Questions about Character Dining and Chef Mickeys (our first time)

[Disneyliscious]

I just reserved our first Character Dining meal at Chef Mickeys. I know nothing about these and am wondering if any of them have an exciting atmosphere like music, the characters "talking" (maybe over a speaker but the little kids dont know ay different)? What is the most lively of the Character meals? Th CM told me they would do something for my sons birthday but couldnt guarantee what it would be (just a little something small Im sure). Has anyone had them do something for your birthday? If so, then what was it?

I was so happy to snag this reservation as the 90 day mark was about a week ago. I got it for my sons b-day, Oct. 12th at 8:10PM.

Another question......we will be in AK that day. Can we ride the monorail or something to the Contemporary for dinner and then ride it back? Or do we have to go back to the parking lot at AK and then drive to the dinner? I know that AK closes at 6pm but if we stayed until closing and then figure in travel time, and the fact that they want you to arrive 20 minutes early, we woudn't be waiting that long at Chef Mickeys.

Thanks!

 

[JoePa4Ever]

Chef Mickey's is very upbeat & energetic - at some point during your meal, the characters will usually do a dance around the room while everyone waves their napkins over their heads. There is no characters voices over the speaker & the characters do not talk, but the character interaction is pretty good there with the Fab 5. As for transportation from AK to Contemporary - there is no monorail service linking them - you will have to drive your own car, take a taxi or use the WDW bus system.

 

[pbthompson]

We went to Chef Mickey's for my daughter's birthday. It was GREAT. All of the characters stop by your table and allow pictures/chat time with the group. For her birthday, Mickey himself gathered all the characters and came over to our table with a birthday cupcake and a placemat for her to take home that had been signed by all of them. They also have the entire resturant hold their napkins over their heads and swing them around. It was so much fun.

We also did the Cinderella Royal Table. My kids were 9 (daughter) and 11 (son) at the time. They also loved this, especially the service which was spot on. Again, all of the characters made their rounds and stopped by our table for pictures and to chat. Just being in the castle was magical.

We are going again next month and both of these are repeats for us. We are also doing Crystal Palace this year for something different.

 

[Hootch]

move around the atbels in a certain route to ensure they visit all of the guests. You'll usually be able to see when they are coming near your area and will be able to time your visits to the buffet. If you miss one mentione it to the CM working your table. The characters have handlers with them and will reroute them sometimes as they move between sections to ensure they have met everyone.

There are face and non face characters. Face characters talk to people, but non face do not. Generally non face characters have distinctive voices that are harder to mimic and the masks prevent good communication. All Chef Mickey characters are non face. Still non face characters do interact. They usually feed off the guests. If a child (or the grown children called adults) are shy the characters will approach carefully. If the kissed is playful and polite the character will play. We had a couple of kids next to us that hit a couple of characters, nothing hard, and the characters moved on quickly. They will interact some, post for a picture and sign an autograph book if you have one. Thick Sharpies are good for this since thier hands are gloved.

The mono rail goes only to the MK resorts and MK and to Epcot. If you plan to go back to Animal Kingdom after your meal then I would take the bus to the Contemporary. If you plan to drive someweher else after your meal, drive to the Contemporary. You are allowed to park there as part of your ADR for three hours. If your next destination is the MK, then park in the MK parking lot and take the resort monorail around to the hotel.

In general driving between parks is quicker than Disney transportation. Their system works very well but the bus isn't always waiting for you like your car is. We drive to all of the parks exceptthe Magic Kingdom. There you have a parking lot and then connect via monorail or ferry to the park.

For my daughter's birthday this past trip the CM brought a cupcake to the table when the napkin parade was about to start. There were others in our section who also received cupcakes.

 

[Disneyliscious]

I am just SO excited. Just thinking about it makes me tear up. Am I a sap or what?? My son who is celebrating the birthday will be 16 so I dont think he will be overly, outwardly excited (he will be on the inside). My other son is 8 and Im not sure how he will act. The other day he asked me if the characters were real or if they were people in costumes (yes, he still believes in Santa and I let him relish in the fantasy parts of life.....you're only young once). I wasn't sure what to say so I just said that it takes a VERY special person to be Mickey Mouse. Otherwise.....when Mickey comes up my son would be saying "thats just a person in a costume" and I'd never want to offend Mickey.

Being 8....you're in those odd years where you learn whats real and what isn't. Some kids do it even younger. I want him to understand the magic of seeing Mickey and not be thinking about the person under the costume but Im not too good at pulling this off evdently.....lol

Im almost 36 and I still feel the magic. I cry everytime I see Mickey in a parade. I know its a person in a costume.....but Im never thinking about that when I see him...lol. I just hope my kids feel wht I feel so they can enjoy it to the max!!

