Buffet upon embarkation (Bad experiences)

[Karkies]

Greetings!

I was wondering what everyone thought of the buffet upon embarkation.

I have been on two Wonder cruises and both times the food at the embarkation buffet was barely edible. Yes, the shrimp is great. Other than that I was not impressed. It seems that the foods that are supposed to be hot are luke warm and the foods that are to be cold are luke warm too! The bread is hard! Both times we ate at the rear top deck buffet. (can't remember name).
Maybe it is better to eat at the inside restaurant even though it is the same food?? Any ideas? We are usually on the ship by 1pm so it can't be that I am experiencing the "end" of the buffet.

Maybe it's just me....perhaps I will be eating chicken fingers at Plutos in Sept.

Anyways, just wondering if anyone else thought the same. Thanks!

 

[Favorite Auntie]

We have never had a bad experience at the lunch buffet. On the Magic it is the Topsiders Buffet, and on the Wonder it is Beach Blanket Buffet (I think). All of the selections are not to my tastes, but it is a buffet and I would not expect to love everything. But the heated things have been hot and the cold cold....Sorry you had a bad experience.

 

[jrabbit]

Been on the Magic 3 times, and ate at Topsiders each time. We felt that the food there is pretty good (and at the appropriate temperature) considering its a buffett.

We really enjoy the bread products on the ship since most are made there daily. If you stick the the crousants you won't be disapointed.

There are so many good looking things on the buffet I usually take a little of many of the selections, and then don't have room for the desserts - of which there are many - and they all look good - just have not had an opportunity to try many of them.

Since Tony and Barb have so many 3/4 day cruised under their belts they will jump in here and share their experience with the buffet.

Once the cruise stops, lunches for me come to an end - only enough room for breakfast and dinner, with some fresh fruit from Scoops during the afternoon.

 

[Gina]

First time on the Magic, my little boy and I took one look at the buffet, then headed out to Pluto's. We very happily had cheeseburgers and french fries out on deck. Last cruise, we didn't even bother with the buffet -- just headed straight to Pluto's... and that's what we'll be doing next time, too. Too weird of stuff on that buffet for us!

-gina-

 

[vgaskin]

When we were on the Wonder in April, the embarkation buffet was ok but there wasn't anything my kids would eat. One settled on cheese cubes and the other had strawberry soup I think. It was huge sub sandwhiches and fancier stuff. They wouldn't touch anything. The food the rest of the cruise was great though. I hope the Magic has better food when we board in November, we will try the one at the sit down restaurant, I think it is Parrot's Cay but don't remember.

Tiffany

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

Originally posted by Karkies
Yes, the shrimp is great. Other than that I was not impressed. It seems that the foods that are supposed to be hot are luke warm and the foods that are to be cold are luke warm too! The bread is hard!

You mean there is food other than shrimp at that buffet?!?! Hmm. Seven cruises, you'd think I would have noticed that.....

 

[PiperG]

Originally posted by vgaskin
When we were on the Wonder in April, the embarkation buffet was ok but there wasn't anything my kids would eat. One settled on cheese cubes and the other had strawberry soup I think. It was huge sub sandwhiches and fancier stuff. They wouldn't touch anything. The food the rest of the cruise was great though. I hope the Magic has better food when we board in November, we will try the one at the sit down restaurant, I think it is Parrot's Cay but don't remember.

Tiffany

When we were on the Magic in January we ate at Parrot Cay upon embarkation. They had Mac and Cheese, which I didn't recall from our previous Wonder cruise, so maybe its new. Anyway, DS6 scarfed it down. He thinks the Magic/Wonder have the best Mac and Cheese in the world, so his cruise started out just right.

Beyond that, I thought their was a nice variety and all the offerings seemed to be the right temperature.

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by Lloyd Dobler
You mean there is food other than shrimp at that buffet?!?! Hmm. Seven cruises, you'd think I would have noticed that.....

ANDY! We have a third member of the Shrimp Lovers Society!

Welcome!!!!

Yes, they also have great mango soup on the buffet to wash the shrimp down with!!!

Rae

 

[sandygirl]

LLOYD DOBLER - a man after my own heart!! They don't need to have anything on the buffet but SHRIMP as far as I am concerned. My DD5 agrees! WE LOVE SHRIMP.

Hey Andy and Rae - I'll be turning 47 in Apr 2005. I know it's not quite 50, but is it close enough to join your cruise? Or maybe you are afraid there won't be enough SHRIMP to go around. LOL.

 

[rae519]

Please consider coming with us on the April 2005 cruise!!!!!
Andy and I promise to eat a whole bunch of Rock Shrimp the night before at Dixie's - so we won't be gluttons on the Magic.

2005 is also the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland - so even if you aren't turning 50 as Andy and I are, you can come to celebrate that with us!

I am thinking wouldn't it be great if they put the Magic over to the West Coast for the year just to change the itinerary. Yes, it would be farther for a lot of us to travel, but why not!!!!!!!

I was at Disneyland back in the early 1970's (stationed at March AFB in Riverside) when the 3 little pigs were characters there!!!!

