Which buffet is best??

[StirlingSilver83]

Another vote for 1900 park fare. We loved the character interaction there. We've done breakfast and dinner and really had fun at both. Another top favorite for us is crystal palace. My kids are huge tigger fans so anywhere they get to see tigger is a big plus. Chef mickeys is ok...we've done their breakfast and dinner. Breakfast was definitely better than dinner. We stay at the contemporary so we like getting an earlier ADR here for breakfast so we can see the opening show at magic kingdom.

 

[dpswift]

I would go with Park Fare our family loves it. If you have adventurous eaters try Boma I did not like the food but my family did. DD 19 liked it enough to go with her sister on their trip. DD 21 loved that she finally after a week at Disney got a different selection of foods.

 

[Wonderwoman1982]

Thanks everyone for the replies!! We have lots of time to decide (January 2015), and hopefully we choose right. It's crazy how varying opinions are about the same places.

When y'all say "family style" what exactly does that mean? It's not "all you can eat?" or what exactly..

And I have NO clue which park I will be in 2 1/2 months, we'll be wherever we need to be for a good birthday meal. That is why I do appreciate all the opinions. And I've done Beirgarten, and liked it, but we're traveling with different people this time, and I don't think that'll work for the picky ones. The food is way too German, and not enough "American" food. And I honestly don't care about Characters (the youngest is 20) It's all about the food for us, haha.

 

[nfggirl5454]

Since you have picky people in your group, I would warn against Boma. I tried it last year with two friends. One of them is a somewhat picky person and the other person loves to eat but has little exposure to more exotic type food (i.e., Indian/African, etc), and they were both very disappointed. I found stuff I liked, and I thought the restaurant itself was rather nice, but I thought it was a bit overhyped on here.

The buffet in the land is called Garden Grill. I haven't tried it yet, but I see great reviews for it, and it's not exactly a buffet, they bring all the food to your table and it IS all you can eat. I've read that they'll bring the kids options out even if your table is all adults.

I know Chef Mickey's has a bad rep on here, but my picky friends like it (minus the price!), and I've always personally found plenty to eat there. Plus, the nights I've been there, there's never been an issue with cleanliness, and the characters' costumes are really cute. Trail's End is good, not that pricy for a Disney restaurant, and you can take the horse-drawn wagon for a ride around the campgrounds for a bit of extra fun.

 

[ken2]

It really depends on what type of food you want to eat.Boma is always good and you can't beat the views of the resort.Beirgarten is always good with lively entertianment if you like german food(we love it).Tusker House is good but the food can be found at other buffets.Bon Appetit!

 

[MouseClubMama]

I have to second PP's who said Boma is not the best choice for picky eaters; the choices will be limited. Just another thought about Disney buffets...this rule applies for breakfast, lunch, or dinner; choose the first seating! Doing this will
increase the likelihood that the buffet will be clean, and the food fresh and hot. For some reason we have better luck with the breakfast buffets, the only dinner everyone in our family enjoyed was Trails End, we have picky eaters in our group so I'm sure that played a role.

 

[StinkyPete&Jessie]

+1 for 1900 Park Fare. 1900 has one of the best food selections. However, we always go to Boma after a day at the animal kingdom. My daughters love chef mickeys but I am no longer a fan after our last trip. Crystal palace is still on our must do list.

 

[Retro Magic]

From personal experience, Boma & Trails End get my votes!

 

[Laketravis]

We kind of got burned out on 1900 not because of the food or the characters but because the room started to feel claustrophobic to us.

Cape May is pretty good, as is Boma. I'd rate Crystal Palace behind those two but slightly ahead of 1900.

Chef Mickey's is tolerable for me when they have crab claws on the buffet line and a couple of chocolate martinis ready.

Though I'm not sure what's up with the servers at the carving stations at all of them, I seem to attract dirty looks whenever I ask for a thicker or additional cut of meat.

