Dinner buffet for group?

[PHXscuba]

OK, I thought I had a plan to go to Storyteller's for the dinner buffet with a big group in October, but it appears I was mistaken; that it's not a buffet (please correct me if I'm still wrong).

Here's the parameters for what we need:
1. Arrival day, no park tickets
2. Dinner
3. Group of roughly 16 (PS probably needed)
4. Prefer no character meal (2 in group phobic)
5. One-price meal

Is there anything at the resorts or DTD that matches this? I'd like a set price rather than running up an unknown bill (we're paying). If the only dinner buffet is a character meal, who would be there and how far away could I keep the furry-phobes from them?

I've looked at all the choices, I'm not sure there is an answer that meets all of that, but if anyone knows, it's on the DIS!

TIA,
PHXscuba

 

[fairycat]

Personally you will have a hard time finding a set price menu. I know that Napa Rose offers a Vinter's coursed menu that is preset.

Goofy's Kitchen is a buffet, but it has characters, mostly the basics, maybe you can call them directly and find out if they can do something for you like putting your group in a corner or having a no characters sign for your table.

If you change you mind on present menu's, I would really suggest Jazz Kitchen. They have really good food, are right on DTD and no characters. You can see the menu on line and make a judgement call based on that.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I'm not sure there is a place that does buffet that isn't a character meal. The only one outside of the park that does the dinner buffet is Goofy's Kitchen. You could always request to not have the characters come to the table (not sure they would all get that message) & they ran around even in the buffet area, so it would be hard to keep them totally away from the kids. Sorry I couldn't offer any better advice.
Maybe they won't be as afraid of the characters this time????

 

[Sherry E]

I ate dinner at Storytellers in December, and while we ordered off the menu, they definitely had a dinner buffet as well. Unless they have suddenly changed things, then the dinner (no characters) buffet is still on. Now, mind you, it is a limited dinner buffet (not many items) and you would actually have many, many more choices if you ate at the Goofy's buffet because that is all buffet, all the time. They have a lot to pick from. But if 2 folks in your group are character-shy, then I agree with Fairycat in that you could ask to be seated somewhere where the characters will ignore you.

But if you don't mind the limited dinner buffet, Storytellers defintiely still does it unless something has changed since December.

Storytellers has Koda and Kenai, sometimes Baloo, Meeko and Rafiki, Chip ad Dale, and sometimes the Br'er characters form SOng of the South. Goofy's has Goofy, Pluto, Chip, Dale and Baloo, as well as rotating guest stars like Belle, Jasmine and Aladdin, Aurora and the Prince, Alice and the Mad Hatter, sometimes Minnie, Max, etc.

 

[pixiewings71]

We went to Storytellers in Jan, there was no dinner buffet but the menu was very good.

I think the only thing you'll find is Goofy's Kitchen, but they have characters....

 

[fairycat]

Personally I have to say, you couldn't get me back to Storyteller's. The two times we went we had only OK service at best and the food was awful!! So bad I apologized for having my friend meet me there. I would not go back. But I know other's like it, it just wasn't for me.

 

[Sherry E]

Kerri, that's good to know about the buffet. As I said, in December, there was definitely a dinner buffet - we looked at it on the menu - but the choices were minimal so it was easy to almost overlook it. They must have just stopped it this year. I wonder why? The economy?

And Fairycat, I don't entirely disagree with you. I prefer Storytellers for lunch over dinner or breakfast - the food was good and the prices were not overly high for a lunch plate. The prices seemed too high for dinner, and even though I loved the flavor of the spaghetti, it was too expensive for the portion size. And the breakfast is not to my liking at all - the menu choices are too expensive for the portion size and the buffet was only okay when I had it. I have eaten at STC, I think, 5 times total since 2001, and at first I was not that impressed, but I have grown to like it more over time because of the cozy atmosphere, but I see the pros and cons of it. I am not 100% on the STC bandwagon as others are.

 

[PHXscuba]

I may actually have to call Storytellers/DLR and pin them down. The latest menus on AllEars don't have the buffet. Maybe it's something they only offer during certain times?

As for the character meals, I am waffling. My DD7 has always been fairly scared of furry costumed critters, but she did get her picture taken with Minnie last time at 4.5 years. I think the Disney characters at the Goofy's Kitchen might be OK sicne she knows who they all are. I am more concerned about one of the grown-ups, who said she doesn't like the characters. I think I need to get more info from her on what the real issue is -- whether it's a true dealbreaker or just that she doesn't want them coming up to her.

Thanks for your input. We are staying at DLH, so I may go with Goofy's Kitchen if I can resolve the character issue.

Will they seat our big group together at a couple adjoining tables?

PHXscuba

 

[Sherry E]

I may actually have to call Storytellers/DLR and pin them down. The latest menus on AllEars don't have the buffet. Maybe it's something they only offer during certain times?

