family style/buffet

[HappyGrape]

Is there any of the family style/buffet that still offer reasonably good quality food. There are so many complains about them, are there are any that are still recommended?

 

[Aliceacc]

There are complaints about every single restaurant, every single resort, every single ride and attraction at WDW.

Yet each has its share of loyal repeat customers.

On our trip 2 weeks ago, we enjoyed the following buffets:
- Crystal Palace breakfast
- Tusker House breakfast
- Chef Mickey's dinner
- Cape May dinner.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Ohana seems to be a love-or-hate experience, but the difficulty of getting an ADR suggests more love (and a mix of overly-high expectations that help drive some of the negatives). Garden Grill is quite good.

Also: Boma!

 

[ChasingLeslie]

We really loved 1900 Park Fare, Tusker House, and Crystal Palace. The food was delicious and fresh.

 

[Nancyg56]

I pay no attention to reviews unless I am looking to gauge whether or not a brand new restaurant seems to have worked out the glitches. In regards to complaints, they are all over the place.

I would look at whatever experience I thought that I wanted, and I would book that.

With that said, In August our favorite Buffet, AYCTE experiences were:

Akershus Breakfast

Chef Mickey Dinner

'Ohana breakfast was good.


We had a terrible experience at 'Ohana.

DD just got back and gave positive feedback for Tusker House Dinner.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Favorite Buffet- Trails end (cheapest too)
Favorite Fam style- Garden Grill

 

[ShannonMB]

I think a lot of people who don't enjoy the buffets at WDW probably also don't enjoy buffets in real life. My sister, for instance, never likes a buffet. She does not like the serve yourself aspect, the potential for germs, she feels the food is never hot or fresh enough. I personally love a breakfast buffet - it's one of my favorite things about vacation! So I will always have a more favorable review of Crystal Palace breakfast than she will. Sooo, if you are a buffet person, some of them at WDW are actually really good (the breakfasts being my favorite)! And Boma dinner is just awesome!!

 

[mickeygirl78]

My favorite family style restaurants are 'Ohana (dinner), Liberty Tree (dinner) and Garden Grill. My favorite buffets are Biergarten and Crystal Palace (breakfast)

 

[rwdavis2]

We've found Crystal Palace acceptable. But my wife is Pooh fan. I don't go with high expectations on the food because we are there for the characters. I pay attention to reviews that give details on why someone does or does no like it. If they just say it was awful and nothing else I ignore those.

 

[crabbygal902]

There are complaints about every single restaurant, every single resort, every single ride and attraction at WDW.

Amen!

Being on the dining plan changes my perspective, and I wonder if it does for others as well. On plan, I focus on the total experience and the unique Disney atmosphere. That's when we visit buffets and family-style places, often with characters. Off plan, it's more about the food and service. We've gotten in the habit of making a meal off several apps at signature restaurants and going to great counter service, like Tangierine Cafe and Wolfgang Puck Express.

I remember going to Coral Reef years ago and paying OOP. I was horrified that a meal that cost that much tasted so bland and the service could be so careless. Rightly or wrongly, we haven't been back since. Perhaps my view would've been different if we were on the DDP and I had focused more on that incredible aquarium and not the $150 that had just come out of wallet.

My favorite family-style and buffets:
Akershus Dinner--was pleasantly surprised by the delicious entrees because frankly, I wasn't expecting much from a Princess dining location.
'Ohana Breakfast
'Ohana Dinner - Love it so much. I have no problem paying OOP because I feel like we are getting a good value and experience.
Cape May Breakfast
Cape May Dinner

Off my list for now:
Crystal Palace Dinner- our last visit was less than stellar. Food didn't seem well-prepared or fresh, dirty dining room.

Mixed bag:
Chef Mickey's Breakfast and Dinner - it's been great, it's been good, it's been kinda bad. The experience--the atmosphere and character interaction--is why we return. I do love those parmesan potatoes at dinner and they've been good every time.

 

[Aliceacc]

FWIW, we had a horrible experience at the Hollywood Brown Derby-- a signature restaurant that others rave about.

I'm sure it was an isolated experience. And that others are totally justified in their raves.

