Buffets

[Bon1423]

At our last trip, the only buffet we tried was Tusker House. We loved the food, it was fantastic! Next trip we are getting the dining plan so my 6 year old foodie will have to eat off the kids menu so I was thinking of doing as many buffets as possible so he could eat what he likes. After doing some reading, I'm afraid we may be disappointed. We thought Tusker house was outstanding, are the other buffets a big step down in quality of offerings? Or are some people just not buffet fans? (which I admit I typically am not but also loved TH)

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

There aren't many buffets with adventurous food choices, but Boma fits the bill and is so yummy (especially the soups). Love that your son is a little foodie!

 

[soniam]

Breakfast at the buffets seems to be pretty decent. We really liked Tusker House dinner, but I do think it probably is one of the better buffets. We haven't tried Boma. I suspect the others are more bland unfortunately.

 

[Bon1423]

I should've specified I'm planning more lunches/dinners. A breakfast buffet is particularly unappealing to me

I know the other buffets will be less adventurous, but reading in here they're being compared to Golden Corral, etc. I'm just wondering if the quality is still similar to TH, despite the fact the food is less adventurous. My DS would prefer almost anything to Most of disneys kids meals, I just want to make sure it's edible for me as well

 

[soniam]

I forgot about Biergarten at Epcot. I haven't eaten there, but being German food, it's different from the other buffets and typical American food. Plus, they have a little show.

Can't really speak to quality of the lunch/dinner buffets, other than TH, because we really aren't very big on buffets. We really only do them for the characters, until we found TH.

 

[luvformickey]

Our family loves Boma and Biergarten, but have also eaten at (and enjoyed) dinner at 1900 Park Fare. We also enjoy Ohana, but it's technically not a buffet...it's an all you care to eat TS with a set menu of several items.

 

[Tigger's ally]

For a good wholesome buffet with what we like to call Staple foods, then hit up Trails end. Has Ribs, fried chicken, carved beef and pork, peel and eat shrimp and all the fixins. Cheapest buffet on site as well. Not ever wall to wall when we have been there either.

 

[tlriv5]

When my girls were younger we did a trip where we chose a lot of buffets. My girls love to try new things, but at that age they didn't want fancy food. They liked Biergarten, not just for food but the atmosphere was fun. They didn't like having to share our table with others, but it wasn't that big of a deal. The tables are large. I don't remember them loving Boma, but it does have a lot of variety to offer. One of their favorites was Whispering Canyon Café. You can share the skillet dinner and although it's not a buffet they have many choices in meats and it so fun in there. They loved it. I am not a particular fan of breakfast buffets but we did do Crystal Palace before park opening, we loved that so we could walk down Main Street virtually alone. Really the only other way you would get me into a buffet is for it to be a character meal. The food on the buffets aren't bad, but my family also picks restaurants based on the atmosphere...it adds to Disney experience for us. Good luck!

 

[ilovebassets]

Boma, Tusker House, and Trails End are the only buffets that I think are actually worth going to again and again. I wasn't that impressed with Crystal Palace (though we go back because of the characters and overall lack of choice at MK) or 1900 Park Fare (haven't gone back) for example.

 

[ReluctantDisaholic]

I should've specified I'm planning more lunches/dinners. A breakfast buffet is particularly unappealing to me

I know the other buffets will be less adventurous, but reading in here they're being compared to Golden Corral, etc. I'm just wondering if the quality is still similar to TH, despite the fact the food is less adventurous. My DS would prefer almost anything to Most of disneys kids meals, I just want to make sure it's edible for me as well

Pretty much every single WDW restaurant will have both great reviews on here and reviews telling you how disgusting it is I would check out the menus and if it's something you're interested in, try it.

 

[samsteele]

I really like the lunch/dinner buffets at WDW because I can try a variety of different food without committing to a hit or miss single item entree. My dinner favs that I return to each year:

• Boma (best value on the DP - meaning its $ OOP - and consistently very good)
• Cape May Cafe Clambake (as above. I ate here twice a few weeks ago with free dining and the crab legs were very good. In fact, everything on the buffet was excellent. Also a beef carvery served with the seafood choices and salads)
• Biergarten is also good and be sure to check out the live band schedule before you make your ADR so that you can watch the show. I'd make my ADR for approx 1/2 hr before the band is scheduled to start so that you can be seated and hopefully have your first plate of food in front of you. The theming here is wonderful and you feel as if you're at a Munich Beer Hall at Oktoberfest.

Trails End is also very tasty and I enjoy taking the boat to and from the front of MK. IMO the best and simplest way to get to and from the restaurant. However, because it is the most reasonable buffet on property, it isn't a great use of your TS credit when on the DP. I usually save it for when I am paying OOP. However, it would be a good choice for young children if stuck with where to go for fussy, younger eaters.

 

[Bon1423]

This is great! I hadn't read much about Biergarten, it sounds right up his alley. Definitely will be trying that next time

 

[msmama]

I think all of the buffets I've tried have had something good. Something I would eat again. It's very possible they've also all had something I would never touch again.