As for the character meals, I am waffling. My DD7 has always been fairly scared of furry costumed critters, but she did get her picture taken with Minnie last time at 4.5 years. I think the Disney characters at the Goofy's Kitchen might be OK sicne she knows who they all are. I am more concerned about one of the grown-ups, who said she doesn't like the characters. I think I need to get more info from her on what the real issue is -- whether it's a true dealbreaker or just that she doesn't want them coming up to her.

Thanks for your input. We are staying at DLH, so I may go with Goofy's Kitchen if I can resolve the character issue.

Will they seat our big group together at a couple adjoining tables?

PHXscuba

Yes, if you call Disneyland Dining well in advance (that is the key), give them the date and tell them the number of people in your party (even if you have to overestimate the number of folks in the party), they will likely put you all at tables side by side at either restaurant, if not a booth. When we were at Goofy's in December, there was a party of what must have been 10 or 11 people all at one table/booth next to us, so it is definitely possible. I think they are used to that kind of thing because people celebrate birthdays all the time at character restaurants.

Maybe, if you find out that Storytellers is definitely not doing dinner buffets anymore (and yes, call them and pin them down - we were there at around 6:00 p.m. on a Friday night in December, so maybe it is only a weekend thing now? Not sure) and have to go to Goofy's, can your character-shy adult in the party handle all the picture-taking duties when the characters come around??

 

[pixiewings71]

Sherry, it may have been because it was off season. I really don't know but we walked in and got seated right away so that was probably a factor. They may have the buffet at dinner in peak season.

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry, it may have been because it was off season. I really don't know but we walked in and got seated right away so that was probably a factor. They may have the buffet at dinner in peak season.

That's a very good point. It may be that they only do the dinner buffet during busier/peak times of year......OR they may have just discontinued it for dinner altogether starting in 2009. We will soon see, I guess.

Did you like your dinner at Storytellers, Kerri? What did you all eat there? I didn't have the bad experiences there that Fairycat had, but I was not immediately sold on it either. It took a few meals there before I started to feel like I was confident I would eat there again in the future if nothing better popped up, but I still feel as though I could stand to skip it if I had to.

I really want to try Whitewater Snacks and revisit Plaza Inn in the future.

 

[PHXscuba]

Sherri and Kerri -- you are both right!

I called Disney Dining at DLR and they said they sometimes have the dinner buffet at Storytellers during busy times, "like weekends or holidays." They couldn't tell me for sure this far in advance whether they would have it when we will be there, but I'm hopeful, because it should be the Sunday of Columbus Day weekend!

Thanks for all of your info. I'm still debating what to do, but it's nice to know that Storytellers is still on the table as a possible option! I may just scrap the whole dinner buffet idea and do something different! (which will of course provoke more questions from me!)

Thanks to all,
PHXscuba

 

[Sherry E]

Sherri and Kerri -- you are both right!

I called Disney Dining at DLR and they said they sometimes have the dinner buffet at Storytellers during busy times, "like weekends or holidays." They couldn't tell me for sure this far in advance whether they would have it when we will be there, but I'm hopeful, because it should be the Sunday of Columbus Day weekend!

Thanks for all of your info. I'm still debating what to do, but it's nice to know that Storytellers is still on the table as a possible option! I may just scrap the whole dinner buffet idea and do something different! (which will of course provoke more questions from me!)

Thanks to all,
PHXscuba

Aha! That explains it then - the weekend I was there when the buffet was up and running was the weekend right before Christmas (peak season). Even though October used to be considered off-peak season, Columbus Day weekend has been known to be crowded in the parks, so I would not be at all surprised if they open up the buffet for dinner. Plus, last October was apparently unprecendented in terms of crowds, and was MUCH busier than it has previously been.

Well, if you decide to scrap the buffet idea entirely - meaning no Storytellers and no Goofy's - then you KNOW we all will have lots of suggestions for other places to eat. There are a lot of off-property/non-DLR places that people love, and even Rainforest Cafe in DTD can handle big parties - as long as you give them advance notice. One of our DIS'ers went in December with a party of 13 to RFC and it worked out fine.

 

[pixiewings71]

That's a very good point. It may be that they only do the dinner buffet during busier/peak times of year......OR they may have just discontinued it for dinner altogether starting in 2009. We will soon see, I guess.

Did you like your dinner at Storytellers, Kerri? What did you all eat there? I didn't have the bad experiences there that Fairycat had, but I was not immediately sold on it either. It took a few meals there before I started to feel like I was confident I would eat there again in the future if nothing better popped up, but I still feel as though I could stand to skip it if I had to.

I really want to try Whitewater Snacks and revisit Plaza Inn in the future.