But it's the ONLY restaurant in WDW that I'll never return to.

 

[beccasmom]

I have to say our favorite is Trail's End. It is relatively inexpensive (for a WDW restaurant), has a good variety of food, lots of different desserts and great service. Basic homestyle cooking. Friendly atmosphere. We really enjoy it.

 

[disnut8]

Is there any of the family style/buffet that still offer reasonably good quality food. There are so many complains about them, are there are any that are still recommended?

As others have stated, the only person who can advise you on if you will like a buffet or family style restaurant is you and your family. That's because you know what you like and don't like.

For example, my husband and I love the Biergarten but not for the same reasons. He likes all the heavy meats, I like the other stuff. We both roll out of there stuffed. However, if we listened to people who don't like to sit with others (as two of us, my husband and I always share a table) or don't like heavy meats. But it's perfect for us so we go when we went and can.

Reading restaurant reviews is like listening to someone else tell you how to raise your child. The other person doesn't have any responsibility for that child - only you do. Same thing with what you put into your body at a theme park.

 

[ConnecticutNonna]

Nobody here has mentioned Minnie's Seasonal Dine...
I'm here to tell ya, it was so good! Character interaction was amazing, and DH and DGS are still talking about the Asiago Chicken and the very cool Christmas desserts!
So just a shout out of lover for H&Vs Dinner parties with Minnie!

 

[CynBeth]

Boma for breakfast or dinner
Crystal Palace breakfast
Tusker House breakfast
Trail's End Buffet breakfast
Captain's Grille breakfast
This is not a buffet but at WCC for breakfast you can order off the menu or get the skillet breakfast if they still have it and they have some antics.

 

[kastoney]

We are a self described foodie family, complete with my own husband/professional chef. So we are picky about food and as such have not been a fan of the family style/buffets because the emphasis seems to be on characters vice food quality. Call me crazy but when I go out to eat, I'm paying for the food first and foremost and want to eat good food.

That rant out of the way, we've tried several family style/buffet meals with mostly lackluster results. The exceptions for us have been:
Tusker House Breakfast - Unique and well done offerings
The Wave Breakfast- Small size of the restaurant/buffet allows quality to actually shine through
Hoop Dee Do - Not necessarily in the same category but family style and yummy none the less. We are trying trails end for the first time later this month and have equally high hopes

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

We have 3 booked for our next trip.

Boma, 1900 and Biergarten.

 

[HappyGrape]

I think a lot of people who don't enjoy the buffets at WDW probably also don't enjoy buffets in real life. My sister, for instance, never likes a buffet. She does not like the serve yourself aspect, the potential for germs, she feels the food is never hot or fresh enough. I personally love a breakfast buffet - it's one of my favorite things about vacation! So I will always have a more favorable review of Crystal Palace breakfast than she will. Sooo, if you are a buffet person, some of them at WDW are actually really good (the breakfasts being my favorite)! And Boma dinner is just awesome!!

I don't do buffets at all outside Disney but honestly we had breakfast at Crystal Palace and it was good. I obsessed with getting my veggies & protein and I felt they had delicious fresh fruit selection that I left feeling happy and fresh in a good way.

 

[Miskey]

Garden Grill / breakfast and dinner
Tusker House / breakfast
'Ohana / breakfast
1900 Park Fare / breakfast and dinner

 

[jimmytammy]

These are our favorite buffet/family style places. We lean towards quality, not quantity.

Breakfast...The Wave and Trails End. The Wave is always fresh, and they have a couple unique items. Trails End is just laid back, good food. They too have a couple unique items. Boma for a very unique meal. They do have your standards as well for those who don't want to stretch too far in tastes

Lunch/Dinner...Biergarten for the tasty food, atmosphere and the band. Even if you are not an adventurous eater, they have something for everyone.
Liberty Tree Tavern, love the Thanksgiving style meal here. Ohana, this has been a favorite of ours from day one. It used to always be our go to meal for the start of our trip, and we always knew we were in for a special meal. At times it gets a bad rap, but overall, we have had great meals here. Garden Grill is fun, food is spot on and me loving fish, works in my favor!