Wow Disney buffets are expensive

[crisi]

I dunno folks. I'm a 200 pound man who can really put it away when he wants to, but I find that if I eat everything that's served to me in a typical Disney entre, I'm full beyond comfort. I don't need to go to a buffet to get full.

That said, I don't think the buffet prices are out of line with the other meal prices or with prices you pay in the real world - eating out is expensive everywhere!

We'll be eating a lot of buffets because our 2 year old daughter will eat free and we should be able to find something she wants every time.

I was thinking the same thing. We can never completely finish a Disney meal without feeling overstuffed. And my hubby is a big guy (bigger than you). We do three courses, often splitting the appitizer and/or dessert, and it isn't any more than a buffet, the food is better quality, and someone brings it to you (who needs more time on their feet at WDW!).

 

[frannn]

buffets in NY. The prices are about 1/2 of the WDW dinner buffets. When we go to a diner, the meals are more expensive. I figure the one to one time with the characters is worth some extra $. Our DD2 was free for the buffets on our last two trips, and she can definetly EAT. So, I felt like we got a bit of a bargain. Paying 12. for her now at each dinner buffet is definetly going to hurt our budget, but the way I look at it, even if we do 4 character buffets (combination of B,L,D), the total extra will only be about 50. Plus, I will get the DDE to help lower this added cost. The rest of our meals will be at the food court (still using DDE), and a bunch of counter service in the park.
Now, if DD11 goes, she will have turned 12, and we'll have to pay adult prices for her....

 

[LisaS]

I dunno folks. I'm a 200 pound man who can really put it away when he wants to, but I find that if I eat everything that's served to me in a typical Disney entre, I'm full beyond comfort. I don't need to go to a buffet to get full.

That said, I don't think the buffet prices are out of line with the other meal prices or with prices you pay in the real world - eating out is expensive everywhere!

We'll be eating a lot of buffets because our 2 year old daughter will eat free and we should be able to find something she wants every time.

For me, it's not about the quantity of food that you get at a buffet but the variety. There are times when I'd rather have a little bit of many different things than a lot of one thing, so I like buffets for that reason. But I also want good quality food. I have been happy with the two buffets I've tried at WDW (Boma and CP) and agree with BostonRob that the prices don't seem out of line for what you get.

I really appreciate the variety you get at a buffet breakfast. My DH and I often split an omelet so that we'll have enough room for some breakfast potatoes, some fruit, a waffle or a small amount of cereal. I like not having to decide what I'm going to have for breakfast -- I have EVERYTHING, but just a little bit of everything.

 

[WillCAD]

buffets in NY. The prices are about 1/2 of the WDW dinner buffets. When we go to a diner, the meals are more expensive. I figure the one to one time with the characters is worth some extra $. Our DD2 was free for the buffets on our last two trips, and she can definetly EAT. So, I felt like we got a bit of a bargain. Paying 12. for her now at each dinner buffet is definetly going to hurt our budget, but the way I look at it, even if we do 4 character buffets (combination of B,L,D), the total extra will only be about 50. Plus, I will get the DDE to help lower this added cost. The rest of our meals will be at the food court (still using DDE), and a bunch of counter service in the park.
Now, if DD11 goes, she will have turned 12, and we'll have to pay adult prices for her....

If you do 4 character meals at about $50 each for the family, the total will be about $200.

DDE costs $50 if you are an AP holder (or $75 if you are not) and saves you 20% off each meal.

20% of $200 is only $40, so the DDE card would not pay for itself, even if you get it at the AP holders discount.

To break even on a DDE card at the AP holders discount, you would have to spend $250 on sit-down restaurants during the membership year.

To break even on the DDE at the regular $75 cost, you would have to spend $375 on sit-down meals during the membership year.

