When will character buffets return?

[Mal46]

Realistically, when do you guys think character meals, more specifically buffets, will return? Pure speculation is okay as I'm curious when Crystal Palace, Donald's Safari Breakfast, 1900 Park Fare and the like might make a full comeback.

 

[Prince John Robin Hood]

I don't think buffets will return for awhile but hopefully they'll just convert them to family style like Garden Grill. I could see that happening this Summer and maybe characters by the Fall. I expect characters will stay at a safe distance for some time though.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

If it’s a buffet they might have CM serve food you want in the line -

 

[Pumbaa_]

Not for the foreseeable future. Maybe ‘23

 

[_19disnA]

I wouldn't be surprised to find that traditional buffets will no longer be offered. The option where a Disney employe serves the food items from behind the counter that you select seems more likely to me if they want to minimize how much of that restaurant has to be modified.

Doubt that characters will resume going table to table with close contact anytime soon.

 

[mom2rtk]

I wouldn't be surprised to find that traditional buffets will no longer be offered. The option where a Disney employe serves the food items from behind the counter that you select seems more likely to me if they want to minimize how much of that restaurant has to be modified.

Doubt that characters will resume going table to table with close contact anytime soon.

Just my opinion, but once Disney attempts to return restaurants to peak capacity, there won't be enough people willing to pay full price for a character meal as long as it's the reduced experience.

 

[Pumbaa_]

enough people will pay any price because it’s Disney

 

[mom2rtk]

enough people will pay any price because it’s Disney

I guess we'll see. We did most of the character meals every time we visited. I personally won't be doing that with the diminished experience. Maybe there's a line of people waiting to take my place. Some will definitely keep paying for whatever Disney serves up. Whether it's enough to keep Disney happy as they move back to full capacity remains to be seen.

 

[Tonberry]

Buffets will be the last thing to come back. Before they come back at least all resorts have to re-open, all restaurants have to re-open, all restrictions removed, and even then it'll probably take a while. If they do decide to have buffets, I think they'll start with opening 1 at first and see how well received it is and how many people are comfortable going.
For me it'll be a long time before I feel comfortable eating at any buffet. Just thinking about handling a spoon that hundreds of other strangers have used makes me skeeve!

 

[olwyngdh]

Buffets will be the last thing to come back. Before they come back at least all resorts have to re-open, all restaurants have to re-open, all restrictions removed, and even then it'll probably take a while. If they do decide to have buffets, I think they'll start with opening 1 at first and see how well received it is and how many people are comfortable going.
For me it'll be a long time before I feel comfortable eating at any buffet. Just thinking about handling a spoon that hundreds of other strangers have used makes me skeeve!

I agree and I used to love the buffets. We hit Boma, Tusker House or 1900 Park Faire every trip and tried out at least one other not on that list. Now? I'm not sure I would be happy even if they served me from a buffet because that takes away the joy of a tablespoon of this and a slice of that until the plate is a mountain of flavor but I certainly don't want the spoons touched by germy people. I never used to even think about it that much.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If staffing still is a problem in 2022, buffets could return sooner rather than later. You just don't need as many staff with buffets.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

there are some major buffets in my area and all have returned without staff serving. all have gloves and sanitizer every time you go up and no kids without parent. only one that I know of in my area not completely back is out family style which is only seating one family/group per table instead of 12 to table

 

[MudQueen22]

I don't think buffets will return for awhile but hopefully they'll just convert them to family style like Garden Grill. I could see that happening this Summer and maybe characters by the Fall. I expect characters will stay at a safe distance for some time though.

Honestly, I would prefer this. It's seldom convenient to have to fix everyone's plate while trying not to miss characters.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

My daughter absolutely enjoys buffets. We would do 1 or 2 while at WDW. I would like to see them come back...for her.

 

[westie55]

I think they'll be back to normal when covid restrictions are no longer a "thing." Who knows when that will be. My guess is spring of 2022. I wish it would be sooner. I'm fully vaccinated and ready to get back to normal at this point.

 

[keishashadow]

I certainly don't want the spoons touched by germy people. I never used to even think about it that much.

Tongue, firmly in cheek here...Perhaps they will consider offering individual $ store sort of serving utensils to each guest as part of any new buffet experience. Upgrade to your favorite disney character for an upcharge

At the risk of getting flamed, IMO kids who easily can be shorter than the sneeze guards, should not be permitted to serve themselves

 

[olwyngdh]

Tongue, firmly in cheek here...Perhaps they will consider offering individual $ store sort of serving utensils to each guest as part of any new buffet experience. Upgrade to your favorite disney character for an upcharge

At the risk of getting flamed, IMO kids who easily can be shorter than the sneeze guards, should not be permitted to serve themselves

I would happily pay an upcharge for personal serving ware with Snow or Donald on it! And yeah, sneezeguards don't work for people shorter than the sneeze guards--or the people who duck under them to "see" what they are getting.

 

[Blondie58]

Personal opinion: Venues could be up and running as family style now or have folks serving. However, at 35 percent capacity all the eateries probably do not need to be open. I think fastpasses should be reinstated and capacity limits should be increased. Personal opinion.

 

[wdw&sonny]

I think family-style should be the solution. Gets rid of waiting in buffet line, using same serving utensils, contamination, and missing characters while in line. Speeds the meal up, reduces staff, let's you sit and be waited on.

 

[Deb]

I would happily pay an upcharge for personal serving ware with Snow or Donald on it! And yeah, sneezeguards don't work for people shorter than the sneeze guards--or the people who duck under them to "see" what they are getting.

cute, but there will never be an option to give/sell guests their own serving utensil to wander from item to item with. Two words cross contamination.