Chef Mickey's or LTT for Char Dinner

[southgal]

OK, I'm agonizing here! Have decided to do char dinner for ds 11 yo bday. He really can get overwhelmed and I'm afraid the openness and lots of activity might be a bit much at Chef Mickey's -- he wouldn't go whacko or anything, just might feel awkward and then really want to leave, like immediately. The LTT looks a bit calmer, has yummy sounding food (and you don't have to get up to get it!), and would still have character interaction. It also would, presumably, be a good location for a parade. My question (finally!) is what characters are really at the LTT? Is it just the girlie ones, or might Pluto and Goofy appear? And does it seem a little more "intimate" than Chef Mickey's? I would love a cheaper alternative to these 2, but I know to have this interaction (and probably the last year to get away with it!), we'll have to spend a few $$$. I just want to maximize the experience.

Thanks!

 

[mrsboz]

We love Liberty Tree Tavern. This was our first time there this year and now we will definitely go again. I have a 10 year old that loved it. We believe that the characters there were: Goofy, Chip and Dale, Pluto. I would pick this one over Chef Mickeys for us and after reading your post definitely for your child. My kids think that Minnie is there too.

 

[LisaZoe]

The menu from allearsnet.com lists these characters at LTT (updated 7/04): Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Chip and Dale and Meeko

Chef Mickey, also updated 7/04, lists these: Mickey, Goofy, Chip and Dale for breakfast and Mickey, Goofy, Chip and Dale, and Donald at dinner

From all I've read, there are no guarantees of specific characters except the main one. Other places, I just see these listed as "Minnie Mouse and friends", "Donald Duck and friends", etc.

 

[katerkat]

Originally posted by southgal
And does it seem a little more "intimate" than Chef Mickey's?

Definitely more intimate! I love Chef Mickey's, but LTT is much higher on my list. The food is better and the setting is better - especially for a kid like your's. (My sisters are like that and prefer LTT.)

 

[LKS]

Absolutely, without a doubt, LTT!

 

[MPLsDad]

We just returned from WDW last week and did both. My recommendation would be LTT. The character interaction was excellent and we found the food to be far superior. In fact, we referred to Chef Mickey's as Chef Icky's for the rest of our trip. I have never complained to a manager at any Disney restaurant, but I did that night! The buffet was hardly replenished and what was there was pretty gross anyway.

 

[RamseyTrio]

Although I'm not a fan of LTT food I will agree that the interaction is much better at LTT.

Truthfully though we have found that the best place to eat with the characters is at the ice cream social at Epcot. It's a small restaurant, never really crowded so the characters pay a lot of attention to you, the ice cream is HUGE and very tasty.

Have fun

 

[Jordan's MOM]

DS was 11 last trip and we did both. LTT won hands down on all accords. Food is awsome, characters (pluto, mickey, minnie, chip &dale for us) were the best and service, while not great was still better than CM. CM can really get wild and that's just not us. WE want fun but not over the edge. LTT sounds perfect for you.


Jordan's mom

 

[stacy6552]

We prefer LTT!

 

[southgal]

I appreciate hearing from y'all. I made ressies for LTT and figured I was all set, then the CM asked if I wanted a cake?! She said I could think about it and call later (still a month away). Sooo, I thought I had seen somewhere someone posted that they'll do a small cake (no charge), but I have looked and can't find it (and search isn't working). I'm thinking go ahead and spend it, surely it'll be decorated cutely and ensure a bit of attention. Anybody know?! Thanks again.

 

[MPLsDad]

Having just celebrated my DS birthday at LTT I would have to say don't get the cake. First of all, a yummy apple cobbler dessert topped with vanilla ice cream is included in the cost of your meal. Having told them at check in that it was my son's birthday, the table was decorated with confetti and small paper streamers. After we ate, they brought over a large chocolate cupcake with white icing and red, white and blue sprinkles topped off with a candle. Members of the waitstaff came over and sang Happy Birthday to him. We were more than satisfied and did not pay any extra money for a cake that you we would not have even made a dent in!!! Spend the money on an extra souvenir for your son's birthday or put it towards saving for your next trip!

 

[disneynutpa]

LTT No question.

Some of the finest afternoon meals at the Tavern. Can never forget my DS 12th year lunch there (he is now in the Coast Guard).
Have a great time.

Tartaglias at Wilderness Villas

 

[Palenque]

We ate supper at Chef Mickey's last November and the food was awful. Everthing was bad and all I ate was some lettuce salad.

The kids saw Mickey, Goofy and Chip and Dale, but it was not worth $90.

Go somewhere else.

 

[MPLsDad]

Sorry that you had the same experience as we did Palenque. I ate salad too! At least we got to see Pluto too!

Go to LTT!!!!

 

[wilderness01]

We have never done Chef Mickey's for dinner but have done it several times for breakfast and it was good. We were just there last week and the food was plentiful/good/replenished often. Our PS was for 9:00 am. We waited for 5 minutes to get the picture taken, another 5 minutes in line to see Goofy and then we were seated. The only thing I felt was different this trip vs. our winter trip was that the characters seemed rushed. In the winter they were not rushed at all. We are going back down in 4 months and if the rest of the family wants to do it we will do CM again for breakfast only.