Chef Mickey's 8:00 PM, Too Late?

[Emme]

On our first day of arrival we only could book CM for 8:00 pm. It seems like a late dinner to me, but we really wanted to start our vacation there.

Anyone ever have a PS there that late? How was the food at that time? I was reading another thread and I was thinking what someone had said about the waitstaff being tired and the food cold the later the time...

What do you all think?

Emmy

 

[ttfn3]

My favorite time is when they first open CM. The food is much fresher and the restaurant is not packed. We have also found the characters to be much more lively at this time. The restaurant gets really crazy after the parks close.

If you want an earlier time, call 2 weeks out and you should be able to get an earlier seating. Twice in the past year, I was told the only time available was after 8. Then when I called two weeks out lots of different times opened. I have also heard that people have had success in showing up when the restaurant opens. We love the 5 p.m. seating for our day of arrival (and a non-park day) and then taking a ride in the front car of the monorail around the resort loop. It really gets us into the mood of Disney.

Have Fun. Chef Mickey's is one of our favorite character meals.

 

[ducklite]

I'm just not a fan of this place no matter what time of teh day it is, but yes, it seems espceially as it gets later in teh evening the service level drops and the fod isn't as hot or fresh.

One other thing to point out--if you've got kids and they aren't used to late meals, after a long day of travel I think you're playing with fire trying to take them out to a character meal that late--if I were in your shoes I think I'd just opt for something quick serve or food court wise instead...no sense paying that kind of money if the kids wo'nt REALLY enjoy it.

Anne

 

[palmtreegirl]

We were just there last week and ate at 8:30! I have to disagree strongly with the comments that the service and food quality go down because we had a great time! We were 8 very tired, cranky(been up since 3am for flight down)and hungrey people so for us to come out happy it had to be good-lol. Also after the long day it really started our trip off great, my kids 2 and 6 had a blast.

The food was fresh and hot, they were constantly putting out fresh food. Our waiter was great, funny and very quick, we didn't even have to ask for refills on drinks because he'd bring them right out.

Another good thing about the later time was it started to empty out and the characters each came around twice! Also we didn't have to wait in line to see Donald at the entrance we just walked right up.

We really had a great time. Have a great trip!

 

[DMRick]

We show up (several times now) when they open and get in line. They have always had room for us. We aren't ever able to get a PS for that time, even though they are usually pretty dead.

 

[Elk34]

We had a 8:00 PS the day we arrived on March 8th and it was great. They kept bringing out fresh food the whole time and people were still being seated when we were leaving so it's not like you would just be getting the tail end of stuff either.

One suggestion I would make is show up earlier than your PS if you can. We were about 15 minutes early and went ahead and checked in. They were able to seat us fairly shortly after that. So, it was like we had a 7:45 PS not an 8:00. This gave us more time to eat and not have to worry about making the last 10:00 boat back to WL.

Also, once you have checked in they let you go see the characters that are up front even if you haven't been seated yet if they know that you have a PS and are just waiting. They also gave us the opportunity to have our family picture taken then but we declined. But if you are going to do this you could do it during your wait time. I think this was the perfect way to start a WDW vacation. It gave us a WDW experience without actually having to use one of our park tickets.

 

[Ms. WDW]

Emme! Hi there; how are you?? So you're headed back soon!!! I'll be there this August. I can't believe it's been over a year already that I was "crying that my trip had been cancelled by DH" and you and I met!

Anyway.....for my family, 8 PM is a little late to eat. But I have all the confidence in the world that you won't be sorry. We love Chef Mickey's and always eat there at least once during our stay.

Have a great trip!!!

Linda

 

[Emme]

Hi Linda!! Wow! My trip had been cancelled last April too because I threw my back out and I remember we cried together!!
It's great to hear from you!

Thank you everyone who posted, I did try to call again today and the earliest they have now is 9:00 so I think I will just stick with the 8 and be happy!! I am sure it will be a ball and we don't have any small children in the group so we should be just fine...
Wow my counter is getting mighty close

Emmy