price of buffets for 2008...anyone think they're getting ridiculous?

[MichelleB]

I just called to book Chef Mickey for a June trip and the dinner price is $33.99 per adult. After the gratuity is added (we're a party of more than 6 so it's automatic) and then tax, the total will be about $42.50 per person. This just sounds ludicrous to me. We're taking my scout troop and it's something the girls really want to do, but we'll have to revisit the idea based on the cost.

 

[PrincessEmilysMommy]

I do think the price is high (which is why we opted for the Deluxe Dining Plan) However in my neck of the woods, a buffet w/o Disney characters is about $20 for an adult.

 

[Rachie0507]

I suppose looking at the actual cost of the dinner, it is a lot for what it is. But I am willing to pay, and so are many others. I live frugally in other ways, and bargain-shop certain aspects of my trips (airfare, car). Once I'm there, I don't worry too much about what I'll be paying to experience the magic.

 

[angelmav]

Rachie, they know you and many others will pay which is why prices for everything (food, tickets, rooms) keep going up, up, up. IMO they are hitting a ceiling and I expect this year will tell that tale.

 

[inloveindisney]

Well, we ate at a buffet and paid out of pocket (ran out of dp allottments) and it was around 70.00 with tip. Seemed outrageous and there weren't disney characters there.
The more I hear about 2008 changes, the more I get aggravated. It seems prices are going up and they are offering less. I don't suppose complaining will get me anywhere though. Like others say, I'll pay it just to experience the fabulous food!

 

[catheren]

Excuse ME??? "Willing to PAY".

They raise the price and no extra's. Why and anyones mind would you be "willing to PAY".

Let's face it the food offerings at the WDW buffets are items that "fill" you up. It is about quantity not quality.

 

[SGMCO]

We at at CM for Dinner on our last trip and
was so happy we were there for FD because
it would have cost us $104.00 for 3 and if I had
to pay that out of Pocket I would have been very upset
because that was the worst food we tryed to eat the
whole trip.

 

[debbiedoo]

This is why I try not to do the buffets. With my kids, we try to do 1 dinner character, and 1 breakfast character.

And I agree they have offerings that will "fill" you up, not stay with you for awhile. .

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

We just got back from a ten day trip and we were there for 24 days in September with the free dining. I have to admit that while we enjoyed eating at some new places with the free dining we enjoyed eating at all Counter Serves just as much this trip. No ADR's, we stopped and ate only when we were hungry and only ordered what we wanted, sharing many meals and ordering different things. I believe I liked the CS even more. Did not feel deprived at all either. We spent less than $500 on our meals, have not done the final math yet. That included snacks and more than a couple of extra ice teas to feed my tea addiction.

JMO, SG/Linda

 

[TDC Nala]

June is a period of "Peak" or "Holiday" pricing for buffets. Prices are increased $5-7 during this time.

They raise the price and no extra's. Why and anyones mind would you be "willing to PAY".

A lot are. The restaurants are full. And not everyone is on the dining plan.

 

[MichelleB]

Actually the cast member checked and told me the date I inquired about was not holiday pricing but the regular 2008 rate. For the scout trip, the girls have earned the money so if they want to do this one special meal, I'm all for it (I have to admit the total cost of $510 for this meal is so against my nature considering that it's only costing us $545 for the hotel room for 5 nights while there and if you equate it to cookies....each girl had to sell 85 boxes of cookies for that one meal.....just crazy!). Again, though, this is a once in a lifetime trip for some of these girls, so we'll pay it.

However, for our family of 5 that goes yearly, we'll be limiting the buffet meals from now on. I just can't justify the food for the cost. I know you pay for the character interaction, but 5 minutes at my table isn't worth the price more than 1 time per trip and then we'll be doing breakfast meals to keep the cost down. I just think they're getting really ridiculous in price.

 

[TDC Nala]

2008 holiday pricing runs from May 25 to July 5, 2008. You could not have given them a date in June that did not include holiday pricing.

