A 12 year olds views on Chef Mickeys

[java]

Now I really hated CM last time we went. I thought the food was just awful(cold, runny ect..) but I kept my thoughts to myself. I found it funny that as my DS was reading over my shoulder as I typed out our ADR's he said " that is not that terrible buffet thing mom is it?" I asked which one and he replied Chef Mickey's- the food there was just terrible. I don't want to go back.
So not to beat a dead horse here... but for those of you taking one for the kids by going here you might want to check to see if they really like it.
And again I know we are in the minority here on this one but just wanted to share the thoughts of my son.

 

[EeyoreFan1]

I really dislike it, and would not enjoy my family and I going there.

 

[lucky978]

Did you eat breakfast or dinner there?

We've always loved the breakfast (been twice). Never had the dinner there.

 

[java]

We ate breakfast there both times we tried it. And I use the term *ate* loosely.

 

[CathrynRose]

This is so funny - Just a few years ago Chef Mickey's was THE place to go and eat if you'd be going to WDW. People raved and raved how wonderful the parmesean mashed 'taters were. It was a great place to go for your *First Night* to get you all in the mood. I remember when California Grill used to allow people to go in their little observation deck - if you ate at Chef Mickeys, too! You couldnt even GET PS's sometimes for CM.... Now it's a -thumbs down- from so many.

Now, my family and I like it. We're not looking for 5 star dining, nor expecting it. We go for fun - ambiance - and pretty good grubs.

We always leave happy and full. And yes - it's gets us in *the mood*

I just hope posts like these (those who dont like it) dont scare any newbies into not trying it out. It's a fun dinner.... My boys (now 15 & 11) still enjoy it and absolutely LOOOOVED it when they were little. The pictures I have of them napkin swirling?!?!? TOO CUTE!!

 

[Lesley]

When I ask my kids (11 and 6, the 2yo doesn't have much of an opinion yet) where they want to eat Chef Mickey's is always at the top of the list. My dh is also a big fan. Personally, I think the food is okay but its not my first choice. I'd like to try breakfast (how can you mess up breakfast?) but we've only been there for dinner.

The one benefit of the buffet is that there is always enough variety to find something you like. I'll admit some of our experiences there have been better than others....and we've been there at least 4 times. The kids also took their grandparents once while dh and I ate at California Grill.

 

[java]

When I ask my kids (11 and 6, the 2yo doesn't have much of an opinion yet) where they want to eat Chef Mickey's is always at the top of the list. My dh is also a big fan. Personally, I think the food is okay but its not my first choice. I'd like to try breakfast (how can you mess up breakfast?)

Well first off we waited one hour after our ADR time for a table. When we did sit down our waitress came over and took our drink order- great right/ Well we never saw her again... she never brought the drinks over- never came over at all. The food.... the eggs were cold and beyond runny(we like ours undercooked but this was liquid) The bacon was undercooked. The waffles were good but that is it. The potatoes were ok but also undercooked. Yikes the bagels!! Oh my those were not bagels and my kids generally will eat any bagel. Now I fully expected my son to say he liked it because they did have huge containers of M&M's, Reeses Pieces ect... where you would expect to see cereal. There was oatmeal which my youngest ate. But all in all just not worth the $$ in my opinion... and apparantly my son's also
Oh and we never did see Mickey. After waiting for an hour for a table, then we ate and waited another hour..no Mickey..waited a little longer...30 minutes still no Mickey...So we asked a manager and when she said he will be out in "awhile" we figured it was time to go. The kids did see Pluto and Chip and Dale. That was cute.
To those that want to try it .... try it I do believe it is hit or miss. Somedays I am sure it is great. We just had the bad luck of getting them on 2 off days. I just am not willing to spend the $$ on a chance after the experiences we had.
Oh and edit to comment on the "posts like these" Isn't that the point of these boards. To give your opinions on restaurants and to offer your experiences to others. I am not telling anyone what to chose on their trip I am just pointing out that we had 2 bad experiences here. There are so many really good restaurants in Disney, we just don't think this is one of them.
And the cute napkin twirling.....have you ever looked midair during that twirling.. to see what is flying out of napkins? On that last trip we also had a piece of bread end up on our table.

 

[NYDisGuy]

These character breakfasts are shaky. What you are really paying for is the autograph sessions with the different characters while you eat, just like the spirit of aloha or the hoop-de-do review. They mass produce the food to serve as many people as possible, but usually people are so wrapped up into getting pictures they dont even notice the taste. If your kids arent into getting autographs or pictures then there are alot of good sit down breakfast places in resorts and at the parks.

