Disappointing Chef Mickey at Contemporary

[tline35]

For several years we went to Park Faire at Grand Floridian to have dinner buffet with Mickey and Friends. It was always a great time and a highlight.

They recently changed Park Faire Characters to Prince Charming and the Princesses. So (having a 7yo boy) we switched to Chef Mickey at the Contemporary.

What a huge disappointment and what a waste of time and money.

Loud, chaotic atmosphere.
Rushed, hectic waite stafff.
Poor food quality.

Definitely not up to Disney's reputation.

Skip this one . . . . . .

 

[bertalander]

We had a fantastic breakfast experience there October 2005 and plan to return thi September. The high energy and tons of characters were perfect for my kids: then 8,5 and 3. I've heard less than favorable comments regarding Dinner, but breakfast was perfect for our last day.

 

[magicmouse2]

Park Faire has been a princess meal for at least 3 years now. It is quite hectic but I found the food good on 3/4 dinners there. Desserts are always great.

 

[texasthree]

We have gone several times and always love chef mickeys. We have had breakfast and dinner there and always found the food good and hot. Its is louder with the dancing charectors and such. It worked great for us with a toddler. Perhaps its not for everyone but I certainly wouldnt say skip it.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

We love the high energy fun of chef Mickey's. We found it no louder than your average Disney restaurant. The food was good. We found some really nice things to eat there. The Menu changes regularly so a lot of it is luck of the draw. They had a seafood salad there that I could have just taken the bowl out and eaten it. I probably got my $30 out of that. It wasn't the fake Krab stuff with Mayo you get at the local Golden Corral or Ryans. This was homemade, had no mayo in it, and had giant scallops and shrimp in it. wonderful. We had seafood penne, which was oh so great. The chicken was plain mojo or something. I wasn't interested in it at all. My son gave it a thumbs up though. The ravioli had a rather bland sauce on it. We had broccoli with almonds that was good. The Mac N Cheese was delicious according to Junior. The nuggest were just ok, the pizza good. The mashed potatoes were good. The Salmon had a Mango sauce on it and it was really good.
Overall a good experience.

 

[lissawynn]

We did the bfast at CM a few years ago, and I feel the same way you do. I like the bfast at CP so much better. CM is just too loud and hectic. I felt like we were rushed in and rushed out.

 

[Christine]

For several years we went to Park Faire at Grand Floridian to have dinner buffet with Mickey and Friends. It was always a great time and a highlight.

They recently changed Park Faire Characters to Prince Charming and the Princesses. So (having a 7yo boy) we switched to Chef Mickey at the Contemporary.

What a huge disappointment and what a waste of time and money.

Loud, chaotic atmosphere.
Rushed, hectic waite stafff.
Poor food quality.

Definitely not up to Disney's reputation.

Skip this one . . . . . .

This is how I have felt about dinner when I went back in 2001. I was shocked at how much it had gone downhill since my trips back in the late 90s. My biggest disappointment was the food. I expected a lot of kids running around but I hated the buffet.

 

[jamal]

Everyone's different, but we love it! Genie was even there last time we went for dinner. I've written more on Chef M's in my trip report. We always go the first night we arrive; it gets us in the spirit!

 

[n2mm]

This is how I have felt about dinner when I went back in 2001. I was shocked at how much it had gone downhill since my trips back in the late 90s. My biggest disappointment was the food. I expected a lot of kids running around but I hated the buffet.

I also agree. I used to enjoy CM too, but my last couple of times, I have also considered it going down hill. The selections are also not there anymore. We now opt for Cape May when wanting a buffet. Characters are not important to us.

 

[wendypooh]

We love Chef Mickey's too, we always go on our arrival day........ but, I do have to say that the food wasn't as good on our last trip. (jan/feb) it was just so/so. We really love the character interaction though, my DS LOVES it........ the one thing that really irks me though....... when some parents let thier kids "intrude" on other kids time with the characters........... I mean look around, it's very easy to see what's going on and that the characters DO come to each table and spend time with each kid.......... we had a woman from the next table come over to Mickey while he was with DS, take him by the arm and try to pull him over to her and take a photo.............., I politely said, he will come to your table, and she said " yes, I know"......DUH!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, Mickey shook his head no and pointed to my DS.......... also our waiter told her Mickey would be right over........... but come on.......... how rude!!!! OK rant over, but that really just makes me crazy!!!!!

 

[chamonix]

I was also not a fan of dinner at CM. The food wasn't very good, and the selection was really minimal. I thought the dessert buffet was especially bad. Rice Krispie squares?

I think Crystal Palace has far better food, way more selection, and that was at lunch! FWIW, we enjoyed our breakfast at CM a few years back much more than dinner. If we ever return to CM it will be for breakfast for sure. Never again dinner.

 

[Luv2Roam]

CM seems to one of those places people either love or hate.
I have not had enough nerve to eat there yet!

 

[tline35]

CM seems to one of those places people either love or hate.
I have not had enough nerve to eat there yet!

Perhaps it may help your decision-making if I added the note that the family of 4 walked out with a $116 bill with tip.

 

[Densgirl]

Ate here for dinner last trip and thought it was awful. The buffet had at least 3 unattended children biting and placing items back onto the buffet. I know, not Disney's fault but the chaotic atmosphere made it so the waiters and waitresses couldn't possibly have time to notice these things. Our waiter couldn't have been any less interested in our party if he tried. The charachters were great though. Very attentive to DS. We like WCC and Ohana a lot better for our first meal of the trip.

 

[Tam1067]

We went for dinner on our last trip and liked it a lot, so we're booked there for dinner this July. I hope this is more about different tastes and expectations than about someplace really going downhill.

 

[sunny04]

We were disappointed in Chef Mickey's too. It seems to be a popular, favorite to most, but we were less than impressed.

 

[marcyinPA]

We love the high energy fun of chef Mickey's. We found it no louder than your average Disney restaurant. The food was good. Though certainly not gourmet, we found some really nice things to eat there.

ditto!!

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I was also not a fan of dinner at CM. The food wasn't very good, and the selection was really minimal. I thought the dessert buffet was especially bad. Rice Krispie squares?

What's wrong with Rice Krispy treats?

 

[Luv4Mickey]

OMG!! Chef Mickeys is my family's favorite place to eat in all of the "world"! We always eat there on our arrival day, since it is just a day to get settled, go to the grocery and Chef Mickeys day! Then we always try to go at least one other time. Always for dinner,but we have eaten breakfast once a few years back. The family doesn't do well upon early rising so breakfast in the room serves us well.
The good thing about the DP is that it has given us the opportunity to eat at other places than CM. We love lots of them, but it is still our favorite by far. Even the grandparents were with us last year and said that they liked it the best as well!
So, to each their own...we'll take the mouse!!

 

[Nancyg56]

We love CM! We had good food and a bundle of fun so we have decided to begin our vacation there once again. It is buffet food, with a "party" atmosphere, so it certainly is not a choice for a quiet meal. We were happy with the service and the character interaction was very good. Just perfect to ease a shy little girl into meeting her "friends".