For us, it mostly comes down to a la carte v. character buffet. I don't care for buffets. I don't like waiting in line to get food. I don't like scooping my food out of a trough. I don't like watching kids use their hands to pick up a roll. I have a much more difficult time eating less food when I pay for AYCE. I don't like interacting with characters, either. I like to see them.
We like a la carte menus, in general. We love Y&Y for the Asian-style food-even if it is Americanized..it's still Amasian to us. I find that at places like Y&Y, we tend to share more appetizers and entrees, and eat fewer calories, than at many places where we each order a personal entree.