Opting out of meeting characters at 1900 Park Fare?

If you don't like interacting with characters, I'd suggest not going to a character meal. They're usually very good at reading guests and knowing how to keep things from being awkward, but why even put yourself in that environment if it makes you uncomfortable? There are other buffets on property that have no characters. I've heard the breakfast at The Wave over at Contemporary is really good. I've only eaten at two buffets at Disney so far: Boma for breakfast and Biergarten for dinner. Both were delicious and neither had characters. I get the appeal. I love "grazing" on buffets too.

Are you staying at the Grand? Is that why 1900 Park Fare is the one you're looking at?

I am considering staying at the Grand, but that's not why I want to go to 1900 Park Fare. It is about one of the last buffets in Disney that we haven't tried, and I'm hoping that the food is good given that it is the most expensive buffet in Disney. We could be disappointed, certainly, but I figure it's worth a try. A little discomfort is no big deal if we end up liking the food. I've been to Boma and Biergarten but don't care much for either; they were OK, but not amazing, really no better than certain quick service food that we prefer. For the money I want amazing, at least to us.
 
I think a polite wave should be just fine.

My kids and I aren’t meet and greet types, but I do enjoy seeing them and watching the fun interactions with others.

And of course there was the crazy dance Donald Duck did at Tusker House. It was so entertaining!
 
On a semi-related note...

When I spent a day at Disneyland this summer, I did a meet and greet with Darth Vader just so I could send the picture to my Star Wars geek husband. It was seriously the most uncomfortable 5 minutes of my entire life. :rotfl:

ETA...I’m sure the photographer thought I was super weird. I just felt like a deer in headlights!
 
OP, DH and I share your feelings about the characters. We feel awkward and don't like the small talk, especially since its just the two of us. It doesn't stop us from going to character meals though. Usually, I will say "Hi, nice to meet you, thanks for stopping by!" and 90% of the time, the characters will high five or hug us and move along. They catch the drift. Once in a while, the character will do the camera motion with their hands asking if we want a photo, to which we say "no, we already got one with you earlier in the trip!" - which of course is a lie, but I don't want to hurt the character's feelings. lol!
 


The character and noncharacter breakfasts may cost about the same but the difference is the character experiences spend more money on personnel and less on food.
 
I am considering staying at the Grand, but that's not why I want to go to 1900 Park Fare. It is about one of the last buffets in Disney that we haven't tried, and I'm hoping that the food is good given that it is the most expensive buffet in Disney. We could be disappointed, certainly, but I figure it's worth a try. A little discomfort is no big deal if we end up liking the food. I've been to Boma and Biergarten but don't care much for either; they were OK, but not amazing, really no better than certain quick service food that we prefer. For the money I want amazing, at least to us.
Just remember that the reason it's expensive is because it's a character meal, not because the food is necessarily better. I fear you're setting yourself up for disappointment if you expect "amazing" food at any character buffet.
I can't imagine comparing Boma or Biergarten to quick service, but we all have different tastes.
I hope you enjoy 1900 PF.
 
I am considering staying at the Grand, but that's not why I want to go to 1900 Park Fare. It is about one of the last buffets in Disney that we haven't tried, and I'm hoping that the food is good given that it is the most expensive buffet in Disney. We could be disappointed, certainly, but I figure it's worth a try. A little discomfort is no big deal if we end up liking the food. I've been to Boma and Biergarten but don't care much for either; they were OK, but not amazing, really no better than certain quick service food that we prefer. For the money I want amazing, at least to us.

LOL. Um...Unfortunately, Disney doesn't exactly work like that. :rolleyes1 It took me several trips to understand that Disney operates in it's own universe when it comes to the how and why things are the cost that they are. It's definitely it's own "magical" reality, that's for sure.

When trying to figure out what is the best anything in Disney or the highest quality, instead of fixating on prices as your guide, you are better off reading reviews and Disney boards like this that review and rate the restaurants, the rides, the buffets, the shows, to get an idea on what is the best quality and the best value for your time and money as well.

Generally speaking, the cost of things in Disney is not equivalent or analogous to the cost of these same things in almost any other major vacation or tourist attraction. That especially applies to both the resorts and the restaurants. There can be exceptions to this but basically one gets used to paying exorbitant prices because "It's Disney" essentially.


I like 1900 Park Fare quite a bit and have been there quite a few times for both breakfast and dinner but let me assure you, it is not the most expensive buffet in town because it's the "best". It probably is the most expensive for the simple reason of it's location at the Grand Floridian. You're paying for the lavish theme and decor of the resort's setting, not the higher quality food, and I will echo those who say if you've been let down at the other buffets you've been to, like Boma, you are not likely to have your socks knocked off by the quality of the food at 1900 since many would place the food quality there below the ones you said you didn't enjoy. I understand wanting to cross it off your bucket list, but I think everyone just wants you to not get your hopes up too high for a superior foodie experience here.

