How do you justify buffet prices?

[Stitch1404]

I absolutely love the buffet restaurants at WDW. The food always seems to be hot and fresh and the character interaction has been great for the most part. However, my DH cringes whenever I tell him we are going to a buffet since they are so expensive. I mean there really is no way I eat $25 worth of food at breakfast. I love the experience, DH hates the price tag. Does anyone else find the buffets way too expensive? If so how do you justify going to them?

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

We only do character buffets when the kids are with us, then we have the Disney Dining Plan so the price doesn't "hurt" so much.

Even before DDP days we did at least 3 character buffets a trip. I justify it by saying we're at WDW.

You're right though, no way would I pay $25.00 for a buffet at home.

 

[OurDogCisco]

We justify the cost based the variety you get. Some buffets are better than others but you do get a great variety that if you ordered it all individually it would cost more and be of bigger quantity. Also, I use this time to get my kids to sample other things besides the usual kids fare.

 

[annie1995]

Dining Plan! If it weren't for that, it probably would be a no go for us. Way too expensive.

 

[colleen costello]

We do lots of buffets -- character and non -- and feel they are a relative bargain when you consider the cost of ALL the food at WDW. We typically do the dinner buffets, though, and perhaps your spouse would consider those a better value?

There is so much junk food on vacation that a meal with all the salad and veggies I can eat is a real indulgence. My children also enjoy eating what they like, and I am happy they are not having french fries. We feel the buffets offer "something for everyone."

For what it's worth, my Dad's approach is "eat like a horse and get your money's worth!"

 

[nibby]

For my family, who enjoy the eating out experience as an integral part of our holiday, buffets offer better value (in Disney) than table meals. To choose a starter, entree and dessert would usually cost more than the normal buffet price. But added to that you can just eat the stuff you like, and as much of it as you want - which for me means some of the healthier stuff (seafood, grills, salads etc). It also means we all get to eat just what we all fancy - seafood, steak, italian, salad, puds - it's all there on one table Having said that, you can eat out MUCH cheaper outside Disney!!

 

[Anewman]

While not exactly "cheap" IMO it is a better deal than most TABLE service meals, IMO.
Just compare the skillet at WCC that alone is about the price of a character buffet and it does not include drink or dessert, or how much would a Burger/RINGS/DRINK/DESSERT at Sci Fi cost compared to a buffet.

I am actually the opposite of what other have stated in this thread, when on the DDP I will NOT go to $24 buffets because I feel it is a waste of a $38 credit. It makes better sense to me to pay CASH for a buffet, and use credits only at places where my meals easily cost(if paid cash) over that $38 mark.

 

[sm4987]

We always did at least 2 per trip. However with the Dining Plan I've stepped that up. It's DW,and it's (at least for us) only something we do twice a year. I would let the kids pick one breakfast and DH and I would pick the dinner. However since I watch my carb intake, it is much better for us to do the buffets than CS

 

[The Sweetness]

Heres how I see it. I usually eat 2 nice plates of salad, and I cut up a piece of baked or fried chicken (w/out the skin) to put on each. Then, I eat at least 2 servings of prime rib/ roast beef. I would also muchy enjoy BBQ ribs if they were available. After that, I sample desserts. Several of them.(obviously, I take it REALLY easy on the usual starches, so that I can smple a few treats) At my local buffet, where we pay $10.99 pp for dinner, I dont see how they are making a proffit

 

[PrincessTrisha]

I am actually the opposite of what other have stated in this thread, when on the DDP I will NOT go to $24 buffets because I feel it is a waste of a $38 credit.

I agree with your sentiments completely. Certainly if you have more expensive meals planned, paying for buffets can be a smart move.

However, for the sake of clarity - I feel the overwhelming need to point out that it is not a $38 credit. The $38 includes your TS, your CS and your Snack. And since snacks can now be $4 - if you pair that with a $10 CS (including drink and dessert!) you still break even for the day - so while it might not be the best use of a credit - you aren't losing any money.

Character dinners however can be a good value ($27.99 + tax and tip = $34.85) as long as you enjoy a snack - dole whip anyone! - you are still at your break even point (plus you can enjoy your CS still).

 

[lynninpa]

I absolutely love the buffet restaurants at WDW. The food always seems to be hot and fresh and the character interaction has been great for the most part. However, my DH cringes whenever I tell him we are going to a buffet since they are so expensive. I mean there really is no way I eat $25 worth of food at breakfast. I love the experience, DH hates the price tag. Does anyone else find the buffets way too expensive? If so how do you justify going to them?

