Chef Mickey changes

[Netty]

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.

I hope its true

 

[misspickle]

that sounds abit pants
just all about the money now!

 

[2Tiggies]

that sounds abit pants
just all about the money now!

It's always just about the money. What has a big influence however is that if guests are really unhappy they won't part with their money which then forces Disney to rethink the situation.

 

[Twilight Terror]

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.

We had yet another terrible breakfast at CM's just last week - 17th September. The whole system of seeing Mickey out front and getting your autographs and photos there, is still in operation. Only Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald still come to your table; Mickey does not.

Seeing as we were so late into breakfast and the photo wasn't included, we completed missed it out and wait straight into breakfast. So, having gone to CM's, we didn't even see Mickey!

 

[2Tiggies]

We had yet another terrible breakfast at CM's just last week - 17th September. The whole system of seeing Mickey out front and getting your autographs and photos there, is still in operation. Only Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald still come to your table; Mickey does not.

Seeing as we were so late into breakfast and the photo wasn't included, we completed missed it out and wait straight into breakfast. So, having gone to CM's, we didn't even see Mickey!

Was Mickey doing autographs too or just the photo? We are skipping it this year in favour of Cape May, but I was wondering whether people are still getting an autograph if he is not doing the rounds at the tables.

 

[Eliza32]

We were there for dinner on 21st Sept and Mickey was in the foyer doing photos and autographs. The CM will take a pic with your camera though.

 

[Twilight Terror]

Was Mickey doing autographs too or just the photo? We are skipping it this year in favour of Cape May, but I was wondering whether people are still getting an autograph if he is not doing the rounds at the tables.

Yes, Mickey was doing photos and autographs; CM was taking personal camera photos; photopass photographer taking the purchasable photo.

We did Cape May on 22nd Sept (we like out character breakfasts, what can I say!) and they only have Minnie, Donald and Goofy, no Mickey. So, I hope you're not doing Cape May over Chef Mickeys to see Mickey!

 

[2Tiggies]

We did Cape May on 22nd Sept (we like out character breakfasts, what can I say!) and they only have Minnie, Donald and Goofy, no Mickey. So, I hope you're not doing Cape May over Chef Mickeys to see Mickey!

No, I know Mickey is not at Cape May. We will see him at Ohana. I just felt like the last time we ate at CM it was also seasonal surcharge on the pricing so it was a fairly pricey breakfast on what is already a slightly more expensive buffet than other similar ones. It was really just to do something different this time.

 

[Twilight Terror]

No, I know Mickey is not at Cape May. We will see him at Ohana. I just felt like the last time we ate at CM it was also seasonal surcharge on the pricing so it was a fairly pricey breakfast on what is already a slightly more expensive buffet than other similar ones. It was really just to do something different this time.

Phew, that's okay then! lol Yeah, I agree that it's overpriced. The service and food is not of a quality anywhere near other character breakfasts that are cheaper. That was CM's second chance this holiday, but it failed again in all the same areas. It has been struck from our TS breakfast list permanently!

 

[Cyrano]

I do not think this will be popular with guests. Part of the attraction of a character meal is the characters visiting your table. The price reflects this rather than relective of the food.
You can get a picture of Mickey at EPCOT character spot.

I am guessing the photo at Chef Mickey cannot be added to photopass, so that is another disincentive .

If it turns tables over quicker and revenues rise with the photo it could be the start of changes to other character meals

 

[wideeyes]

I don't like these pictures before entering the restaurant. Before 1900 park Fair they did a picture of me and my dd, I'm not going to spend $30 on a picture of me and my dd when I already have a load on my camera and photo pass card, especially for something they will just have to bin if you don't buy it.

 

[gemmybear83]

There are reports on the "other board" and on the restaurant boards that this has now stopped and Mickey is now back to circulating the tables

 

[Twilight Terror]

I do not think this will be popular with guests. Part of the attraction of a character meal is the characters visiting your table. The price reflects this rather than relective of the food.
You can get a picture of Mickey at EPCOT character spot.

