Buffet Etiquette?

[kelleigh1]

kelleigh1, any favourites you would suggest?

I've only ever been to one at WDW. We did the character breakfast at the Grand Floridian. I love breakfast foods, so we're planning on doing breakfast again when we go down in January. Not sure if we'll do any others, but the plan is for the character breakfast buffet at Crystal Palace.

We have a couple of Chinese buffets near where I live, so that's where most of my buffet visits have been.

 

[LiteBrite]

If you're in the mood for something adventerous, Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge is a wonderful buffet, with lots of unusual (but delicous) choices, and some of the best desserts on property.

I also like the buffet at Hollywood and Vine (like Boma, it's character free), and as a bonus to the fact that the food is good, you can get the Fantasmic Dinner Package there, which gets you reserved seating for Fantasmic. However, if you're on the Magic Your Way Dining Package, you won't be able to use it to pay for the FDP.

 

[oogieboogie]

Boma has a great breakfast buffet. Another favorite around here is Chef Mickey's both breakfast and dinner.

I personally like Cape May for breakfast. It's not too crowded, but it has characters (Minnie, Goofy, Chip & Dale) and right after breakfast, you can walk to Epcot.

Another idea, instead of a buffet, check out Whispering Canyon. They have an all you can eat skillet which is really good.

Trails End is also a good down home cooking buffet.

At most of the breakfast buffets, you'll see the normal items like scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits & sausage gravy, sausages, hash browns (fried shredded potatoes), bagels, oatmeal, cereal, waffles, pancakes, etc. Additionaly Chef Mickey's breakfast has lox and capers to make bagels & lox.

Boma is the only one that has some interesting food, but still very good. There are the usual fare, but they also have African influence foods, like pap, which is similar to grits and other stuff like that.

 

[erinch]

another buffet tip is that while you leave your plate for the server to take, hold on to your utensils. At most places you'll receive a couple of forks. (At Boma you get 3.) One is for salads, one for main course, one for dessert. but since you'll often mix up those courses, keep the utensil as long as you want to, but make sure you have one of each on hand.

Another thing to note from last week, is that the servers (at Boma especially, but also Crystal Palace) disappear for long periods of time. My understanding is that they have to bus their own tables and do work back in the "plate scraping area." Be sure to ask for any refills you want when they go through as it may be awhile before you see them again

 

[raidermatt]

Lots of good tips.

The only thing I'd say about the line thing is that if there actually are people waiting to move on in the buffet, its not good form to squeeze in for one item, even if you ask. Most will let you of course, but its still not all that polite.

As for where the lines start, look for the stack of plates and go from there.

 

[mrsstats]

Don't eat your food until you are back at your table.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Always take a clean plate.

 

[jann1033]

if you have kids along monitor them so they don't do anythiing like sneeze on the food, lick the serving spoon ect( always a surprise what they will think of!)

it's better to take a normal sized plate and go back for more than take a mountain of food like you expect to never eat again

some are set up a little weird so if you don't see something like syrup or whatever ask( husband always misses the butter everytime)

our favorite buffet is Trail's end since we don't really eat that much and the more expensive buffets are not worth it to us. personally i really don't like buffets ( just don't think the food is ever as good) so you might want to try just one if you arent' used to them in case you don't like it. also an alternative is the all you can eat skillet at Whispering canyon...the breakfst one is very good ( dinner not so according to hubby)and is basiclly like a buffet in that it has eggs, waffles, bacon, sausage, breads ect but they bring it to you and imo is better cause the food is fresher/hotter

 

[Grumpy_Disney_Dad]

#1 Tip ..do not use the plastic sneeze guard ontop of the buffet as a changing station for the baby's diaper

 

[Hilary]

Always take a clean plate.

I think that's one of the things we found most different from how we'd find a buffet in the UK (when you find them at all!).

In the US (well, Florida anyway ) it's a definite no-no to take a used plate back to the buffet counter when you want something more. I used to feel guilty about adding to the number of plates that must need washing (especially when you have to hang on to your silver-ware to re-use it, LOL) but we've learnt that's the accepted way to do it.

 

[magicmouse2]

Cool signature Hilary

Buffet tip - Crystal Palace has a great lunch buffet with pooh and friends and is much cheaper than Chef Mickeys and has better food selections. It is beautiful inside too. On par with Park Faire food quality but a nicer restaurant and cheaper

 

[gilld]

Our fav up to now has to be 1900 Park Fayre but I KNOW we are going to LOVE Boma's when we visit in September. Chef Mickey's is too frenetic for us and we think the food is inferior.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

One difference that a lot of people from other countries are not aware of is at table service restaurants, you leave a tip on the table for your waiter/waitress but at a buffet, you find a fellow customer wearing a Donald Duck shirt, and tip them. Its an odd custom, but its how we do things here.

What the heck are you talking about??

 

[crisi]

Don't expect great food. Buffets have plentiful food, but scrambled eggs in a warmer can only be so good.

Don't cut in line if its a squeeze for one thing, but do take advantage of gaps in the line. A lot of buffets are set up in pods to be moved around, rather than a "start at one end finish on the other."

 

[Grumpy_Disney_Dad]

What the heck are you talking about??

LOL Duck Fan was trying to come up with new and unique ways to finace his next WDW vacation

 

[hazelwell 123]

Thanks everyone for the great advice! Probably going to try Boma's and Crystal Palace to start. At least I know what to do with my crockery and cutlery now

 

[mickeymousemom]

Golly, I skimmed thru this thread, but I didn't see anyone mention the Biergarten! This is our favorite buffet. I highly recommend it.

As far as "rules" the only one I can think of is NOT taking a dirty plate back up to the buffet. Otherwise, eat to your hearts content. If there is a line, just follow it, otherwise go to whatever station you want and grab what it is you need. My rule is to not leave a buffet until I am so stuffed I can't walk....its my favorite rule ever! Have a great time and enjoy your meals!

 

[cseca]

wear loose fitting clothes...

 

[froglady]

If you have a server/waiter at your table who's taking your drink order, clearing up your table, do tip him/her. Same standard tipping fees apply.

Have fun.

I usually tip 5% less for a buffet than a full service restaurant, since I have to get up and get my own food, and always thought that was standard. Have I missed some info along the way?

 

[oogieboogie]

I usually tip 15%-20% for regular service and above that for best service.