I've had good meals at Hollywood and vine and crystal palace (though I wouldn't consider cp food to be interesting in any way) but have seen several bad reviews of them too.

Garden grill is one of my favorites (it's not buffet but all you care to eat).

 

[MichelleB]

Where can you find the band schedule for Biergarten????

 

[disnut8]

Where can you find the band schedule for Biergarten????

http://wdwent.com/

Oktoberfest Musikanten

Experience the excitement of Oktoberfest with a festive dinner show in the Biergarten.
Daily at 12:30, 1:20, 2:20, 3:20, 4:45, 6:00, 7:15 & 8:15pm
Length of show: 25 minutes

 

[disnut8]

At our last trip, the only buffet we tried was Tusker House. We loved the food, it was fantastic! Next trip we are getting the dining plan so my 6 year old foodie will have to eat off the kids menu so I was thinking of doing as many buffets as possible so he could eat what he likes. After doing some reading, I'm afraid we may be disappointed. We thought Tusker house was outstanding, are the other buffets a big step down in quality of offerings? Or are some people just not buffet fans? (which I admit I typically am not but also loved TH)

Have you been reading reviews? For every one good review of any restaurant, there will be 5-10 bad reviews. Not just at Disney World but any restaurant. Because people don't tend to rush home and exclaim "I had a fantastic meal!" but they will if "that meal stank". My advice? Look at the menus, ignore reviews and go with what YOU want to do.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

We thought Tusker house was outstanding, are the other buffets a big step down in quality of offerings? Or are some people just not buffet fans?

OUR WDW CHARACTER MEAL & BUFFET RANKINGS (*rev: August 2015*):
Results are listed from best to worst
Best Food (quality first, then variety):
. . . 1900 Park Fare
. . . Ohana
. . . Garden Grill
. . . Tusker House, breakfast-Lunch (moved from #1 Spot due to menu changes)
. . . Garden Grove Swan-dinner
. . . Akershus Royal Banquet
. . . Tusker House, Dinner
. . . Cape May Café
. . . Hollywood & Vine
. . . Crystal Palace
. . . Cinderella Royal Table (since new menu)
. . . Chef Mickey's
Best Character Interaction (time with guest first, then friendliness):
. . . Tusker House, Breakfast-Lunch
. . . Akershus Royal Banquet
. . . 1900 Park Fare
. . . Garden Grill
. . . Tusker House, Dinner
. . . Ohana
. . . Garden Grove (Swan, dinner)
. . . 1900 Park Fare
. . . Chef Mickey's
. . . Cape May Café
. . . Hollywood & Vine
. . . Cinderella Royal Table
. . . Crystal Palace (barely enough time for a photo)
Best Atmosphere (surroundings and ambiance):
. . . Cinderella Royal Table
. . . Tusker House, Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner
. . . Akershus Royal Banquet
. . . Ohana
. . . 1900 Park Fare
. . . Garden Grill
. . . Crystal Palace
. . . Hollywood & Vine
. . . Cape May Café
. . . Garden Grove (Swan, dinner)
. . . Chef Mickey's
.
NOTE1: Results are listed from best to worst. Overall, Tusker House wins due to best food and the length of time the characters stay at each table. A close second is 1900 Park Fare. By far, Chef Mickey's is the loser, due to mediocre character interaction and almost terrible food quality. The very distant second worst is Cinderella Royal Table, for brief time at tables by characters and the new menu.

 

[Goofy'sPal]

I did 4 buffets in Sept
Breakfast at 1900 Park Fare was very good as was Crystal Palace. Chef Mickeys breakfast was just ok.
I also did Cape May Cafe for dinner and really enjoyed it.
The 3 breakfast buffets included characters.
If u have any questions let me know.

 

[tomatecerise]

Biergarten Was a hit for us. I could put 15 pretzel rolls In My purse lol! I hate So much chive brie cheese mmmmmmm! All The potatoes are good and the macaroni gratin is wow! The sausages are all good and the beef rouladen ok. They have crispy pork skin, i Was extatic! The crazy girl who said loudly pork skiiiiiin mmmmmmmmmmm! It's me, i am crazy like that.

The show is fun, We knew 3/4 of the songs In french that i sang with My mother...

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At Crystal palace i hate too much edamame salad, sooooooo good! I don't remember watch else i ate. Not memorable exept for the salads. All were good. The characters Was very fun and attentive and We are just 2 adults. I needed hugs, i take The hugs i needed. I felt so good after.


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Cape may Cafe could Be good but all Was over salty. I Was a hit In may... The calamari were like salty elastic bands. Way better at our chinese buffet.

 

[Disneylover99]

We love lunch buffets and we do many when we are on the dining plan. Boma, Biergarten, Crystal Palace and Tusker House are among are favourites. We've done many buffets and have enjoyed them all!