Back to the Buffet - it's a great variety of different foods for everyone and you can not beat the dessert table at the Buffet! My Mom can tell you what the desserts are and rate them for you!
She's my "sweet" lover! The rolls are European style - crusty outside and soft inside. Never had a bad one yet! We've had the buffet several times, especially at lunch, and have always found the food to be served at the right temperature and very delicious!
But to each, their own! That's the best part of the cruise, there are a lot of places to eat with a great variety of foods....if all you want are hotdogs and french fries, well, then that's available!!!
Personally, I like trying out new things and love taking recommendations from the servers!!

Rae

 

[gassmandy]

I agree with Rae--we enjoy the buffet tons! Also--I have to keep an eye on my husband with the shrimp--he pigs out! We do the wonderful Thanksgiving buffet at the Vero Beach Disney Resort every year and my husband and sister compete to see who ends up w/ more shrimp tails on their plate!

 

[Lloyd Dobler]

Originally posted by rae519
We have a third member of the Shrimp Lovers Society!

When are the Society meetings?

Funny you should mention March AFB, Rae. My wife is heading over there this morning to the Commisary. Small world.

I'd love to see a ship out here, whether it coincides with the 50th or not. Incidentally, I believe yesterday was DL's 48th. We were there on Saturday, and there was no mention at all of the anniversary. Or maybe there was. It was ridiculously hot and we spent a fair amount of time cowering inside "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln."

I'll give the mango soup a shot next time. Sounds great. I usually end up washing the shrimp down with a Bahama Mama, or whatever novelty drink they're hawking on deck when I get there. At that point, I can be talked into anything....

 

[gdulaney]

Rae's right about the rolls. European rolls seem to be more crusty on the outside, which sometimes discourages folks from trying them.

We have alternated between the Topsiders (Beach Blanket for the Wonder folks) and Parrot Cay (so I can get a cola fix!!). Our experiences for both buffets has been positive.

I never thought about the burgers & fries...what a great idea!! EXCEPT....my husband would lead a revolt if he didn't get his "shrimp fix". He may have to join the "DCL shrimp lovers society."

Ginny

 

[Talking Hands]

Seems like I will be happy. I adore shrimp Now you can have the mango soup since I am allergic to it. Is it marked so I can avoid it?

 

[sandygirl]

Rae - I will definately be looking into the 4/05 cruise. And I think it should be officially dubbed "The 1st Annual Shrimp Lovers' Cruise".

I also love the crusty rolls. When you live overseas for a little while you get a taste for those kinds of things. Crusty rolls and butter or nutella...yum.

I was stationed at Fort Ord in 1980-81. My only visit to DL was while I was stationed there. Now I am taking my DD to DL to celebrate her 6th birthday in Aug. Would appreciate any tips.

Our 1st cruise we ate at Parrot Cay because that is where we were directed, and I hadn't found this board yet, so we didn't know very much. The next 2 cruises we opted for Topsiders so we could sit outside. I love sitting on the deck and getting that cruising feeling as soon as possible. There is nothing like sitting on deck eating shrimp to my heart's content.

 

[midnitemist]

We have ate at Topsiders Buffet and never had any problems.
In fact we cant wait to get there and eat all the wonderful food.

 

[rae519]

Originally posted by midnitemist
We have ate at Topsiders Buffet and never had any problems.
In fact we cant wait to get there and eat all the wonderful food.

Sir/Madam...please step back away from the shrimp.
Yes, YOU! STEP BACK NOW BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT!
IT COULD GET UGLY HERE!

Rae

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

Hi Rae.

The rolls are European style - crusty outside and soft inside. Never had a bad one yet!

Just the way I like my rolls - and women...


Hi gassmandy.

my husband and sister compete to see who ends up w/ more shrimp tails on their plate!

Guess I'd come in a distant third. You see, I often times eat the tail...


Hi Lloyd Dobler.

We were there on Saturday, and there was no mention at all of the anniversary. Or maybe there was.

A definite maybe...


Hi sandygirl.

I was stationed at Fort Ord in 1980-81. My only visit to DL was while I was stationed there. Now I am taking my DD to DL to celebrate her 6th birthday in Aug. Would appreciate any tips.

You might want to check the Dis Disneyland Board for trip information.


Yo Rae!

please step back away from the shrimp.

Look closer. midnitemist is taking the SCALLOPS. Don't worry. Your oversized portion of shrimp is safe and secure... lol.

 

[rae519]

Yo Rae!




Look closer. midnitemist is taking the SCALLOPS. Don't worry. Your oversized portion of shrimp is safe and secure... lol. [/B][/QUOTE]


BD, did you actually hear my horse GROANING?! She told me that I was going to have to go on a diet!! Straight from the horse's mouth!

WHALE HO!
Rae

 

[lisak1]

Originally posted by Buckaroo's Dad
Hi Rae.


Just the way I like my rolls - and women...

Hey BD... being the leg man that you are... there will also be a nice pair attached to that roll. you'd better catch it before it runs off your plate!