Will buffets be open?

[Disneylandmuggle]

When the parks reopen will the buffets? I live in Las Vegas and they closed the buffets before the casinos.

 

[GeorgiaHoo]

I would imagine that if the restaurants are open then the buffets will be. I haven't read anything suggesting that the disease is food-borne. Problem is all the people crammed into a restaurant generally.

 

[rwdavis2]

Nobody knows anything about anything for sure. It's obviously all guessing.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I've heard speculation that buffets may be staffed by CMs behind plexiglass who will serve out food as you request it. I wonder, though, would this increase the cost of buffets substantially?

 

[westie55]

I think the concern with buffets is not the illness being food borne but that at buffets, everyone handles the same serving utensils. If CMs serve the food and wear gloves (and possibly masks) I could see them maybe opening. Otherwise buffets may just close. If parks are at 50% capacity, they won't need the buffets to be open to accomodate everyone. Maybe some character buffets will move to a family style service like Garden Grill for a period of time.

 

[Geomom]

I could see the character buffet restaurants open...as a regular table service or family style service restaurant. Those restaurants don't 'have' to be buffets just because they have the setup there. However, they should notify the people with ADR's about the switch in case people don't want a family style or menu based meal.

 

[lorimay]

I think it will be similar to how Disney Cruise Line handles buffets when they have noro-virus issues, the CM will place the food into your plate for you.

 

[dvc at last !]

Interesting thought ...

 

[tuckymom]

A restaurant near me years ago began a policy of "take your own tongs" to the bar. They a small and metal but can pick up lettuce, raisins, cheese, etc. That may be the easiest way to take care of that aspect.

Soups would still be problem.

 

[Deb]

A restaurant near me years ago began a policy of "take your own tongs" to the bar. They a small and metal but can pick up lettuce, raisins, cheese, etc. That may be the easiest way to take care of that aspect.

Soups would still be problem.

cross contamination would be a huge concern

 

[Micca]

I think it will be similar to how Disney Cruise Line handles buffets when they have noro-virus issues, the CM will place the food into your plate for you.

And when they put the food on my plate, I'll not hesitate to say "Another scoop please." When it comes to a buffet I have no dignity.

 

[LovesTimone]

I think that they will reopen along side the other restaurants...

I would think that that how you use the buffet would change... Just like they have the carving stations, or omelet stations, dessert stations.. it would be along the same style...where main dishes entree's are served to you... maybe even throwing in old school cafeteria restaurants, like Morrison's or Piccadilly... where some options are already plated up, in a small serving containers, small bowls, or small plates. I think the days of everyone using the same serving utensil are going to go bye bye at least for a while...

 

[RamblingMad]

My best guess is that tables will be spaced out, and fewer people will be allowed in restaurants. I don’t expect buffets, but I can see them pivot to menus with similar items.

 

[soniam]

I think some of the character buffets will be open. They make so much money off of it. The ones that do family style already are a no brainer. The actual buffets would probably have to go to served by CMs; however, some of them, like 1900 Park Fare, may not have enough room for everything to be served by a CM. The table spacing would have to change if they are going to abide by social distancing rules. Or maybe they actually keep all of the tables there but have fewer guests. The tables kind of block people from getting near you a bit. I don't know. I am sure people at Disney are fretting over all of this right now. I would hate to be involved in these decisions. Can you imagine the kind of dreams they are having?

 

[gwynne]

I think some of the character buffets will be open. They make so much money off of it. The ones that do family style already are a no brainer. The actual buffets would probably have to go to served by CMs; however, some of them, like 1900 Park Fare, may not have enough room for everything to be served by a CM. The table spacing would have to change if they are going to abide by social distancing rules. Or maybe they actually keep all of the tables there but have fewer guests. The tables kind of block people from getting near you a bit. I don't know. I am sure people at Disney are fretting over all of this right now. I would hate to be involved in these decisions. Can you imagine the kind of dreams they are having?

Just my opinion-I think they will suspend all buffet service. They can switch those same restaurants to table service and possibly have some type of character show. I'd doubt the characters will be going table to table to chat and take photos.

 

[Helvetica]

Personally, I think the buffet is on its way out. Maybe they'll turn into family style restaurants or prix fixe offerings. I also don't think Character Meals will be coming back for a while.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I can't see myself going to another buffet. They're just a bad idea all around.

 

[mmackeymouse]

And when they put the food on my plate, I'll not hesitate to say "Another scoop please." When it comes to a buffet I have no dignity.

Yeah that's what worries me about a buffet becoming cafeteria style. I just don't know that we would get our money's worth. I mean....there is already a debate on "money's worth" when it comes to the buffets, but you know what I mean.

Part of the charm of buffets is the diversity, the ability to try a little of this and a little of that. Or a lot of this and a lot of that. I think a lot of people are not going to be willing to go to each station and say, "A small scoop of that" "A big scoop of that". Probably just play it safe, which at a place like Tusker House is a bit of a waste.

I do like the idea of each person having individual tongs and forks. Maybe even charge $5 for it. So, people can either bring their own from home or pay the $5 at the park.

 

[Deb]

Yeah that's what worries me about a buffet becoming cafeteria style. I just don't know that we would get our money's worth. I mean....there is already a debate on "money's worth" when it comes to the buffets, but you know what I mean.

Part of the charm of buffets is the diversity, the ability to try a little of this and a little of that. Or a lot of this and a lot of that. I think a lot of people are not going to be willing to go to each station and say, "A small scoop of that" "A big scoop of that". Probably just play it safe, which at a place like Tusker House is a bit of a waste.

I do like the idea of each person having individual tongs and forks. Maybe even charge $5 for it. So, people can either bring their own from home or pay the $5 at the park.

so, now not only do you have cross contamination, but no control on the cleanliness of what's being put into shared food. No

 

[rdaky]

Unpopular opinion here, but I think buffets are pretty disgusting. Thousands of people who may or may not have washed their hands ever are all touching the same utensils to scoop out their food, sometimes they're touching the actual food, then you're touching the same spoon to get yours. Then everyone is walking back to their tables to eat, including finger foods, without a thought of cleaning their hands. I imagine that *if* buffets continue, I agree that someone will be standing behind the glass scooping out your food for you.

And using your own tongs? Bringing it from home? I can't even see how that could pass a health department inspection. No way!

 

[mmackeymouse]

Hmmm....what about maybe having hand sanitizer stations, required before you get in line, and then as you exit the line? It doesn't really help with any germs transferred via breathing, but it would hopefully keep utensils somewhat sanitary.