chef mickeys

[schwobe]

Hi

We are thinking about going to Chef Mickeys on our first night. Is this a good choice? We don't want to go to any parks on our first day because we won't be getting to orlando until around 4:00

The prices seem a little high, are they worth it?

Also can vouchers be used here for dinners?

sorry for the number of questions, but thanks for any help

carol

 

[disneyatl]

In my opinion, Chef Mickey's is the best character restaurant. Yes, it is pricey, but most of them are. Mickey, Goofy, Chip and Dale are there along with others. We've only been there for breakfast and the food was great. Lots of choices.

 

[westjones]

We are going to the GF's 1900 Park Fare for the same reason (getting in late and not going to the parks that day). They have Cinderella, Prince Charming and many other Cinderella characters.

Just thought I would mention it because I do not think this character meal is as well known. Here is the menu info for it:

http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/men_19d.htm

We haven't been to Chef Mickey's (but are considering it for our next trip). In case you haven't looked over the menu for it, here is Chef Mickey's info:

http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_cmk.htm

Hope you have a great trip! We can't wait to see Cinderella at the GF!

DJ

 

[schwobe]

You are going to love your dinner at the GF. We did that last year, my daughter was 5 and she just loved it. My son is 8 and he just put up with it for his sister

 

[westjones]

My twin DDs are 10, but they are still going to love it. They still get excited about the characters (especially princesses). I know this isn't going to last much longer so I am trying to get in all the 'princess' meals this year (and this one is the only one we didn't make it to in September when we were there).

As an added bonus, we saw the beautiful gingerbread house at the GF on Samantha Brown's WDW Holiday special, and we will get to see that when we go for dinner! How wonderful!

DJ

 

[sha_lyn]

The prices seem a little high, are they worth it?

IMHO no way is CM's worth the money (even if they cut the price in 1/2). The service is so sloooow. Well actually the service does not exist. We saw our server 2x. When he took our drink order and when he brought the bill. He left the drinks on the table while we were getting our food. He left small carafs for refills (the small kind that hold about 20 oz that are often seen at breakfast wiht juice in them). He never brought more refills (which we needed) or cleared dishes from our table.

The food was terrible. I think all I ate was salad. Every "hot" dish was luke warm and bland. The prime rib was uneatable. The desserts looked like a child (or many children) had played in them, and were never replaced.

the atsmophere was very loud. The restaurant is set so that if you are in the main area you are near the food and have plenty of interaction with the characters. However if you get seated upstairs like we did (only a few steps 3-5 I would guess) the characters forget to come up there (we and and another table complained after seeing the characters make rounds in the main rooom a 3rd time). Also who in the world thought steps would be a good idea in a buffet restaurant were many kids would be.

 

[SuBeat]

We always go to Chef Mickey's on our first night. This is the kids favorite restaurant and a fun way to set the mood for the rest of the trip. Since you aren't going to the parks that day you might want to take a spin on the monorail after dinner.

We've always had good service here, even when we were seated in the dreaded "backroom." Our server was just as attentive as when we were in the main room and the characters managed to come by our table twice. I'll admit though that it was much more fun being in the main room in the middle of the action.

Whether it is worth the money or not is a personal call. For us it is, the kids really enjoy it and we've found the food to be pretty good. The dessert bar is my favorite.

 

[schwobe]

Does the monorail bring you right back to the hotel. Do you need a ticket to ride the monorail? Also do you know if you can see the fireworks or the castle from Chef Mickeys

 

[gometros]

Originally posted by schwobe
Does the monorail bring you right back to the hotel. Do you need a ticket to ride the monorail? Also do you know if you can see the fireworks or the castle from Chef Mickeys

The monorail runs through the concourse of the Contemporary Inn. There is no ticket required to ride it.

I can't answer the question about the fireworks, but I have heard comments that the observatory on the 15th floor is a good viewing spot, so if your time your dinner right, you can head up there for the fireworks.

As far as the poster who had poor service. You must have just been unlucky. CM is a must do for us on every trip. It is our favorite restaurant. I have never had problems with the service. As a matter of fact, they spoil me. When i get home and go out to eat, I keep expecting to have my glass refilled just as quickly as at CM. It never happens

 

[disney4us2002]

Well, in planning for our next trip I was thinking of skipping Chef Mickey's because we have eaten there every trip beginning when it was in DD but after discussing the possible choices with my kids, all three of them asked "What about Chef Mickey's?". I think we're going again! We have had both dinners and breakfasts. It's a toss up. I prefer bkft but I think the kids enjoy dinners because of the desserts and ice cream bar. I honestly don't remember the view. I believe it does look out toward Space Mtn and MK but I cannot remember looking for fireworks.

Eat early enough to go up to the observatory deck which I think I read is open again.

 

[schwobe]

does the garden grill have any disney characters?

 

[Pocahantas]

We had dinner at Chef Mickey's our first night when we went in December of 2002 and it was wonderful. It really got us into the Disney spirit. We did not go into the parks at all that first day. We were staying at the Contemporary and once we got settled in our room it was still too early for our PS so we rode the Monorail around to see the decorations at the Poly and Grand Floridian and did some shopping and then had dinner with Mickey and his friends.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

we loved CM when we went it was great its been my fav since I was a kid and my gram took me
we had great service and time from the characters

 

[kaygela]

Schwobe- The Garden Grill does have characters. From what I remember, they were Mickey, Chip and Dale. We had lunch there last year and it was very nice. The restaurant revolves and you see things in the pavillion only visible from the restaurant which was pretty cool. The food was good and plentiful-served family stlye.
We love CM and have breakfast there each trip. the service has always been good and it's a really fun place. I don't remember being shocked at the price. There is an observation deck outside of the California Grill that you can see the fireworks from.

 

[jeff968]

We have eaten dinner there twice and both times we were very happy. I thought the food was great, the atmosphere fun, and I didn't think the prices were that bad.

 

[Chip126]

Another positive vote for Chef Mickey's! I think this is my favorite buffet that we have been to at Disney. In fact, we ate here twice last week, once for breakfast and once for dinner. Both times were excellent. The service, the characters, and the food. If you go for breakfast try the peanut butter and jelly pizza - it was good! The prime rib at Chef Mickey's was the best I had all week - I even thought it was better than Le Cellier (too spicy for me)!

If you decide to go to Chef Mickey's have a great time. I don't think you will be disappointed. I also think this is well worth the money!

Good Luck in your decision!

 

[wannabee princess]

We went in March on our first night at the World and my boys were disappointed we did not go last week (we tried to incorporate some never been to places)! I thought it was a great way to start a trip and a fun way to get some Disney magic before entering any park! We will definitely plan on going back on our next trip!