I agree!! The specialty restaurants are there for those who want them, but the dining rooms are a great alternative! And the buffet is as good as the dining rooms, without the atmosphere. On the Grand last year, we chose to eat in the SW rest, The Painted Desert twice. (We were going thru tortilla chip & salsa withdrawal.) This year I want to try Sabitini's as by the time we decided to try it last year there were no openings. I don't mind spending a little extra for the experience. After all, it 's VACATION!!!