How many think Chef Mickey's is a must?

[cwnhokie]

We are taking our first trip in May with DS2 and DS4. We are going to Mickey's Backyard BBQ. I'm trying to decide if we should add Chef Mickey's or Crystal Palace. I just can't decide. I kind of think what they don't know about they won't miss and we could save a little money. What do you think?

 

[keishashadow]

Due to flight considerations, we never arrive at our hotel for check-in until after 1:00 p.m. Since we hate to waste our tickets on a 1/2 day in the parks, after a quick swim and unpacking, our first stop is the Contemporary. We rent a car so we drive and park in their lot, ride the monorail loop, do some shopping in the Concourse gift shops, then go to Chef Mickey's.

IMO it's a perfect beginning to a trip. You get quality time with quite a few Disney Characters (they come to you at your table) with plenty of opportunities for great pictures. Additionally, I think it's a great, non-threatening, way for the kids to see the characters for the first time. I've seen quite a few young children run screaming from them in the parks.

Good Luck and have a great time.

 

[Tinkerbells2000]

We won't do Disney without doing Chef Mickey's. We have to do both breakfast and dinner also. My kids LOVE it. So, for us it's a must, but that is just us.

 

[DisneyMomx7]

Based on our own experience I would cancel Mickeys backyard bbq and just go to CHef Mickey's. We were very disappointed in the BBBQ. It was like a free for all with the kids all runnng towards the characters. This way you get a better dinner, the characters come to the table for pictures, and you save money! Just MHO.

 

[Ask"WhyNot?"]

WE did Chef Mickey's last time and it was really enjoyable. I don't think it is a "must" for every trip, but it is one of the better character meals, IMO.

At two and four, I might take the advice of canceling the BBQ and doing both Chef Mickey's (at the beginning, since it isn't in a park) and then doing Crystal Palace at the end of the trip. Both of those character meals combined will cost you a lot less $$$ than the BBQ and you'll probably see more of the characters with a heck of a lot less hassle--the bbq can be a bit of a handful/difficult time with the 2 & under set, imo. The characters do a cute little dance at Chef Mickey's and at CP, they do a parade the kids get to participate in.

 

[MAGGIED]

It is a must for us - my kids love it.... and the buffet seems to have something that everyone in the family likes..... The price is good (for Disney dining that is) for the entertainment and the food.... wouldn't think of going to WDW without going to Chef Mickey's.

 

[Memaw2Wm]

Based on our own experience I would cancel Mickeys backyard bbq and just go to CHef Mickey's. We were very disappointed in the BBBQ. It was like a free for all with the kids all runnng towards the characters. This way you get a better dinner, the characters come to the table for pictures, and you save money! Just MHO.

Yep ... our BBQ experience wasn't that great ... and it is LOUD in the pavillion and very crowded ... I think it would overwhelm a 2 y.o. and 4 y.o. ... my grandkids (7 & 5 at the time) were pretty overwhelmed.

We LOVE Chef Mickey's ~ one of our "must-dos"!!!

 

[newholidayx2]

Chef Mickey's is a definate must!
We went in 01, 02, 04 and now 05 - usually dinner, this Aug will be brkfst

We got a last min reservation there during our 02 trip - when I have a chance to plan I book CMs 90days in advance

I have the characters cards & folder from I believe Character Cafe? how long ago was that?

 

[cwnhokie]

ok, I cancelled the BBQ. I got a PS for Chef Mickey's for the first night, not until 8:30pm. Yikes! I guess we'll be hoping for late afternoon naps. With the first airplane trip and all the excitement I hope the little ones will be up for it. Then I got a PS for Crystal Palace for 8:10 AM on Monday. Then hopefully they can make it until 1:15 for our PS at Cindy's Castle for lunch. Then we'll head back to the room for naps. And back to the park later for fireworks. Sound good?

 

[ROBIN4NY]

ok, I cancelled the BBQ. I got a PS for Chef Mickey's for the first night, not until 8:30pm. Yikes! I guess we'll be hoping for late afternoon naps. With the first airplane trip and all the excitement I hope the little ones will be up for it. Then I got a PS for Crystal Palace for 8:10 AM on Monday. Then hopefully they can make it until 1:15 for our PS at Cindy's Castle for lunch. Then we'll head back to the room for naps. And back to the park later for fireworks. Sound good?

Sounds like a great plan.With getting up early for the plan ride the kids would really be ready for a late afternoon nap.Chef Mickeys is great for your kids ages.I think Mickeys BBQ is good for kids a little bit older.Your made a wise choice.Crystal Palace at 8 10 is great because you are in MK nice and early.Have a great trip.Your kids are at such a great age for it.

 

[strmtroopr96]

Chef Mickey's is definately a must for us! I love those Parmesan Mashed Potatoes. LOL We always go at least once a trip for dinner. I wasn't very impressed with the MBY BBQ. It was alright once though.
The late PS that you got for Chef Mickey's may end up being better than you think. One trip we decided to do Chef Mickey's for a second time at the last minute and could only get a PS for 8 pm or so. The restaurant wasn't too busy and the characters were able to spend lots of quality time with the few kids that were there. They also had the opportunity to go from table to table as a group instead of being solo and scattered throughout the place. We got lots of group photos and my DD was able to get lots of extra snuggles with Donald as we closed up the place. LOL Have a great time!! Rebecca

 

[Robundrh2o]

Maybe I missed something, but we went to Chef Mickeys on our last trip (Nov '05) and was not impressed. All I heard was how great it was so maybe it got our expectations up, or maybe we got there on a bad day, but the character interaction wasn't near what we had gotten at 'Crystal Palace' or 'Liberty Tree Tavern' and the food was just kind of so and so. I understand it's a buffet and you really go for the interaction, but if that is off on that day then it's just another buffet. We will go back and give it a second chance on a future visit given all the rave reviews, but this time it just wasn't all that. Hope it helps.

 

[laudan14]

Chef Mickey is top of our list, we really enjoyed it and will be back again this year.

 

[Nicks2Angels]

Well crud..I was thinking of Mickey's BBQ too, but now I might be swayed to Chef Mickey's. I have a son who will be almost 2 & my duaghter will be almost 4 when we go in Sept. Can you tell me a little more about Chef Mickey's versus the BBQ? Or am I being a total pain?? Sorry, I am new here!

 

[rt2dz]

First, I want to say we have never done the bbq. I originally booked it and then on another site someone had been questioning it, so then I did a lot of research on it. Here is what I learned.

Food and Show are mixed reviews. You're going to love it or hate it, but I find that typical of every restruant & show in and around Disney. Most agree that it is complete chaos though. Small children who need a hand on them at all times, don't blend well with the bbq. If you need a highchair, you are also going to have big problems. They can really only be used at the end of tables, and there are not enough spots for the highchairs needed. You are expected to get your food before sitting down. The lines are long and if you are carrying a child, holding the hand of another, and balancing all those plates of food (better have waited tables for that skill), you are going to have a very rough time. If it is about mid-to-end-of May through mid-September expect it to be very hot. And it is almost always crowded.

We switched to hoop-dee-doo. Will we do the BBQ? OF COURSE!! Just not until we're done with highchairs and don't have to have a hand on a child at all times (when the youngest is 3 to 4 basically). But again, this is research and not first hand knowledge.

 

[MrsPete]

I'll tell you what convinced me that Chef Mickey's is a must-do: the pictures. I knew my children were having a great time, but when I got the pictures back and I saw their faces . . . it was one of their favorite parts of the trip.

I also agree with the other poster who said it's a great thing to do on arrival (or departure) day when you don't want to spend a ticket for a half-day.