Chef mickey's vs. Sci Fi

[Kirstyn]

Hi. I currently have an ADR for Sci fi as a special lunch planed for our very first Disney world visit in July. We are a family of 4 adults and 1 teen. 4 of us are girls. Would it be better to book the new brunch option for chef Mickey or stick with Sci fi? We have no other character meals planned and all dinners are in Epcot, with most lunches being counter service. Thank you for your help.

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

I can't speak for Chef Mickey's because we haven't been there. We have been to the Sci Fi a few times. Sci Fi has a very unique atmosphere. We like it mainly for the atmosphere. I think everyone should go at least once. It is entertaining to watch the movie screen with the old B movie clips playing and sitting in the cars to eat your meal. From our experience, the food is okay. It's not bad at all, it was just okay. We had a good time largely due to being entertained by where we were and what we were seeing.

 

[goofyintoronto]

The atmosphere at scifi is awesome! its the quietest restaurant in disney. Its a nice cool break from the heat. I think everyone should try out scifi at least once for their very unique atmosphere. The food is good, we've always had great meals there. We've tried the spinach dip, chicken wings, onion rings, all were good. My fave burger is the picnic burger. so yummy. but the star of the show is the oreo shake. TO DIE FOR!

 

[DISNEY1975]

Will you be in DHS that day? If so, Id stick with Sci Fi. Ive never been, but I know I probably wouldnt want to take the trek over to CR just for lunch/brunch buffet. You can see the characters in the parks Foodwise, your not missing anything by not going to Chef Mickeys. Typical edible buffet. Nothing is extra special.

 

[GrumpyBelle]

Stick with Sci Fi. The atmosphere is fun and the burgers are good.

 

[wdw4rfam]

Tough call, we love both. Like others said the atmosphere and experience are amazing at sci-fi, unlike anyplace else. CM is fun for kids, but really no different than any other character meal, except you have all the main characters in one place. Depends also if you are paying OOP. I'd never pay CM prices for what you get, it's ridiculously expensive. Sci- fi, is much cheaper, you can get a burger if you want for only slightly higher than a CS would be, or they have steak or other meals.

 

[Newsies]

I'm gonna go against the grain here and say Chef Mickey's. Yes, Sci-Fi is unique and the food is good, but if it's your first trip, nothing screams "DISNEY" more than Chef Mickey's. You're in one of Disney's flagship resorts, you get to watch the monorail go by as you eat, and you get to play with Mickey and his gang. Plus, MICKEY WAFFLES!!! I vote for CM

 

[Dano13]

We went to Sci Fi for the first time last summer, it wasn't even really on our radar before and we loved it. I've been to chef mickey's 6-7 times and it is great. I feel it is the most Disney feeling character breakfast as you get the big 4 characters and some seats give you a castle view. So how much more disney can you get. But even with all that, I would go Sci if over it. Sci if is sooooo unique it cannot be beat.

 

[kastoney]

Definitely stick with SciFi. Not only is it significantly cheaper, but unlike Chef Mickey's the food is actually good ; )

 

[PlutoFan10]

Depends on several factors....what are your park plans for the day? How much do you want to interact as a group during this special lunch? Sci Fi cars hold 2 in the front and 2 in the back, so you would be in 2 cars -- not really much group conversation there, although it is a neat place to visit during your trip. Chef Mickey's offers the opportunity to sit together, but if you will be at HS all day, it will be a time consuming to get there. If you are at MK that day, easy monorail ride/walk. Added plus at Chef Mickey's to see Mickey and friends-- each will come to your table and you can get some nice pics. This may be more special for you since it is your first trip.

 

[CarolynFH]

At least some Sci Fi cars have 3 rows of seats - DH & I have been "hitchhikers" in another family's car more than once! So your group should not be split into separate cars.

We haven't eaten at CM for years, but we try to eat at Sci Fi every trip. Love those B-movie trailers from the 50s!

 

[villainj]

Sci Fi all day! I like Chef Mickey but it is nowhere near as good as Sci Fi! The food is really good and the atmosphere is awesome!

 

[KarmaCat]

Another vote for Sci-Fi! My husband and I are not huge fans of Chef Mickey's (though our kids do think it's fun)... Way overpriced for not-so-great food, with a very hectic and overstimulating atmosphere... but I'm still glad we have at least experienced it once!

Sci-Fi, on the other hand, is one of our absolute favorites, and we will ALWAYS schedule a meal there whenever we visit WDW. As others have said, the atmosphere is so fun and unique, the food is good, the prices are better... the milkshakes are TO DIE FOR (they will even make me a non-dairy shake there with Rice Dream instead of cow's milk)... So awesome!!! Stick with Sci-Fi for sure!!!

 

[BrokeMack]

I didn't hate CM's, but it's definitely my least favorite table service restaurant. You can see all the characters at any of the parks and the food is QS quality. 'Ohana was way better. We're trying TH in November and is supposed to be really good too. Tl;dr, basically every character meal is better than CM and sci-fi had better food for less money in a very fun environment.

 

[JZCubed]

Hi. I currently have an ADR for Sci fi as a special lunch planed for our very first Disney world visit in July. We are a family of 4 adults and 1 teen. 4 of us are girls. Would it be better to book the new brunch option for chef Mickey or stick with Sci fi? We have no other character meals planned and all dinners are in Epcot, with most lunches being counter service. Thank you for your help.

Unless all the kids are fairly young, Sci-Fi is the better option.

Chef Mickey's is not known for their food, but the Character experience. I don't think 4 adults would enjoy themselves too much, and the teenager may hate you.

Sci-Fi is not known for food either, but the place is very cool - even for a teenager…..particularly for a teenage. But you should check-out the seating arrangement that is 2-by-2. There are some tables for larger parties. I suggest first trying to make the reservation for 6 people. The computer seems to prefer even numbers. You will not be charged for a no-show if only 5 people honor the reservation.

If you're going to Epcot more than once, they have an excellent character Meet-n-Greet and it is 'tiered' below Soarin' & Test Track, so you should be able to snag one if you want some good pictures. You might even be able to get 4th FP+ if you try grabbing it before your dinner, but using after dinner.

If your budget allows - Tusker House in AK for lunch has some of the exotic flavors on the better than average buffet & they have Characters. Given the lousy food in AK, this is an alternative to meeting Mickey & pals (sans Minnie).

 

[PollyannaMom]

We haven't been to Chef Mickey's, but really enjoyed Sci Fi on a previous trip. I'd keep that one.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Sci Fi cars hold 2 in the front and 2 in the back, so you would be in 2 cars -- not really much group conversation there,.

you mean they will be in the SAME car, 2 in the front seat, and 2 behind. There are 3 rows per car. As for conversation....this is what gets my goat, when people complain they cant have a conversation at scifi. Its a DRIVE-IN! Youre in cars! What did you expect??? Why book a drive-in if you want to chat up a storm during the entire meal? However i will mention that they do have regular tables inside cars. It seats 6. Its a regular table so you'd be free to carry on a conversation. However, I still think its much cooler to sit in the standard car. You can chat afterwards.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Sci-Fi, if you're intent on doing a Character, try Tusker House anything other that Chef Mickey's.

Sci-Fi has an awesome Reuben sandwich and rather than the typical fries, I really love the cucumber salad. I also really enjoy the turkey sandwich on multi grain bread w/ bacon. Fried onion rings and fried pickles are tasty appetizers! It's a unique fun experience.