're fully vaxxed and ready for the buffets to return.

 

[olwyngdh]

There is no way I would go to an Old Country Buffet here where I live in GA. Disney though? I am leery but Boma...

 

[freshmanjs]

There is no way I would go to an Old Country Buffet here where I live in GA. Disney though? I am leery but Boma...

There are many reasons to stay away from Old Country Buffet that have nothing to do with Covid-19

 

[DaisyDuck001]

The ones I've been to during the pandemic provide disposable gloves. I like this approach and prefer they would all do this, but if there is a buffet I really want to go to and they don't, I would bring my own.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Buffets generally speaking, turn me off. Too many hands touching ….the serving utensils, just too many choices and way too many temptations to Overeat, lol.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Pretty much served buffets are my preference with the exception of California Grill where it seems people are on their best behavior at the appetizer bar. No spilt food, no children running up for seconds, no mixing up where serving utensils belong. It’s a form of polite dining- yum.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I've done a Japanese sushi buffet that had plastic disposable gloves for you to don before you got buffet food (new pair each time) and that required you to mask up while away from the table (aka at the buffet). And it was also reduced seating (and when we went, we had our own 30 ft circle b/c only about 5% of the restaurant was seated).

I was ready for that buffet when my area's viral spread was under 1%...I might have even been willing to ditch the gloves.

Now, yeah, my area has repeaked, so I'm not even doing that one...when we drop again (hopefully in time for my daughter's birthday, since she LOVES this place), I'll probably restart with this one and get comfy...

PS - Very few of the buffets in my area have even come back, so I'm not alone here (not a single Indian one has, and they used to be on almost every corner before)...it will be interesting if they do come back or they keep with their current "lunch special" concept now...the Japanese place was only buffet before, which is why it opened back that way...

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

Buffets are gross because of norovirus risk not Covid-19.

 

[ChanaC]

I would be fine with the served buffets, but not traditional buffets. Even without Covid, I realize now just how many opportunities there are for people to spread viruses and bacteria. Maybe if it was relegated with people wearing masks while they go up to the line and the staff swapping out serving utensils frequently.

Also, I always had an issue with the amount of food waste at a lot of buffets. Too many people fill their plates and then throw half the plate away. From what I've seen, at the served buffets the staff usually serve up smaller portions which I hope helps cut down on waste.

I will say, the reason I've liked buffets in the past is because it's an opportunity to try new stuff without worrying about paying $15 for a dish you may not like in the end. This is why I like places like Boma. So if there is a way for them to safely come back, I'm for it, but safely is really the key word.

 

[HashberryOTG]

I'm excited for buffets to return! I love the variety.

I do like the idea of them offering disposable gloves when you enter the line tho. I also wouldn't mind if a cast member was serving the food. But overall, I'm so glad they've been coming back.

 

[DisneyByMarriage]

I wish the buffets would be limited in number. As a mom with young kids, it’s really hard to manage at the buffets because it either takes forever to get the food, or parents have to rotate who’s getting up (and then it defeats the purpose of eating together.) I wish some restaurants would keep family style but offer more than one option. You could have a plant based option, a red meat option, seafood, etc. At least with the buffets, I knew everyone could find something to eat without complaining.

 

[loves to dive]

I'm o.k. with them returning but we don't do them. I don't eat large meals so it's a total waste of money for us. I'm on vacation, I can serve myself at home so don't go out to eat where I have to serve myself. I do like the (before times) breakfast buffet at Fresh Med. Market at the Dolphin but that's it. I rarely do the family style meals either, again, I don't eat large meals. The family style is a little better for us if my son is along as he will tend to eat what I don't but we don't have to ask for more of anything so probably not worth it.

 

[twincruisers]

Quality of the buffet food usually has me skipping if there is any other option. I like a few in Vegas, but outside of that I’d usually skip in favor of a sit down or a food truck.

 

[snikki]

I’m fine with them returning but we don’t do many, actually didn’t do any last trip, but Boma is on my radar next trip.