Island Hopping: A Highly Inappropriate TR. (Boom.)-- Morning of EPCOT Firsts NEW 5/18

[ronnmel]

Oh man, what a let down! I went back to read your previous Chef mickey experience and it could not have been more different! Usually characters are so good with babies/younger kids, it's so weird that this time they just kept ignoring him.

[DVCWDWMEMBER]

So sorry to hear that your experience was so bad. I sure hope that it was the only one during this trip.

[katt789]

Aw man, that's too bad that your meal at CM's was such a GONG SHOW! I seriously noticed this trip that more and more servers on buffet meals were just completely disappearing, like they'd come once at the beginning to "explain" and get you one drink, and then you'd have to HUNT them down for a bill at the end. Maybe it's because they don't get great tips because they don't do much, so they don't care anymore? Ugh.

Characters that do that drive me insane, and I nearly teared up at the pic of Sawyer looking back at Donald, that makes my heart hurt! I hope the rest of the night turned out a little better!

[merbobear]

I don't want to be mean, but I kind of secretly hate those perfect parents with the perfect kids! Where did they come from, anyway? And what drugs did they feed their kids to get them to sit so still?

I am sad that you got bad character interactions! We have had great characters and we have had ok characters..none that were really bad, but some just less interactive than others (for example, we had a Tigger that bounced up and down with dd, because that's what Tiggers do best- it was awesome and a moment to remember. And we have had other characters that kind of stand next to you for the obligatory photo and autograph before they rush to the next family). I can see why they have to rush sometimes, their handlers are probably being pressured by servers that are making sure their table sees each character, the lines of families waiting to get in is growing longer, it's loud and hot. I'm sure it's not an easy job..but at the same time, we do pay a lot and have come to expect MAGIC when we are in WDW so it really stinks when a character is mediocre.

[GrimGrinningStitch]

I love the Contemporary mural so much! It never gets old.

What a disappointing experience! I hate it when you go someplace, have an amazing experience the first time, then you go back and things are just horrible all around. BLEH. At least your first experience there was so positive!

Next stop, Magic Kingdom! I feel like if you're at any of the Monorail loop hotels, you're kind of obligated to stop in.

P.S. we're really trying to plan a September trip for next year. We should know a lot more after our trip in January, but if we're able to work it out, you'll be the first person to know!

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

I'm sorry to hear that your Chef Mickey's experience was such a disappointment!! It really does make it feel even worse when you had such a great experience the time before!!

That totally stinks that the characters were passing by Sawyer - especially in that picture with Donald you can tell he's like "I'M HERE TOO!!!!" .

Hopefully the rest of your meals weren't like that!

[merbobear]

Oh, I wanted to also mention the waiting around for a table when you have an ADR...it's understandable to wait a few minutes for them to assign you a table, but a half hour is just way too long imo. I know I have seen people around the Dis saying "but it's not really a reservation,"...but it should be. It's called an ADR. R=Reservation. We waited about 45 mins past our ADR time at CRT for dinner and it really spoiled the entire experience, which is sad, because it should have been one of our best meals! We would have waited even longer, but I approached a CM about the situation. She was unsympathetic and I asked to speak to her supervisor, who found us a table right away.

We've also had adrs where we walk up and they seat us within seconds, I guess I just wish it were more consistent!

ETA: When I was looking at your pictures last night, dh noticed your kids on the benches under the mural and said "Hey, those are Adison's benches!" because she had performed the same little act on them earlier this year. I told him your kids were borrowing them for the night

[Disney9.9.10]

I'm sorry that your experience at Chef Mickey's wasn't great. We've noticed a decline in that restaurant since the days when I was a kid. We used to make a point of going there almost every trip and now we rarely go. It is really unfortunate.

[MagicShell]

I completely forgot that this was just your first day! But, yippee, that means there is a lot more left. Sorry you had a bad experience at Chef Mickey's. I can't believe the characters weren't giving attention to Sawyer. He is so cute, how could they resist?

