Trails End Dropping Lunch Buffet

[ADP]

This was announced a few days ago, but Trails End at Ft. Wilderness is dropping their lunch buffet and going to individual menu items. Apparently, this is a test run, but I can see it becoming permenant. Again, according to Disney this is being tried based on "guest demand."

We are losing one of the best values on Disney property. Lunch at Trails End was one of the most reasonably priced buffets on property.

 

[DiRTyBuNNy]

This was announced a few days ago, but Trails End at Ft. Wilderness is dropping their lunch buffet and going to individual menu items. Apparently, this is a test run, but I can see it becoming permenant. Again, according to Disney this is being tried based on "guest demand."

We are losing one of the best values on Disney property. Lunch at Trails End was one of the most reasonably priced buffets on property.

I have learned that "Due to Guest Demand" really means "Wow, we didn't realize you actually found a place that we hadn't ruined yet so now we've taken care of that for you"

--DB

 

[jcb]

I think we can all be glad that Florida bans pay toilets.

 

[dalt01]

i cant speak to this particular buffet having never been there........however for the most part i think that very few get their moneys worth on a buffet such as The Crystal Palace, although many factor the Character interaction into the cost........of course the "big" eaters do.....but.....your average mom and female teen and light eating adult do not. sooooooooooo.........an 8 buck sandwich can be much more cost affective than a 17 to 25 dollar buffet..........this does however become a bit problematic when using the DDP. i myself do not care for buffets....it just seems like an "every man for themselves" type of situation and i get enough line cutting during ride time. the other side of the arguement of course is that at 25 bucks maybe you dont get your moneys worth at full service either. it just seems more civil to me so i am ok with that. i guess my comments just went rhetorical as a case can be made for both sides.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I think we can all be glad that Florida bans pay toilets.

 

[jeanigor]

I think we can all be glad that Florida bans pay toilets.

Please don't give them any ideas. Some of us have tiny bladders.

 

[jcb]

Now Todd, I wouldn't leave your tiny bladder exposed (legally, of course). Florida law says:

"No place of employment or place serving the public shall make a charge for the use of any toilet which is required to be provided by regulation of the Department of Health. Any place of employment or place serving the public which violates this act is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree . . ."

 

[DisneyKevin]

i myself do not care for buffets....it just seems like an "every man for themselves" type of situation.

I've not seen buffets as a contact sport.

 

[dalt01]

I've not seen buffets as a contact sport.

rubbing elbows means different things to different people......

 

[OKW Lover]

I've not seen buffets as a contact sport.

Yes, but you know enough to stay out of Pete's way when he's going for the bacon.

 

[txvjc]

Now Todd, I wouldn't leave your tiny bladder exposed (legally, of course). Florida law says:

"No place of employment or place serving the public shall make a charge for the use of any toilet which is required to be provided by regulation of the Department of Health. Any place of employment or place serving the public which violates this act is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree . . ."

I bet the Disney lawyers could read that as while we can't charge for all the bathrooms since there are regulations from the Health Department about how many restrooms must be provided, we could offer premium pay toilets that are above and beyond the regulation

 

[truck1]

I have learned that "Due to Guest Demand" really means "Wow, we didn't realize you actually found a place that we hadn't ruined yet so now we've taken care of that for you"

--DB

You havent heard the new Disney motto? If its not broken, we can fix that.

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

I think we can all be glad that Florida bans pay toilets.

OMGosh!!!!! You know though, this is soooo true! If Disney could do it, they would.

 

[LeighAce]

I was wanting to check it out on my next trip. Of course, Disney's website isn't updated as yet. When is this to go into effect, or is it already?

 

[disneysteve]

I think we can all be glad that Florida bans pay toilets.

OMGosh!!!!! You know though, this is soooo true! If Disney could do it, they would.

Announcing the all new DPP, the Disney Potty Plan. Just book a full-priced room at any Deluxe Resort and get unlimited use of all restrooms on property for the length of your stay. With the PDPP, the Premium Disney Potty Plan, you also get the PFP, the Potty Fast Pass, which lets you bypass the regular standby lines.

 

[disneysteve]

for the most part i think that very few get their moneys worth on a buffet.........an 8 buck sandwich can be much more cost affective than a 17 to 25 dollar buffet

Couldn't agree more. We love Crystal Palace and used to do it every year, until the last time when my wife happened to see the bill and flipped out. She had no idea it was nearly as costly as it is, especially once DD became an adult. We haven't done a Disney buffet since. When we want a buffet, we head over to Sweet Tomatoes for $9.99.

As for Trail's End, we've never actually been to the buffet there. I still miss way back when, before it was a buffet, and they had a make-your-own pizza restaurant there.

 

[G66]

Couldn't agree more. We love Crystal Palace and used to do it every year, until the last time when my wife happened to see the bill and flipped out. She had no idea it was nearly as costly as it is, especially once DD became an adult.

I just got back from a "free dinning" trip and I have to agree that the actual character dinning buffet bill would have been ridiculous for our family of four (all adults for dinning purposes). Actually, that statement goes for all of our sit down meals. We didn't have a bad sit down meal in the bunch (Le Cellier, Crystal Palace, Mama Melrosre, CdFrance, Coral Reef, 1900 PF (so so)). I thought the food quality was pretty good. However, the OoP cost would have been way overpriced.

As Teresa stated in her review, we would not normally eat a desert at our meal (same for QS meals). The desert adds to the OoP price of the DP meals while not adding much value for us. Kevin hit the nail on the head with his analysis of "free dinning". It's really a windfall for Disney. All those deserts and snacks cost next to nothing for the Mouse. If they convert a few more locations to two credits it swings the balance even more in their favor.

I also felt there was a drop off in the counter service quality. Some items are still good, but they are becoming more and more the exception. I also noticed portion shrinkage. It's getting harder for two adults to split a CS meal.

Overall, my experience has left me wondering if renting a car or even staying off property (Gasp!) isn't becoming a viable option. Once I start thinking off property, I start thinking other destinations. I never thought I would say this, but the tipping point may be near.

 

[CAJUNWDWFAN]

If they do go to this new service full time, I know several people that will be disappointed. One trick to eating at Trail's end was to get a breakfast ADR as late as possible aroud 11am then while you eat breakfast the lunch items would slowly be put out. That way you could eat breakfast and lunch at the same time. I've never done this but know people that do.

 

[Joshua_me]

I have learned that "Due to Guest Demand" really means "Wow, we didn't realize you actually found a place that we hadn't ruined yet so now we've taken care of that for you"

--DB

Ain't it the truth, Ruth !

I remember when it was first announced that Pleasure Island would be going, "belly up", a Disney suit actually said on camera, "We're responding to our guests demands for more shopping opportunities ! "

Uh huh.

"cause, you know, there just weren't enough at the time...