Liberrty Tree Tavern or Chef Mickeys for a character dinner?

[IMGONNABE40!]

We have one day to spend at WDW and we are going to MK. It will be a Monday in July. Plan is to be there at rope drop (it is a non AM EMH). Quite possibly we will leave mid day and return. Now I am considering adding a character meal to our day. I figure a late dinner and watch Wishes after dinner. I have an ADR at LTT because I thought it would be easiest to remain at MK. Now I see that getting over to the Contemporary will not be a hassle and it may be nice to check out a Disney resort while we are there. SO, if we do a character meal, do folks recommend Chef Mickeys or Liberty Tree?

Thank you.

 

[disneymoon_0307]

I have been to both. I can honestly say I like LLT more. The food is so much better and the characters seem to stay longer and stop by more frequently. At CM the only advantage is that there is a desert bar that kids love. The food at LLT is Thanksgiving food and its definitely more quiet. I will definitely be going back to LLT and not CM. Let me know if that helps any.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Yes, that is helpful. Thank you.

 

[civileng68]

I agree.

I think LTT is better. However, if you are thinking you may want to get away from the park for an hour or two, go to Chef MIckey's.

however, the food IS better at LTT, and dont forget, while it is not a buffet, it is "All you can eat". You simply ask for more.

 

[dischick4778]

Liberty Tree for dinner definitely! The food is great and the characters are attentive. To me Chef Mickey's is so much better for breakfast.

 

[YesI'mObsessed]

I would have to say Chef Mickey's. We ate at both places and my kids didn't really like LTT. There is much more variety at Chef Mickey's including fruit, pasta, meats, and the fabulous sundae bar! The character interaction at LTT was definitely better, but I feel like I'm paying for food, and that food wasn't worth the price. Just my opinion, have a great trip!

 

[civileng68]

I would have to say Chef Mickey's. We ate at both places and my kids didn't really like LTT. There is much more variety at Chef Mickey's including fruit, pasta, meats, and the fabulous sundae bar! The character interaction at LTT was definitely better, but I feel like I'm paying for food, and that food wasn't worth the price. Just my opinion, have a great trip!

Well everything I say is mentioned in perspective of being at Disney. In reality, NONE of the meals are truly worth the price. I have to force myself to spend $25/plate on a meal where the food is good but the same as any other place.

 

[angel's momma]

CM & LTT are both family favorites. We enjoyed the food & interaction at both. We will be returning to both on our next trip.

What is your family most comfortable with - the buffet or family style meal?

 

[emma'smom]

Chef Mickeys would be my vote. We just did both of them back to back last week and really thought the atmosphere at Chef Mickeys was much more fun! It was bright and colorful and there was definitely more variety of food that the Thanksgiving Theme of LTT. Also, extra characters kept showing up at Chef Mickeys and stood in the front of the restaurant in addition to those who were circulating. The kids liked the monorail ride too!

 

[Evans Family]

is the ice cream at Chef Mickey's hand scooped or soft serve?

 

[angel's momma]

is the ice cream at Chef Mickey's hand scooped or soft serve?

Soft serve

 

[boxer]

chef mickeys without a doubt.......we go at least 2 times per vacation. Food is excellent for a buffet, and the atmosphere is awesome. My son (5) got alot of attention from the characters, so that is another plus for CM.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I would vote for Chef Mickey's. I had to make the same choice last year. My older DD was vegetarian at the time and the menu at LTT did not appeal to her. My kids enjoyed being able to go and create their own plates of food as often as they liked, rather than being served. A lot of people bag on buffets for the food quality, but I found it all decent and fresh. It wasn't gourmet, but the kids loved it and I found the salmon quite tasty. I love salad bars and the dessert area had whole pieces of fruit in addition to the delicious treats. I will probably get flamed for this, but we each took a whole piece of fruit with us to eat the next morning.

Enjoy your day at WDW!!!

 

[Trena]

I vote for CM!

Chef Mickey's is more fun, exciting, playful. LTT is a little more quite and relaxing. My kids didn't care for the "Thanksgiving Meal" at LTT. We found a variety of foods at CM buffet for our pickey eaters.

Is there anyway you could do CM the night before or the morning of your departure? (I'm asssuming you will spend the night in Orlando.) If I only had one day to spend, I wouldn't want to use up my park time in a restaurant. (Just a though.)

 

[Terri C]

I like both places and I think you will have a good time with whatever you choose. Now having said that I prefer LTT. I liked the food and the characters were great. They all came by our table at least 3 times

Have fun!

Terri

 

[Eeyore2003]

We have eaten LOTS of times at Chef Mickey and tried LTT in November. It's on our "not to do again" list. The atmosphere is no where as fun and cheeful, the food is served at your table, with not many choices. There were 3 kinds of meat, 2 were dry. The sides were plain Stouffer's stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, mac and cheese and I think a veggie. The salad and dessert were the only things we kind of liked.

We much prefer the buffet at Chef Mickey. While yes, it's regular buffet food, we think it's pretty good for a buffet and there's lots of choices for all.

 

[Blue62]

Having eaten at both we have returned to Chef Mickey several times and will not return to Liberty Tree. Actually we had nice CM interaction at Liberty Tree, but the food reminded us of TV dinners. I was ready for something really good and it wasn't.

 

[IMGONNABE40!]

Thank you one and all. I was all set to change my ADR to Chef Mickey's--but my sister informs me that my nephew is still petrified of characters! She said the year he turned 5 he spent his party under the table hiding from Chuck E. Cheese. So, since our time in the park will be limited to that one day, we will not be spending time at a character meal .

Now, can anyone recommend a good non-character meal in or near MK?

 

[Eeyore2003]

For no characters, but still fun atmosphere with good food, try Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge. Just take the boat there and back. A nice break.(about a 15 minute ride) For something reasonable, but VERY nice (this one is at the top of our list), try the Grand Floridian Cafe. Casual Victorian themed restaurant with excellent service and delicious food. In the park, I think The Plaza Restaurant has the best food.

If you're spending the whole day at the park, my vote would be for the fun Whispering Canyon Cafe break. They might even get in a little nap on the relaxing boat. My niece walked in to the restaurant tired, cranky and cold and left, refreshed, happy, warmed up (with a blanket they wrapped around her, LOL), and an orange shake in hand.

 

[MAGGIED]

My vote is for CM - we have tried both and for our family we like the variety of food better at CM - not to say that it is always better tasting - just a bigger variety - and with a picky DD(16) who is allergic to nuts and a vegetarian CM fits the bill for us. The characters are always great - never have felt rushed!! But honestly you can't go wrong with either - after all you'll be in WDW!!!!