Not big eaters.

[icarus]

None of us in our family are big eaters, so paying between 12.00 and 30.00 for a Buffet is really not worth the money. Is there any way to eat at a buffet style rest. without paying for the buffet, and just getting individual meals. Obviously, if we could share meals, it wouldn't be a problem, but I'm sure that this is out of the question.

I'm sure the immediate response from some will be
. . . Don't go to a Buffet style restaurant. The truth is, I'd like to experience a place like Boma, and Winnie the Pooh character meals at Crystal Palace seem to leave no choice.

As a side note, It seems to be the trend that most of the restaurants at Disney allow for much over eating/ wasting un-eaten food, and I do not know why this is.

 

[JennyDrake]

There is not a way at buffets to order and individual meal that I am aware of.

 

[Laura]

I know of no way that they'll be able to tell if you go up to the buffet or not, so you have to pay the full price.

Go to Boma anyway, though. We thought it was worth the price. Especially DH with his prime rib.

It seems to me that restaurants everywhere want you to have 1500 calorie meals, not just Disney.

 

[mkygrl]

This is what we do..not sure if it will work for you.

We choose 1 big meal a day. When we do Crystal Palace for breakfast. Our lunches and dinners are smaller. When we know we are doing Boma for dinner we have smaller meals during the day. We would usually do mini meals...healthy snacks etc.

 

[DisneyDotty]

I agree with mkygrl! Boma is not to be missed. And I find that when we buy the dining plan, I don't feel compelled to overeat at the buffet just to get my money's worth. Don't know why, exactly--maybe 'cause I know I've already gotten a good deal with the plan and don't worry about what I've spent!
And we had no problems sharing CS and TS meals at non-buffet restaurants.
Have a great trip!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Buffets aren’t ‘all you can eat’, they’re ‘all you care to eat’. Just because a venue provides unlimited food doesn’t mean any Guest has to eat it all. Yes, it seems expensive – just consider it part of your vacation cost.

And no, there is NO way to eat/order/pay for individual meals at a buffet, and as you’re aware, there is no way to share.

 

[apostolic4life]

The buffet meals meals at WDW are based more on the experience for us. The prices for each meal are in line with other high end buffet meals. Before stage performances and The WV Symphony performances, my company has prepared a pre-performance buffet which includes carved Prime Rib, an alternate entree (seafood or poultry), starch, two vegetables, pasta or soup, salad and dessert for $22.95. This is in the middle of WV and people still feel it is a value based on the offerings presented; the offerings at WDW buffets are much more varied and numerous so I would think the price is more than acceptable. As for sharing, I would bet that is a big no-no in a buffet setting unless you are sharing with a child under 3.


Just a thought brought to my mind with OP's thoughts about too much food:

I think it is funny sometimes to read when people feel the food portions are too large at WDW........then you have people complain about when the portions are reduced to a more appropriate healthy size because then they feel they are not getting their money's worth!!! Just goes to show you, no matter what Disney does someone will not be 100% happy.

 

[icarus]

. . .
I think it is funny sometimes to read when people feel the food portions are too large at WDW........then you have people complain about when the portions are reduced to a more appropriate healthy size because then they feel they are not getting their money's worth!!! Just goes to show you, no matter what Disney does someone will not be 100% happy.

Yes and it's not just Disney that I feel this, it's just overall the way of most u.s. eating establishments. As you've stated, for some reason, it is the impression that the plate has to be full of food for it to be worth it. I will avoid going on the tangent of over-eating americans on this thread, but on the other hand I am one who doesn't have a problem with paying a reasonable price for less food. I always opt out of the "french Fries" or unnecessary extras on a plate even when it is "included in the price". I just tell the waiter that I do not want them, but I don't ask for it to be removed from the entre price either.

This issue wouldn't be a problem with me at home because I would take half of the meal home and eat it for lunch the next day. The problem on vacation is that I wouldn't be dragging half of last nights steak or salad through the park the next day and eating it on a bench somewhere. Eventually the hotel fridge would be full of un-eaten food.

Even though I don't mind paying the price for food at establishments, I do have my limits. I really only eat about 600 calories (or less) at a sit down meal, as I spread my eating out over the cours of the day, so while the "experience" may be great, $26.00 plus tip for 600 calories is pretty pricey. I know that it's vacation, and money is going to be spent, but at the same time, I don't want to be throwing money away.

Thanks for the input.