Disappointing Chef Mickey at Contemporary

[Luigi's Girl]

CM's is a tough get. There are tougher ones, but not many. I don't have a handle on how soon you have to get it under the 180 day policy. But back under the old 90 day policy, you had to get it within the first week or so or 5:30-7:30 pm was very slim pickings. I think you'll have fun at those also.

Whoa! I can't believe I missed something this big. When did ADRs get to 180 days out as opposed to 90 days?

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Whoa! I can't believe I missed something this big. When did ADRs get to 180 days out as opposed to 90 days?

I think it was October or November or something like that. I must have been under a rock until Febuary or something like that.

 

[Mamu]

We have not done Chef Mickey in years. My 2 favorites are Crystal Palace (DH love this food) and 1900 Park Fare (my favorite)

We've tried the others and these are the 2 we like the best.

Chef Mickey is a completely different experience. It's suppose to be a fun place with lots of chaos. I do find it to have a better breakfast then dinner though.

Sorry to hear you did not enjoy your meal. It's very dispponting when we look forward to a meal at Disney and we leave unhappy.

We always loved Liberty Tree Tavern, always a must do. Over the years we've found the food to go down hill. On our last visit 2 years ago we decided it would be our last visit for a while. We were very disappointed with the food. Character meals are very expensive and when you have a sub-par meal it can effect your whole trip.

 

[undertheradar]

We are another family that misses the old Chef Mickeys. Back at the Marketplace and much smaller and calmer. The new CM's is very boisterous and rowdy. The old location was table service and people sat during the meal. Anyone remember the balloon basket that the celebration cakes were brought to the table in? We waited over an hour for our 6:15 seating(table was being cleaned at 7:20) at the new CM's and would never go back. This is simply a zoo compared to other dining options. As a head's up, Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel is just as bad and just as expensive.

 

[cobbler]

This one does get a lot of mixed reviews.

We go to Chef Mickey's every year, it is a requirement for dh. And not one time in the last 5 or so visits have we had a bad meal or a bad time there.

 

[scoolover]

I will try it in October because I am always jealous of the people eating there when we go by on the monorail. Thanks for the heads up anyway.

 

[5DisneyNuts]

My kids wouldn't consider a trip to WDW without a trip to CM. We have been there many times (usually on the first day to get in the mood) and most times the food is good, sometimes bad. I have found it is better the earlier you go whether for breakfast or dinner.
Yes, we have seen rude children and adults, but try and go the other way. I use those times to explain to my kids what not to do...

Off topic, but last time we went will be hard to beat. We traveled with our dear friends and their 3 boys (we have 3 boys too). Their oldest (almost 16) was not having the characters - not being rude, just trying to ignore them. My DH would make a point (especially with Minnie) of asking the characters to get next to 15 yo to get a picture. The 15 yo was being a good sport, but you could tell he was done with DH's kidding.

All of a sudden, I saw a look of glee come across 15 yo's face. I followed his gaze to see what he was looking at. There, right above DH's head, was a bird (they get in from the monorail opening). Yup, you guessed it. The bird did his business right on DH's shoulder. We about lost it! I explained to 15 yo that was the meaning of karma...

Sorry, just had to share! Back to original topic.....

 

[tline35]

Come on, we're all adults (even though we all love the mouse).

Its OK to call bad food . . . . BAD, even if it's Disney, and even if the characters are there.

For those of you who give Disney a pass on bad food and service at CM, the corporate suits will start doing all over WDW.

I say hold them accountable to higher Disney standards.

 

[JulieNMM]

We ate there last week on our first night and left not disappointed but not ecstatic. It was expensive (more than Boma or Ohana!) and the food was so-so. DS6 loved the cheese pizza and had 7 pieces. We had to wait 20-30 minutes, too, and we had an ADR and were there right on time. The characters seemed to come to our table, sign our book, take a picture, and leave. They seemed rushed. Our server was nice. Overall, it was an average experience but I don't think I'd go there again. I much preferred the Restaurantosaurs Breakfast.

JULIE

 

[mommyoftwinfants]

What would be the best "earliest" and "latest" time to go to CM. We have a ressie for 8:20.....

 

[ellenmiele]

Come on, we're all adults (even though we all love the mouse).

Its OK to call bad food . . . . BAD, even if it's Disney, and even if the characters are there.

For those of you who give Disney a pass on bad food and service at CM, the corporate suits will start doing all over WDW.

I say hold them accountable to higher Disney standards.

