We ate there for our last trip. It was the dinner meal we were eating before getting some rest then hitting the road back home.. it was hearty, healthy and yummy! And to answer your Q: I would wait about a month before your vacation and then sign up. Also, if you or any adult in your family has a birthday in that time you're there, you can get a free adult meal.
When you first walk in (I had no clue it was a buffet restaurant at first lol) there is a salad station where you grab your tray, pick out your salad then there is a cashier at the end of the salad station. You pay- and then you get your drink cup and also can pick your hot food. They had cheesy bread, flat thin square pizza, all kinds of muffins (Pineapple oat, blueberry, corn, some powdered sugar lemon muffin), they have baked potatoes, sweet potatoes (This was really good!), and vegetables. Also had soups- my DH said the soups were good. I didn't try any.
Then for desserts they had brownies, cookies, fresh fruit (Cantelope) and you can make your own sundaes.. soft serve ice cream with a toppings bar. It was so nice!
You could also get coffee.