Is Chef Mickey's really so bad??

[smallblackstars]

I see a lot of people slamming Chef Mickey's. We were thinking of having dinner here on our second day as we cannot enter any parks until our fourth day after arrival (2 week Ultimate tickets on a 3 week holiday!) and wanted DD to have some character interaction before hitting the parks, we enjoy our park free days but DD will probably be desperate to get to them and meet the characters, so we felt this was a good option. I am starting to wonder if it's such a good idea after reading more about it, no one seems to have a good word to say about it. If we did decide against it, are there any other character meals outwith the parks we could go to? Not dinner shows though, we have that planned for later in the trip.

 

[lizzi6692]

I see a lot of people slamming Chef Mickey's. We were thinking of having dinner here on our second day as we cannot enter any parks until our fourth day after arrival (2 week Ultimate tickets on a 3 week holiday!) and wanted DD to have some character interaction before hitting the parks, we enjoy our park free days but DD will probably be desperate to get to them and meet the characters, so we felt this was a good option. I am starting to wonder if it's such a good idea after reading more about it, no one seems to have a good word to say about it. If we did decide against it, are there any other character meals outwith the parks we could go to? Not dinner shows though, we have that planned for later in the trip.

I loved Ohana for breakfast which has Lilo and Stitch, Pluto, and Mickey. Also I've heard good things about the dinner buffet at Cape May Cafe. It's got all you can eat seafood along with regular buffet items.

 

[i12bthere2]

Is the food bad? No. Am I getting a Victoria and Albert's experience for a budget price with character interaction? No. You are getting a good selection of food that tastes good with a family atmosphere. I find you have to read between the lines as people comment on "their" experience. It's just that you cannot please all of the people all of the time, and some people cannot be pleased period.

 

[wiigirl]

I don't think its bad at all. Its not my favorite, but we always had a great time there.

 

[sephorachick]

we enjoyed it!

here are my pics & story/review:

http://yohoyohobloggerslifeforme.blogspot.com/2012/09/chef-mickeys-review.html

 

[willowsnn3]

It's been a couple of years since we have been to Chef Mickeys but we enjoyed it every time. We've done both bkfst & dinner several times. Looking forward to going again this June for dinner.

 

[MSLRAC]

I loved Ohana for breakfast which has Lilo and Stitch, Pluto, and Mickey. Also I've heard good things about the dinner buffet at Cape May Cafe. It's got all you can eat seafood along with regular buffet items.

Cape May only has characters at breakfast.

As far as Chef Mickey's we tried it for a second time during our last trip. We had breakfast there in 2010 and it was a horrible experience. So we opted for dinner last trip and it wasn't too bad. Characters still seemed rushed, food was decent but nothing special and the service was lacking. But my kids loved it so I'd say give it a try.

 

[Ivonne]

We go for the experience, not the food...... My daughters love to get on the monorail and go to the Contemporary!!!!! That in itself is a great experience. They really enjoy seeing the fab five all at once and even though they are picky about their food they always find one thing to eat.... They especially enjoy the dessert!!!!!!!!!!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[WillAustin]

We've had good experiences at Chef Mickey's. Our kids love it. We try to go once every trip.

 

[tluvstink]

I've had dinner twice at Chef Mickeys and it was good each time! It wasn't gourmet food by any means but it was very good. I especially liked the mashed potatoes

The service was good, buffet was well stocked and clean. Of course the real reason for going is the characters. They were great and not rushed at all when we were there.

Personally I don't let negative reviews keep me from going to a restaurant. I say go for it!

Terri

 

[csjordan]

I see a lot of people slamming Chef Mickey's. We were thinking of having dinner here on our second day as we cannot enter any parks until our fourth day after arrival (2 week Ultimate tickets on a 3 week holiday!) and wanted DD to have some character interaction before hitting the parks, we enjoy our park free days but DD will probably be desperate to get to them and meet the characters, so we felt this was a good option. I am starting to wonder if it's such a good idea after reading more about it, no one seems to have a good word to say about it. If we did decide against it, are there any other character meals outwith the parks we could go to? Not dinner shows though, we have that planned for later in the trip.

During our Spring Break trip last month, we ate at Chef Mickey's, Tusker House, Akershus. Our least favorite was Tusker House. Just OK food, but place was loud and characters were awful. Barely spent any time at the table. While my favorite of the 3 was Akershus, Chef Mickey's was extremely fun, as always...except that a little girl threw up on my son as he was going back up the stairs from the bathroom!!

Now we call it Chef Barfy's, LOL!

I will not return to Tusker House, but would go back to Chef Mickey's (maybe give it a rest our next trip only because of the "incident"!!

 

[chimilady]

I thought the food was horrible, and we were VERY rushed with the characters. We will never go back to Chef Mickeys.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

We finally ate breakfast at Chef Mickeys on our last trip. I've had reservations lots of times but always cancelled because of the bad reviews. Last time I was determined to finally try it for myself. And surprise, surprise...I loved it!!

Chef Mickeys ended up going to the top place in my character meal list. Of course as they have my favorite characters that gives it a big plus. The breakfast food was all delicious that I ate & the characters took plenty of time with picture taking for us 2 older diners. The location is handy to MK too & I liked that part too.

We've dined at Crystal Palace, Cape May, Tusker House, Ohana, CRT & Chef Mickeys for characters. This time CM was way, way better than CP & TH & CRT. Ohana & Cape May had great breakfasts too.

 

[Neesy228]

Is the food bad? No. Am I getting a Victoria and Albert's experience for a budget price with character interaction? No. You are getting a good selection of food that tastes good with a family atmosphere. I find you have to read between the lines as people comment on "their" experience. It's just that you cannot please all of the people all of the time, and some people cannot be pleased period.

Agreed.

We go to Chef Mickeys every trip and enjoy it for what it is: a fun, lively, kid centered experience. The food is decent, as is the service.

 

[pigletto]

We've been 3 times for dinner and it's been fine each time. Not outstanding. Just your average buffet with normally very good character interaction. It's cute and the food is edible.
We've always done it with free dining. I think my review would be completely different if I paid over $150 or more for the same experience.

 

[richmo]

It can be loud, somewhat overpriced and a bit hectic because of the characters, but, with kids I think its something that should be experienced at least once. Last time we were there for dinner, I thought the food was improved over the previous time. My kids are getting a little old for it now, so if we're doing a buffet, we'll go to Boma instead.

 

[rainynight]

I don't think its bad at all. Its not my favorite, but we always had a great time there.

My thoughts exactly. Food is good and its a really fun meal.

 

[freckles04]

We enjoyed it and are going again this trip! Is it worth the price? Well, probably not. I would not pay that much for it if it weren't for the character interaction! My DS was 8 and it was his first time to meet Mickey & the gang, and there was no waiting in line in the heat to do it: priceless He is old enough to know that it is just people in costumes, but he enjoyed it just the same. The look on his face in our pictures is priceless.

The food was not gourmet, but we enjoyed our meal just the same. Lots to choose from. I do remember the desserts being very delicious and I wanted to try them all!

We are value/mod people and so we had fun visiting the Contemporary and riding the monorail, too.

 

[deserrai]

We've been once and I thought it was fine. Not any better or worse than the other character meals.

 

[smiths02]

It was kind of like Ryan's/Sizzler/Golden Corral with characters. A buffet I would expect to pay maybe $15 each (including drink).
We didn't leave hungry...nothing stood out. I was a little perturbed that the buffet wasn't supervised better...if I am suggested to tip 18% at a buffet, I don't want to see messiness.