Tortuga Tavern Buffet not drawing the crowds - due to price? (it's $45/person)

The fast food eatery in Caribbean Plaza is trying something new this holiday season: fast food service in daytime, and a full buffet at night. The buffet is set up in the second indoor area (not where Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom is, but rather in the "upstairs" room of Pecos Bill). 

When we dropped by on Sunday night at 5:45 pm, the restaurant had been in buffet mode for 45 minutes (it opened at 5pm). We looked around carefully and decided there was only one single family eating dinner there - the rest of the tables were all empty. There were plenty of Cast Members milling about, and no fewer than four of them out in the Caribbean Plaza walkways holding the menu and trying to interest the passers-by.

Photo courtesy of www.mickeyupdates.com 

I didn't take a poll of the visitors around me, but I have a guess as to why this place was so ignored: the price. It costs $45 per adult after you factor in taxes and the required 18% gratuity (and no, the Tables in Wonderland discount card doesn't apply here). I'm not sure why there is a gratuity added on already, but there is. I was a little surprised the menu cards lists the price INCLUDING the tax and gratuity.

It was too rich for my blood. These are prices you normally expect to see at a character meal, but there was no character here.

Are you interested at this price point?

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.