Is chef Mickey's really that bad?

[BrokeMack]

Honestly, my biggest problem at CM was some inconsiderate guests at the next table. The food was mediocre but nothing was inedible. It was clean, never had any issue with that. Whoever said it was like a five year old's birthday party was spot on. I did enjoy 'Ohana and TH much more though. Better food, theming and environment.

 

[VillainFavs]

Food is edible if you're willing to settle for that.

My biggest problem there is lack of adult supervision. I realize it's Disney. I realize kids are excited and there's MICKEY! But come on. Parents check out as soon as they walk through the door of this place. Kids running around totally unsupervised. I can't tell you how many times I saw bare hands reaching into food at the buffet line. Then the kid changes his mind and drops it back into the bowl! Everything on the buffet ends up mixed together and spilled all over the place. There's enough food on the floor around the buffet and around every table to feed a family of 4. It's just gross. The poor CMs can't keep up. And we're not buffet snobs. Have done many others on property and been perfectly happy with them--will stick to those in the future.

It's loud, chaotic, so-so service, dirty, and passable food (if you can get past the gross factor). All this for a premium price!

And we tried it 3 or 4 times! This wasn't the one-time bad experience I was hoping it was. I kept going back thinking it would be better. We finally gave up.

 

[goofy4tink]

We've eaten here numerous times. We even had Thanksgiving dinner once! That meal was wonderful.
We prefer breakfast vs dinner. The food at dinner has been mediocre at best. And with so many unattended kids grabbing food, well, it's just not appetizing for me.

 

[Disneyaddictz]

Nothing is REALLY bad at Disney - except maybe Tony's...

People's opinion on food varies - it's all subjective. We loved Artist Point, but a big Disney Food blog didn't care for it. The review was so uninspired that we almost canceled our ADR - something we're very glad we didn't do.

Some people just don't care for buffets and I'd rank Chef Mickey's at the bottom rung when it comes to food. We've only been there for breakfast. Look, the food wasn't anything great. Some of it was warm when it should have been hot. The offerings and quality reminded me of Golden Corral. I bet some people would read that and say "what's wrong with Golden Corral?!"

At the end of the day, you're there for the characters. If you enjoy the food, it's just another perk. Again, the food is far from torturous. I wouldn't use a dining credit (or money) on the place, but that's because we've been there and seen it. We'd rather go to Crystal Palace or Boma —but we're foodies and put the food first.

This cracked me up, first line! we love Tony's We reserve the time just before the parade and request outside, maybe that's what helps!

 

[Disneyaddictz]

Chef Mickey's isn't terrible, I think its just the last place Character meal for many, it doesn't compare IMO to Tusker House, Royal Table, Cape May Mickey. ETC.

 

[travelgirl11]

Worst dining experience I've had at WDW. I don't really remember what the food was, just that it was mediocre.

The really bad part was the service and the characters. Our waitress was MIA through the whole meal. Then the characters couldn't get away from our table fast enough. Maybe 30 seconds top, but spend 5 minutes at the tables by us. I will say it was 2 adults, but that shouldn't matter at all in any situation.

I would never eat here again.

 

[LSUfan4444]

Definitely not worth the cost. Contempo cafe may be one of the better quick service locations and it's right next door. You can arguably get better food there and thats even factoring in the cost differences. Yes, you are paying for the character interaction and the rarity of having those characters together in one place but there are much better ways to spend your money IMO.

 

[wdw4rfam]

We love it as well. Never had a problem with it being "dirty". The food is standard buffet quality, but the experience and character interaction is worth it IMO.

Agree!! We go every year and going again in September. The breakfast and brunch are better than dinner in my opinion. Mostly because of price compared to food for dinner. But it has never been dirty- or gross as I've heard. NEVER. And we've been there 15+times.

 

[wdw4rfam]

Was probably our favorite meal/experience from our trip last fall. This is our annual tradition to start our trip off with the first dinner at Chef Mickeys!!!

Same here. It's the perfect meal to kick off the trip with the fab five and monorail, as well as peeking out the window seeing MK.

 

[JonUK]

Hi!

I absolutely love Chef Mickey's.

What have you heard about it that makes you hesitate?

It's quite loud at times, and not to mention if there's a birthday or two... Then they pull out all the stops!

The breakfast buffet I found as quite standard. Nothing extra special really. But remember, you go there for the characters!

If you don't want it too loud and a more intimate setting (the CR lobby isn't really small and cozy), I'd highly recommend Character Breakfast at Cape May Cafe at the BC resort!

I don't know if you've been to 1900 Park Fare for breakfast, but I found the food offering really good in terms of choice and price. Is the food offering at Chef Mickey's the same, more or less? Thanks!

 

[Jonas_Swe]

I don't know if you've been to 1900 Park Fare for breakfast, but I found the food offering really good in terms of choice and price. Is the food offering at Chef Mickey's the same, more or less? Thanks!

No I have not been to 1900,but that's mostly because I'm not the biggest Pooh fan and wanting to spend my hard earned vacation budget on a Mickey character meal instead.

 

[JonUK]

No I have not been to 1900,but that's mostly because I'm not the biggest Pooh fan and wanting to spend my hard earned vacation budget on a Mickey character meal instead.

Aww! Well I don't care for Pooh either, but I met Alice... I really wanted to meet the Mad Hatter but that day the switched him for Bert, Mary Poppins' friend, I was very meh about it, but I love meeting characters anyway so I appreciated the chatter.

I recommend it for breakfast though. But anyway - how did you find the food at Chef Mickey's: is the the same standard of food as a value resort counter service? or is it tasty? do they have more elaborate dishes like Eggs Benedict, or simple scrambled eggs and bacon/sausages? Sorry for asking so many questions!

 

[NileNellie]

It was a one and done for us. Ridiculously overpriced, mediocre food, rushed interactions with the characters, loud, and service was lacking. There are better options on property.

 

[jamez2014]

Glad to see some good comments for chef mickeys, we havnt been yet but are planning to take our then 2yo there next year

 

[jknewberry]

We've only been for dinner, but we love Chef Mickey's! It was our favorite table service meal when we went last (2012) and one of 2 table service meals we plan to repeat on our trip next year. And we're only repeating Whispering Canyon b/c we're staying at Wilderness Lodge...

That being said, my SIL is from Orlando and used to work at the World, she cannot stand Chef Mickey's, but it is her brother's favorite (he is still local and goes there a couple of times a year I think)