Non-park character dinner

[Befferk]

I've read the reviews for Chef Mickey's and almost all say the food is bad But I need a non-park character dinner for our first night. This is a "first trip" for my parents and my niece (20). We don't want princesses, since the only child is my son who will be 8. Are we stuck with Chef Mickey's being our only choice? Is it really that bad?

[Missytara]

1900 Park Fare in the GF. They say the evil stepsisters are hilarious - as is the evil stepmother. It is going to be my first time there.

[Nadjalu]

I say do Chef Mickey's. I have heard both good and bad about this place.
Personally we are eating there our first night, haven't been before so I figure we should try it.
From what I hear about the bad is it is not that it is bad, but in comparision to the "great" food you can get other places is that it doesn't measure up.
JMO but I would go.

[hsmamato2]

I've heard bad stuff about Chef Mickeys don't know whay as my kids love this place- don't be afraid to try it it's a great place for boys!

[TDC Nala]

The only character dinners not in a park are at Chef Mickey's, 1900 Park Fare, and the Garden Grove in the Swan hotel (Garden Grove is not on the dining plan).

[EcbLovesMickey]

Also Mickey's Backyard BBQ at Ft Wilderness. Afterward you can go to the campfire and sing along with CHip and Dale and cook s'mores over the fire!

[TDC Nala]

Originally Posted by EcbLovesMickey

Also Mickey's Backyard BBQ at Ft Wilderness. Afterward you can go to the campfire and sing along with CHip and Dale and cook s'mores over the fire!

The Backyard Barbecue is considered a dinner show rather than a character meal (although it does feature Disney characters). It will cost 2 TS credits on the dining plan.

[2Tiggies]

I have never had a problem with Chef Mickey's. I think there have been more complaints about service than about actual food, but the fact that it is pretty hard to get a ressie there speaks for itself.

Not my first choice of character restaurant - I prefer the Crystal Palace - but my preference is based on TYPES of food available on the buffet, rather than variety and quantity and we are going back, as usual, on our next trip. Try and get an early ressie for the meal if you are worried about quality of food. Honestly though, the place turns so quickly the buffet is replenished on a continuous basis. I am firmly of the belief that unless the fare of the place doesn't appeal to me, or I have something solid to go on as a reason to avoid it ..... I won't knock it til I try it!

With a boy I would rather go to Ohana for breakfast with Lilo and Stitch instead of 1900 Park Fare. Again, personal choice and that may not be what you are looking for.

[Befferk]

Thanks everyone. We do have an ADR for Crystal Palace for breakfast on our MK park day. I just wanted something to get everyone in the Disney mood on our first full non-park day. We will give it a try! I made an ADR for 5:00pm.

We're driving straight through from WI and arriving late Friday night, didn't want to hit the parks right away on Saturday. So we're doing an airboat ride mid-day, dinner at Chef Mickey's, then a surprise Illuminations cruise We should be fine with dinner at 5:00pm at Chef Mickey's to be able to get to our Illuminations cruise by 8:00pm, right?

[Hopefully]

I think dinner at 5:00 at Chef Mickey's allows you plenty of time to get to your Illuminations cruise at 8:00. I believe that you need to be at the marina at the YC - correct?
Even if dinner took 90 minutes, you should have no trouble.
If you have plenty of time after dinner, you can walk to the MK from the CR and then catch the YC bus. I would allow 45 - 60 minutes for this trip. (Including wait times)
If you are tight on time, you can call a taxi from the CR. It is a short ride and should be under $20 plus tip. If you are running late, it is well worth it to call a taxi. The Bell Desk at the CR can call the taxi for you.
Remember, you need to leave time to walk from the YC entrance down to the marina, probably about a 10 minute or more walk.
Have a Great Trip.

[2Tiggies]

Yeah, I think three hours are more than enough! It's not like they try and keep you in the restaurant at Disney.... In my experience, the check often comes while we are still eating our main food!

[Befferk]

Originally Posted by Hopefully

I think dinner at 5:00 at Chef Mickey's allows you plenty of time to get to your Illuminations cruise at 8:00. I believe that you need to be at the marina at the YC - correct?
Even if dinner took 90 minutes, you should have no trouble.
If you have plenty of time after dinner, you can walk to the MK from the CR and then catch the YC bus. I would allow 45 - 60 minutes for this trip. (Including wait times)
If you are tight on time, you can call a taxi from the CR. It is a short ride and should be under $20 plus tip. If you are running late, it is well worth it to call a taxi. The Bell Desk at the CR can call the taxi for you.
Remember, you need to leave time to walk from the YC entrance down to the marina, probably about a 10 minute or more walk.
Have a Great Trip.

Thanks. We will have our own vehicle, but I wanted plenty of buffer time in case we are seated late, etc. Last thing I want is to be rushing my parents on their first day there Don't want them to think the entire vacation will be like that right off the bat. We can take our time then and explore at the Yacht Club while we wait for our cruise.

[PrincessBetsy]

If you decide you don't want to go to CM, 1900 Park Fare at the GF has excellent food. It is one of my favorite buffets at WDW.

[princssdisnygina]

We love Chef Mickeys. Sometimes the service isnt great but they only have to bring drinks so it cant be too bad! The food is good, not fantastic but we like it! And the characters and atmosphere are well worth it. I think this is the best choice for non-park character meal. We like 1900 Park Fare too but we like the food a little less than CM but we still go there. I think either one would be good for you!