 

[J.C.&ALI'SMOM]

In a word, yes, I think the prices are ridiculous. I would never pay that, especially for Chef Mickeys! The last time we ate there, 2002, was enough for me. It was not good.

This is why we have been going offsite more often for dinner. We have a few ADRs for dinner during a trip and we will schedule a character breakfast for the girls and I. My DH does not like to go with us to the character breakfasts. It is so expensive and to him, not worth it.

 

[Laurabearz]

if you equate it to cookies....each girl had to sell 85 boxes of cookies for that one meal.....just crazy!). Again, though, this is a once in a lifetime trip for some of these girls, so we'll pay it.

As Cookie Mom for both my girl's troops, I LOVE how you put it in terms of boxes of cookies!

((hugs))

Dining prices have gone over the top at WDW and there are some of us who blame both DDP and free dining deals for the price increases....

IMO WDW should never ever EVER offer free dining again. I am tired of paying for the perks of others.

 

[my3disneygirls]

Many of the buffets are a total rip off, but as most of the places in Disney are overpriced. I can eat a great Sunday buffet near my home with tons of high quality food for around 20 bucks a head. And that includes one alchoholic drink.

 

[agnes!]

Actually the cast member checked and told me the date I inquired about was not holiday pricing but the regular 2008 rate. For the scout trip, the girls have earned the money so if they want to do this one special meal, I'm all for it (I have to admit the total cost of $510 for this meal is so against my nature considering that it's only costing us $545 for the hotel room for 5 nights while there and if you equate it to cookies....each girl had to sell 85 boxes of cookies for that one meal.....just crazy!). Again, though, this is a once in a lifetime trip for some of these girls, so we'll pay it.

However, for our family of 5 that goes yearly, we'll be limiting the buffet meals from now on. I just can't justify the food for the cost. I know you pay for the character interaction, but 5 minutes at my table isn't worth the price more than 1 time per trip and then we'll be doing breakfast meals to keep the cost down. I just think they're getting really ridiculous in price.

What the ever-fabulous TDC Nala said.

Unless Disney has just changed the dates for the Holiday Surcharge of $4-$7 which (as TDC Nala posted) was previously announced as running from May 25 - July 5, 2008), those prices are indeed the 'holiday pricing' .
But if this latest stupid Disney Dining move has been changed/altered, that would be wonderful news...

And just what holiday we will all be celebrating on all those days in June, I really do not know .

I do think the buffets have gotten expensive, especially the dinner hours.

agnes!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

When CRT hit $30 for breakfast, I said I wouldn't go there anymore, since it was just too expensive for me. Of course now I have the deluxe DDP on my next trip, so CRT is back on my list.

Disney will keep on raising their prices as long as people keep going.

 

[Pumbaa_]

WOW! That is much more than I am willing to pay.

As the prices keep going up, the selections decreasing and the quality we will be dining differently in the future. For the first time in 10 years, we will be dining off site.

 

[branv]

If it makes anyone feel better, the brunch at our local Four Seasons is $40/pp.

Course at the Four Seasons they have caviar. But no Cinderella!

Yes, I think it's crazy, and the "holiday" upcharge in June an insult. But I'm a notorious food snob (don't get me wrong, I like my share of junk food...but not when it's junk food, labeled as cuisine with a substantial mark-up), and there are only a few restaurants at WDW that I consider worth their cost, even after taking into consideration the usual theme park/convenience surcharge.

Thankfully, the older I get the more buffets and all-you-can-eat gross me out (just sit and watch people serving themselves sometimes...it will make you shriek in horror), and the more I realize I could never eat enough to justify the cost. I also don't want to spend too much in-park time eating, as TS can be long. So basically I'm getting cheaper and crankier, therefore it's more counter service for me...especially in Epcot where the CS options are so diverse.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) The last time we did a character buffet it was $19.99 at Chef Mickey's.
2) Haven't been back to one since.
3) We think that $35 for breakfast is just too much.
4) We will let others add to Disney profits.

PERSONAL OPINION: It does not fail to amaze me how people will complain about the pricing, then go ahead and spend for the item/activity/meal. If one complains, then one should have the gumption to follow through.