Narrowing down your breakfast options when vacationing at Walt Disney World can be difficult. Do you want to eat simple breakfast food in your room? Are you going to try to get a basic quick-service breakfast at Starbucks or a food court for example? Do you want a buffet breakfast? Most of the breakfast buffets involve character dining. Do you need/want to experience character dining? If so, how much are you willing to spend? Since character breakfast often possesses a higher price tag around $45 or more, how many times will you do that?  A few places on-site offer a type of buffet breakfast to start your day well without that higher price point. An example of this connects to the Ale and Compass buffet at Disney’s Yacht Club.

Ale and Compass restaurant serves breakfast from 7:30 am to 11:00 am each day of the week. Reservations would be recommended here. When I checked on availability when typing this, I found options most days. I did notice most of the open times were the earlier time slots. Based on that unscientific data, if you want a later breakfast time, then you should probably set an alert at MouseDining and/or book a reservation 60 days in advance.

This restaurant offers an interesting set-up for a buffet. In addition, guests may purchase an entrée only. However, I suspect you will lean towards getting this place’s version of a buffet, The menu description of the buffet reads like this “Seasonal Fruit, Assorted Yogurt Parfaits, Assorted Breakfast Pastries, House-made Granola, Cheddar Biscuits and Country Gravy, and Warm Cinnamon Rolls. Includes choice of one (1) Entrée. Coffee, Tea, Juice, or Soft Drinks are included.” So, this would not be a traditional buffet but more of an add-on. This add-on becomes very appealing since you get a beverage included this way. Since most beverages here cost over $4, the add-on buffet brings some value. The cost for this add-on-style buffet for adults is $23. This add-on buffet includes an entrée which serves as an important variable.

For full disclosure, I started initial work on this article several months ago. The price of many of the entrees has increased noticeably since then. Yet the buffet price itself has not changed much. In my opinion, this location wants to sell more of its version of a buffet so this pricing steers guests that way. In fairness, this Ale and Compass buffet offerings make a good value if looking for a full hearty breakfast. If looking for a light breakfast, the entrees could provide that, but the price point might not be as appealing.

I will attempt to highlight the breakfast entrée options. Whether you get just an entrée or the buffet add-on, your entrée choice will matter.

Some traditional breakfast options here are an American Breakfast (Two Eggs-Any Style, choice of Sausage or Bacon served with Potatoes) for $16 and a Country Ham and Cheddar Omelet (with Arugula and Breakfast Potatoes) for $17. Another “safe” but quality offering would be the Blueberry-Bacon Pancakes (with a choice of Sausage or Bacon) for $15. If pancakes are not enough for your sweet tooth, then you might want to try the Salted Caramel-Apple French Toast (with a choice of Sausage or Bacon) for $16.

At this point, you should start to see why a $23 “buffet” looks appealing. For about $6 more, you get a beverage and all the buffet items with your entrée. Once again, considering character breakfasts cost twice as much, the buffet offers some vacation budget relief. With a breakfast protein bowl, shrimp and grits, and crab cake benedict costing $19 or more, the add-on buffet makes a good deal.

I Should not break down every one of the current ten breakfast entrees offered here. Yet, waffle fans need to try Dark Chocolate Waffles. They consist of dried cherry compote, espresso-mascarpone cream, chocolate shavings, and a choice of sausage or bacon. You get three small waffles that might be able to be shared. These black forest-style waffles possess an almost cupcake-like flavor and texture. If you love cherries and chocolate, then this will be your dish. These cost $15 for just the entrée.

For the savory breakfast choices, you can get a breakfast flatbread for $14. This includes a sunny–side style egg, applewood-smoked bacon, ham, provolone, and arugula. This provides a unique savory combination to start your day. Also, you could order the smoked salmon and toasted bagel sandwich for $!7. This includes herbed cream cheese, pickled red onions, vine-ripened tomatoes, and avocado. You also receive house-made chips. You can substitute another side with this, even French fries if desired. The bagel tastes reasonably good but will not impress any bagel expert. However, it holds together while eating this sandwich.

Overall, Ale and Compass will not blow you away in terms of fine dining. Still, a quality table service breakfast for under $25 requires consideration on-site at Walt Disney World. Especially if looking to avoid high price character meals, Ale and Compass deserve a look. As always, eat like you mean it!