Best time for Chef Mickey's for Dinner

[Ratpack]

We are arriving around 2pm for our next trip to WDW and we always start the trip with Chef Mickey's. This will be our first time for doing a dinner though. What is the best time to avoid large crowds there? I was thinking of trying to get the first PS for Dinner, what time would that be and is it crowded then?

 

[jel0511]

The first PS is at 5:00 and yes it is just as crowded then as it is at any time of the night. You will get seated promptly, since there is no one in the restaurant. I think we got seated in 10 - 15 minutes. The restaurant is completely full by 5:30, and the line at the buffet just as long as any time of night. I've eaten at Chef Mickeys at various times, but like the earliest time the best, I just feel the food is the freshest.

 

[Luvinit]

The restaurant is completely full by 5:30, and the line at the buffet just as long as any time of night

Thats why we like to go to the 6:00 or maybe a little later 6:15 seating...They try and sit you with some time inbetween so the buffet line isn't jammed up...but we had the 1st seating once and it was jammed. I did find it easier around 5:30 or 6 after the first wave was sitting already.

Also, we usually end up eating at the Charc. dinners at 8:00, (since my kids have gotten a little older), and IMHO...the food was just as great and fresh as 5:30.