That's a very good point. I've never really thought much of the food at character meal buffet dinners - I always do the character meals at breakfast for this very reason (you really can't go wrong with waffles and bacon). But you're right - just because there are characters shouldn't mean we give Disney a pass on the food. However (and here I go sticking up for the mouse) the buffets are usually our least expensive sit-down meals on any of our trips. As long as the prices don't creep up too high I guess we'll be happy with food that's just ok - especially if we get to eat it with Mickey!

 

[DemoBri1]

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.

I would have to say that breakfast at Chef Mickey's might be the way to go now moreso than dinner. I sure will miss CM for dinner and then over to MK for Spectro and Wishes.

I'm anxious to try it out for breakfast.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Totally in agreement - breakfast at CM's is better than dinner. But Crystal Palace, on its worst day, beats CM's on its best.

 

[grumpygirl06]

I so wanted to go to CM on our 1st night, but now I have concerns. I would go to 1900 but I have 2 DS (10 & 12) and don't think they will get into it. Been to CM for breakfast, but never dinner and thought it would be fun and help get us into the mood. Any other suggestions????

 

[Tam1067]

I so wanted to go to CM on our 1st night, but now I have concerns. I would go to 1900 but I have 2 DS (10 & 12) and don't think they will get into it. Been to CM for breakfast, but never dinner and thought it would be fun and help get us into the mood. Any other suggestions????

Don't let people's opinions influence yours too much. We liked CM when we went for dinner, and we're going on this upcoming trip. There are always those who dislike certain restaurants while others like the same spots, so if you think your kids would like it, then you should go. It's quite an experience there, and the Disney buffets are generally not known for their upscale cuisine.

 

[marcyinPA]

Don't let people's opinions influence yours too much. We liked CM when we went for dinner, and we're going on this upcoming trip. There are always those who dislike certain restaurants while others like the same spots, so if you think your kids would like it, then you should go. It's quite an experience there, and the Disney buffets are generally not known for their upscale cuisine.

I totally agree! The food really isn't that bad! It's no Artist Point, but as long as you understand that going in, then you'll be fine! If you've never been, I suggest trying it for yourself and form your own opinion!!

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I so wanted to go to CM on our 1st night, but now I have concerns. I would go to 1900 but I have 2 DS (10 & 12) and don't think they will get into it. Been to CM for breakfast, but never dinner and thought it would be fun and help get us into the mood. Any other suggestions????

Go and decide for yourself would be my suggestion. You went at breakfast and thought the characters would get you in the mood. So you know that's good or you wouldn't have bothered. The food is likely to be solid, but don't expect gourmet. If you're in doubt, make an alternate ressie. On the day in question, call CM's and ask them what's on the menu. If it sounds bad, go to your alternate selection. Just be sure to cancel the ressie of the one you don't do so someone else desperately calling and wanting something will have a slot available.

 

[DISUNC]

I am with the Op on this one! I read so many WONDERFUL things about CM on this board...then I went!

It was singularly the most HORRIBLE place I have ever eaten ANYWHERE.
The service was just Awful (45 minutes to get a coffee...then that tasted like RAID), The place was filthy filthy FILTHY! The silverware... YUK! The Breakfest buffet was crap(picked over fruit loops and raisins)!

Really I dont have anything good to say about it. Even Goofy Ticked me off there!

 

[tline35]

OK, I'll admit it. I am literally laughing out loud (LOL) at the posts who say the food at CM is mediocre but they (or the kids) like the character interaction.

ITS A RESTAURANT! And a very expensive one at that.

You go for the FOOD and the ATMOSPHERE! If those are bad (and they are) . . . . . save yourself a lot of money and stand in line for 20 minutes to see Mickey & the gang in Toon Town.

 

[tline35]

We are another family that misses the old Chef Mickeys. Back at the Marketplace and much smaller and calmer. The new CM's is very boisterous and rowdy. The old location was table service and people sat during the meal. Anyone remember the balloon basket that the celebration cakes were brought to the table in? We waited over an hour for our 6:15 seating(table was being cleaned at 7:20) at the new CM's and would never go back. This is simply a zoo compared to other dining options. As a head's up, Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel is just as bad and just as expensive.

I do remember the balloon basket. One other thing from the good ol' CM days at Marketplace . . . My daughter (now 14) still has the paper cut-out of Mickey in the chef uniform, that he signed for her. She still loves it. Do they still have those? I think this was the precusor to the modern autograph book.

I agree, in terms of 45 second character interaction, and bad food, we have also visited CM for the last time. I jsut haven't told my younger son yet.