Too many buffets?

[queenofhartz]

I am trying to make last minute plans for a short stay in Disneyworld. We are going for 3 nights/3 days. The only time we're actually going to a park (at least, so far) is for MVMCP on Nov 15. These are the ADRs I've made so far and looking back at it, I feel like we have too many buffets.....

Not to mention that since DS is 3, we'll have to pay for him to eat at the buffets. I really woudn't mind this if my son actually ate. Literally, this kid will survive on one banana, 1/2 a hard boiled egg, and a piece of toast for an entire day. I have no idea why or how he does it....it drives me crazy. But, basically we are going to end up paying buffet prices at the risk that he will eat absolutely nothing (no kidding, even ice cream cannot tempt this child when he does not want to eat.) Of course, now that I'm rethinking this....we would order him his own meal at a non-buffet restaurant anyways. So, either way, we're most likely going to end up paying for food he won't eat. Oh well....it is what it is.

So anyways, what do you think? Is this buffet overload for 3 days?

11/13: Kona Cafe for dinner @ 8:30am

11/14: 1900 Park Fare for breakfast @ 10:30am (this is the one must keep reservation - DS, 3 years old, loves Winnie the Pooh)

11/14: Boma for dinner @ 5:30pm (I thought it would be nice to eat at least one dinner at AKL since we are staying here. I've never eaten here and have heard some good things about it. Do you think Jiko would be a better choice if I can get a ressie?)

11/15: Chef Mickey's @ 7:45am (does anyone have any other non-buffet, non-park breakfast recommendations for this morning, or should we stick with Chef Mickey's? We will not have park admission on this day, so we cannot eat in the parks.)

11/15: MVMCP at night - no dinner reservations. honestly, we'll probably all treat ourselves and eat junk food all night. i know, not very good parenting.

 

[djp0630]

I took DD3 and DS1 to WDW in Sept. We ate at a lot of buffets and I really liked it. I mean, there is a variety of food, and you can get them to eat other stuff other than chicken nuggets, pizza or mac & cheese.

As for your choices, we enjoyed Chef Mickeys & 1900 Park Fare. I think buffets are great with young kids.

 

[2Tiggies]

Yes buffets with little ones (and picky bigger ones) are the way to go. Aside from giving them some variety and choice, they are able to get up and walk around the buffet with you, unless this is impractical for you - meaning that they aren't "tied to the chair" as in a normal restaurant. I think you have done really well. He will love the character meals.

By the way, you said he loves Pooh Bear when you mentioned 1900 Park Fare - is the Chrystal Palace closed while you are there? Is that why Pooh is at 1900? Just checking to make sure you are at the right place! Sorry, I'm a mom too, now I'm fussing ......!

 

[Pumbaa_]

Personally, I would swap Chef Mickeys for Cape May. Not as crazy and kinda cool to see the characters in their bathing suits

 

[ShannonMB]

No, I think you're okay, especially since 2 of them are breakfast. Can't beat a good buffet for breakfast to get you fueled for the day!! Then one dinner buffet and one non-buffet. And I don't consider Boma just your average *buffet*. It's more like a dining adventure, to me at least!

Enjoy!

 

[queenofhartz]

Thank you! I really appreciate your feedback. I'm going to keep our buffet ressies. I think you're right - maybe we will have a better chance of getting our DS to eat if he has a greater variety of food to select from.

2Tiggies- Crystal Palace is open when we will be in town. However, we do not have park admission on Saturday. But, you know what....you just gave me an idea....I wonder if I could get an early ressie for dinner the night of MVMCP? I didn't want to use up our park time with eating, but I could cancel 1900 Park Fare and do dinner at Crystal Palace instead. DS would LOVE it, so it would be worth sacrificing some touring time. And, my aunt works there, so we could visit with her a little bit. He went there last year at 2 years old and really had a good time. He loved Pooh but Eeyore is his absolute favorite. He has an Eeyore doll that he takes everywhere with him. Eeyore doesn't make appearances at 1900 Park Fare....only Pooh and Tigger have been reported so far.

 

[lovesmurfs]

It's a great question. I'm having the same qualms myself for the week before Christmas.

We've got ADRs at: LTT (dinner), Chef Mickey's (dinner), Ohana (b'fast), and Crystal Palace (dinner), in addition to some table service meals and HDDR. We all 4 count as adults (Me, DH, DD10 and DS15).

I'm on Weight Watchers and DD is picky -- I don't want to spend $200 on a meal that we won't fully enjoy.

