Personal Opinion: I HATE family style meals

[Nottamus]

I’ve been to family style that worked well: Ohana, Garden Grill, Whispering Canyon dinner skillet

But there are buffets that need to be buffets…my favorite being Boma. When that opens back up, can’t imagine any other way but a buffet. Probably why it’s still closed…

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Absolutely sure as the restaurant revolves this is what you see static displays not the actual area they are growing plantsView attachment 567891

this isn't all the scenes View attachment 567896View attachment 567897View attachment 567899

You've never seen where they grow plants while eating at the restaurant.
You certainly are hearing and seeing portions of the attraction though.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

What? Trails End doesn't have a buffet anymore???
Oh No, I've waited too long to go there for the buffet. I've heard wonderful things about that buffet and always wanted to try it.
Why is disney trying to change something that's so good? I know, I know, to save money, but , money isn't everything.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

What? Trails End doesn't have a buffet anymore???
Oh No, I've waited too long to go there for the buffet. I've heard wonderful things about that buffet and always wanted to try it.
Why is disney trying to change something that's so good? I know, I know, to save money, but , money isn't everything.

Trails End hasn't even been open since the reopening.
They are opening July 17th and it will be family style because that's what they have been doing since reopening buffet style restaurants due to covid.
I'm hoping they are bringing buffet style back soon but I do wonder if Disney intends to keep some of them family style because it works better for them.

 

[John park hopper]

You've never seen where they grow plants while eating at the restaurant.
You certainly are hearing and seeing portions of the attraction though.

Found this I am not crazy
Good Turn Restaurant, The Restaurant in The Land at Epcot, from October 1, 1982, to May 1986. Became The Land Grille Room and later the Garden Grill Restaurant. The restaurant slowly rotates while one eats, providing views into settings on the nearby boat ride attraction originally known as Listen to the Land and later as Living with the Land. The Good Turn served some of the best breakfasts at Walt Disney World.

 

[James J]

Found this I am not crazy
Good Turn Restaurant, The Restaurant in The Land at Epcot, from October 1, 1982, to May 1986. Became The Land Grille Room and later the Garden Grill Restaurant. The restaurant slowly rotates while one eats, providing views into settings on the nearby boat ride attraction originally known as Listen to the Land and later as Living with the Land. The Good Turn served some of the best breakfasts at Walt Disney World.

Yeah, that's exactly what we've been saying it shows. You do not see where the plants are growing, you see a scene from the ride. Look at @marni1971's video, around the 27:55 mark:

 

[jaklgreen]

Can you request that certain foods be excluded from the meal?

We ate at Biergarten a few months ago and asked them to leave off an item that we knew that we would not eat. The server said that the kitchen won't do that since it is faster to just pre plate a bunch of them the same way. I imagine if someone has an allergy they would have to leave off what you asked. I guess they didn't want to slow things down by having every table select certain things.

 

[ShookieJones]

We ate at Biergarten a few months ago and asked them to leave off an item that we knew that we would not eat. The server said that the kitchen won't do that since it is faster to just pre plate a bunch of them the same way. I imagine if someone has an allergy they would have to leave off what you asked. I guess they didn't want to slow things down by having every table select certain things.

This makes sense.
With that being said once you’re done with round one, you can start asking for specific foods and as much as you want of each item.

 

[RememberWhen]

Can you request that certain foods be excluded from the meal?

You definitely can. We’ve done this many times at the Garden Grill. We don’t eat sausage and we just let the server know when we sat down that we didn’t want they. Usually they would bring us extra something else instead.
I also strongly prefer the character buffets. I’m not interested in character run-by family style meals. We will probably book 1 for our trip in October, but the kids won’t enjoy it in the same way. Buffets are great with kids since they can pick what they want and we can encourage them to try a small amount of something new.

 

[networkpro]

We ate at Biergarten a few months ago and asked them to leave off an item that we knew that we would not eat. The server said that the kitchen won't do that since it is faster to just pre plate a bunch of them the same way. I imagine if someone has an allergy they would have to leave off what you asked. I guess they didn't want to slow things down by having every table select certain things.