[Fantasyland Mom]

Originally Posted by ronnmel

Oh man, what a let down! I went back to read your previous Chef mickey experience and it could not have been more different! Usually characters are so good with babies/younger kids, it's so weird that this time they just kept ignoring him.

I know! I was shocked, and I just couldn't get them to pay attention no matter what! Such a difference from last year when they paid much more attention to him than the girls!

Originally Posted by DVCWDWMEMBER

So sorry to hear that your experience was so bad. I sure hope that it was the only one during this trip.

Don't worry--we had many WONDERFUL character interactions this trip. This was just a bad night for all involved, and we shook it off quickly...even before we got to our evening destination!

Originally Posted by katt789

Aw man, that's too bad that your meal at CM's was such a GONG SHOW! I seriously noticed this trip that more and more servers on buffet meals were just completely disappearing, like they'd come once at the beginning to "explain" and get you one drink, and then you'd have to HUNT them down for a bill at the end. Maybe it's because they don't get great tips because they don't do much, so they don't care anymore? Ugh.

Characters that do that drive me insane, and I nearly teared up at the pic of Sawyer looking back at Donald, that makes my heart hurt! I hope the rest of the night turned out a little better!

I noticed that in some of ours, and some were still great. Actually, some of the wonderful ones were at shocking places! More on that later!
That picture makes me cry. I try not to look at it, but I included it in the TR for the sake of honesty.

Originally Posted by merbobear

I don't want to be mean, but I kind of secretly hate those perfect parents with the perfect kids! Where did they come from, anyway? And what drugs did they feed their kids to get them to sit so still?

I am sad that you got bad character interactions! We have had great characters and we have had ok characters..none that were really bad, but some just less interactive than others (for example, we had a Tigger that bounced up and down with dd, because that's what Tiggers do best- it was awesome and a moment to remember. And we have had other characters that kind of stand next to you for the obligatory photo and autograph before they rush to the next family). I can see why they have to rush sometimes, their handlers are probably being pressured by servers that are making sure their table sees each character, the lines of families waiting to get in is growing longer, it's loud and hot. I'm sure it's not an easy job..but at the same time, we do pay a lot and have come to expect MAGIC when we are in WDW so it really stinks when a character is mediocre.

At first I was mad at the lady, and then I just felt sorry for all of them. THeir life must be so dull, and ours will never be!
I would have credited their quick trips with being rushed to turn over tables, but the restaurant was nowhere near full and had just opened. They really had no excuse. They weren't TERRIBLE, but they were just not really into it. Other characters made up for it this trip, though!

Originally Posted by GrimGrinningStitch

I love the Contemporary mural so much! It never gets old.

What a disappointing experience! I hate it when you go someplace, have an amazing experience the first time, then you go back and things are just horrible all around. BLEH. At least your first experience there was so positive!

Next stop, Magic Kingdom! I feel like if you're at any of the Monorail loop hotels, you're kind of obligated to stop in.

P.S. we're really trying to plan a September trip for next year. We should know a lot more after our trip in January, but if we're able to work it out, you'll be the first person to know!

I am anxiously waiting for confirmation!!
Because our first experience was so good and the food was still good this time, we will definitely be going back next trip. I know it CAN be a great place...it just wasn't this go-round.
We are totally headed to MK. Of course!

Originally Posted by Stringbean&Wingnut

I'm sorry to hear that your Chef Mickey's experience was such a disappointment!! It really does make it feel even worse when you had such a great experience the time before!!

That totally stinks that the characters were passing by Sawyer - especially in that picture with Donald you can tell he's like "I'M HERE TOO!!!!" .

Hopefully the rest of your meals weren't like that!

Don't worry, they really weren't! This was just a fluke, promise. We had wonderful character interactions this trip, just not at this restaurant for some reason.

