Sit down meal vs Buffet

[PinkSleepingBeauty]

Hey! Any opinions on sit down meals and buffets? I'm unsure which to do! Is there a great different in costs or are they quite similar? Thanks as always!

 

[KrisJenn1210]

I'm also wondering this too. I had originally planned on doing a buffet, thinking it would be cheaper. But our guest list is almost 50% children, so I'm thinking maybe plated meals would be better. Look forward to hearing what the "experts" say.

 

[redrosesix]

I think buffets are great for kids, both inside and outside WDW, but that's because my DD has always loved being able to have steak and jello on the same plate. At every WDW buffet we've been to, she has been able to choose from both the kids' and adults' selections so it works for us. At some of the sit-down meal, the kids' menu is extremely limited and offers nothing different than the CS restaurants for her. Since she hates nuggets and burgers, buffets are usually better for her if we don't plan to order off the adult menu for her.

So, I would base my decision on the restaurants you're thinking of going to and whether they'll be able to accomodate your kids' choices in foods.

 

[PinkSleepingBeauty]

I think buffets are great for kids, both inside and outside WDW, but that's because my DD has always loved being able to have steak and jello on the same plate. At every WDW buffet we've been to, she has been able to choose from both the kids' and adults' selections so it works for us. At some of the sit-down meal, the kids' menu is extremely limited and offers nothing different than the CS restaurants for her. Since she hates nuggets and burgers, buffets are usually better for her if we don't plan to order off the adult menu for her.

So, I would base my decision on the restaurants you're thinking of going to and whether they'll be able to accomodate your kids' choices in foods.

Thanks. We'll be having 6 'kids' at our wedding, but one will be 14 and one will be 12, so really it's only 4 kids (aged 4yrs to 7yrs). I'm thinking of using the Whitehall Room and Patio for the cocktail hour and reception. Can we hold a buffet there or is it just plated meals?

 

[girli565]

I'm doing a buffet, I know my guests will enjoy the ability to choose from a selection of several options and I know that I like that too. And I get to build a menu with a bunch of my fave disney meals!

 

[amyy]

We are doing a buffet too. Part of me thinks that a plated meal is more "classy" (not quite the word I want) but we are having our meal at the Napa room and I feel very confident that anything there will be "classy". We have some picky guests (including me) and I like the idea of a buffet so we can load up on what we want. At the Napa room there are 3 different choices for the kids menu and I need to pick one.

 

[lurkyloo]

Hey! Any opinions on sit down meals and buffets? I'm unsure which to do! Is there a great different in costs or are they quite similar? Thanks as always!

In real life, buffets are usually cheaper. At Disney, they cost about the same and could be more expensive if you add all the fancy action stations. It's also important to note that certain reception venues are buffet-only, so you might not have to choose.

I'm also wondering this too. I had originally planned on doing a buffet, thinking it would be cheaper. But our guest list is almost 50% children, so I'm thinking maybe plated meals would be better. Look forward to hearing what the "experts" say.

If you provide a separate kids meal or a kids buffet, they won't be eating off the buffet so you won't have to pay the adult price for them.

 

[erin.w]

Could you do buffet for the adults and plated for the kids? As the menus Disney sent me are only plated options for the kids. Any info on buffet options for the kids, lurkyloo? I am having 15 kids at my wedding and would like to keep the cost as low as possible, knowing the eating habits of many of them (a piece of fruit, couple of fries, one chicken nugget - like my niece eats!, I can't see spending $40 for that!).

 

[BecBennett]

We are doing a buffet too. Part of me thinks that a plated meal is more "classy" (not quite the word I want) but we are having our meal at the Napa room and I feel very confident that anything there will be "classy". We have some picky guests (including me) and I like the idea of a buffet so we can load up on what we want. At the Napa room there are 3 different choices for the kids menu and I need to pick one.

That's sorta what I think too. Plus a lot of my family are BIG eaters, so a buffet would ensure that they get another food

However I think I'm going to go with plated meal anyway...

 

[Skylarr29]

Thanks. We'll be having 6 'kids' at our wedding, but one will be 14 and one will be 12, so really it's only 4 kids (aged 4yrs to 7yrs). I'm thinking of using the Whitehall Room and Patio for the cocktail hour and reception. Can we hold a buffet there or is it just plated meals?

Yes, you can have a buffet at the Whitehall room.

 

[lurkyloo]

Could you do buffet for the adults and plated for the kids? As the menus Disney sent me are only plated options for the kids. Any info on buffet options for the kids, lurkyloo?

You can pretty much have whatever you want. They may have a suggested buffet they can send you, but I will bet you dollars to donuts it's the same kind of stuff on the plated menus - Mickeyroni, chicken tenders, etc.

 

[bunny_pop]

I'm doing a buffet; for us, it worked out to be cheaper. This gave us the option of having a variety of items too. Other then the cost, when we talk to our photographer, she highly suggested this. She said she found that most people tend to clam up in a way when it is plate. The buffet got people up and moving and interacting. HTH

 

[tinkerbell 766]

I'm doing a buffet; for us, it worked out to be cheaper. This gave us the option of having a variety of items too. Other then the cost, when we talk to our photographer, she highly suggested this. She said she found that most people tend to clam up in a way when it is plate. The buffet got people up and moving and interacting. HTH

Does anybody have any sample buffet menus they would be willing to post or PM me with? There were a few good ones on the Magical Kingdoms website, but this year they seem to have disappeared!! I remember one was called 'Old World Traveller' (I think) and it seemed perfect for our party but it seems to have gone now!!
Thanks

 

[girli565]

Does anybody have any sample buffet menus they would be willing to post or PM me with? There were a few good ones on the Magical Kingdoms website, but this year they seem to have disappeared!! I remember one was called 'Old World Traveller' (I think) and it seemed perfect for our party but it seems to have gone now!!
Thanks

http://www.disneycateredmenus.com/menus/WED/WED_All_Menus_v100609.pdf

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Thank you so much!!
Do you know whether they will allow you to have one of the rehersal dinner menus for a small Escape reception provided you meet the minimums? I realise we may have to pay a small party fee.

 

[PinkSleepingBeauty]

I just took at look at some of the menus and the majority say minimum of 25 guests... there will probably only be 20 of us...are there other menus for less than 25 guests? Thanks x

 

[girli565]

Thank you so much!!
Do you know whether they will allow you to have one of the rehersal dinner menus for a small Escape reception provided you meet the minimums? I realise we may have to pay a small party fee.

I think you can, if you're using a ballroom or a place like the Attic, I'm sure you can build your own menu.

I just took at look at some of the menus and the majority say minimum of 25 guests... there will probably only be 20 of us...are there other menus for less than 25 guests? Thanks x

That doesn't matter, at least I don't think so because it was never an issue for me when I only has 23 people. Now I have 40 so it's not a concern anymore.