Chef Mickey's Dinner?

[ptrbryant]

We have reservations at Chef Mickey's for dinner on Jan. 30, the first time we'll have eaten there. I read on a post last night that the food was awful. Any other opinions! I really don't want to spend that kind of money if the food is truly inferior (I'm not expecting gourmet levels, but edible would be nice!)
Thanks!
Karla B.

 

[sha_lyn]

The food is truly terrible(cold, bland, over cooked), or at least it was when we ate there. Also another warning. There is a one seating area that is up a few steps (3 or 4) no big deal for adults, but not fun at all when you have kids goign back and forth to the buffet. We found the service non exsistent too. Saw our serve 2X. When he took our drink order and when he dropped off the bill. Characters were fun, but IMHO there are much better buffets in WDW. Donald's Breakfast o saurus is lots of fun and has Donald, Mickey, Pluto and Goofy. If you want Minnie, there is H&V for B or L.

 

[jwfla422]

I tend to have to agree, the food is pretty lousy, I was disappointed for $23.99 I think they can do better (but also have to reinforce this about the PSB breakfast in Norway at EPCOT).

The character interaction was terriffic though. Some even came around twice. And, this is definitely the only meal that has all of the DISNEY "classic" characters there (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, Chip n Dale)--you won't find this group anywhere else except here. So, it depends on how you feel about spending the $$$. There are some posters who do like the food, but I didn't particularly care for it myself.

And frankly, besides CM and PSB I think every other restaurant's food on WDW property is at least pretty good

 

[Cameo]

I didn't think the food was all that bad at Chef Mickey's. There always seemed to be a long line at the buffet though (hard to wait while chasing kids back and forth). I guess I never feel like I get my money's worth from any buffet (especially since monitoring the kids is a full-time activity), but I didn't think the food was that bad. Crystal Palace was much better as far as food goes.

 

[Emilys_Dad]

I've been once, the first night of our first visit a couple of years ago. We had to wait a while, but when we got seated the service was OK, the character interaction was good, and the food was actually pretty good. The only thing I remember specifically is the parmesan mashed potatoes, which were wonderful, but everything else was OK. My wife is more selective than I am and she was pleased.

Check out the menus here and at Deb Wills's site and check the ratings at both sites as well, I believe it gets pretty good ratings. Every restaurant has good and bad nights. This place is a buffet that serves a lot of people. It's not "cuisine" but it's pretty good.

We went because I read that it's a great way to get into the Disney mood on your first night in town, and that was absolutely correct. We had a ball (even though Emily would have nothing to do with the characters), we waved our napkins, and we had a satisfying meal.

I'd go again, and I'd recommend it to you.

 

[m&m's mom]

Don't base you opinion on how much you are paying and you will be happier.
We eat there our first night every trip. We were there about a week and a half ago and we had excellent service and medium food. Wasn't great but was not terrible- definitely have to take atmosphere into consideration to make the $23.99 palatable.

 

[JulesMom]

The first several years we thought the food was great.

In 2000, we were VERY disappointed We haven't eaten there since. That is a lot of $$$ for mediocre food.

BUT, if I had never eaten there, I would eat there at least once. The atmosphere is so fun. DS had a blast!

One of my cutest pics ever at WDW is DS dancing with Chip & Dale. The look of joy on his face is priceless

 

[mom2of2]

I too made PS for Chef Mickey's for our first night. I figured we'd forgo using a day pass and take a trip on the monorail, stop at the Contemp and eat then take the monorail to Epcot and then the bus back to the hotel. I hope the food is good that night we go although I now have my fingers crossed. I'm an ex server so I'm pretty tough although I sincerely try not to be. I have on occasion embarrassed DH with my request to "see a manager"
But I will be on vacation and seeing the kids faces when they lay eyes on a "Mouse" will be worth it!!!

 

[ptrbryant]

Crumbs!!! I kept hoping I'd get replies like," Bad food at Chef Mickey's? Get outta here! It's great!!" A character breakfast would be totally wasted money for our family since none of us can stomach large breakfasts and my son's favorite characters are Mickey, Goofy and Donald. So, I guess we'll enter Chef Mickey's with low expectations on the culinary front and enjoy the other aspects of it!?!?
Thanks for the input, guys!
Karla B.