 

[queenofhartz]

Nope- I couldn't get anything for CP the evening of November 15. It was worth a try though. lol

lovesmurfs - I've eaten at LTT (dinner.) It was good. Traditional American fare- mac & cheese, turkey, gravy, that sort of thing. It wasn't the best meal I've ever had, but we all thought it was good and we enjoyed our dinner. We would go back.

I've eaten at CP for lunch. I can't speak to their dinner, but lunch was super yummy. There was lots of variety- you can definitely find something for picky eaters. The character interaction was great as well. It was one of DS's (2 years old at the time) favorite parts of the trip.

 

[lovesmurfs]

Thanks -- LTT was DD's request. We'd gone back when it was a character meal on the night of MVMCP and DD wanted to do it again -- she knows there won't be characters.

Ohana was kids' request -- they love Stitch and the juice (three years later they still talk about the juice....).

They don't want CP, but I do -- I love Tigger!

Enjoy your trip! Keep trying for the ADR -- things open up very often closer to the dates.

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

We did a complete buffet/ family style trip in Oct and it worked out great. We did CP breakfast, 1900 Park Fare dinner, Biergarten, CM breakfast, and Garden Grill. It worked out well as I have a picky 9 yr old dd....she found something she loved everyplace and even tried a few new things. She found that she loved Salmon at Biergarten and ate some again at 1900 Park Fare. We've been having it at home since we returned...she even at tilapia last week!!!! DS7 is a big eater for his size and would not have survived on kids meals all week....buffets were much better.

 

[2Tiggies]

queenofhartz, I am assuming that on the Saturday you have tickets for the MVMCP???? Does that also let you in like the MNSSHP at 4 pm? If so, you could try for a 4 pm ressie. I LOVE the CP (and I am the adult). I need at least 2 visits with the 100 Acre Wood friends! I hope you get all the ones you want, but for what it is worth, you seem to have done a great job with your dining planning!

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

Well the buffet doesn't cost too much for a child. And you will have time with the characters so it is worth the price just for that. I have found with my picky eaters a buffet is best because if they only want to eat banannas there are plenty or only mac & cheese etc. Also you never know he may get tempted by a mickey waffle or such and who knows?

 

[MommaMouse411]

I love buffets...all you care to eat..etc etc...it comes out to about the same price if I bought two meals for my son and I. He's 18months but he ates like a big kid..and we get desserts included...

I love Chef Mickey's...good luck getting there at 745am...lol/jk ...I made the mistake of doing MK on a Friday and got to our friends house at 130am...We woke up at 645am..and had a 7:00am or something like that Chef Mickey's adr...missed it... but we got in another day and the breakfast was AWESOME (and they have turkey sausage you just have to ask for it) and we had fun with the characters.

I wish I can comment on the 1900 and Boma but we don't do `1900 Dinner and Breakfast till next week..and Boma we do in december...but i've read good reviews on both

but if you are going to be in the Animal kingdom I tell you my favorite restaurant overall is the Tuskar house...there breakfast is GREAT! and their lunch is GREAT! and their service was Great...just my 3 cents.

oh and for CP..just call like every other day and see what happens..I did that for several ADRS and got into were I really wanted...i did one the morning of and something opened up..same with the Dessert Party at MK..so good luck but looks like you got a great schedule for GOOD EATS

 

[queenofhartz]

Ok - I'm feeling much better about the buffet thing now! It looks like everyone has had some really great experiences at the buffets. I think we'll be very happy with our selections, and here's to hoping that DS returns with an expanded appetite. I'm not expecting it...but one can dream.

2Tiggies - The MVMCP is on Sunday, Nov 15. I checked for ressies starting at 4:00, and there is nothing all night. They had a ressie for 3:35, but I'm almost 100% positive you cannot go into the park until 4pm with a MVMCP ticket. So, I didn't book it. I am definitely going to keep checking back though...keeping my fingers crossed. But, if we can't get it, we'll be going to 1900 Park Fare to see Pooh which is new for all of us, and it will be fun to try something new anyways! Thank you so much for your help!!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Buffet's r great! Lot's a variety.

 

[dizct]

In our opinion, Boma is the best buffet in Disney. We go back every year. We'd like to try Tusker House sometime, but have not been willing to give up Boma for it. Maybe next we stay at AKL we'll do both. Plus, our kids appreciate the buffet style more than they would the menu offerings at Tusker House.