Buffets - Your Faves - Poll

[kizzabel]

Hi all,

We're off in 7 weeks and are going to take advantage of DS eating for free in the buffet restaurants as hes 2.
Which ones would you recommend?
Or avoid?

Any advice and info is greatly appreciated

 

[DLPdaft]

We usually do buffets over table service, so here is my list -

Sunday brunch at the Steakhouse in the Village
Restaurant des Stars in the Studios
La Grange at Billy Bobs in the Village
Plaza Gardens
Agrabah Cafe (I absolutely loved everything about this buffet and the theming inside the restaurant is incredible, but my DD is a bit of a fussy eater and she didn't really rate the food choices).
Cape Cod at the NPBC
Beavers Creek Tavern at the SL (this is the best of all worlds imo, its a full buffet for the kids, and a choice of just main (from a menu), main plus starter buffet, or main plus starter and dessert buffet for adults. Fantastic value for money, this restaurant.
La Cantina at the Santa Fe
Chuck Wagon at the Cheyenne (this is bottom of my list because we ate here once for dinner and I can't recall at all anything we had, so it must have been a bit of a forgettable experience ).

 

[kizzabel]

Thanks for that Elaine, have a feeling we'll be bumping into you in November at the buffets!!

 

[DLPdaft]

Thanks for that Elaine, have a feeling we'll be bumping into you in November at the buffets!!

of course - we're there at the same time aren't we .

 

[tennisfan]

I voted for Restaurant des Stars as there is nice selection of food but I also like Billy Bobs in the Village, I love Tex Mex food although the fajitas are very hot.

Haven't tried any others but want to

 

[A Small World]

I love

Inventions - expensive but great choice of food. I loved being able to try things Ive never had before and would never normally order off a menu

Agrabah - as Elaine said. Great food and great decor/theming. The food is different to what is normally on offer at other places in the parks

Steakhouse sunday brunch - again really good choice of food and good character interaction. Although there are only a few characters there you get a lot of locals going here for 'special' meals so sometimes they arent interested in the characters -to them its just a restaurant with good food - that to me is a good sign that the food is good when locals eat there

Restaurant des Stars - good food and plenty of choice.

I dont think Ive eaten at any of the others- apart from Lucky Nugget when it was a character meal and although it was ok it wasnt brilliant. There wasnt a vast choice of food

 

[IsobelJackmummy]

We loved Parkside diner, great selection, and lots of yummy deserts!

I have only done here and the one in SL though, so can't compare with the others!

I agree with your strategy though, we did the same when our little boy was under 3, and he ate more than the 5 year old!!

 

[dlpSteve]

It's expensive but Inventions is best food on the resort, and great character interaction thrown in too.

 

[cherrymarzipan]

I love the buffets, especially for their starters and can't choose between the Agrabah and the Parkside Diner for food although the Agrabah wins on theming. I also really like the Restaurant des Stars and Plaza Gardens. DS loves RdS best because of the interaction with Chef Remy.

 

[MazdaUK]

Inventions is great for small ones as they can try all sorts of stuff and there's no stress if they don't like it - just pick something else! (watch out for the chocolate fountain though, if they still have it!) The character interaction is good, and for children less intimidating than walking up to them in the parks as they're already in a high chair.

 

[mum2threemonsters]

I voted for Lucky Nugget as I felt it offered a lot of choice however Iv only been to a few on this menu... The only thing that put me off Lucky Nugget is I felt it could do with some entertainment. Sitting round a stage with nothing on it felt a little... well odd!

I loved the theming in Agrabah although a little bit more choice would have been nice although the food was all very tasty.

I love mexican food and this Xmas we will be trying La Cantina, possibly Billy Bobs and possibly Chuck Wagon... We are on a budget too so it works out well!

I wouldnt mind Inventions although I dont think it would be worth that kind of money for our family. With 3 kids its far from relaxing for us as we'd be on edge and the kids are usually hyper and there would only be me eating the majority of the food. The kids would be on chicken nuggets and Id prob find my OH at the kids station!

Oh and can I give negative points for Pizza Planet? I eat anywhere but I will never ever go there again! Shame Pizza Hut or Domino's cant take over and put on some decent food . Id even pay double that for some decent pizzas and decent clean tables!

 

[microsan]

Hi there,

I voted for Agrabah's restaurant.

The Inventions is wonderful ; IMHO no rush to meet the characters, they usually come to your table. Food choices are amazing... Chocolate fountain how yummy but $$$

But... all in one. I chose Agrabah because of the theme, the décor, the ambiance... and the food itself. I love the arabic food (especially the bread). If you consider eating there, please do make sure to book in advance.

 

[Ware Bears]

I chose Agrabah because of the theme, the décor, the ambiance... and the food itself. I love the arabic food (especially the bread).

