Surcharge for Buffets?

[DisneyMomx7]

Does anyone know if they added the surcharge for buffets for this summer?

I know they did last year but I haven't heard anything yet. I'm guessing if they didn't do it for the 4th of July time period I can't picture them adding it now.

 

[Pumbaa_]

They did, it started in June

 

[TDC Nala]

They're doing seasonal increases this year; they just didn't announce them, so it's harder to determine which dates.

 

[kimgof]

A surcharge for buffets? What's that about? We were there last summer and I don't remember that .

 

[Hootch]

demand times Disney adds a surcharge to all you can eat establishments. This has been in effect for a couple of years now. Here's a list of restaurants that had the surcharges added in the past.

1900 Park Fare
Akershus
Biergarten
Boma
Cape May Cafe
Chef Mickey's
Cinderella's Royal Table
Crystal Palace
Garden Grill
Hollywood and Vine
Liberty Tree Tavern (dinner)
Ohana
Trails End
Tusker House

The charges are usually added for Easter, summer, Thanksgiving and Christmas with dates around the holidays extending before and after.

 

[kimgof]

Ok, do you mean they just charge more for the buffets during peak times?

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Yes - I believe that last year it was $4 more for adults, not sure of kids.

Anyone know the surcharges this year? This is our first year only using TIW instead of DDP so I was curious. Once two dds became "Disney adults" the DDP wasn't a good deal for us anymore.

 

[ibcnu]

When do they tell customers there is a surcharge, you'll see it on the bill?

Since I'm paying cash for meals (3 buffets we have ADRs at are on the list), I want to know up front that there is a surcharge.

 

[vicki_c]

When do they tell customers there is a surcharge, you'll see it on the bill?

Since I'm paying cash for meals (3 buffets we have ADRs at are on the list), I want to know up front that there is a surcharge.

I've never seen it officially announced anywhere but maybe it shows up on the dining site with your reservation (meaning, what the price is going to be). But if you are there during the peak pricing times, and you go to a buffet or other fixed price meal, you will be charged a higher price than other times of the year.

I can't really remember, but where do you normally see the price for a buffet anyway, on your reservation I guess?, but it would just reflect the price in effect on that date - it wouldn't show the lower price and surcharge amount separately. Disney does not want to make it that obvious - for most people, they wouldn't know the difference, they would just see the price and that's what it is.

 

[rgf207]

When do they tell customers there is a surcharge, you'll see it on the bill?

Since I'm paying cash for meals (3 buffets we have ADRs at are on the list), I want to know up front that there is a surcharge.

It's not usually announced. You will most likely see it on the bill. Actually you won't see a Surcharge line item, you'll just see the total price.

I've never seen it officially announced anywhere but maybe it shows up on the dining site with your reservation (meaning, what the price is going to be). But if you are there during the peak pricing times, and you go to a buffet or other fixed price meal, you will be charged a higher price than other times of the year.

I can't really remember, but where do you normally see the price for a buffet anyway, on your reservation I guess?, but it would just reflect the price in effect on that date - it wouldn't show the lower price and surcharge amount separately. Disney does not want to make it that obvious - for most people, they wouldn't know the difference, they would just see the price and that's what it is.

You don't see it on the reservation site. You don't even see it on the official WDW site. They give a price range on the WDW site.

 

[harley6464]

just ate at ohanas on july 3 we did not have a surcherge on are bill, had a surcharge at chef mickeys last year thanksgiving weekend

 

[rgf207]

just ate at ohanas on july 3 we did not have a surcherge on are bill, had a surcharge at chef mickeys last year thanksgiving weekend

What was your cost at 'Ohana per person? I ask because there is definitely a surcharge there too.

 

[wdwrich]

Sorry to interject here, but this is one of my pet peeves.

Surcharge = Price gouge!

 

[iluvhawaii]

Not sure if there was a surcharge when we went June 21-29, as it's not noted on the receipts. FYI. These are the charges for the buffets we went to:

Cape May Cafe dinner: $34.99 adult/$16.99 kid
Ohana dinner: $34.99 adult/ $16.99 kid
Crystal Palace breakfast: $24.99 adult/$13.99 kid

 

[vicki_c]

Not sure if there was a surcharge when we went June 21-29, as it's not noted on the receipts. FYI. These are the charges for the buffets we went to:

Cape May Cafe dinner: $34.99 adult/$16.99 kid
Ohana dinner: $34.99 adult/ $16.99 kid
Crystal Palace breakfast: $24.99 adult/$13.99 kid

Those are the peak prices. Per AllEars, normal dinner price for 'Ohana is $30.99, Cape May is $26.99 (although that seems off the difference is too great - AllEars might be out of date), CP is $20.99.

 

[Tiger926]

Here now, and as above, there are surcharges. Disney doesn't advertise, but the prices are loaded into Dining Department computers in December, so you could get the correct prices back then.

It's $4.00/adult plus tax, and $2.00/child plus tax. Disney just reprints their menus with the new prices, so there is no surcharge/upcharge listed on receipts at all. The price you pay, is the seasonal price.

Of course, this only applies to those of us who pay cash for our meals (DP is peak season for the summer already).

HTH, Tiger

 

[Pumbaa_]

Those are the peak prices. Per AllEars, normal dinner price for 'Ohana is $30.99, Cape May is $26.99 (although that seems off the difference is too great - AllEars might be out of date), CP is $20.99.

Cape May increased their price earlier when they made crab legs standard so that looks right

all dining plans have a surcharge during 'holiday pricing' and thos not using DP pay the increased price at all buffet type places.

 

[Dizzyworld]

all dining plans have a surcharge during 'holiday pricing' and thos not using DP pay the increased price at all buffet type places.

That's what I noticed too, that the DP have different prices depending on the season. For an adult the seasonal rate is $46.99 compared to $41.99 per day.

 

[budbeerlady]

Do they offer any surcharge dates? We are going mid December and I would love to know if my character meal will be $4 more.

 

[Tiger926]

Do they offer any surcharge dates? We are going mid December and I would love to know if my character meal will be $4 more.

Disney does not advertise, nor send out any media communication on buffet surcharges. When you call, you will be given the prices for that time period, and some CMs mention that it's a buffet surcharge period, and some do not, as Disney always provides current pricing by way of printing new buffet menus/signs outside of each restaurant.

A way to check is to online book Cinderella Royal Table for a non-peak period, and then during a peak period (Christmas), and compare prices. You can get all the way to the end screen, without actually booking the ADR or paying for it.

By the way, adults are $4.00/pp and kids $2.00/pp surcharge.

Good luck, Tiger