Buffet Questions

[disneylove16]

I'm curious how well marked the food selections are at the buffets in WDW (specifically Boma and Biergarten). I'm not vegetarian, but I don't eat pork or beef (more of an allergy than a choice) Chicken, turkey, and seafood are all fine. I'm not picky enough to make a special request at the restaurants, as I can always find something to eat, but my only concern is at the buffets where I don't have a menu to refer to. I'm worried that I'll grab some potato salad or something and find out after taking a few bites there's bacon or ham in it. Are there descriptions above the dishes (not just the name of the dish, but an actual description)? Thank you for any info!

 

[Nebraska_Disney]

For the salads and that, I have not noticed that level of detail, but then again, I have not looked for it either. It is usually just the name of the item "Italian Pasta Salad" for example. You can always ask and see if they have this information available. Knowing Disney, I'd be surprised if they did not.

 

[crabbygal902]

Just the name.

 

[HopperFan]

Not well marked, I would ask for a chef.

 

[disneylove16]

Oh man, that's what I was afraid of! Well thank you for the info. I am painfully shy, so will probably just stick to things that are obvious like bread and veggies. Thanks all!

 

[Lisa F]

Don't be shy! Disney chefs are some of the NICEST and most friendly people. They'll just give you a quick tour and let you know what you need to steer clear of and if something can be whipped up without they might offer to do that. Please do not compromise your experience! Disney is the perfect place to push yourself a little, people are so nice!

 

[DisCatGirl]

I am also a vegetarian. I let my server know - he took me around the buffet to let me know what was available to me. It was very discrete. Ask - you will get to try some amazing new dishes. You will be glad you did.

 

[disneylove16]

Thank you! If they are discrete about it, maybe I'll mention it. Do I just let our server know when they take our drink orders? I definitely don't expect them to make me something different, but it would be nice to know what I can eat. I might try something I would've otherwise avoided "just in case". Thanks all!

 

[Lisa F]

Thank you! If they are discrete about it, maybe I'll mention it. Do I just let our server know when they take our drink orders? I definitely don't expect them to make me something different, but it would be nice to know what I can eat. I might try something I would've otherwise avoided "just in case". Thanks all!

if you say you have an allergy it will PROBABLY be a chef who takes you around but yes, they are not putting it on blast on the whole restaurant "WE HAVE ANOTHER ALLERGY!!!!!!!!!!!!" or anything. The chef (or server) will just walk you up the buffet and tell you what is safe and what is not. And then you serve yourself and eat your meal They don't roll out a bubble for you or anything either

 

[burberryplaid]

I highly recommend letting the chef take you around the buffet and advise you if what you can eat. They are all wonderful in my experience and it's so busy at buffets no one will think twice! Your health and comfort comes first!

 

[Lisa F]

I highly recommend letting the chef take you around the buffet and advise you if what you can eat. They are all wonderful in my experience and it's so busy at buffets no one will think twice! Your health and comfort comes first!

even if someone hears, no one cares. you will not be made a spectacle of at all! it just makes me sad that you would pay all that money for a buffet to eat rolls and salad, lol. If I were with you I'd take the walk with the chef for you I understand being uncomfortable about a fuss being made but it's not a fuss!

 

[disneylove16]

Thank you everyone I'll try it out and see what happens! I think I'm just so used my extended family who are big meat eaters always making a big deal about it, and labeling me as the "picky eater". In all actuality, I'm not at all... I always find something to eat. Thanks all for the encouragement! Hopefully I get to try some different things while I'm there!

 

[disneylove16]

if you say you have an allergy it will PROBABLY be a chef who takes you around but yes, they are not putting it on blast on the whole restaurant "WE HAVE ANOTHER ALLERGY!!!!!!!!!!!!" or anything. The chef (or server) will just walk you up the buffet and tell you what is safe and what is not. And then you serve yourself and eat your meal They don't roll out a bubble for you or anything either

I picture flashing lights and sirens going off, and "C'mon down! Let's see what you can eat!" my worst nightmare!

 

[cigar95]

If you're at Boma, ask if Chef Arol can show you around. He is an absolutely great guy.

What you'll probably find, after you've gone through the line, is he'll keep bringing stuff to the table for you to try that he made in the kitchen, just because he had a few interesting ideas. He helped me out after my heart attack in 2009, and it was maybe the best Boma meal I've ever had.

