Celebration BBQ or Character buffet?

[DizFan13]

I have been reading the reviews for the BBQ, and it seems like such a mix of good(some of the food) and bad(price and overall value). At this point, it almost seems like it is an event that Disney needs more time to really make 'special' but in the meantime, we have PS's for my son's birthday next week and I do not have a back-up plan!

I am thinking that for the money, it might be more enjoyable to go to a character buffet, but I am not sure which one might work best. This was going to be a lunch, but we could go a little early and enjoy a breakfast if that's the only option. My son is not that character enthused, so it would mostly be about the food quality and service. I want it to be special for him either way. I will add that he is a big dessert fan...lol. I don't let him indulge in sweets very often at all, so I am sure he will want to take advantage of it being his birthday!

So I guess I am looking for opinions on
1) whether or not we should just go to the BBQ? or
2)what would be suggestions for the best buffets as alternatives? or
3) is there another non-character dining experience that might be a special and fun choice for a boy turning 12?

 

[audrabolster]

I think that while the BBQ sounds like fun, I know my vegetarian wife isn't going to really enjoy it :/ Plus, it doesn't sound that fun for adults.

Our favorite character meal is Lilo and Stitch's. The Plaza Inn comes in a close second. Maybe only because it's actually in the park.

I've been to Lilo and Stitch's on a weekend, and I think they're open until 1, so you could do a late brunch there for sure. And they do have some lunch type items on their buffet- and you can order from a menu if you'd rather!

 

[mechurchlady]

Billy Hill and the Hillbillies at the Golden Horseshoe Saloon and you can bring food in from Rancho Zocalo or next door. Turkey legs are very greasy, sticky, messy and the bathrooms are a block away.

If he is into Buzz Light year then he could do lunch at Tomorrowland Terrace. I would bring over pizza and stuff from the Pizza Port.

Taste Pilots is an airplane hanger with cheddarburgers that can be made gluten free and I can eat a cheddarburger, fries and drink with AP premium discount under $10.

Corn Dog Castle has great food.

Award Weiners has nothing special but the dogs are yummy.

Music lover would love Coke Corner maybe.

All buffets are excellent and if you do not want to be bugged then tell the waiter you are there for the food only. Characters interact at buffets but that should not interfere with the button busting amount of food. Only done Goofy recently and it was good.

As for the barbecue ask:
Does the amount of food we eat going to be a tiny amount or are we eating lots of food? If you are tiny eaters then the only value would be the entertainment and atmosphere.
Do we mind eating outdoors? If you say no then it is not your place.
Do we like cornbread, corn on the cob, barbecued meat or tofu, and beans? If you say no then it is not worth it to sit there and eat food you do not like.
Do we like to be entertained by Woody and his gang in a Western show, would we see the show if it was free? If this is something you normally would skip then the value is in the food, see above answers.

I gave you my opinion and you know your family so you will have to decide I liekthe Woody Show and saw one at the Saloon once, I love to pig out, I love corn on the cob and barbecued meat, drain the beans and I might eat them and LOVE cornbread but it would have to be gluten free. Thus I would definitely try it at least once.

 

[DizFan13]

I think that while the BBQ sounds like fun, I know my vegetarian wife isn't going to really enjoy it :/ Plus, it doesn't sound that fun for adults.

Our favorite character meal is Lilo and Stitch's. The Plaza Inn comes in a close second. Maybe only because it's actually in the park.

I've been to Lilo and Stitch's on a weekend, and I think they're open until 1, so you could do a late brunch there for sure. And they do have some lunch type items on their buffet- and you can order from a menu if you'd rather!

The L&S breakfast is at PPH, right? we've never been to that hotel, so I am not sure how quick/easy or not it is to get to from the parks. I have heard good things about this one in the past, too, we just haven't tried it.

I am curious if anyone knows...if we eat at one of the hotel restaurants, can we have a cake delivered to him? That would really make it special. I guess for buffets, it would have to be the L&S or Goofy's.

 

[DizFan13]

Billy Hill and the Hillbillies at the Golden Horseshoe Saloon
Taste Pilots
All buffets are excellent
I gave you my opinion and you know your family so you will have to decide I liekthe Woody Show and saw one at the Saloon once, I love to pig out, I love corn on the cob and barbecued meat, drain the beans and I might eat them and LOVE cornbread but it would have to be gluten free. Thus I would definitely try it at least once.

