Does anyone remember Mickey's Kitchen?

[chrismiss56]

Hi

Anyone remember Mickey's Kitchen at Woodfield Mall in the Chicago Area. It opened in June of 1991 and closed March of 1992. I was a CM in the Disney Store next to it The store and kitchen shared one large common space.

For those who don't know what this is........ Disney made an attempt to get into food franchise. It was this location and one somewhere in California. We offered freshly made pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs and fries. Fries were in the shape of Mickey and gosh can't remember the other characters. Also had birthday parties there.

The reason it didn't make it was that it took too long to make the food - the stroller brigade was very impatient . They would climb out of their stollers and run around the store crazed while Mom waited in line for the food.

The food was not the best.........if I remember correctly the fries were the best of the choices.......and it was very pricey.....but what Disney food isn't

Disney spent millions of dollars turning the kitchen back into retail space........I personally don't think they gave it a chance.

I have some merchandise from the kitchen which I just stumbled across and it brought back memories. Anyone else?

Have a Magical Disney Day!!

 

[diznygirl]

I remember! The one in California was in Montclair - and if you don't kow where that is, well - it's waaaay the heck out there! It was a 2 or 3 hour drive from LA east near the mountains. Don't know WHY they chose that location!

The nice thing I remember is that it was on that trip to see Mickey's Kitchen (yes, we drove 3 hours just for that) that I finally got my BF into a jewelry store and I showed him a ring I liked. Months later he drove 3 hours back to that same mall to buy that ring for me!

Mickey's Kitchen was a nice idea, but I don't think it's a great loss. Like you mentioned, the food wasn't overly great.

 

[chrismiss56]

Giving a bump to see if anyone else remembers

Have a Magical Disney Day!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

I steer clear of Woodfield if I can. Do not recall it, but then, I was not a 'Disney nut' untill '98, so if I did see it then it would not have impressed me, LOL.

 

[nuke]

I remember! Didn't they also have a huge area with kitchen gadgets and cookbooks for sale?

 

[geffric]

I remember Mickey's Kitchen at Woodfield. Back when the Disney store at Woodfield was really big and special. CM's met you at the entrance, gave stickers to the kids and there was a nicely decorated window. There was lots of selection too. It was up on the top floor. My kids used to love the hug all of the animals in the big bin.

 

[sgtdisney]

I remember it too. It was in the upper level, on the Sears wing, right? That was before they moved the Woodfield Disney Store into it's new and smaller location. Back when the Store was decorated like a Disney Store.

I heard the food was pretty expensive there. Never got a chance to eat there because I try to stay away from Woodfield and the Schaumburg area because of all the crowds and traffic. Probably hit Woodfield once or twice a year. I also remember that the Woodfield location actually had a Disney travel agency right inside the store. I remember when I would never miss a visit to the Disney Store when I was in the mall.

 

[chrismiss56]

YEAH!! Someone else remembers!! We did have a travel agency in the store - it was manned by American Express. And yes, we had official greeters at the entrance. There was a tiled inlay of Mickey's face and we had to stand on his nose - couldn't really move off of it..........Upper level in the Sears wing.

Worked for the company for almost 7 years. Those were the best!! Disney Store Guest Service was all we cared about not the sale - wow have times changed. Went back and worked for the company last year for about 4 months - times changed and sales are the priority

Thanks for sharing your memories!!

Have a Magical Disney Day!!

 

[ahutton]

I remember! We were there when they did an Animation opening for Little Mermaid art for sale. It was so crowded, but great to see all the art. My parents bought one that night, DH and I got one for our first anniversary in 1997. The food was okay, but you have to be brave to hit Woodfield Mall on a weekend to get a burger and fries, even Disney style!

 

[chrismiss56]

Plus we had Marc Davis come for a autograph session....what a neat guy!!

I am a sucker for craziness!! Loved Holiday time at Woodfield when the tour buses would invade. I actually liked working the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas.

One of my dreams is to work at WDW - how about the Emporium at closing!!! The Disney Stores just haven't been the same the last few years

Have a Magical Disney Day!!

 

[goofys32]

I remember very much so!!! I was an original cast member there Great place and cool people that worked there.

 

[lynxstch]

Welcome to the DIS, you chose an 11 year old post to comment on as your first thread- around here we call those Zombie posts, lol