 

[sdkuhn77]

I am going to vote for Boma and that is with a picky eater! My daughter didn't care for the shrimp selection at the buffet and mentioned to my husband she just wished there was plain shrimp. A chef overheard her and when she sat down at the table the chef showed up with the biggest plate full of plain cooked shrimp for her. That place will always be our favorite restaurant because when you aren't looking there is pixie dust everywhere!

I am too a picky eater, but I found very tasty stuff there to eat!

 

[Lupeix]

We loved both Tusker House and crystal palace for lunch, but I think CP will be easier for picky eaters

 

[nagshead]

We loved 1900 park fare dinner. Best buffet we had there, better than Hollywood and Tusker for us

 

[disrev]

We've eaten at the following "buffets" (I put a star next the ones that are Family Style) w/ DW,

Hits for her:
Chef Mickey's
Hollywood & Vine (loved the pasta bar)
Trail's End
Liberty Tree Tavern*
Whispering Canyon*

Nuetral:
Crystal Palace
'Ohana*

Misses:
Boma (hated it)
Cape May (found some things she liked, but generally goes for me because I love Crab Legs)
1900 Park (as a pp poster said, she found it claustrophobic, which played a role in the dislike)

Qualifiers of DW's pickyness... she doesn't like seafood or eastern/Mediterranean fare. She is enjoys Italian and American fare (that's about it.)

 

[Esmommy2008]

I'm trying to decide on a buffet for our first day/night in the parks. It'll be my daughter's 20th b-day, and we do prefer a buffet, because there will be 5 adults, and 2 are very picky, this way everyone can get what they want.

I've made reservations for BOTH Chef Mickey's and also Hollywood and Vine.. BUT I'm reading all these comments about how horrible everything is at both places, and they're scaring me. Now I don't know where to go.

I guess my choices are Chef Mickey, Hollywood & Vine, that buffet in the Epcot center in The Land, Tusker House (but doesn't seem to have "normal" food for picky people?) and then the Crystal Palace.. Which place should I pick, and if you know, how much is it.. Looking for lunch or dinner. (Lunch is preferable, due to the cheaper price, but we'll take either)

We just ate at Hollywood and Vine like 3 weeks ago. We LOVE the food, BUT it's VERY geared around small kids. Our 6yr old was in heaven with everything going on it's very loud, very chaotic and very active. They do parades around the inside with the characters and kids, constant singing and dancing, the works. If you don't mind the noise/business, then def go. Lobster mac n cheese was AMAZING.

 

[Barbydoll8]

Family style is all you can eat but they bring it to your table rather than you getting up and getting it off of a food line.

you mentioned "American style" food for your picky friends, then I'd stay away from Boma and Tusker house. They both have "normal" food but not a whole lot of it. If your friends are very picky and are more into food that you could get at say a Denny's, your best bet for all you can eat are:

Trails End (very good food mostly BBQ style)
1900 (standard fare)
H&V (again standard fare)
Liberty Tree Tavern for dinner only (This is a Thanksgiving style feast served family style. Probably the most "American" of all the all you can eat choices IMO).

And I agree with one of the other posters in saying go early. Food is more fresh, and the places are a little less messy. But with any buffet, it gets messy.

CM's is very noisy. CP for lunch is good. I've done breakfast and lunch there and really prefer the lunch (some people rave about their breakfast but for me it was meh).

It's hard to have a really good buffet just about anywhere as food is mass cooked but it can be good. Boma is hands down probably the best buffet on property but I would say it is not for picky eaters. Especially for the price.
Cape May is fine if you are a seafood lover. If not, there's not a lot of choices.

Check AllEars.net as they have menus for most of the buffets. Yes, the selections can change slightly but they are pretty close to what is listed.

