Some firsthand experience on a hotel buffet and how Disney could implement.
First- I have very high status with the three major chains and have had Free breakfast at some insane places including Michelin restaurants due to status. So I have quite extensive “breakfast at hotel” experience. Something I thought I’d never brag about
Anyway, buffets are my least favorite way to eat breakfast.
I’m currently at the Hilton Sandestin and they opened up Saturday. They are doing a “buffet”. Here’s how it works:
You are seated at your table and the waiter asks which drinks you’d like. Then you have a “one way in, one way out” to go through buffet line. Purrell there before you get your plate. Once you get your plate, there is a person who will dip all of your breakfast items for you. You stand on the other side with a sneeze guard and hold plate near food and they dip it on there.
Even without a mask- really no way to contaminate anything there.
That said- it
only works with reduced capacity. Otherwise the line would be unmanageable and spacing/staffing would be an issue.
So while I fully expect Character dining will go away for the short term; it’s entirely manageable to work a club level room or buffet at a hotel in the same manner while keeping a very safe environment.