Chef Mickey Should Be The Gold Standard

[Micca]

It's no secret that Chef Mickey's food is--at best--just ok. If you were in charge of food service at WDW, wouldn't something called "Chef Mickey" be the absolute best buffet food available? I mean, it's named for the "big cheese". Discuss

 

[kmvand1]

After eating there for the third time this past December, I am sorry to say we will not be returning. Not only was the food cold, but the buffet displays were not kept clean, there was food splattered all over the place, the floor, etc. It just seemed run down. I can see how it would be a big draw for families with small children, but now that mine are older and we have tried it a few times, it's not for us anymore.

 

[jdisnut]

Shouldn't who ever is in charge if Disney food service strive for all the restaurants to maintain a high standard? I can't imagine the culinary people are the ones making the decisions about the buffet items at Chef Mickey's. No self-respecting chef would allow that stuff out of a kitchen.

I suspect that because Chef Mickey's is inherently popular, Disney sees no reason to spend money and effort to provide a quality meal. Because Chef Mickey's has forever been part of Disney's advertising, it is ingrained as a premiere dining experience. Mickey Mouse is in attendance. The monorail glides overhead. It's fabulous. The place is always full, despite the bad food. Why would Disney change anything?

I recognize this is probably a pessimistic viewpoint, but it seems reasonable.

 

[AJKMOM]

Went there for the first time last November, and I was not impressed. Our waitperson was good, the character interaction was good, but food---ehhh.

 

[mkleinbe]

I agree that things more than likely won't improve the way people keep booking the place solid. Yes, I agree is should be the "gold standard", but if the mediocre food and service are keeping the seats filled do you really think they would change it? Just my thoughts...

 

[pigletto]

I agree that things more than likely won't improve the way people keep booking the place solid. Yes, I agree is should be the "gold standard", but if the mediocre food and service are keeping the seats filled do you really think they would change it? Just my thoughts...

I agree completely. If the place is booked solid day after day.. why would they bother to change it? They are in the buisness to make money. There wil be no change until a decline in profit.

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

Chef Mickey's was actually one of the most disappointing meals that I've had at Disney. (And we've eaten at the often maligned Hollywood and Vine.) If we eat there in the future it will only be for breakfast although I'm currently trying to convince my son that we should eat breakfast at Ohana instead. It's over $20 cheaper, I won't have to keep getting up to go to the buffet, and I've heard the food is better.

 

[pixiechick]

and remember, WDW is drawing from a large customer base... you're idea of the "gold standard" may vary from someone else's...

I have read many posts from people here describing their "at-home" dining experiences...what one person thinks of of as "dining out" for another is just "it's Wednesday and I didn't feel like cooking..."

If people go, and seem happy, it's a success.

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

It's no secret that Chef Mickey's food is--at best--just ok. If you were in charge of food service at WDW, wouldn't something called "Chef Mickey" be the absolute best buffet food available? I mean, it's named for the "big cheese". Discuss

I personally thought ALL the buffets were pretty awful (didn't go for breakfast though just lunch and dinner). Even the Mac and Cheese was gross! But, the character experience was great and it had such a fun atmosphere. Anywhere where they have food cooked in bulk, to me, can't be amazing (like a buffet)

 

[Hootch]

It's awfully hard to find a spot at CM. That certainly reduces the necessity of having to work to improve the food. And we're part of the problem since we go every trip.

 

[TDC Nala]

Guests don't flock to Chef Mickey's for the food. They go for the characters. Disney understands this.

I'm currently trying to convince my son that we should eat breakfast at Ohana instead.

If this poster has to actually convince her son to go somewhere else (and Mickey Mouse does appear at Ohana so it's not like the kid doesn't want to miss Mickey) - Disney knows what it's doing.

I would also be interested in knowing what the deal is with the comments on the board not long ago about the Garden Grove buffet at the Swan - a lot of people who'd been there said the food was better than Disney buffets, so mediocre buffets could be just a Disney thing since Disney realizes it doesn't have to work any harder to get people to show up for their meals.

 

[imthatgirl]

I agree. I think Disney knows if the mouse shows up so will you...so why bother. I find it sad. We don't go there anymore. Sad because we love the restaurant....we just don't want to eat the food.

 

[traci]

food =

 

[goofy4prez]

I really don't think WDW cares about the opinions from anyone about their food and the quality. I wrote a letter to WDW as well as an email about the horrendous food we received at ABC Commissary; two years later I'm still waiting for them to respond. Further, I have sent them many emails showing many threads here on the DIS about this place. As long as the $$$ rolls in, they will continue to raise prices and lower quality until they reach the equilibrium point where demand meets supply; until then we willingly pay and they continually lower the quality and raise the price.

 

[eelkmj01]

I can see I'm in the total minority, but my family has always enjoyed the food at CM. I'm always surprised when I see threads like this. It makes me wonder if I'm just consistently lucky, or if others are a little too critical.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Love Chef Mickeys for Breakfast or Dinner.

 

[jthornton94]

We ate there in 2002 and loved it, the food was good, the characters were great...Then we ate there again in 2009 and felt like we were at the Golden Corral. We were so disappointed. I agree with the others though that as long as it's a money maker, what's the motivation to change.

 

[wolf29]

Chef Mickey's is the first ADR that we make, it's our favorite meal. We've always had decent food, service, interaction. I understand that some complain that the buffet is messy at times, those comments coming from some of the same people that make the mess. I understand that some spills come from kids trying to fix their own plates, but I've seen many adults make a mess. I've seen customers roll their eyes and sigh because of having to wait while a CM cleans up an area. I've read comments about it being too loud and been astounded that people would expect it to be quiet. Maybe it's all about expectations, mine are not super high for any WDW buffet. As long as the food & service is ok, we're satisfied.

 

[Micca]

I understand the reason for having such a place at WDW, but call it "Cruella's 101 Item Buffet" or something. A restaurant that bears the name "Chef Mickey's" should be a top-of-the line experience even for a buffet.

 

[seadd67]

We ate there in 2002 and loved it, the food was good, the characters were great...Then we ate there again in 2009 and felt like we were at the Golden Corral. We were so disappointed. I agree with the others though that as long as it's a money maker, what's the motivation to change.

"like golden Corral",yikes I dont know if anything could be as bad as golden corral.
My experince at CM fourntly was not as bad as others here but part of the problem I see Is that the place Is always pac,I mean there seem to be always a line at the the counter so the food goes as fast as It comes out,so your waiting for a certain food to be restock and by the time you get around to the rest the food, the food you put on your plate starts to cool off. I dont think Disney can really do much about this other then maybe go to a menue typ ordering?. My only gripe about CM Is the whole picture thing. You check In and with out asking you shuffle you off to get the picture,wich I thought was free because I did not know and they did not say. They come around with this nicely framed picture and then ask a arm and a legg for a picture that they just trash If you do not pay for anyway. Then they ask you in the middlle of your meal with all the chacters are running around, and your all caught up In the moment and they make you tug on your hart strings seeing you and your family. I would of bought If they had ask me at check out but it made me kind of mad that they where trying to shove it down our throats so I decline,maybe next time.