They should start limiting the time people can stay at a buffet

[kandb]

I know some will disagree and some will say this should never be done since it costs around $40 to go to a buffet, but it's not fair to make people wait for an hour or more for a reservation. People should be timed at buffets because some people eat like their going to the electric chair or because little Johnny only saw Mickey for 4 minutes instead of 5. Seriously, something has to be done about the waits. It's very hard to wait long with small hungry children. Do you think disney could do seating times like 4 to 5:30 then 5:30 to 7:00 and just clear out the restaurant? I think it's a good idea. Linda

 

[VegasMike21]

I know some will disagree and some will say this should never be done since it costs around $40 to go to a buffet, but it's not fair to make people wait for an hour or more for a reservation. People should be timed at buffets because some people eat like their going to the electric chair or because little Johnny only saw Mickey for 4 minutes instead of 5. Seriously, something has to be done about the waits. It's very hard to wait long with small hungry children. Do you think disney could do seating times like 4 to 5:30 then 5:30 to 7:00 and just clear out the restaurant? I think it's a good idea. Linda

Nice idea but it will never happen. Your free to stay at a restaurant/buffet as long as you want and you should in no way shape or form be rushed. I for one am a person who likes to get in, get out, and get on with my life others like to make a project out of it and I don't see anything wrong with it.

 

[minniecarousel]

That's only one of the reasons I don't do buffets.

 

[ChefColette]

People could, and do, take a long time to eat at a la carte restaurants too. Some people eat quickly at buffets, some don't. That's never going to change. Personally, I never take more then an hour at buffets, but that's me. And they'd lose money closing the restaurant to clear it out, not to mention what a waste of time that would be.

 

[jenjersnap]

I gathered from reading the Disneyland boards while planning our Cali trips that the character buffets there have a 90 minute time limit. So, never say never at WDW. Though my personal opinion is that it's unnecessary.

 

[Pinkdiamond816]

I actually like buffets because I can take as long as I want. I am a slow eater to begin with, and my resturant time at disney is well needed time off my feet. I booked and then waited for my ADR like everyone else and I see no reason why I should be timed. It's not even a factor of "all you can eat", but since it is I am also going to enjoy samplings of everything that is offered and that looks tasty to me, without craming it all onto one plate in one go then shoving it all in my mouth.

I would be very very upset if disney timed a buffet service, and would certainly stop going to them. I am paying to enjoy my meal, and that means taking a leisurly time and having a relaxing experience, which usually is around 90 - 120 mins. Of course, I could see disney asking dinners who have been there nearing three hours to move, but it shouldn't be published or required to leave at a certain time.

But that's just my opinion.
Maybe if there really is such a bad over booking problem, that they should just reduce the number of ADR's released at a certain time. Ofcourse that would make booking them even more of a hassel, but hey less time waiting when your there!

 

[jaurban]

People at regular sit down restaurants can take quite a long time to dine as well. It is just a matter of personal preference and dining habits. If the back up is so long, perhaps Disney needs to adjust its model of how many tables can be seated in a particular time.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Do you think the problem could be that the restaurants are overbooked? Really I think it takes close to 90 minutes to enjoy a character buffet.

 

[marciemi]

Or they need to get the characters moved through the restaurant more quickly. We went to 1900 Park Fare last month and were completely done eating before the first (of 5 characters) ever made it to our table. And yes, they harassed us about waiting there. (Nicely of course!) And we did wait 45 minutes after finishing eating to see all of the characters - which is the REASON we came to the meal in the first place.

 

[WUVmyDISNEY]

marciemi,

I have to agree about 1900. We had the same experience and that was the only character meal where this was an issue. We did need to stay after finishing our meal to see a few of the characters but didn't bother to hang around for the rest. It seemed a bit disorganized. I did like the food there though, it is a 2nd right after CP, which our favorite!

 

[spider0215]

I don't see why they can't, most of the buffets in Vegas have a 2hr time limit so Disney should be able to do the same. We were at 1900 for about 90 minutes, saw everyone except Druzilla who was too slow so we left to go back to the park. Probably woul've got to see her if we would've stayed another 30 or so. Of course it was not crowded in fact Iwas surprised that none of the restaurants except Boma had a wait when I was there for free dining. In fact I got in everywhere early.

