Buffets-Not

[danny1649]

Are you not a great fan of buffets.Being diabetic it's not a good choice for me because I tend to over eat.Maybe I'm a being a little picky but even at WDW I've seen folks handle food from buffets with hands and drop some back in for others to enjoy.I don't want to start a big deal but sometimes I feel like I'm the only one at WDW that does not enjoy the buffet dining venues.

 

[BCV23]

We're not big fans of them either. But each to their own. I did love a breakfast buffet that they had years ago every morning in the GCH at the Poly. And Boma's does sound interesting....have to try that someday!

 

[MikeWazowski]

I really like buffets(Especially for Breakfast) because they really fill you up for a day at the park. I always use the utensils that are there, to pick up the food.

But, I have seen children take a roll or two, then their mother put it back from their plate. Whose to say that the Chef at the Calfornia Grill or Victoria and Alberts is tasting everything he makes with the same spoon or fork.

It can happen anywhere.

 

[Gaiusrex]

I have a 2yr old girl who is the living depiction of "terrible two". Needless to say, I love buffets. I expect lesser quality food for higher prices. I will gladly trade it for the calmer and more relaxing dinner.

 

[poohbear1029]

I agree I typically hate buffets for the germ and cleanliness factor....DH would tell you I am a germ freak....anything that needs a sneeze-guard typically seems like a bad idea to me!!!

That being said, I have found Boma, Crystal Palace (breakfast) and H&V to all be very clean and tidy and the times that we went I did not see anyone doing anything piggy....okay at CP, I did see a little boy coughing (more like barking) on the kiddie buffet (and his Mom just laughing!!)....but I had already been thru the line so I was okay!! LOL!!!

 

[eeyore0062]

We are HUGE fans of the buffets. We love the variety, and it gives us more options is some people are in the mood for one thing and others in the mood for something else.

Personally, I have never seen any problems with the handling of things at the buffet, but I am not a picky person, and don't dwell of stuff like that. We eat at the buffets all of the time, and have never been sick from them... so I don't see any reason to worry about it.

Our favorite WDW buffets are:
Cape May Cafe Clam Bake
1900 Park Faire breakfast
Hollywood and Vine character lunch
Boma dinner

 

[kilee]

Not at Disney, but I have seen many buffets recently post signs regarding children. They have stated that children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult, and the no food should be handled by children.
We tend to go to buffets more when we are traveling. this is because everyone can eat until they are full and get what they want.

 

[kilee]

I forgot, the other thing I really like about buffets is being able to try something. DS and I are both very picky eaters. There is many times I have seen something on a menu that sounds interesting. However, I don't want to waste my money on something I won't end up eating, and then I am still hungry too. At a buffet, you can take just a little bit, to give it a try. If you like it there's more to be had. If you don't then I can move on to the other items.

 

[Chuck S]

Buffets aren't my thing, either...But, I have eaten at H&V (Dinner) and enjoyed it and Restaurant Akershus is one of our favorite restaurants.

I tried Boma's, generally food was good - a little too much corriander for me.

 

[Rafikifan]

I hate the thought of germs and they do happen at buffets although I can't recall getting sick after eating at one. But I've heard from people who have worked in restaurants that what sometimes goes on in kitchens behind the scenes (whether it is a buffet restaurant or not) is even scarier. It's the chance we all take when dining out unfortunately :-(

 

[Pig Pen]

I've worked in restaurants and don't think you are safe from germs just because it's NOT a buffet!

We generally like buffets because we want to sample everything! I am on Weight Watchers and this gives me a chance to get a big salad and lots of healthy choices, but allows me to taste some of my favorite things in very small quantities. Some find it difficult to eat at a buffet when watching their weight, but I think it helps me to feel not deprived.

 

[ilovefh]

LOL we were just talking about this last week! I think many people would be surprised to hear stories about what goes on "behind the scenes" at all restaurants! I had a manager at a chilis i worked at who used to take pieces of steak from the steak and cheese while it was sitting on the line ready to be taken out to the table!!! It happens everywhere! So I think the one child who put a roll back is the last thing you need to worry about!! You dont even want to know how many people touched that roll in the kitchen before the kid did!! So I guess what I am saying is there is just as many chances for germs in your food at an a la carte restaurant!

That being said, we love buffets in WDW! We can have a small breakfast in the room, and a small morning snack, then a large late lunch and only a snack at night. We also love being able to pick different things to eat. My DBF LOVES meat. So he is happy to just get meat and nothing else, which he couldnt do in an a la carte restuarant!!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

My wife and myself are not big fans of buffets either. We would much rather order off of a regular menu, since you get a set amount of food. We usually sample each others dinners anyway, so we get to try more than one thing. My wife has lost about 90 lbs. on Weight watchers so it is not worth it to us to eat so much food. I am glad to hear that they are changing the restaurant in Norway.

 

[zaxmom]

My husband is a managing chef in a restaurant and thoroughly trained and certified in food handling. The risk from any of us getting sick from food being handled is greater at home and at picnics and church pot-lucks and such. You are more at risk from handling the serving spoon and touching your eyes or nose, than from someone touching your food. The cooks in back wash hands very frequently. In the case of my husband's restaurant they wear surgical gloves when handling the food. I feel very confident taking my family to any Disney buffet.

 

[BounceyOne]

We were recently going over the WDW menues (here ate wdwinfo) trying to decide on a few meals for our upcoming trip. With the price of things at certain restaurants (things we would be ordering) we would be better off going to a buffet.

If I am going to pay 19.95 for prime rib, why not go to a buffet for 21.95 and get drinks and dessert for $2 more?

We also like the fact that you acn eat almost as soon as you get there, no waiting to order and get served

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by danny1649
...(snip)...buffets. diabetic it's not a good choice for me because I tend to over eat......

Same here. It's not good for me to eat too much at one sitting, and at a buffet it's really, really hard for me to avoid temptation. The dinner packages are also a problem - appetizer, entree and dessert are always too much food for me. That said, I always get the Candlelight Processional Dinner Package and try to order "smart."

I love to eat out at WDW, but prefer to share entrees and appetizers with another person whenever I can. That way I can still have a little of all the "good stuff." My DH usually lets me have a taste of his dessert.