Is Chef Mickey's Mandatory?

[Kimberly9701]

Hi! I am taking my 5 year old on his first Disney trip this Sunday! I booked our trip 65 days ago, as far as restaurants I have been able to get reservations at Crystal Palace, Ohana, Be Our Guest, Tusker House, The Garden Grill, Hollywood and Vine, T-Rex.
The only one on my list that I haven't had luck is Chef Mickey's, I've been checking daily, several times per day, and have been stressing myself out over it. Since we are doing Ohana is Chef Mickey's mandatory? Or can I stop searching.lol

 

[Brenda Kim]

I would say no. I have been going to Disney for about 20 years and 2 years ago was my first visit to Chef Mickeys. It was great, but not a must do, however since people can cancel 24 hours before being charged, I would try the day before you leave and then once each day you if you still feel the need to go.

 

[Kimberly9701]

I know it is such a staple. But we have 2 other Mickey dinners, and Stitch is his fave Disney character and will be at Ohana. I think I'm going to choose to relieve some self inflicted stress and stop searching.
Thanks for the reply!

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

Chef Mickey's is iconic, but, IMO, the food is pretty bad. I would not stress about it, especially since you'll be meeting the Mouse himself elsewhere.

 

[Alesia]

Chef Mickey's is only mandatory if you're doing a tour of the worst restaurants in WDW.

 

[butterfly71076]

Hi! I am taking my 5 year old on his first Disney trip this Sunday! I booked our trip 65 days ago, as far as restaurants I have been able to get reservations at Crystal Palace, Ohana, Be Our Guest, Tusker House, The Garden Grill, Hollywood and Vine, T-Rex.
The only one on my list that I haven't had luck is Chef Mickey's, I've been checking daily, several times per day, and have been stressing myself out over it. Since we are doing Ohana is Chef Mickey's mandatory? Or can I stop searching.lol

We love Chef Mickey's! For us, it is a must do! But, since you have other meals where you will be seeing Mickey, I wouldn't stress about it. From your list, the only character at Chef Mickey's you would miss is Minnie Mouse.

 

[fbb]

Chef Mickey's is only mandatory if you're doing a tour of the worst restaurants in WDW.

Just invite all the neighborhood kids over, throw a pot of mac and cheese on the floor, and have them walk it into the carpet while screaming. Same experience.

 

[ELSA711]

You are doing the Tusker House and Garden Grill - so IMO you are covered on the mandatory.
It is definitely a restaurant for characters not food.

 

[Fueledbycoffee]

It's a classic but we weren't impressed at all!

The food was forgettable... The spot we sat was hard to take pictures in... And there are birds walking around from the monorail opening which grossed me out while eating inside!

 

[Lucius Best]

It's only mandatory if that's your only chance to see Mickey, but it looks like you have lots of other character meals planned. It's been a while since we've been there, but it was loud and crowded and cramped and we've never been seated on time and the food is nothing special.

 

[skuttle]

No. We went years ago when our oldest was younger and before the dining plan ruined disney dining. Haven't been with our youngest two. It's loud, chaotic, and the food isn't the best. We LOVE Tusker House, though!

 

[Mom2Stitch]

We love Chef Mickey's! For us, it is a must do! But, since you have other meals where you will be seeing Mickey, I wouldn't stress about it. From your list, the only character at Chef Mickey's you would miss is Minnie Mouse.

Isn't Minnie at Tusker House?

Chef Mickey's was our traditional first night dinner for years-mostly because it was a great way to kick off a trip by seeing the characters. The food-aside from the mashed potatoes-really isn't all that special. I think you are gonna be all set!

 

[ChasingLeslie]

You are already doing Tusker and Garden Grill, so you are covered.

 

[Kimberly9701]

Thanks for all of the replies!

 

[tyandcoopsmom]

Not for my family, Tusker House and Askerhaus are our favorite character meals!

 

[HopperFan]

Hi! I am taking my 5 year old on his first Disney trip this Sunday! I booked our trip 65 days ago, as far as restaurants I have been able to get reservations at Crystal Palace, Ohana, Be Our Guest, Tusker House, The Garden Grill, Hollywood and Vine, T-Rex.
The only one on my list that I haven't had luck is Chef Mickey's, I've been checking daily, several times per day, and have been stressing myself out over it. Since we are doing Ohana is Chef Mickey's mandatory? Or can I stop searching.lol

You couldn't pay me to go back there. You are going to great character meals! Stop stressing and enjoy!

 

[Jerzetta]

Hi! I am taking my 5 year old on his first Disney trip this Sunday! I booked our trip 65 days ago, as far as restaurants I have been able to get reservations at Crystal Palace, Ohana, Be Our Guest, Tusker House, The Garden Grill, Hollywood and Vine, T-Rex.
The only one on my list that I haven't had luck is Chef Mickey's, I've been checking daily, several times per day, and have been stressing myself out over it. Since we are doing Ohana is Chef Mickey's mandatory? Or can I stop searching.lol

For me Chef Mickey was "THE" reservation to get. 2 years ago I had got us all the prime dining for our DD who was turning 4, at the last minute family joined us on the trip and I couldn't adjust CM so cancelled. 30 days ago my husband surprised us and said lets do Disney and I panicked. I was in the 180 window and all good restaurants were booked. BUT the good news is I saw a post on FB for Disney Dining Buddies. I thought nah I will look every night for CM. Finally I said for $8.00 let me try them and put in a request for CM and Cinderalla Castle. I got both reservations in 2 weeks. Best $16.00 bucks spent. Good luck.

 

[EvilDrPorkchop21]

Just invite all the neighborhood kids over, throw a pot of mac and cheese on the floor, and have them walk it into the carpet while screaming. Same experience.

hahahahahah this genuinely made my day by laughing

 

[scdak]

Stop searching! The food at Tusker House is far better, the interaction with the characters at Garden Grill is awesome and you will like all your other character meals. I actually had a reservation at CM for breakfast on our upcoming trip and cancelled it since I had other places I wanted to dine at more

 

[HopperFan]

Just invite all the neighborhood kids over, throw a pot of mac and cheese on the floor, and have them walk it into the carpet while screaming. Same experience.

YES