Ditto! I voted for Agrabah too.

I love Inventions, it's my favourite character meal, but we were blown away by the theming of Agrabah when we ate there plus the food was delicious. We couldn't fit it in this year so we've already decided we're going back next summer!!

I also like the Sunday Brunch at the Steakhouse but next year think we may treat ourselves to sunday Brunch at Inventions.

Restaurant des Stars was nice food and Remy is adorable.

I used to love the Lucky Nugget but haven't eaten there since 2007 in the days when not only were there characters but also a live band.

Plaza Gardens was OK - a beautiful restaurant but the food was just that, OK.

There's still lots of restaurants I want to try - trouble is there's never enough days ...... sigh

 

[mommy2ash]

we love the plaza gardens and the steakhouse sunday brunch

we wont have time to do the brunch on our next trip which is dissapointing but we definitely do the plaza gardens again.

 

[kizzabel]

Mornin all
Thanks so much for all the replies.

I would love to try Agrabah but I think the kids mitent be as keen. DS is in fuusy toddler mode and DD was always fussy!! I think I'll save it for the honeymoon

We've done Chuckwagon already and loved it so Im torn between trying something new and going back there just for their fab BBQ sauce alone!

We have four days so I reckon we'll squeeze in 3 buffets.

So far im thinking:
Monday: Hunters Grill, as we're staying in the SL and to have a good start for finding a nice spot for the bonfire fireworks
Tuesday: Is character meals day with lunch in Auberge and dinner in Cafe Mickey
Wednesday: Maybe Parkside. It looks very appealing! Or maybe Chuckwagon for a cheaper option
Thursday: RDS for late lunch before leaving...

Although Inventions could be an option for Tuesday night either as we've done Cafe Mickey already and Id like to eat here plus DS being free and it being expensive... Always after the bargain

I'll be posting my PTR in a couple of weeks Elaine and if you see us please say hi!! I know theres a few Disers there that week, we should arrange a mini Dis meet at the bandstand for the parade one evening!

Thanks again guys, you've all helped me get a little bit more sorted.. now if Disney would just release the times for the Tree Lighting, Fantillusion and Bonfire fireworks Id be dialing reservations!!

 

[lojo]

We've only tried three and would put them in this order:

Absolute favourite:
Beaver Creek
I love this because you get your main course served at the table and the starter and dessert is buffet. I find that main course buffet food ends up all jumbled on the plate with the distinctive taste of each dish lost (or maybe I'm just putting too much on the plate). They have a great selection in all three courses.

Agrabah
The only reason I put this second is that I find their desserts quite heavy - they're very nice but just a bit too much after all the other food.
The setting as previously stated is gorgeous (if a little on the chilly side).

Parkside Diner
This was the first buffet we ever tried at Disney - the food was really good but the atmosphere was lifeless (again it could just have been bad timing on our part).

Don't know why you're asking though - you know you're going to work your way through all of them eventually .

 

[A Small World]

Is there a reason you are doing the 2 character meals on the same day? Would they not be better on different days?
I definitely wouldnt do Inventions after having eaten a full proper lunch somewhere as I wouldnt be able to enjoy it as much (read that as -eat as much)

 

[kizzabel]

Lol we tried Beaver Creek on the last trip and I wasnt fussed on it
By the end you will see me on telly. Theyre will be a documentary about how they had to break down a wall in my house to get me out, by crane
Its a mission but I'll happily try them all

The reason we're doing two character meals on one day was to have a character filled day but its open to debate and I think I will shuffle the evening character meal to Wednesday night and it would probably work better. Thanks for that, and its logical. It would be a pure waste after Auberge and we'd be over stuffed as it would be rude not to sample almost everything the bufet has to offer!!


Ive done a few rough plans up and changed the meals around so so many times.

 

[DLPdaft]

you are so organised kizzabel - I've got a note jotted down of where I'd like to eat this time round, but no idea when or what day, and I've got twice as many restaurants chosen as meals we're going to eat .
I have to wait to see if the kids free when you have an AP and book in advance is still on for my trip, because that will throw all my dinner plans completely out of the window and I'll have to start again!

 

[kizzabel]

I think im so organised because I dont have anyone to share plans with. DP wouldnt be a planner or lover of Dlp and its a secret so I have happily taken over the whole planning I would love to be including DD but the surprise and shock of the reveal will be worth the agony of keeping my mouth buttoned!
Planning definately made for an excellent trip last time. We werent strict with it but got so much done but we had a few lovely girly chats just chilling, taking it all in and enjoying doing nothing.
I think Nov will be far more busy with all the additional Christmas stuff to pack in but I dont mind not doing as many thrill rides... Well that is until I get there