Totally agree with you there. It's about them coming to see you, and if the food is good, then it's just an added bonus, especially if you have small children. For us, it just means we can have fun without having to queue up all day in parks for various characters, which I'm sure is an added bonus to those with young families too. The interaction time is usually a bit longer than in the parks as well.

I am guessing the photo at Chef Mickey cannot be added to photopass, so that is another disincentive .

It certainly didn't seem like it was possible. No one was told to get photopass cards out, and its not included in the price. Princess breakfast in Norway is much better in that respect because it is included. It's not going to cost $20+ to produce one picture. Why not just add a dollar or two to the meal and include the photo?

If it turns tables over quicker and revenues rise with the photo it could be the start of changes to other character meals

I don't know about the revenue being generated, but the tables certainly do not turn over quicker! We were 10mins early to check in, and were still seated 30mins after our reservation time (so 40mins waiting). In that time, I saw just one family leave the restaurant with the photo package, but more than 10 families say they didn't want the photo and just wanted to get to breakfast because they too had been waiting far too long.

What I don't get is why they don't just send you to have your photo while you wait, as opposed to having to wait until your table is ready, to then have your photo. Okay if you have gone in almost straight away, but who wants to be delayed again if you've already waited? There was a Japanese couple that were called three parties ahead of us. They went to get their picture; we didn't. We had already all finished our first bowl of cereal before those two even sat down on the table next to us!

I don't like these pictures before entering the restaurant. Before 1900 park Fair they did a picture of me and my dd, I'm not going to spend $30 on a picture of me and my dd when I already have a load on my camera and photo pass card, especially for something they will just have to bin if you don't buy it.

Very true, especially now as it's just the family - no Mary Poppins either. There are plenty of photopasses in the parks to get family shots. I mean, if you got a picture with your family and all the characters together, maybe as it would be something different. But something that's identical to what you get in the parks, but a million times more expensive? Certainly questionable.

There are reports on the "other board" and on the restaurant boards that this has now stopped and Mickey is now back to circulating the tables

I do hope that's true, but how up to date are those reports. It wasn't like that on the 17th Sept, which was really disappointing, because that morning it meant we didn't get to see Mickey at all (because of opting out of the picture).

 

[PudseyChancer]

We went to Chef Mickey's last week, Mickey was a photo opportunity prior to going in for breakfast and did not come round the tables, it was Minnie, Pluto, Donald and Goofy that came round and interacted at the tables.

We bought the Chef Mickey's official photo, it's presented in a six sided booklet with the photo's, some cards for the kids to colour in and a couple of recipes. To be honest, it's not something that we usually buy, but it's quite nice and a good reminder of our breakfast, it cost $31, I don't think it's too bad considering the quality.

As an aside, we were pressured into leaving the table fairly quickly, a CM came and literally stood over the table - it didn't hurry us along one bit, I'll take all the time I need thank you very much, especially when it's costing me two credits! Our ADR was for 7.30 and we were just about an hour and a half - the queues as we came out were massive.

 

[Sapper383]

I thought that CM was 1TS Credit?

 

[PudseyChancer]

I thought that CM was 1TS Credit?

Hmm... you're right. Maybe I should've eaten a little quicker.

 

[2Tiggies]

As an aside, we were pressured into leaving the table fairly quickly, a CM came and literally stood over the table

I think I can match that pressure. We had the bill on our table before we got up to get our hot food. We had just eaten our fruit and yogurt. Very pleasant server, but faaaaaar too busy.

 

[wayneg]

Looks like this confirms its back to as it was (for now) it was a trial.
http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/09/disney-world-tests-new-role-for-mickey-mouse-at-chef-mickeys/

 

[2Tiggies]

Cyrano, and anyone else who was wondering, you can add the meal pictures to your photopass IF you buy it. When you purchase it you will find the PP code on the pic, which you can take to any PP desk and they will add it to your card for you.

 

[angiepangie8]

Looks like this confirms its back to as it was (for now) it was a trial.
http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/09/disney-world-tests-new-role-for-mickey-mouse-at-chef-mickeys/

Hooray! So glad to hear that Mickey is back to visiting tables!