Personal Opinion: I HATE family style meals

[Beacon Joe]

The only thing I haven't liked about the family style meals is sometimes when you ask for a little more of something specific, they bring out a whole new platter with all the entrees.

 

[ShookieJones]

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.

Sit down with a party of 6 like I did, and you can do just that.

 

[ShookieJones]

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.

Honestly it was outstanding. I am not just talking about my meal either. We had a party of 6 and if I remember correctly we may have hit everything on the menu (including the vegetarian option). Everyone in the party gave it rave reviews. I MAY have sampled a little bit of everyone's dish....MAY BE....

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Sit down with a party of 6 like I did, and you can do just that.

Little harder when you only have a party of 2...

 

[Archie123]

Buffets are pretty gross overall. Food just being overcooked from the heat lamps, people all handling the same serving spoons, kids (and some adults) coughing and touching the food directly with hands. No thanks.

Perhaps they can bring back buffets but have cast members actually serving the food but with the issues with hiring people across the country I doubt it.

 

[lunchbox1175]

Actually prefer the Family Style meals, feel the quality and freshness of the food is better. When it comes to the buffets, i only prefered the breakfasts, but even those had issues as Disney bacon is terrible.

 

[jaklgreen]

Buffets are pretty gross overall. Food just being overcooked from the heat lamps, people all handling the same serving spoons, kids (and some adults) coughing and touching the food directly with hands. No thanks.

Perhaps they can bring back buffets but have cast members actually serving the food but with the issues with hiring people across the country I doubt it.

That is cafeteria style. Many of us would be more then happy with that. You still get to pick and choose what you want off of the line, but without the worry of other's doing something gross to the food or serving utensils. Cafeteria style works just fine. They have had that concept for years at the Plaza Inn at Disneyland and it works well.

 

[Ponderer]

Buffets are pretty gross overall. Food just being overcooked from the heat lamps, people all handling the same serving spoons, kids (and some adults) coughing and touching the food directly with hands. No thanks.

Perhaps they can bring back buffets but have cast members actually serving the food but with the issues with hiring people across the country I doubt it.

There are some really good buffets, but in general, there’s almost nothing that’s more unhygienic. Any form of food service that requires an active barrier from bodily fluids is gonna get my side-eye from square one.

 

[itsy bitsy spider]

I hate the buffets, I've never had a good one. It seems like they are all about quantity and not quality.

Give me the platters, they are way more consistent. Plus it seems better suited for character meals. You don't have to get up and get your own food and possibly miss Donald Duck.

 

[MorphinePrince]

Buffets are thankfully one their way out. They're a disgusting experience and I hope that covid was the final nail in their coffin. Family Style is a fantastic alternative and I would be more than pleased if every buffet at WDW is converted to family style.

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

Buffets are thankfully one their way out. They're a disgusting experience and I hope that covid was the final nail in their coffin. Family Style is a fantastic alternative and I would be more than pleased if every buffet at WDW is converted to family style.

Trouble is there's not nearly the variety with family style as there is with buffet style.
This seems especially true of desserts at most of them. Like Trail's End is just going to have a sundae??? At least keep one of the more interesting desserts like the smores dessert that I heard tell of but never got to experience since my first time eating there was going to be in 2020.
Same goes for Garden Grill. If I recall its like a berry shortcake? I should know this since I have eaten there and will be eating there in August lol but yeah I recall it was okay but nothing terribly unique.

 

[MorphinePrince]

Trouble is there's not nearly the variety with family style as there is with buffet style.
This seems especially true of desserts at most of them. Like Trail's End is just going to have a sundae??? At least keep one of the more interesting desserts like the smores dessert that I heard tell of but never got to experience since my first time eating there was going to be in 2020.
Same goes for Garden Grill. If I recall its like a berry shortcake? I should know this since I have eaten there and will be eating there in August lol but yeah I recall it was okay but nothing terribly unique.

I agree about the dessert issue. There is a local family style place near me and the only desserts they offer is cheesecake and banana pudding. I love both, but only when I am in the mood.

 

[RememberWhen]

Trouble is there's not nearly the variety with family style as there is with buffet style.
This seems especially true of desserts at most of them. Like Trail's End is just going to have a sundae??? At least keep one of the more interesting desserts like the smores dessert that I heard tell of but never got to experience since my first time eating there was going to be in 2020.
Same goes for Garden Grill. If I recall its like a berry shortcake? I should know this since I have eaten there and will be eating there in August lol but yeah I recall it was okay but nothing terribly unique.

It’s a strawberry shortcake, I think. We don’t love the cake part, but the strawberries are ok.
I agree that the general idea of a buffet is icky, but the vast variety makes it a convenient choice for my family. We really need all the food options or real character greetings to make it worthwhile. We did always enjoy Garden Grill. Chip and Dale are fantastic!

 

[danyoung56]

The restaurant never had an area where you could see the growing plants.

 

[phillip9698]

Buffets are thankfully one their way out. They're a disgusting experience and I hope that covid was the final nail in their coffin. Family Style is a fantastic alternative and I would be more than pleased if every buffet at WDW is converted to family style.

Family style ruins the allure some of the restaurants had though. I see absolutely no reason to choose Tusker House now over a breakfast platter at the hotel since it's the same food. Pretty much everything they cut were the interesting items you could only get at Tusker House. Lord knows what they are going to do to Boma whenever it returns.

 

[jaklgreen]

Family style ruins the allure some of the restaurants had though. I see absolutely no reason to choose Tusker House now over a breakfast platter at the hotel since it's the same food. Pretty much everything they cut were the interesting items you could only get at Tusker House. Lord knows what they are going to do to Boma whenever it returns.

I am very concerned about Boma. I would even be happy if they waited to reopen until they can go back to being either buffet or cafeteria style. I do not want them the change the menu. I hope they end up just having someone serve you on the line instead of family style. There is no way to make Boma into family style and keep anyone happy.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

As long as Pooh's Puffed French Toast at CP stays...I'm good!!