Sherry, I really liked it, so did DBF. We went when we went for his bday in Jan. No kids that trip so no listening to DD9 complain about how it smelled smokey. We shared the corn chowder a salad and some raviolis....OMG, it was sooooooooo good!!!!! We really liked it, our server(s) were great, and the food was just so good. Now, I just need to convince DD9 to go in there and get used to the smell, I don't find it overpowering but it bring back memories of our house fire a few years ago, it kinda freaks her out.

Sherri and Kerri -- you are both right!

I called Disney Dining at DLR and they said they sometimes have the dinner buffet at Storytellers during busy times, "like weekends or holidays." They couldn't tell me for sure this far in advance whether they would have it when we will be there, but I'm hopeful, because it should be the Sunday of Columbus Day weekend!

Thanks for all of your info. I'm still debating what to do, but it's nice to know that Storytellers is still on the table as a possible option! I may just scrap the whole dinner buffet idea and do something different! (which will of course provoke more questions from me!)

Thanks to all,
PHXscuba

Oh good!!! I'm glad we were both right. I hope you get it figured out soon.

 

[PHXscuba]

We have Rainforest cafe here and I like it, but I'm still going to try for something on-property and unique to Disney. Several in our group have never been to DLR, and we're trying to make it the best possible trip for them (without breaking the bank).

This will also probably be our only meal all together (it's shaping up to be two friends, two couples, one family with little kids, plus us and our 4 Mouseketeers), so I want to have something memorable to start our stay.

Thanks to all for your wealth of experience. I've been to Disneyland many times (check out the avatar, age 3 ) but never for more than a whirlwind single day.

PHXscuba

 

[pixiewings71]

Ok, if RFC is out then maybe in DTD you might try Ralph Brennans Jazz Kitchen. It's good!!!! So good, and they will be able to accomodate your party too. Just call ahead and give them your numbers. Just another thought, altho if you really want the Disney experience I'd do something at one of the hotels, that is the best way to get the feeling if you know what I'm saying.

 

[kikiq]

Here's a vote for Storyteller's. It is our favorite restaurant in the hotels other than Napa Rose. We usually go on weekends, so there is a dinner buffet. The last time was Jan on a Saturday night. They had the most wonderful butternut squash with cranberries dish that over the pork loin on the buffet that was to die for. There is usually some beef/pork carved, chicken and fish. A fresh vege dish, garlic mash potatoes, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese for the kids. There's corn chowder and 3 different freshly made salads. A modest dessert bar and if you ask you can get ice cream sundaes. We have not ever been disappointed with the food but then my family is hooked on the corn chowder, salads and salmon.

Went when it first opened at 5. We have always had a great server maybe because we go early as opposed to late. One server several years ago told us to book early dinners to avoid any time after 8 ish, Families coming out of the park tired and hungry creates a very noisy place and very busy. So we always make priority seating times between 5 and 6. We usually eat there at least 5/6 times a year. Love the woodwork and remember when the servers use to tell one of the 6 California folktales to your table. But no time now, but if you are interested they use to have a sheet with all the stories for the murals.

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry, I really liked it, so did DBF. We went when we went for his bday in Jan. No kids that trip so no listening to DD9 complain about how it smelled smokey. We shared the corn chowder a salad and some raviolis....OMG, it was sooooooooo good!!!!! We really liked it, our server(s) were great, and the food was just so good. Now, I just need to convince DD9 to go in there and get used to the smell, I don't find it overpowering but it bring back memories of our house fire a few years ago, it kinda freaks her out.

Oh good!!! I'm glad we were both right. I hope you get it figured out soon.

Oh, that's right. I remember you mentioned a while back about the smell in Storytellers reminded your sweet daughter of the fire. Poor little thing. That must have been traumatizing for her, and I can see that any kind of sense-memory issue like a smell would bring back bad memories, and meanwhile, you are trying to show her that it's okay and safe to eat at a 'woodsy' type of place with a smoky smell. Does she like BBQ? I wondered how she handles some BBQ places that smell really smoky and woodsy.

Well, at least you guys were able to enjoy the restaurant and not worry about spooking your daughter. The ravioli sounds good. I really, really enjoyed the taste and freshness of the Storytellers spaghetti - it's just that if I am going to pay over $17 for a plate of it (since I can make it at home with fresh ingredients for under $10.00!), I want a big, heaping plate of it with lots of garlic bread. Instead it was a huge plate but only a moderate portion of spaghetti, and only one small sliver of garlic bread.

 

[PHXscuba]

Thanks "kikiq" for the details on the menu and the advice on going early at Storytellers. If they do have the buffet for the weekend we're there (and it's sounding like a pretty decent bet), I think that may be right for us: plenty of food, set price, no characters, good ambiance.

Thanks to all!

PHXscuba