Originally Posted by merbobear

Oh, I wanted to also mention the waiting around for a table when you have an ADR...it's understandable to wait a few minutes for them to assign you a table, but a half hour is just way too long imo. I know I have seen people around the Dis saying "but it's not really a reservation,"...but it should be. It's called an ADR. R=Reservation. We waited about 45 mins past our ADR time at CRT for dinner and it really spoiled the entire experience, which is sad, because it should have been one of our best meals! We would have waited even longer, but I approached a CM about the situation. She was unsympathetic and I asked to speak to her supervisor, who found us a table right away.

We've also had adrs where we walk up and they seat us within seconds, I guess I just wish it were more consistent!

ETA: When I was looking at your pictures last night, dh noticed your kids on the benches under the mural and said "Hey, those are Adison's benches!" because she had performed the same little act on them earlier this year. I told him your kids were borrowing them for the night

I know. And they had JUST opened and the tables were empty and waiting. They were just slow seating people in the empty tables. That was a little hard to swallow.
They really aren't consistent. We waited for almost an hour past our ADR at CRT once, but then ended up getting an awesome seat, so it was worth it I guess?? And sometimes we were led straight to our tables without even a pager!
Sorry we borrowed your benches!

Originally Posted by Disney9.9.10

I'm sorry that your experience at Chef Mickey's wasn't great. We've noticed a decline in that restaurant since the days when I was a kid. We used to make a point of going there almost every trip and now we rarely go. It is really unfortunate.

I never went when I was little, so this is all new. Last year was great. This year, not so much. I hope it doesn't continue to go down hill. Despite the lack of interactions, my kids are already talking about going back next year; hopefully our experience will be better!

Originally Posted by MagicShell

I completely forgot that this was just your first day! But, yippee, that means there is a lot more left. Sorry you had a bad experience at Chef Mickey's. I can't believe the characters weren't giving attention to Sawyer. He is so cute, how could they resist?

I KNOW! That's what I'm saying!!
I told you guys this TR would last forever! We have so many photos and stories that one day lasts for months around here!!

[marDgreen88]

Oof! Sorry it was an off night all around!

[PracPerfPatricia]

Wow the flu... that's miserable... DH, DD and I had that all together one year before DS was born... and honestly I felt like I could barely lift my head off the pillow... I'm sorry you all had to go through that...

Brynn looks so happy in her school photo... sounds like she's going to have a good year... (BTW... and you probably know this but some kids with Asperger's will need PT or OT for a bit and as they get bigger not so much... My DS did have OT for several years (5-8) but then he just placed out... less things were difficult...)

Ahhhh... Chef Mickey's... I haven't been there in years... but it's pretty intense...first making you wait a half of an hour before you were even seated... that's like a half hour of kid calm meal time... if you can get a good half hour out of most kids... well that's pretty good... so you were already behind the 8 ball...

It's too bad about the character interaction... especially at Character Meals... the characters should really be on...

Hoping the rest of your meals are more relaxing for you...

[hlrababy]

Aw, I hate the characters were not as great this time. I get bummed when that happens!

Now, for the lady eyeing ya'll?? Oh my word!! We have had that happen before and I have actually looked at them and said, "Can I help you??" ha ha Chad hates when I do that but I can't help it. That just literally makes me mad! I am sure she would have had her eyes full with my two girls. Hannah does not like to sit in her seat, she either stands or wants on the table and once Hollie is finished eating...she is ready to go! lol

[shan23877]

I'm so sorry that you had such a disappointing experience. Poor Sawyer is making my heart break. I sure hope that he got his Donald hugs later in the trip.

[Cllong75]

I somehow stumbled upon your last trip report and moved right along to this one and am loving it so far. I love your trip reports for 3 reasons.
1. Your witty bantor reminds me of someone awesome I really know (oh yeah me)
2. You sweet adorable babies
3. Your husbands amazing photography.
Can't wait to read more.