Im thinking of ordering the birthday cake but I dont know how much it costs and if its really worth it. Anyone have ay pics of a cake they make?

 

[tami82]

I am just SO excited. Just thinking about it makes me tear up. Am I a sap or what?? My son who is celebrating the birthday will be 16 so I dont think he will be overly, outwardly excited (he will be on the inside). My other son is 8 and Im not sure how he will act. The other day he asked me if the characters were real or if they were people in costumes (yes, he still believes in Santa and I let him relish in the fantasy parts of life.....you're only young once). I wasn't sure what to say so I just said that it takes a VERY special person to be Mickey Mouse. Otherwise.....when Mickey comes up my son would be saying "thats just a person in a costume" and I'd never want to offend Mickey.

Being 8....you're in those odd years where you learn whats real and what isn't. Some kids do it even younger. I want him to understand the magic of seeing Mickey and not be thinking about the person under the costume but Im not too good at pulling this off evdently.....lol

Im almost 36 and I still feel the magic. I cry everytime I see Mickey in a parade. I know its a person in a costume.....but Im never thinking about that when I see him...lol. I just hope my kids feel wht I feel so they can enjoy it to the max!!

Im thinking of ordering the birthday cake but I dont know how much it costs and if its really worth it. Anyone have ay pics of a cake they make?

I know what you mean i can just watch a disney show on the travel channel and see one of the characters interacting with a child and brings tears to my eyes. I hope im not balling the whole 5 nights im in Disney. I can just see myself holding back tears the whole time im there everytime they interact with a character. My daughter is 7 and also brings up the costume thing. I also have a 5 year old who doesnt really bring that up but i will say "oh no the real Mickey & princesses are at Disney World" and that will usually answer the question.

 

[Smile4Me]

There is a cake thread with all sorts of pictures you should check out! That being said, don't take what the CM said as a promise and get your hopes up...Birthday and other celebratory offerings given aren't required so go with an open mind and have a great time!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Chef Mickey's is very upbeat & energetic - at some point during your meal, the characters will usually do a dance around the room while everyone waves their napkins over their heads.

That will happen every half hour.

 

[amshowers]

I am just SO excited. Just thinking about it makes me tear up. Am I a sap or what?? My son who is celebrating the birthday will be 16 so I dont think he will be overly, outwardly excited (he will be on the inside). My other son is 8 and Im not sure how he will act. The other day he asked me if the characters were real or if they were people in costumes (yes, he still believes in Santa and I let him relish in the fantasy parts of life.....you're only young once). I wasn't sure what to say so I just said that it takes a VERY special person to be Mickey Mouse. Otherwise.....when Mickey comes up my son would be saying "thats just a person in a costume" and I'd never want to offend Mickey.

Being 8....you're in those odd years where you learn whats real and what isn't. Some kids do it even younger. I want him to understand the magic of seeing Mickey and not be thinking about the person under the costume but Im not too good at pulling this off evdently.....lol

Im almost 36 and I still feel the magic. I cry everytime I see Mickey in a parade. I know its a person in a costume.....but Im never thinking about that when I see him...lol. I just hope my kids feel wht I feel so they can enjoy it to the max!!

Im thinking of ordering the birthday cake but I dont know how much it costs and if its really worth it. Anyone have ay pics of a cake they make?

I would'nt really bother with a birthday cake, I think the desserts were my favorite part of the meal at chef mickeys. They will bring a cupcake to the table and sing. Did you make a note on the reservation it was a birthday? Every Disney restuarant that we been with the birthday noted, the servers have really went out of their way to make it extra special. Have a great time!

 

[Disneyliscious]

The personalized cakes start at $47 according to the man at CM I talked to this morning. I think we'll stick with the cup cake and enjoy the dessert bar. Im sure their worth it, but we are already on a budget. We can use that $$ for souvenirs or something....lol.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Chef Mickeys for me my opinion is the best feeling Disney Resturant there is. We love this place. Good food & tons of fun.

 

[Bostonterrierlover]

The personalized cakes start at $47 according to the man at CM I talked to this morning. I think we'll stick with the cup cake and enjoy the dessert bar. Im sure their worth it, but we are already on a budget. We can use that $$ for souvenirs or something....lol.

If you are really interested in a cake, you could stop by the Boardwalk Bakery and get one of those personal Mickey head cakes if you have time. I'm not sure exactly how much they are (I'm sure someone on here does!), but they aren't too expensive. They are really cute!