For those who do a lot of sit-down dining, or Passholders who take multiple trips during the year, that's a good deal. But you have to look carefully at how much you're going to spend on sit-down dining during your WDW trips before you can figure out whether the DDE will actually lower your costs.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

We live in the Midwest where $10 apiece for a buffet is living large so the $20 plus cost per person at DW is a bit daunting. However, after thinking about it and assessing our way of eating it is quite reasonable. We are not much for eating breakfast so a quick bite in the room is all we care to have. Hubby worked second shift for years so we are quite used to lunch being our main meal and lunch is always cheaper than dinner. I changed my evil ways of eating a couple of years back so my hubby enjoys the all you can eat character of a buffet while I enjoy being able to put upon my plate that which I want without having to pay for things that I do not either care for or am not supposed to eat. We usually eat at a buffet in the parks once a day so it is not too expensive.

Crystal Palace at MK, Hollywood & Vine at MGM, Beirgarten or The Land at Epcot, Bomba at Animal Kingdom are our favorites.

I don't care how cheap Country Buffet is, the one here stinks. On the other hand you should try the Golden Buffet at Crossroads as it offers great food at a good cost but you have to bring your own "characters". LOL

Slightly Goofy

 

[eeyore0062]

I just can't see that there is any comparison between a Disney buffet and Old Country Buffet. I would much rather pay $20+ at Disney that eat at Old Country buffet anyday!

 

[mybgirl]

I just can't see that there is any comparison between a Disney buffet and Old Country Buffet. I would much rather pay $20+ at Disney that eat at Old Country buffet anyday!

This is disney world And your vaction

 

[sugermouse]

You think?? And $2.50 for a bottle of water..........................

 

[Aidensmom]

If you do 4 character meals at about $50 each for the family, the total will be about $200.

Where can I do a character meal for $50 for my family? (Really, if this is possible, PLEASE fill me in) I have been to WDW at least 30 times and am finally booking our first character meal, and it is costing us about $65 for DH, DS and I for lunch.

 

[bugsy]

I guess that works for people who really do order a beverage, salad, appetizer, entree, dessert, But DH and I would explode! We
typically order a salad, entree, and beverage, no room for dessert!!
That's why we plan on this trip to share everything, so we can enjoy
the little extras, like dessert, and snacks occasionally throughout the
day..we did not book any buffets, since we know it just doesn't work
well for us

 

[DisneyMim]

I too have to agree with posters who say it's where you live. We're from the northeast and enjoy eating out. For us WDW is the same price as places we go to at home. No sticker shock for us, but being from the northeast, there is no sticker shock for anything!! I do understand that for some people it can be expensive. For us we usually get the "reverse" sticker shock when we travel. Most times things are much cheaper than at home.

 

[seanmci]

Mom & I ate in San Antonio the other day, a counter service French restaurant. You order and pay, they bring the food to you. Our total food was 1 sandwich with pasta side salad, 2 cups of potato soup and 1 petite ceasar salad. No beverages. Total, $19.70 for the two of us. Considering the quantity and quality, Disney is a little pricey, but NOT extremely overpriced. BTW, they closed all of our local Golden Corrals after repeated and severe health violations...so give me Disney anyday.

That's how I feel about food prices, since I live in the NE. I just had pizza with my son tonight. We had 1 large pizza with pepperoni, 2 16oz. bottles of Coke and 1 order of Mozz. sticks. Total was $19.30 before tip. So to me, although it's more, it's not really that much more money.

On overall quality: I haven't been there yet this year but is it at all possible that had to shave a few costs here and there to make up for the cost of running the new dining plan? Just a thought...

 

[nluvwithmickey]

You can't go to WDW and expect prices to be the same as back home, that's not realistic. I think you pay for what you get, atmosphere, great service, fuzzy characters, and plenty of delicious food.

We are a family of 4 and we do not blink an eye when it comes to eating in the parks. The only thing we do that saves some money is have breakfast items in the rrom in order to have a quick b-fast and be out of the room earlier.

Oh, and being canadians, you have to count the currency factor!!!! I still wil not give up on the wonderful dining WDW offers. If I can't afford it, I stay home. The dining part is so special because of the theming of all the restaurants, it's like visiting an attraction within the park or hotel.....Plus, once you've seen the characters at the restaurants, you don't have to waste time standing in line at the parks in order to get a picture!