You have my condolences as the food is currently dreadful. You cant have enough beer to hide its awfulness.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I don't mind that some meals are family style, but I hate that Disney has taken buffets that had interesting, unique or popular dishes and revamped them all (with the exception of Biergarten, which seems to have stayed on theme) into the most boring and repetitive family style menus imaginable. "Welcome to [insert any of the family style places here]. Here's your rolls, your salad greens, your platter of roasted poultry, beef, and pork, your boring veggie side, and your sampler of dry, low-quality desserts. If we're feeling sassy, you get a mac and cheese or noodles too."

 

[Weather_Lady]

You have my condolences as the food is currently dreadful. You cant have enough beer to hide its awfulness.

Uh-oh. What changed? I mean, are the family style salads, brats, pretzel rolls, etc. not the same quality as when they were offered as part of the buffet?

 

[Think Tink]

I don't mind family style, but I gave up buffet's several years ago. After watching too many unsupervised children and too many adults that need supervision show an incredible lack of sense. I've seen children and adults grab an item with their hands put it on their plate, then lick their fingers before grabbing more items or handling the serving utensils. No more buffets please.

I am the same way! I have always been a germaphobe and after seeing people cough over the food, lick fingers, grab rolls and stuff with their hands, I just stopped. I love the family style. I understand how people find it limiting in choices, but for me, i'd prefer less options than have anyone handle the food.

 

[Waters Back Side]

Buffets all the way. Better variety. Especially at Cape May Cafe and Chef Mickeys. Waiting for the day. I have confidence they will bring some back if not all.

 

[ShookieJones]

I don't mind that some meals are family style, but I hate that Disney has taken buffets that had interesting, unique or popular dishes and revamped them all (with the exception of Biergarten, which seems to have stayed on theme) into the most boring and repetitive family style menus imaginable. "Welcome to [insert any of the family style places here]. Here's your rolls, your salad greens, your platter of roasted poultry, beef, and pork, your boring veggie side, and your sampler of dry, low-quality desserts. If we're feeling sassy, you get a mac and cheese or noodles too."

I will tell you this, that is NOT the case at Crystal Palace. To me what they did there was a huge improvement. Will it stay that way? As the kids like to say, 'prolly not'

Uh-oh. What changed? I mean, are the family style salads, brats, pretzel rolls, etc. not the same quality as when they were offered as part of the buffet?

We dined at Biergarten this past May and I think everything was right on point, including the brats, schnitzel, pretzel rolls and meatballs.
I also enjoyed a delicious liter of Konig Ludwig Weissbier, yum.

 

[Weather_Lady]

I will tell you this, that is NOT the case at Crystal Palace. To me what they did there was a huge improvement. Will it stay that way? As the kids like to say, 'prolly not'

I guess I wasn't thinking of Crystal Palace, as it's kind of a prix fixe- family style hybrid, but I'm glad you enjoyed the new menu! I looked it over online and it certainly looks like a step above the typical family style fare.

 

[jaklgreen]

Uh-oh. What changed? I mean, are the family style salads, brats, pretzel rolls, etc. not the same quality as when they were offered as part of the buffet?

The food is not dreadful. It is the same recipes that they used before but you just don't get everything that they had on the buffet. But they do give you the most variety of foods of any other family style, IMO. For us, it was way too much food but it tasted the same as before. I do wish that we could have picked what we wanted so there was less waste.

 

[jaklgreen]

You have my condolences as the food is currently dreadful. You cant have enough beer to hide its awfulness.

The food was exactly the same as it always has been.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

You definitely can. We’ve done this many times at the Garden Grill. We don’t eat sausage and we just let the server know when we sat down that we didn’t want they. Usually they would bring us extra something else instead.
I also strongly prefer the character buffets. I’m not interested in character run-by family style meals. We will probably book 1 for our trip in October, but the kids won’t enjoy it in the same way. Buffets are great with kids since they can pick what they want and we can encourage them to try a small amount of something new.

Now see for me from a character stance family style is preferred. I don't know how many times at a buffet I've planned when I can run up to get more food based on where the characters currently were. I missed a couple at Crystal Palace and of course our table was near the end of the line and they were going back stage for a break and I was nearly done eating so I didn't wait.
I find it much more relaxing to meet characters at family style.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

I will tell you this, that is NOT the case at Crystal Palace. To me what they did there was a huge improvement. Will it stay that way? As the kids like to say, 'prolly not'

I think what annoys me about the new CP menu is that its AYCTE but only the specific meal you ordered. Wish you could have the option of sampling each and being served smaller portion sizes.