 

[OzFan]

Chef Mickey's has been HIT, MISS,& MISS with us. Our first itme there was GREAT, we were on the main floor and had great character interaction. Chip and Dale rubbed my daughter's nose in a cupcake, played some cute tricks on my hubby and the food was FANTASTIC. Our next 2 visits have been not so great, we have been seated upstairs toward the back, we waited FOREVER for Mickey to come by, he only spent a minute at the table and the food was just not up to par. We decided to give it another try this last visit and we were seated in the same place. So, Chef Mickey's is definitely off our MUST DO list. Sad to say so is Donald Duck Breakfastsaurus. Our last visit there was ETREMELY disappointing.

 

[richard_andmel]

Well first off we waited one hour after our ADR time for a table. When we did sit down our waitress came over and took our drink order- great right/ Well we never saw her again... she never brought the drinks over- never came over at all. The food.... the eggs were cold and beyond runny(we like ours undercooked but this was liquid) The bacon was undercooked. The waffles were good but that is it. The potatoes were ok but also undercooked.

This was almost exactly our experience 3 years ago. Our server was better than that. We had exactly one character come to the table. It was Chip, and he came when DH was in the loo.

90% of all other character breakfasts we have been to have been really good. So I wouldn't want to tar them all with the same brush.

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

Now, my family and I like it. We're not looking for 5 star dining, nor expecting it. We go for fun - ambiance - and pretty good grubs.

We always leave happy and full. And yes - it's gets us in *the mood*

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

This is so funny - Just a few years ago Chef Mickey's was THE place to go and eat if you'd be going to WDW. People raved and raved how wonderful the parmesean mashed 'taters were. It was a great place to go for your *First Night* to get you all in the mood. I remember when California Grill used to allow people to go in their little observation deck - if you ate at Chef Mickeys, too! You couldnt even GET PS's sometimes for CM.... Now it's a -thumbs down- from so many.
Now, my family and I like it. We're not looking for 5 star dining, nor expecting it. We go for fun - ambiance - and pretty good grubs.
We always leave happy and full. And yes - it's gets us in *the mood*

The last time we were there the taters were just as good as ever. Yummy. We got lucky and hit seafood night. MMMm MMMM. Seafood penne, Salmon, A seafood salad that I must have eaten $30 worth of sea scallops from. Characters were great. Raviolis were rather bland, chicken was rather plain (other nights it isn't) Veggies were good. Beef was great, Ham was great. Good time and was a great first activity at Disney. It still is one of the most coveted spots at Disney.

 

[ugadog99]

I know this place gets such a mixed review, but it is the only restaurant that is an asolute must do every trip for us. We love it and wouldn't even consider missing it. We have tried breakfast, but we much prefer dinner.

 

[fireman17]

We've to CM's for three meals in our two trips to WDW. Twice was for dinner and once for breakfast on Mother's day and all three times the food was great and we saw all of the characters at our table.
Now after reading all the bad experiences here on the boards I had an original idea for you all and I know I'll get flamed for this one.
Why not after airing your discontent with CM's here fire off an email to WDW complaining of the service, food and waitstaff. I think if they get enough of the negative emails from everyone they may make changes and bring it up to the MUST DO resturant we all want it to be.
Just my two cents, go ahead flame away.

 

[Cookie Princess]

Breakfast is better than dinner. We vowed that we would never return for the dinner again.

 

[Redwitch]

We basically avoid buffets in general. Once in a while, we'll hit Boma. I can understand the draw of CM with the characters, but there are so many really good places to eat at WDW. Besides, my feet hurt -- let some one else bring me my food!

 

[LAWalz23]

Java, sorry you had bad experiences, it would turn me off too! When we go with my sister's kids (boy/girl twins) they pick mostly character meals but they are only 8. For this trip my niece picked CRT and nephew actually picked Boma as he said we have done all the rest of the character meals already! Seems like folks either love or hate Chef Mickeys! I have noticed that it is getting more bad reviews than ever! For us the food has always been ok to better than ok but we go for the kids and the characters! It is our 1st night tradition and we will keep doing it until my sister's kids say they don't want to anymore!

 

[daisyduck123]

My family & I seem to always dine at Chef Mickey's on a good night.
We always have a great time & have eaten there a half-dozen times in the past year.

We ate there twice last week (Sat. May 13th & Thur. May 18th) for dinner.

Both times, the characters came by so often that we'd seen all of them within the first 20 minutes. DH & I wondered if we'd ever get to the buffet to fill our plates.

The food is always great too!

One thing we do though, is never let them seat us in that upstairs, hidden-away, back dining room. It just seems to be away from all of the fun. Only once (last Jan.) a CM tried to seat us back there & I quickly asked for a different area. She did not seem to mind at all.

 

[Daryl]

I feel a little vindicated. Never was a big fan of CM. when I'm in the world with friends and their kids, I always feel guilty voting against this place for breakfast. Kids love it!
I always try to talk the group into Crystal palace or 1900 Park Fare

 

[3mickeys&me]

We have done Chief Mickey for Breakfast on 3 of our last visits to the World and all of them have been great!! Not a problem at all. I would go again in a heartbeat!! If fact my kids now expect it they are now 7 & 10