 

[Nan P]

We were disappointed with food at Tusker House a few weeks ago, and we've been there before and enjoyed it. In EPCOT, Garden Grill family style is very good. Basic salad, chicken, fish, potato, dressing, and desert.... and it is on a slow revolving platform. Character interaction is Mickey and Chip & Dale and is minimal, but still fun for adults. Check out some of the menus at the buffets to give you more of an idea for picky eaters. We stay at Fort Wilderness, so we have had many dinners at Trails End buffet. Our recent dinners were in June and early October (2014) and it was great. Looking forward to WDW December visit and will have this restaurant on our list again.. Even if we didn't stay at Ft Wilderness, this would be our first choice for buffets and we've tried most of what has been mentioned in the previous posts. Trails End is an easy, short and smooth boat ride from the MK. A nice way to get to dinner. Food is what we consider good comfort food. Salad bar with peel and eat shrimp, soups, chili, various cooked veggies, mashed potatoes, hand sliced roast beef and pork roast, fried chicken, baked chicken, baked fish dishes, ribs, sliced pizza, baked potato bar with lots of fixings, soft serve ice cream, cobblers, cookies, red velvet cake, chocolate cake...... and I am sure I've missed something. Beverages are included and we usually start with ice tea, and have a hot coffee with desert. Prices vary according to season, but are always more reasonable than other buffets. Great place for picky eaters, because there's so much to choose from. Clean, friendly and casual restaurant and you can sit on the porch rocking chairs before or after dinner to relax. Enjoy what ever dinner you decide. It's also about the company you're with and the laughter you share.

 

[CoP Luv]

We were disappointed with food at Tusker House a few weeks ago, and we've been there before and enjoyed it. In EPCOT, Garden Grill family style is very good. Basic salad, chicken, fish, potato, dressing, and desert.... and it is on a slow revolving platform. Character interaction is Mickey and Chip & Dale and is minimal, but still fun for adults. Check out some of the menus at the buffets to give you more of an idea for picky eaters. We stay at Fort Wilderness, so we have had many dinners at Trails End buffet. Our recent dinners were in June and early October (2014) and it was great. Looking forward to WDW December visit and will have this restaurant on our list again.. Even if we didn't stay at Ft Wilderness, this would be our first choice for buffets and we've tried most of what has been mentioned in the previous posts. Trails End is an easy, short and smooth boat ride from the MK. A nice way to get to dinner. Food is what we consider good comfort food. Salad bar with peel and eat shrimp, soups, chili, various cooked veggies, mashed potatoes, hand sliced roast beef and pork roast, fried chicken, baked chicken, baked fish dishes, ribs, sliced pizza, baked potato bar with lots of fixings, soft serve ice cream, cobblers, cookies, red velvet cake, chocolate cake...... and I am sure I've missed something. Beverages are included and we usually start with ice tea, and have a hot coffee with desert. Prices vary according to season, but are always more reasonable than other buffets. Great place for picky eaters, because there's so much to choose from. Clean, friendly and casual restaurant and you can sit on the porch rocking chairs before or after dinner to relax. Enjoy what ever dinner you decide. It's also about the company you're with and the laughter you share.

We are trying Trail's End for the first time this trip and am really looking forward to it! Our only other buffet scheduled is Tusker House.

 

[Wonderwoman1982]

Ok, I'm leaning towards Trails End. Their food choices are more of what we're looking for. And I haven't heard really anything negative, so that's good!

Question: How do you get there from Magic Kingdom?? I know you take the boat across the lake to the lodge, but do you have to walk over there? On the map, it looks like it's several miles away from the lodge!

 

[goofyintoronto]

I would not recommend Boma or Hollywood & Vine.

But I would recommend Trails End or Crystal Palace.

 

[dvan]

When y'all say "family style" what exactly does that mean? It's not "all you can eat?" or what exactly..

Family style means that they bring out multiple large dishes or entrées and you all share that dish (normally, you would spoon out a portion and put it on your own personal plate). When you are finished with it, they will bring out a new plate of the same dish for you to eat until you are satisfied.

For your daughter's birthday (and not based on food whatsoever), I'd recommend Chef Mickey's just because it's a super-fun atmosphere, especially to celebrate a birthday. There's nothing like being able to see the Fab Five on your first night at WDW to kick off your vacation!