All of these choices sound great, although for his bday we definately want something special to surprise him a bit. I think we will either go with one of the buffets or the BBQ...I just can't decide at this point, which is great since it is only a week away!

 

[mechurchlady]

Look at my list of questions and if it sounds right for him then go with the barbecue. The barbecue is on site so you can get Fastpasses for later and then after dinner or lunch either go back to Fantasyland or on to Frontierland, Adventureland, New Orleans Square and Critter Country. Also the site is themed for celebrations.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We've decided to skip the BBQ and go to at least one character meal. The BBQ seems SO expensive for the food you get with really no character interaction. We've tried both Goofy's and Minnie's several times and Minnie's wins really in every category.

Price: Minnie's is cheaper and Goofy's just seems a little over the top expensive.
Food: SO good, we have really loved everything we have had there. That's not the case with Goofy's, I'm not too picky but really the food just wasn't worth it to me.
Service: Excellent a Minnie's, our plates were removed quickly, drinks refilled quickly and we NEVER felt rushed. I can't say the same for Goofy's.
Character interaction: I almost want to say we have been overwhelmed with characters, there were just so many, one after another. While at Goofy's we only see 3-4 characters in about 90 minutes, once we didn't even know who one of them was and it seems like we see Gepeto from Pinochio every single time. Who wants to see him???

 

[Sherry E]

DizFan13-

While I do have to respectfully and emphatically disagree with Mommy2allyandaveri's feelings about Goofy's Kitchen (I think it is very much worthwhile), have you ruled out Storytellers Cafe? They not only have the character buffet in the morning, but they have a non-character buffet at night on weekends and during busy times of year, like in summer and around holidays. It is not my personal favorite, and they do not have the variety that Goofy's has, but it expands your horizons a bit and you can order off the menu also if you don't want buffet.

 

[jemilah]

my 9 and 12 year old boys love Goofy's and the sweet selection is out of this world and if you want you can have a cake delivered there. DS9 chose Goofy's for his b-day treat....and DS12 loves the food there too. And there is always the option of something quick at the park and Goofy's for dinner. If not how about rainforest cafe fun ,good food , and the volcano is a huge desert you can share . They will still sing and make a b-day fuss over him.

 

[audrabolster]

DizFan13-

While I do have to respectfully and emphatically disagree with Mommy2allyandaveri's feelings about Goofy's Kitchen (I think it is very much worthwhile), have you ruled out Storytellers Cafe? They not only have the character buffet in the morning, but they have a non-character buffet at night on weekends and during busy times of year, like in summer and around holidays. It is not my personal favorite, and they do not have the variety that Goofy's has, but it expands your horizons a bit and you can order off the menu also if you don't want buffet.

We actually went there last year for a birthday. The service was GREAT, and the food was delicious. They did have a buffet that looked yummy, but we ordered off the menu. You could also have a cake sent to your table!

 

[DizFan13]

I hadn't thought about Storytellers! I am trying to weigh all options, but I do think I will go with one of the hotel buffets so I can have a cake delivered for him. Does anyone know where I could find a menu for Storytellers so I can see the order options as well?

 

[audrabolster]

http://allears.net/dlr/din/menu/men_std.htm

 

[Misskitty3]

My understanding is that you can now have a cake delivered to any table service restaurant. Not a buffet, but would he like Blue Bayou?

 

[DizFan13]

Well, DH and I finally just presented our DS with three options...and he chose the BBQ! lol so I guess we will be trying it out after all. I will post back when we return and let everyone know our take. Thanks for all the help!

 

[Gisele]

That sounds awesome! I hope that you and your family will be most pleased with the BBQ. Please do let us know how you like it. I love BBQ, please mail me a chicken wing. And a most happy birthday to your son!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Well, DH and I finally just presented our DS with three options...and he chose the BBQ! lol so I guess we will be trying it out after all. I will post back when we return and let everyone know our take. Thanks for all the help!

Enjoy, and if you get Phil, tell him Mary Jo says hello. lol I told him I would put his pic on the internet.

 

[Gisele]

Thanks for sharing the photograph, he looks like a nice friendly sort.
If only I could get Astral Projecting down to a fine art, I know where I would be right now. BBQ!!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Lol -- Darn those glitches with astral projecting. I really enjoyed it, and got so much attention from all of the CMs there. Great experience.

 

[DizFan13]

Enjoy, and if you get Phil, tell him Mary Jo says hello. lol I told him I would put his pic on the internet.

I will look for him, Mary Jo, and pass on a big DISboard hello if I can!