 

[maxiesmom]

I don't see why they can't, most of the buffets in Vegas have a 2hr time limit so Disney should be able to do the same./QUOTE]

I doubt there are many people who spend more than 2 hours at a Disney buffet, so having that for a time limit wouldn't really make a difference. But still I think it would be a silly thing to have a time limit. Some people eat quickly, some people take a while. We all just want to enjoy our time at Disney World, and feeling that I was being pushed to eat fast and move would not be enjoyable.

If you don't want to wait for a buffet may I suggest you make an ADR for when the restaurant first opens? That way, you wait will be minimal.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

My family prefers to be in and out in an hour but at character buffets it seems to be impossible.

We've eaten CP, Chef Mickey's and at O'Hanas so far. All 3 of them were a minimum of 90 minutes to see all the characters. Since that's what I'm paying for (certainly not the food. LOL) I won't leave until I see them all even if it takes longer.

 

[seashoreCM]

Better idea: Let guests call a little ahead of time to find out whether ADR's are running on time or behind schedule and then guests could plan accordingly.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[stitch34]

We like to get in... and out. And buffets should be quick - instant access to the food as opposed to waiting to place your order and then waiting for food to be served.
For us, usually we are done eating and then have a character or two left to wait for.

We always do deluxe dining and always have a TON of TS meals scheduled. Last trip, we had another family that joined us for a meal. They did the dining plan for the first time (free dining) and we sat in Park Fare with them for TWO hours! My kids wanted to go to the buffet to get their dessert - I'm like no, you can't, that's rude, the other family JUST went and got their dinner.

I asked my friend later in the week, so how long were you in each restaurant you did - yep, two hours she said.
The waits at restaurants during free dining were terrible - and I figured it was all the people, like my friend's family, who never usually do TS meals and were with free dining and were spending tons of time in there.

Us, we want to eat, fill up, see the characters and get back to the parks and not waste 2 hours sitting there.

But it's the characters that do slow down the meals. I'm sure some wait for a character to come back a second time. Or like this other family - nope, wouldn't even go get food from the buffet till AFTER ALL the characters came around. Yeah, hate going to buffet and miss a character. but we see okay, looks like there's a break in the characters makign their way around, let's make a quick run to get food and get back.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

OMG!!!! This thread is almost funny. Almost.

When my wife and I choose to go through the entire silly process of planning for an ADR weeks ahead of time, when we get to the restaurant the last thing we are going to be agreeable to is being TIMED.

We go out to dine, and to talk, and to enjoy our food whether it be a buffet or a full service restaurant. Not everyone at WDW is in a mad rush to shovel food into their mouths and dash back out to the parks.

Rapid food service? That's what the counter service places are for, eh?

Goodness.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

OMG!!!! This thread is almost funny. Almost.

When my wife and I choose to go through the entire silly process of planning for an ADR weeks ahead of time, when we get to the restaurant the last thing we are going to be agreeable to is being TIMED.

We go out to dine, and to talk, and to enjoy our food whether it be a buffet or a full service restaurant. Not everyone at WDW is in a mad rush to shovel food into their mouths and dash back out to the parks.

Rapid food service? That's what the counter service places are for, eh?

Goodness.

I was thinking the same thing. I got some good chuckles out of a few of the posts too.

 

[rhiansmom]

I gathered from reading the Disneyland boards while planning our Cali trips that the character buffets there have a 90 minute time limit. So, never say never at WDW. Though my personal opinion is that it's unnecessary.

Unless this is a new policy it may be something they say but it is not enforced. We did two character meals and neither one was shorter than 2 hours. Actually our dinner at Goofys Kitchen was a good three hours and no one said a thing. No one was waiting for a table and it was our last night with friends who lived there and we didnt want to say goodbye.

Chip and Dale and Minnie ended up at the table playing on the floor (i know gross but how to you say no to the kids when the characters are down there) and Minne was writing DD notes on the table about Goofy being mean to her. I have pictures because it was too funny.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

The solution to the OP's problem can be solved so easily. All you have to do is make reservations for the first sitting at any meal you go to. Your wait will be minimal and your children will not have to get over hungry. You can than choose to eat quickly to keep the reservations on time, or eat at your own pace... Problem solved!!

 

[Elevationist]

I personally prefer Buffets because I feel like I can get in and out alot faster than at an a la carte restaurant, where I have to sit and wait for my server to do and bring everything. I find buffet-style restaurants more convenient because I can get in, get my food, and be out in 45 minutes... an hour MAX. NEVER seems to happen that way when I'm ordering off a menu at WDW.