Pros and Cons for TS vs Character buffets?

[3princes+1princess]

My ADR planned have 5 character buffet meals and one TS meal. Are the character buffets worth it? I want to get the most for my money, but know that at a TS we could ask for dessert to go.

So, what are the pros and cons to character buffets and TS meals?

We have 3 sons (12, 9, 6) and a daughter (2).

 

[tzeitel]

The buffets are a great deal ($$) - especially for kids - if you are using the DDP. How many days are you staying?

 

[3princes+1princess]

We are staying 8 days 7 nights. I think we are going to do the grand gatherings Tonys breakfast, which is 2 TC...I know, not a good deal but I hear it is really great with low crowds and lots of interaction. However, it may not be worth it with 4 other character meals too.

 

[tzeitel]

We are also planning on doing Tony's GG I've read very good things about the breakfast and being in the MK early is always a plus.

Actually Tony's is just 1 TS

 

[lesabrowning]

We are big fans of Character meals. We love being able to get pics and autographs of multiple characters in one air conditioned setting. We also like the variety of the food, there is always something for everyone. Also, we like that we have some control over how long we stay. So while you can't get dessert to go, you can get up and grab dessert anytime you like.

 

[siskaren]

Two big advantages to buffets are that if you pick something you don't like you can just go back and pick something else, and you won't leave hungry.

 

[SnipsNSnails]

Buffets are big bang for your buck when under 10's are involved. Generally the price of the buffet is more than the price of the DDP for that day for the child. You also have an under 3. Buffets are great because children under 3 can have whatever they want at no cost. And another great thing about buffets is that there is no waiting for the food, it's ready to go immediately which is huge for us. Our young children they only tolerate sit down restaurants for so long so being able to get the food immediately is a big bonus! For our 7 night trip we are doing 4 buffets (2 character), 2 family style, and one menu TS.

 

[sharonabe]

We are also planning on doing Tony's GG I've read very good things about the breakfast and being in the MK early is always a plus.

Actually Tony's is just 1 TS

We've thought about doing this, but I thought you had to have 8 people for a grand gathering experience. Can someone confirm please?

 

[3princes+1princess]

We've thought about doing this, but I thought you had to have 8 people for a grand gathering experience. Can someone confirm please?

Yes, there has to be 8. We are also travelling with my brother and his family and my sister and her son. I am making ADR for my family, in addition to the one GG. Sorry I wasn't more specific than that.

I made Tonys reservation yesterday, they were able to do it a few days before my 180!! A little sad to find out that the earliest reservation (opening time) is 9 am, right when park opens. I was hoping it was earlier. Oh well. But one reservation down. And it is only 1TS credit....don't know what I was thinking!!

 

[smiths02]

I see a few benefits.
1) Your two year old doesn't really have to "share" (technically, the 2 year old eats off your plate, but I always got my 2 year old his own plate and they even gave him a drink for free at buffets). It wasn't even so much the portions for me (we always had enough food whether at TS, buffet or CS), it was just nice to have my own plate for a change

2) You can just pay for your 9 year old as a 9 year old, you won't feel any "need" to upgrade him to a Disney adult b/c he likes adult food or b/c the kiddie meals are not enough for him (he can eat whatever he likes and however much he likes at the buffet)

3) If your 12 year old likes mac n cheese and chicken nuggets (kid food), then so be it...he can get as much of those as he wants and not feel forced to eat sushi and salad

4) I think someone else mentioned waiting. I loved being able to just get the food right away AND if we were still eating and 2 year old was bored...guess what? Pooh was gonna come around any minute so he was entertained

5) On the regular DDP, I felt like this was my chance to have appetizers (without paying OOP). I love to have salad with meals, for example.

But some people don't like buffets. The food may not be as good as a traditional TS. You may get sick of the characters (especially if you see the same ones too many times...but you can plan around that). Another con that you pointed out, no leftovers...but honestly, we never really ate any of our leftovers since we had the DDP. Another con, having to stop to take the pictures or plan trips to eat around pictures.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

When it comes to food, do you prefer QUALITY or QUANTITY?

Character Buffets: food is okay to marginal, fun, loud, chaotic, no sharing, kids have fun, no food to go, good deal for kids under 3, big savings with DDP for kids over oop, often you get hit up to buy "photo package", a few charge CC if no show, not much opportunity to have a conversation, you get food right away, but have to wait to see all the characters sometimes, character interaction is usually quite rushed, but no lines to see characters, all food is included, kids/adults can sample foods without having to commit to a full portion

Non- character buffets: (I'm thinking Boma) very good food, still requires everyone to get up, you get food right away and is slightly faster than full TS - IF you get seated right away, everyone can sample new foods

TS menu places: Better food, more relaxing/quieter (excpet a few places like WCC), must pay for kids under 3 unless they share from plate, BUT kids and adults can also SHARE ONE entree if they like, all food is included, must commit to what you order, typically you get seated closer to ADR time, often vegetables that are listed as being served with an ADULT entree are tiny 'garnish' sized portions. KID's meals come with plenty of veggies though - and lots of healthy choices! EVERY kids' menu has activities and comes with crayons for coloring

Our STRONG preference is to limit ourselves to ONE character meal per visit. The last time I ate at Chef Mickeys (several years ago) the dinner was nearly inedible. The food at Tutto Italia is MUCH better quality.

I would not 'plan' on getting desserts 'to go' especially in the summer months! Most are actually such that you can't really get them to go. You are NOT going to carry creme brulee all over Epcot in 100 degree heat then actually EAT it later!?! (Ack!)

Late inthe week, most of my family is more than happy to SHARE a dinner entree and desserts. We typically book a double credit dinner to PLAN to share. Even then, we often skip dessert.

Maybe the kids in my extended family are unsual, but sitting for a TS has almost never beena problem. They also prfer a little quiet, and have enjoyed the chance to color, and converse about everything else they've seen or are going to see.