Stitch1404,
Have you considered the dining plan?

 

[lovetoscrap]

I don't look at it as spending $25 for FOOD--I see it as $25 for food AND ENTERTAINMENT.

I really didn't choose any of the character meals we did (and will do) for the food--but for the characters and the atmosphere. I figure I am spending about $10-15 for a (hopefully) decent meal and the rest is for my children being able to see 5 or so of their favorite characters and get autographs and photos with them in a semi-relaxed setting--air conditioning, sitting down to wait, easy access to pottys, all the food they want--NO LINES!

It is worth the extra money to be able to get their character fix in that sort of atmosphere rather than standing in line for an hour or more in the heat on the HOPE that the ones they want will be there, or they won't go on break before your turn. Yes, no characters are "guaranteed" at a Char. Meal, but we have a fairly good general idea of who to expect and have never been disappointed. This also allows us to spend our park time on the rides and such, and not waiting for Mickey etc...

I also really like buffets because I am not a really adventerous eater, but do like to try new and different things occasionally. I like being able to just try a taste of this and that and get more if I like it. I also like that my picky eaters can get a little of this and that and be happy. And they can try all they want from the "adult" area and not be stuck with chicken fingers and mac and cheese as the only options at the child's price. And as others said--having a meal that includes fruit and veggies included is worth it.

And of course, you can't beat being able to sample one of every dessert!!!! (and more of the ones you really like!)

If you look at the cost of your local Dinner Theatre, or the cost of dinner out and a movie (even at the local Golden Corral or other buffet type place) it is really comparable. Food and Entertainment. And you don't bring your camera to those and catch that once in a lifetime smile on your little (or big!) one's faces as they hug their favorite character.

Priceless!

 

[lovetoscrap]

Forgot to add that I prefer the Lunch and Dinner to the Breakfasts. We have done a few, but I agree that the price is really to high for breakfast foods. When we do them we try to schedule them for late morning so we can skip lunch.

I feel the "value" is much better at lunch or dinner. But we are the type that eat little in the morning and a lot later in the day.

I also prefer to hit the parks early when there are less crowds and it is cooler so that makes the breakfast less desirable also.

 

[daisyduck123]

We do the Dining Plan each trip...that's how we justify the cost.

We usually got to WDW for 8 or 9 days & do a character dinner each night (except for WCC).

 

[MickeyNicki]

We never do a breakfast buffet, we eat at the resorts and share something. We like some buffets for dinner because DH can eat alot and we get our monies worth from him alone!

This October we are taking my 2 nieces so I can justify the breakfasts because of the lower costs and since it is the girls first time they will enjoy the character interaction. We will not spend the money for dinner because they are not big eaters and the older one would be charged as an adult.

I will justify Boma this Dec for breakfast tho, just have to see what you guys are raving about!

 

[beth_cam]

You know when you do dining plan you only have sticker shock once (when you pay for it) and then you can do a buffet every day - or even throw in a place like le Cellier or coral reef (didnt have great experiences at either but mentioning them because we didnt really like the food but we ate on 2 credits and the bill pushed 100 each time. No way we do that without the plan). But I justify the buffets by the fact that we dont share everyone gets what they want and we are all FULL, no comprimising. and if you compare that to the price to what a meal at one of the other non counter service restaurants would cost you it is worth the difference (with fussy kids anyway...no sitting waiting for your waiters to take orders and food to be made is a great plus)

 

[gigi1313]

we justify breakfast buffets by eating them as "brunch" getting an ADR for the last possible time and just having a snack in the room or bakery in the morning (leftover dessert or pizza from dinner the night before works too) and then go slow and enjoy our breakfast buffet which keeps us full easily 'til dinner

if you compare that $25 to the cost of breakfast and lunch adding in the coffee, juice, choc milk, etc it really can be a "bargain!" (or so i keep telling *my* dh! LOL!)

 

[emma'smom]

We did a character breakfast on the day we didn't have the dining plan. We had a late breakfast that counted as breakfast/lunch and kept us full until dinner time. It was entertaining, air conditioned, and filling! We couldn't even eat an afternoon snack. It was well worth the cost!

 

[crisi]

I actually dislike most buffets and character meals. The food isn't (in my opinion) very good. But for a character meal, the look on the kids face is worth it.

 

[mickeysaver]

It's Disney.....there is no place here in Atlanta to dine with Stitch, Mickey, or even a Princess. When you consider the "Magic Factor", it's worth every penny. IMHO Maggie