How do you justify buffet prices?

[Stitch1404]

Yes, when I think about the variety we get I do feel the price is a lot more justified. It is so wonderful to go to a restaurant and have everyone like it because there is so much to choose from. My DH doesn't complain as much when we go to the all you care to eat meals where they bring you the big skillets, it's when you go to a buffet and have to serve yourself and yet still pay a lot for it. For instance this March DH and I went to Narcoossee's for dinner. We split an appetizer, each had an entree and split a dessert. With tax and a 20% tip it came to about $90. Then we went to Crystal Palace and once again with a 20% tip and tax it came to about $70. So he doesn't see how serving yourself and eating a "lower" quality of food can be worth it when for $20 more he can have a gourmet meal. He does the character meals for our kids who are 1 and 6 but he still doesn't understand why they cost so much.

 

[goodeats]

As far as breakfast buffets go, I don't find them overpriced at WDW. I mean you can go to Trails End and it's only $12.99 (I think). Crystal Palace has characters and it's around $20. When we have breakfast buffets we usually only need ice cream at lunch.

I just got back from Maui, and the breakfast buffet in our hotel was about $22 a person, so I don't think WDW is terribly out of line in price for a major resort destination. At home we would never go to a breakfast buffet, but on vacation I think it's a nice start to the day. Last trip we went to 3 breakfast buffets! I really like a real breakfast (pastries don't do it for me, I get cranky in an hour), and I feel like the breakfast buffets are a better value than a sit down place. That way I can get what I want (fruit, bacon, eggs), but not get stuck with one item.

 

[TinaLala]

Honestly I go to Disney for a few reasons one is to see as much of the characters as possible another is to eat really good food. Most of the places we go to eat at are buffets and I feel that we get our money's worth every time we go. We've gone to the sit down places and spend the same or more. I like the atmosphere at the buffets and we always ensure that the kids will have special time with the characters at the buffets.

Hey you're on vacation you have to live a little. Besides you can't take it with you so what the heck eat a good meal today and walk around the park to burn it off tomorrow.

 

[PureTcrazy]

We always said that they made money on me and DM and lost money on my Daddy and DB. We usually do H & V for the Fantasmic package and consider it money well spent. I just those little desserts. Boma is another buffet that does not have characters, but gives you the opportunity to try such an amazing variety of food without worrying about waste (probably need to worry about WAIST though )

Surely DH must realize that everything costs more at any kind of vacation spot doesn't he??

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

For us, there are two major factors that make buffets worth the price:

1. We like to try a little of this and a little of that. If we were to order each item separately, we'd pay a fortune!

2. It's about the experience, not the amount of food. I don't stuff myself (at buffets or elsewhere) because I'm not paying for the plateful in front of me as much as for the enjoyment of the meal - the atmosphere and/or characters, but especially the fact that I didn't have to cook it and I don't have to clean up afterward!

 

[scanne]

To us, it's simple. All of our vacation expenses are justified. We budget for our trips and include in that budget the cost for all meals - including buffets, table service and counter service. I go on vacation to clear my head and just enjoy myself. I don't worry about what things cost because I pre-plan our spending. Would I pay $25 for a buffet at home? Well, that's simple - no because we NEVER go to buffets at home. But we DO go to upscale restaurants (without the kids) and spend $$$ on really good food. I guess to each his own, but if you budget and plan accordingly, then you shouldn't have to worry about justifying the cost of anything while on your vacation. Just my .02.

 

[bizeemom4]

Character buffets add so much happiness to our vacation. Where else but Disney can you have dinner with Mickey Mouse? For us, the character buffets MAKE our vacation. They are worth every penny and more. When we get home and I look at the pictures and see the happiness on my children's faces, I can't think of a better way to have spent the money.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I never thought about justifying the price, we just plan what meals we want to do and I set our food budget and save accordingly. Last year we did the dining plan but paid oop for a couple of character meals we didn't have credits for. My boys are little still, and they like the character meals, so we do them.

 

[JFrey4240]

My family loves buffets--they can eat what they want and try many different things. Lately my DD6 really enjoys buffets because now we let her go up and get her own food as long as we can see her from the table--freedom that she loves. As for the price tag--we're on vacation and figure in the higher cost. It's comparable to another table service restaurant cost to us.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

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?

Only read the op so sorry if this has been said.

Frankly, yes, I find them very expensive.......we don't do a lot of them. This is how I justify it when we do one.

If we are eating the breakfast ones, I make it for as late as I can, say....10:30am or 10:45am. If we are going to the dinner one, I make it early like 4pm...........we get a snack at lunchtime so we are really hungry come 4pm. This way it's like getting two meals instead of one. No...........I don't like stuffing myself like this usually, but it's vacation so I try not to worry about it.

 

[Amyrlin]

I think it depends on what you like. I like to try a bit of different things, so it is worth it for the variety. I also love rib of beef, and this is a cut that Disney do cook well at several of the buffets. OH gets value with the beef as well.

 

[Corinne]

I don't love buffets, but for some reason I like them (especially Cape May) at WDW. I agree with the poster who mentioned all the choices and there being so many that everyone is happy. We are not big eaters, but we like being able to try different things and go up for each course at our own pace.