Chef Mickey's has totally slipped!

[DawnCt1]

While the character experience is still good at Chef Mickey's, that is where the good news ends. This has always been one of my favorite dining experiences. While it has never measured up to Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel, it was close. This year, it might as well have been Hometown Buffet with characters. The shrimp was soggy and on the smaller side. It tasted like packaged shrimp that was thawed out and salty. Not good.
The salad choices were okay, but then what can you really do to salad except let it turn brown. I usually love the parmasean mashed potatoes. These were awful. They were so thin, that they could have been poured. What appeared to be Mickey shaped ravioli was just flat pasta with a marinera sauce that seemed comparable to Spaghetti-Os. Kielbasa and Saurkaut is definately Hometown Buffet material. It is hard to ruin broccoli and carrots so that was one bright spot. The prime rib was cooked medium rare, but each slice was almost 50% fat. Same with the ham. The Chicken was okay but nothing out of the ordinary. Almost all of the desserts looked better than they tasted. The bread pudding was fine but the ice cream was thin and icey. Its a shame that they have allowed a popular restaurant to fall so far just because "they can".

 

[mla973]

We had a similar experience in Sept 06. The characters and service were good, but the food was average at best. We ended up chatting with a local family at the next table over and stayed quite a while, but I don't know if we'll be rushing back any time soon.

 

[melomouse]

Dawn, I'd say you did an excellent job of describing some of the CM buffet choices, and I, too, am disappointed in how the quality has gone down.

We've been going every trip since '01, and this past August< I think we decided we'd rather have Pooh at CP than Mickey and bad food.

My impression was that they have "cheapened up" the selections all over CM's. But they still pack a full house, the character interaction remains superb, and the dessert bar is still, thankfully, intact.

 

[Uncleromulus]

This is making me recall the "old" Chef Mickeys, when it was at the Disney marketplace. It was a nice place then---

 

[maraki527]

I was very disappointed in CM when we ate there in May. We had a better time at LTT

 

[raysum]

We ate their in August of this year and my wife and I both didn't care for it. It was probably our worst meal their. The only thing that was half way decent was the roast beef.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Our first visit was our last..Oct 06 for my B-Day...the characters were awesome but the food was horrible.

 

[matt&jakesmom]

Well we must be the rare ones because we just eat there this past August for both breakfast and dinner and both were very good especially dinner. I don't think I have had a better beef stew besides my mom making it. We eat there every year and have yet to run into the food being so so or horrible.

The only thing we did miss this year was having Chip and Dale there. My DS loves them.

 

[jenjersnap]

ITA with your assessment. It's off our list as a first night tradition. Makes me sad.

 

[sandybobandy]

Yeah, I couldn't agree more. We tried it again this year and really wanted our dining plan credit back. lol

The characters are awesome-the food, not so much.

 

[DawnCt1]

Well we must be the rare ones because we just eat there this past August for both breakfast and dinner and both were very good especially dinner. I don't think I have had a better beef stew besides my mom making it. We eat there every year and have yet to run into the food being so so or horrible.

The only thing we did miss this year was having Chip and Dale there. My DS loves them.

I have to be honest; when I am paying $30 plus tax and tip for a dinner, PLEASE don't serve beef stew. I can make stew, kielbasa, flat pasta with canned spaghetti sauce at home.

 

[fumipappa]

I have to be honest; when I am paying $30 plus tax and tip for a dinner, PLEASE don't serve beef stew. I can make stew, kielbasa, flat pasta with canned spaghetti sauce at home.

But most of the restaurant are around that price range no matter where you go at WDW..... (or higher)

 

[hammie59]

Hmmm.....this thread has got me rethinking my dinner choice. I booked for May '08. I really wanted to take my kids here because I heard it was one of the best character restaurants. Maybe I should reschedule for breakfast instead....

 

[sandybobandy]

Hmmm.....this thread has got me rethinking my dinner choice. I booked for May '08. I really wanted to take my kids here because I heard it was one of the best character restaurants. Maybe I should reschedule for breakfast instead....

See, this is the problem Just because we've had less than exciting experiences doesn't mean you shouldn't give it a try. If you really want to try it, then try it! You might have a fabulous experience.

Hardly anyone on the Dis likes Hollywood & Vine-it's our favorite! Sometimes you just have to try things just to try them regardless of other people's reviews. It's hard though, I know.

Chef Mickey's is a fun place-so if the reviews of dinner are making you nervous, then go ahead and do breakfast. If it's your first time, I doubt you'll be disappointed.

Have fun!!!

 

[lookingforward]

Yuk! I normally don't like buffets because of my germ-a-phobia (yes..it is related to OCD). But I have always taken the challenge for my kids at disney. Chef Mickey's has never been my favorite (I like Crystal Palace) but I appreciate your review.

 

[kim5678]

We have not gone back to Chef Mickey's our last 2 trips. The food was AWFUL when we last went and the rushed our party of 13 out so fast our heads were spinning! Unless they change the menu or chef we will stay away!

 

[marivaid]

We went to Chef Mickey's 12 days ago and liked our dinner. Then again after reading all the reviews here I didn't expect anything to be great, just basic "cafeteria" style food.
So we got what we expected. My mom thought the salmon was very good and I personally really liked the parmesan mashed potatoes.

If you don't go there with high expectations you'll be fine. It's definitely overpriced for the food quality, you're paying for the characters.

 

[DawnCt1]

But most of the restaurant are around that price range no matter where you go at WDW..... (or higher)

I have been going to WDW and Chef Mickey's for years and I can tell you, this place has not only slipped but it is in danger of making Hometown Buffet look like gourmet offerings. For example, Ohana's is actually priced lower than CM and the food is better. Boma's is in the same price range, and it is better. CM is resting on its former laurels.

 

[wilma-bride]

We are considering Chef Mickey's for April because my DS wants to eat with Mickey Mouse - I take it there's nowhere else we can dine with the big mouse himself

 

[poteat_3177]

we were thinking of taking my step-son there the first night of our vacation which is also his birthday, should I rethink this decision? is the fun characters worth the bad food? I don't want our vacation to start out on the wrong foot.

are there any other good character dining restaurants that may be good for an 11 yo boy on his bday?