Chef Mickey changes

[Pegasus928]

I have seen a few threads, comments and internet articles now about Chef Mickeys no longer having Mickey visiting you tableside, so I thought I would mention it as a new thread in case anyone going soon has missed it.
From what I understand Mickey now greets you at the entrance to the restaurant for a family picture ($29.95 although a CM will take a pic with your own camera if you would prefer) but no longer walks around the place and visits the tables.
I hope this doesn't mess anyones plans up as a lot of people only book Chef Mickeys in the first place for the one-to-one interaction with Mickey.

 

[cantwait!!!!!!!!!!!!]

Must be a recent thing, he came round the tables for photos when we were there on August 18th.

 

[team harris]

Nooooooooooooooooo, this was our favourite character interactive meal.

 

[fizz13]

I had read about this and I certainly think it's an odd decision on their part, it's the same with donalds breakfast at AK, a photo outside instead of him coming to you inside. so this can only be about money, as in $29.95 for that outside photo, what a shame!
however it's not as if he is being taken away, you will still get autograph and photo. and if it's a big deal to anyone they could try garden grill or ohana breakfast as mickey is there too

 

[wayneg]

News article posted yesterday about it http://www.wdwinfo.com/news/General...longer_table-side_at_Chef_Mickey_s_Buffet.htm
Wouldn't bother me as long as the others still come around but I am sure it will upset others. I never saw point in lining up for a photo at the entrance, I guess they were not selling the photos, maybe it will increase their sales.

 

[mikki.young]

I've booked there for my 'official' 50th birthday next month. Not sure whether I like this or not - may get a better picture with Mickey but probably not as much time. oh well, don't think I will cancel just yet.

 

[Pegasus928]

Seeing as though the CM will also take a picture using your own camera I would think that they won't make that much money from it - unless the official photo is pretty spectacular with a limited edition frame or something.
My main concern is whether this is a trial run or a one off. If this works in Disney's favour and they end up making some money from it who's to say they won't introduce it in all of their character meals

 

[2Tiggies]

Seeing as though the CM will also take a picture using your own camera I would think that they won't make that much money from it - unless the official photo is pretty spectacular with a limited edition frame or something.

I doubt it. nearly 18 months ago it was only a little under $30 for the picture which was an 8x10 and came presented in the cardboard wallet like any other ride photo. They are really cute because of the setting (although Mickey wasn't in the entrance photo) but nothing my camera couldn't compete with. I can see this snarling up traffic in the foyer area It takes long enough without Mickey there.

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

I am okay with this as long as they continue to allow a picture with our camera. If I pay to eat at Chef Mickey's, I feel I am paying to see MICKEY, and I would be very upset if I didn't get a picture without paying $30 extra dollars.

 

[Netty]

What no Mickey at the tables
we wanted to take our Charlie there for the interaction as he loves Mickey (he will be 3 when we go)
might look at doing cape may

 

[2Tiggies]

What no Mickey at the tables
we wanted to take our Charlie there for the interaction as he loves Mickey (he will be 3 when we go)
might look at doing cape may

Have you done Cape May Netty? We are going next month. I will post a report about it. Cape May was instead of CM this year for us. I booked in April so before the changes came in, but decided to try something different. Mickey is also at Ohana.

 

[Netty]

Have you done Cape May Netty? We are going next month. I will post a report about it. Cape May was instead of CM this year for us. I booked in April so before the changes came in, but decided to try something different. Mickey is also at Ohana.

I made an adr for last september for our first morning there for us and my dh family who we always go to florida each yr with, unfortunetly they thought the adr was for the evening and not breakfast, so they didnt turn up and me and dh did, we decided to cancel there and then as the wasnt any point in it just being for us!
we are all off to fla again next september and I am determined to get to cape may then
look forward to reading your report on it, it looked fantastic from what little of it we saw!!

 

[2Tiggies]

I made an adr for last september for our first morning there for us and my dh family who we always go to florida each yr with, unfortunetly they thought the adr was for the evening and not breakfast, so they didnt turn up and me and dh did, we decided to cancel there and then as the wasnt any point in it just being for us!
we are all off to fla again next september and I am determined to get to cape may then
look forward to reading your report on it, it looked fantastic from what little of it we saw!!

It averages fairly good reviews. Frequent mention is made of the fact that it is one of the 'calmer' character meals, which is nice. I booked the last sitting (10.55 am) so I am hoping it will be a bit less hectic, although I booked a late one partly because we have a fairly late night the evening before and also because we have to get to the BC from POFQ. I want to take our time and have some time to wander around the resort if we are early.

 

[dixonsontour]

Thanks for posting not seen this. Trying chef mickey this time.

As long as it is like tusker and we can get a photo with our camera that is fine.

 

[howlongtillsummer?]

That would be bad news for us - I hate those staged photographs and always skip them if I can.

BTW Cape May was fantastic - we generally don't enjoy breakfast buffets but it was lovely.

Thanks for posting.

 

[scojos]

it was like this in aug when we went, didnt think anything of it tbf
if you are travelling with little girls or boys who like princesses, consider akerhaus, as the photo is included in the price of bfast...its with belle in her gold dress
yes, we took pictures with our own camera, i felt awkward the first time when they tried to sell us the photo (they do this at ohanas, cm and donalds bfast) dh was just $30!! no way!!

hth
tx

 

[2Tiggies]

i felt awkward the first time when they tried to sell us the photo (they do this at ohanas, cm and donalds bfast) dh was just $30!! no way!!

hth
tx

I don't feel bad. Think about it: You buy photopass CD, maybe get a photobook too, do 2 breakfasts where you buy a photo, 4 ride photos .... over $400 on pics, and you still have to print your photopass ones. I think the CMs are well aware of this. I found it hard to leave our CM picture one time because it was really cute, but I knew I was being swayed because it was right in front of me.

 

[ClaireW]

Have you done Cape May Netty? We are going next month. I will post a report about it. Cape May was instead of CM this year for us. I booked in April so before the changes came in, but decided to try something different. Mickey is also at Ohana.

We've just done our first breakfast at Cape May and thought it was lovely, and understand why people describe it as a 'calm' or 'relaxed' character meal. We saw Goofy, Minnie and Donald, and being Sept it was quiet so we actually saw Donald and Minnie for a second time.

We always visit Chef Mickey's (more as a family tradition than anything else!) and we definitely had Mickey at the table just a couple of weeks ago. I'm not sure if we'd book again just to capture a photo and get an autograph, I could do that at a meet and greet anywhere, and at the table we've had a few memorable experiences with characters and our kids.

We've also had more than one great character meal at Garden Grill.

 

[2Tiggies]

I agree with you Claire. Not sure I would pay a premium just for a photo and autograph. I am doing a few character meals this trip, but I doubt we will do as many on a single trip again. I think DD is at the stage now where she may be willing to try some different restaurants by the next time we go, so it is a case of making the most of it this round. I am looking forward to Cape May. I booked it instead of Chef Mickey this time. There has been mention on another board that this is just a trial to see how it goes. I find it unlikely they will go back on it though. They tested it on Donald's Safari Breakfast at AK and left it like that. I suppose it ups the odds of people buying the photo package and helps speed table turnover with one less character for people to wait for at their tables. From a business perspective it's a no brainer.

 

[Sapper383]

I've heared on another thread that they have changed CM back to how it was. I'm not sure if this is correct, but a number of people were reporting that Disney thought it didn't work so have done away with the photo.