Cape May seafood buffet.

[susanh]

Cape May
Yay or Nay?
We will be staying at Beach Club for only 3 nights of a 7 night split stay. On our Epcot day, I'm trying to decide between 9:30 illuminations (have never gone) with a 7&9 yo with chance of them being tired the next day or checking out the boardwalk in the evening and eating at Cape May at 8 pm. Is cape May better than say Red Lobster?

 

[si-am]

I love Cape May. If you like seafood, then you probably will, too. It can be hit or miss, though. I've never had a horrible meal here, but some mediocre ones. And also some fantastic ones. I think it's better than Red Lobster with certainly more variety. Service is usually great for us.

 

[HopperFan]

Better than Red Lobster? No. But it is all you can eat ...

Unless I were on the DDP, no way I'd pay to eat there.

 

[chicklet2]

I give it a yay
We stay at BC at least once a year and most times at least once we eat at the buffet.There are more than seafood options, plenty for the non fishy of your party.Half of my family doesn’t eat fish and they love it when we go.Is a little pricey for some, but definitely worth a try.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

We have enjoyed it.

And yes, I would say that it is better than Red Lobster. That said, I can't eat at Red Lobster, or at least I couldn't. They couldn't handle gluten free. And I haven't given them another shot at it.

And yes, it is all you care to eat.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I would not give up illuminations for anything. If you have never viewed it, please do. You can do cs fish and chips from rose and crown. Or head to France . The bakery serves as a cs location. The desserts are so good. The sandwiches can be heated. Malty croissantwich mmmmmmmm

The grey goose slushes make adulthood awesome

 

[Lisa F]

Totally agree with @Pumbaa_ . Illuminations is hands down my favorite nighttime thing at WDW. I would never give it up for hanging at the boardwalk. My favorite place to watch is from the international gateway bridge and you can make a quick exit.

My son was 8 on my list trip and he was never "tired the next day." Too much excitement. we went from rope drop til closing more than once. I did build in a couple of break days but the kid has more energy than I do. His typical bedtime at home is 8:30. I did do 2 TS meals a day for a nice long sitting break though.

 

[susanh]

Totally agree with @Pumbaa_ . Illuminations is hands down my favorite nighttime thing at WDW. I would never give it up for hanging at the boardwalk. My favorite place to watch is from the international gateway bridge and you can make a quick exit.

My son was 8 on my list trip and he was never "tired the next day." Too much excitement. we went from rope drop til closing more than once. I did build in a couple of break days but the kid has more energy than I do. His typical bedtime at home is 8:30. I did do 2TS a day for a nice long sitting break though.

I'd triple like these posts if I could!

 

[Lisa F]

Also I will say eating dinner so late (8pm) would be much harder for my son than staying up late to watch Illuminations. I did my best to keep mealtimes normal for him, though sometimes we ate very early (eating early he can handle). All kids are different but I'd pick normal dinner time in the parks (even a QS) over an 8pm dinner, you probably won't be done til close to 9:30 anyway

 

[DisneyWishes14]

First, I would do Illuminations. Since you are staying in the EP area, you will be back at your resort by 10 pm.

Also, if you decide you would rather check out the Boardwalk, I would not eat at Cape May at 8 pm. The entertainment starts at about 7 pm, so an 8 pm Cape May reservation would really eat into any time enjoying the Boardwalk.

Personally, I would eat earlier and catch the 9:30 pm Illuminations OR eat earlier and check out the Boardwalk. Cape May is definitely not our favorite. If you want to eat in the EP resort area, we prefer the restaurants at Swan/Dolphin or Trattoria al Forno. Or eat in EP - tons of good restaurants there!

 

[senadler]

We plan dinner at Cape May whenever we are staying at the Beach Club. The food is good, the crab legs (which we love) are always fresh and definitely better than Red Lobster.

 

[DekrRini]

I love Cape May and try to go at least once every trip. I think the food is good, especially the little desserts. I will say that the last time I went, the crab legs weren't as good as usual, but everything else was great. But if you've never seen Illuminations, I'd go see it instead and grab fish and chips at the Yorkshire County Fish Shop in the UK. It's a great little QS restaurant. You might consider breakfast at Cape May because of the character interaction with Goofy and Minnie. Nothing special about the breakfast but there are plenty of choices. I'm thinking your kids might enjoy the breakfast at Cape May more than the dinner.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Living on the coast of the NE I don't frequent Red Lobster so can't say how it compares to Cape May.

 

[B-Ride]

We like Cape May and we are not big fans of buffets. IMHO it is much better than Red Lobster.

 

[ilovevacation]

We absolutely love cape May for both dinner and breakfast. We love seafood and love to eat so cape May is one of our must do for every trip. We don't love illumination but would recommend checking it out at least once.
Enjoy!

 

[BriLovesDisney]

I agree with PPs. Grab a rose and crown ADR and watch illuminations from there.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Unless I were on the DDP, no way I'd pay to eat there.

1) I would not eat there EVEN IF on dining plan.
2) You cannot get good seafood for that price, let alone with the WDW markup in a buffet setting.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

I much prefer Red Lobster to Cape May. The only "good" thing about Cape May is that it is all you can eat, but the crab legs you get at Red Lobster are certainly higher quality than those you'd get at Cape May, and the crab legs are the best thing at Cape May. Everything else is fairly low quality. I think it is more comparable to a buffet chain like Golden Corral. I'm a nay.

 

[HopperFan]

1) I would not eat there EVEN IF on dining plan.
2) You cannot get good seafood for that price, let alone with the WDW markup in a buffet setting.

I agree and I would not either personally. I gave it some chances and I won’t go back.

But I have access to really good seafood, not everyone does and everyone’s palates are different.

I don’t eat Red Lobster either but I think PP comparison to Golden Corral is a good one. Golden Corral price may be a value though. But $43+ for CMC, no.

 

[disneykid1990]

Cape May's is wonderful! I have been there numerous times! My husband and I love getting the buckets of clams and crab legs. There is also is kid area on the buffet too, which is great for families with little ones. The Yacht and Beach Club is also a fun resort to visit and look around. When you get through eating and looking around, I recommend taking the boat to the Boardwalk. There is nothing like walking around under the lights of the boardwalk at night. Also, on certain nights, the Boardwalk has movies playing on a big screen right next to the Boardwalk.