 

[Muffy]

The food could be better but it is a fun dining experience. Usually good character interaction.

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

We've only been for dinner. The food is just okay, but we don't have the biggest expectations. It's middle of the road buffet food. But the characters are fun, which makes it worth it.

 

[sha_lyn]

You might want to try Garden Grill instead. Haven't eaten there but it usually gets good review.

I'm not big on breakfast either, but I love going to Donald's at AK.
What we do is make the latest PS for breakfast (last PS is 10:30 I think). They have plenty of fruit and less heavy choices. You can even get a made to order veggie omlette. Now that AK has EE I would plan it for an EE day if you are staying onsite. That would give you 2-3 hrs (depending on the season) to get the high demand stuff out of the way.

 

[hockey mom]

We love Chef Mickeys, and we have been to all others that were mentioned above. We go every year beause of the character interaction, the napkin dance and to decorate a cupcake with goofy. Maybe we just hit the right night every year, but our food has always been hot and good. The best thing is to go yourself and form your own opinion. Have agreat time.

 

[imbe@aol.com]

Originally posted by ptrbryant
We have reservations at Chef Mickey's for dinner on Jan. 30, the first time we'll have eaten there. I read on a post last night that the food was awful. Any other opinions! I really don't want to spend that kind of money if the food is truly inferior (I'm not expecting gourmet levels, but edible would be nice!)
Thanks!
Karla B.

I have to agree with just about everyone else .. I really don't like Chef Mickey's too much. I think it's gone downhill in the last few years. It's never been fantastic! LOL but, it used to be better. For the money, I think you can eat a lot better elsewhere. If you want a buffet, I'd say go to Boma ...

 

[TomM]

If you're going for the food, it is not worth it, but then I find it hard to justify that price for any plate of food. However, if you want your kids to really enjoy an evening, walk away with your cheeks hurting from smiling at your kids and a memory to last a long time. . . go. Don't think about the $$$ and walk away with with a smile. I'll have to say, we have been once but I'm still debating in my own mind whether we go again since Disney raised the price, once might just be enough. (Wish there was a less expensive ice cream, pizza or something character event not in the parks. ) If $$ isn't an issue, go.
TomM

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by ptrbryant
We have reservations at Chef Mickey's for dinner on Jan. 30, the first time we'll have eaten there. I read on a post last night that the food was awful. Any other opinions! I really don't want to spend that kind of money if the food is truly inferior (I'm not expecting gourmet levels, but edible would be nice!)
Thanks!
Karla B.

We have been having dinner at Chef Mickey's at least once per trip since back when it was located at DTD and not a buffett. We have always had hot fresh food. We usually have the beef barley soup then a salad with cold cuts followed by some cooked shrimp. For the main dish we have the prime rib with the garlic parmashan mashed potatoes. It is a loud fun place and we have always had a good meal with good servce. We have now made this place our traditional last dinner in the "world" as we always have dinner here on our last full day in the "world". The last time we have been here for dinner was Aug 02 and we are booked to be back Feb 03.

 

[brittsmum1998]

Its a tradition in our family, first night is always Chef Mickeys and ride through Epcot on the monorail after. We have always had a good meal along w/ excellant service. MY DH who was clueless one time asked the CM behind the counter where the french fries were for his DD, and was told they didn't have any. Not a big deal to DH. 5 minutes later our waitress came by w/ a huge plate of fries "compliments of the chef" for our DD. Not a big deal unless your 4 . We have always had PS's for 5:30 . Last trip was April 02 w/ my parents. they had never been before and commented that they wished they had known about it prior years. They said it was the best time they had ever had at a restaurant. I'm sure alot of that was watching their 4yrold DGD. I wonder if the time has anything to do w/ it. Again, its a tradition for "first night" in my family and we'll be there January 26th at 5:30. I can only hope we don't miss too much of the PATRIOTS SUPERBOWL

 

[nats]

Chef Mickey was a great place to eat and socialize with Mickey. They had good food and excellent service. It was a sit down restaurant. when It was located in the Marketplace. It was pricey but when you walked out you felt like you got your money's worth. I wish that Disney would quit making so many buffets.