 

[preemiemama]

I agree with the PPs- ask for a chef to show you what is safe for you to eat. My father has an extreme dairy intolerance. He always asks, and it is never an issue or a big production. The chefs are great, and they are more concerned that you are happy and safe than anything else. I know it may seem intimidating, especially if your family gives you a hard time. It is worth it, though!

 

[Dug720]

If it is truly an allergy (not doubting you, I just work with kids who have "different" food allergies and have never heard of one to a meat other than fish, so it's intriguing), the only way to be safe is to alert your server and have the chef walk you through the buffet. Because even things that look beef-free could have beef stock or something used in the preparation.

 

[disneylove16]

If you're at Boma, ask if Chef Arol can show you around. He is an absolutely great guy.

What you'll probably find, after you've gone through the line, is he'll keep bringing stuff to the table for you to try that he made in the kitchen, just because he had a few interesting ideas. He helped me out after my heart attack in 2009, and it was maybe the best Boma meal I've ever had.

That's amazing! Such great service!

If it is truly an allergy (not doubting you, I just work with kids who have "different" food allergies and have never heard of one to a meat other than fish, so it's intriguing), the only way to be safe is to alert your server and have the chef walk you through the buffet. Because even things that look beef-free could have beef stock or something used in the preparation.

I call it an allergy, but I don't know what it is. Since I was a kid, if I eat beef or pork I get very bad stomach problems. It's not that I get an allergic reaction, just gastro-issues. TMI, but My Dad actually bought chicken sausages for me a few years back to eat at a family barbecue, and they were delicious. But within 5 minutes of eating them, I was projectile vomiting Looked at the packaging, and they were in pork casing.

 

[Fuhnuh]

I call it an allergy, but I don't know what it is. Since I was a kid, if I eat beef or pork I get very bad stomach problems. It's not that I get an allergic reaction, just gastro-issues. TMI, but My Dad actually bought chicken sausages for me a few years back to eat at a family barbecue, and they were delicious. But within 5 minutes of eating them, I was projectile vomiting Looked at the packaging, and they were in pork casing.

DD15 is allergic to egg, dairy, tree nuts, and peanuts. We have been led around many a WDW buffet and have not had one experience where we felt anyone even noticed. DD15's allergies are pretty severe, so after DD15 made her choices, the chefs will bring stuff out of the kitchen to avoid cross contamination. The chefs were always helpful. DD15 is just getting over being shy about her allergies at restaurants, but even when she was younger, she seemed less anxious about the casual way the chefs took her around the Disney buffets than being directly asked what she'd like to eat at other TS restaurants.

Having dealt with allergy issues for 15 years, we have met with and learned about the different allergies in the allergy kingdom. You mostly hear about the top 8 and maybe the next ten or so, but we have run into people who were allergic to all sorts of proteins including meat. I, not being your doctor (or a doctor at all), don't know if you have an allergy, but that's a pretty serious response to just the pork casings. I totally understand why you need to be careful. I would ask for the tour (chef). You don't want accidentally eat a watermelon salad with prosciutto (but I do). It sounds like you can eat fish, shellfish, and chicken. There should be a lot of choices. Have a fun and safe trip.

 

[disneylove16]

DD15 is allergic to egg, dairy, tree nuts, and peanuts. We have been led around many a WDW buffet and have not had one experience where we felt anyone even noticed. DD15's allergies are pretty severe, so after DD15 made her choices, the chefs will bring stuff out of the kitchen to avoid cross contamination. The chefs were always helpful. DD15 is just getting over being shy about her allergies at restaurants, but even when she was younger, she seemed less anxious about the casual way the chefs took her around the Disney buffets than being directly asked what she'd like to eat at other TS restaurants.

Having dealt with allergy issues for 15 years, we have met with and learned about the different allergies in the allergy kingdom. You mostly hear about the top 8 and maybe the next ten or so, but we have run into people who were allergic to all sorts of proteins including meat. I, not being your doctor (or a doctor at all), don't know if you have an allergy, but that's a pretty serious response to just the pork casings. I totally understand why you need to be careful. I would ask for the tour (chef). You don't want accidentally eat a watermelon salad with prosciutto (but I do). It sounds like you can eat fish, shellfish, and chicken. There should be a lot of choices. Have a fun and safe trip.

Thank you! I decided I will let them know at the buffets. You all have given me the encouragement I need. I figure we are paying a good amount for the DDP, I might as well get the most out of it. Thank you!!

 

[ptlohmysoul]

One thing to note with allergies is that it may take a little while before the chef can come out to tell you what you can or can not eat. Be prepared for a slight delay (as opposed to everyone else who can go up and eat immediately).