These buffets cost what they do because of the experience Disney is providing you of meeting their signature characters as well as for their particular locations. The food is...last on the list of things that determine the cost, to be honest. That being said, I still think all the buffets provide very good food, generally speaking, but I am a very easy to please eater. But it is not gourmet food.
 


On a semi-related note...

When I spent a day at Disneyland this summer, I did a meet and greet with Darth Vader just so I could send the picture to my Star Wars geek husband. It was seriously the most uncomfortable 5 minutes of my entire life. :rotfl:

ETA...I’m sure the photographer thought I was super weird. I just felt like a deer in headlights!
It took 5 minutes?! Why does it take 5 minutes to take a picture?! I feel your pain. I'm a Darth Vader fan, but I just want to look at him, I don't really want to come close. I mean, I don't want to get strangled.
 
LOL. Um...Unfortunately, Disney doesn't exactly work like that. :rolleyes1 It took me several trips to understand that Disney operates in it's own universe when it comes to the how and why things are the cost that they are. It's definitely it's own "magical" reality, that's for sure.

When trying to figure out what is the best anything in Disney or the highest quality, instead of fixating on prices as your guide, you are better off reading reviews and Disney boards like this that review and rate the restaurants, the rides, the buffets, the shows, to get an idea on what is the best quality and the best value for your time and money as well.

Generally speaking, the cost of things in Disney is not equivalent or analogous to the cost of these same things in almost any other major vacation or tourist attraction. That especially applies to both the resorts and the restaurants. There can be exceptions to this but basically one gets used to paying exorbitant prices because "It's Disney" essentially.


I like 1900 Park Fare quite a bit and have been there quite a few times for both breakfast and dinner but let me assure you, it is not the most expensive buffet in town because it's the "best". It probably is the most expensive for the simple reason of it's location at the Grand Floridian. You're paying for the lavish theme and decor of the resort's setting, not the higher quality food, and I will echo those who say if you've been let down at the other buffets you've been to, like Boma, you are not likely to have your socks knocked off by the quality of the food at 1900 since many would place the food quality there below the ones you said you didn't enjoy. I understand wanting to cross it off your bucket list, but I think everyone just wants you to not get your hopes up too high for a superior foodie experience here.

These buffets cost what they do because of the experience Disney is providing you of meeting their signature characters as well as for their particular locations. The food is...last on the list of things that determine the cost, to be honest. That being said, I still think all the buffets provide very good food, generally speaking, but I am a very easy to please eater. But it is not gourmet food.

Thanks for your excellent explanation! It makes sense, certainly, that the high prices goes for many causes other than food. But they should at least throw a few dollars towards the food, shouldn't they? It's a restaurant, for heaven's sake. I'm also hoping that my family may have different tastes than others, and may take to 1900 PF better? One can always hope? But if not, we won't be disappointed. We will just go back to Cape May, which we find acceptable, just not amazing. There will be no more wondering if PF has better food and we are just missing out.
 
Just remember that the reason it's expensive is because it's a character meal, not because the food is necessarily better. I fear you're setting yourself up for disappointment if you expect "amazing" food at any character buffet.
I can't imagine comparing Boma or Biergarten to quick service, but we all have different tastes.
I hope you enjoy 1900 PF.

Thanks! I can think of a few quick service food we enjoyed over the years that we loved better than anything at Boma or Biergarten:

1. Vegetable lasagna at Pop Century Food court; (they don't offer it anymore)
2. Flatbread at Beach Club Food court;
3. Deep fried cat fish at Yorkshire fish and chips in Epcot(they don't offer it anymore)
4. Turkey legs;
5. fruit tart at Coronado Springs food court;
6. Mussels with marinara sauce at Pop Century Food court ((they don't offer it anymore)
7. barbeque pork sandwich at Tortuga Cavern, Magic Kingdom;
8. burgers at Deluxe Burgers in Disney Springs;
9. Pot stickers and lychee ice cream at China quick service;
10. Skirt steak at booth next to Light Lab, of Food and wine festival;
11. Tuna with noodles at Sunshine Seasons, Epcot (they don't offer it anymore)
12. Roast duck bao at booth in China, Epcot

And certain other food and wine booths were good too, I just can't remember them all. A lot of our favorite foods got cancelled, so we must have unusual tastes. Disney wouldn't cancel something if it was popular.
 

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