to do chef mickeys or not to do chef mickey's?

[ashmarie06]

I know its one of the only times you can get the fab 5 together. But the reviews are not so stellar. We would be going for dinner. Is it worth the TS credit or not? Honest Opinions please!!!! Also, if you had to eat anywhere for breakfast, where would it be. I love breakfast but dbf isn't a fan, so it would have to be a great breakfast to get him to agree!

 

[Dizneydaz]

We haven't done CM so I can't comment on that (DD12 is getting too old for the characters and the not-so-good reviews of the food have kept us away) but one of favorite choices for TS breakfast is 'Ohana's with Lilo and Stitch. For a few years, in a row, it was our choice for our last meal of our trip. The food is very good and doesn't disappoint.

Here's some of the food you get. It's always been hot and good. Even my DM says the eggs (scrambled ) are very good, even though they are served family style.

Notice the Mickey Waffles?

You won't get the Fab 5 but you do get Mickey, Pluto, Lilo, and Stitch. The room is also very nice during the day. Great view.

We've also enjoyed Park Fare for breakfast. We've done Crystal Palace but we are not fans.

We haven't done it for a few years but we always enjoyed the food, ambiance, and characters at the Princess Storybook Breakfast in Norway. Does your DBF like princesses?

 

[ashmarie06]

Thanks for the awesome review! Ohana has been in the back of my mind since we started planning. He is more of a big dinner guy, so breakfast is going to be awful trying to get him to go. I have 1900 park fare in mind for dinner, since DAK closes so early, we wanted a dinner where we could look decent. I have heard nothing but good things about the Akerhaus princess dinner, but the menu didn't look appealing. For once i'm not to keen on wasting 2ts credits on CRT. I just can't bring myself to do it. I guess no chef mickeys this year! Oh well.

 

[icc2515]

Chef Mickey's was good. It was head and shoulders above Hollywood and Vine. The food was hot and tasted fine. The character interaction was great. The handlers directed each character to every table and the characters spent plenty of time at the table signing autographs and getting their pictures taken. It was my children's favorite meal and they still talk about it 9 months later. Remember you are paying for the characters not the food. If you want great food go to 'Ohana for dinner. They had a couple of salads which were quite good. The meats were cooked properly and the buffet was replenished on a regular basis. The deserts were standard fare and they had a soft serve sundae bar. We were not rushed and the service was fine. It was a great way to kick off our vacation.

The only thing that I did not like was that they tried to take our pictures with a Chef Mickey statue and then wanted to sell it too you during the meal. How cheesey is that. Hey I got a picture of you with a fake miniature Mickey and you can buy it. What about the real Chef Mickey that just came to our table and posed for pictures with us.

 

[KatMark]

We would return for breakfast , but not dinner. We find all the dinner buffets disappointing.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

we enjoy it and usually go every trip, but we've got kids and they enjoy the characters. if it was just us, prob not. n

ot sure if i got a touch of food poisoning last trip or if it was the flu, either way ill steer clear of the minniestonni soup for a bit. lol we did it back to back nites, altho not planned had a credit left on the ddp to use after dd got the flu. the second nite after i had whatever happen i have to admit they were great about just making me some chicken broth. most expensive chicken broth i've ever eaten. lol

 

[maggie blossom]

We ate there exactly one week ago. Itvwasbour least favorite meal by far. The characters were fine but that didn't make up for the really lousy food. No way we would go again

 

[DaisyLynn]

We traveled with some friends and their children a couple years ago, and for the kids, it was great. The food was fine. Nothing that I tried was inedible and I was full when I left. Certainly not gourmet, but that's not the purpose of CM. The character interaction for the little ones was perfect.

As two adults, we would not do it again.

Unless you are traveling with children or if you would find yourselves standing in line for photos with these characters, then I would skip it. If meeting them is a must, then I'd certainly go for it. It's nicer to sit and eat a mediocre meal in air conditioning while they come to you, rather than waiting in long, hot lines!

 

[aussietravellers]

Chef Mickey's really is now on our miss list and we really wish it wasn't. We have been a few times now and there are so many other great places to eat and so little time, it used to be on our to do list, but after average to below average food, average character interaction on the last few visits, it's now off our to do list.

We love Ohana for breakfast. If we could do only one character meal, it would be there.

Tusker House is good, Cape May's is good and so is Boma (our favourite breakfast at WDW).

 

[disneybliss2]

Chef Mickey's has a great atmosphere, and of course, the characters are great! Sadly, the food at dinner time was just ok at best. The options and quality are MUCH better at breakfast. We'll do breakfast there again, but not dinner.

I noticed you were entertaining the idea of 1900 PF. We LOVED this restaurant. There were tons of options, the food was delicious, and the character interaction was the best!
You also mentioned Akershus. Don't be afraid of the food options. We've eaten there multiple times, and we've always loved it. There's a cold food bar with a variety of salads, meats, cheeses, shrimp, breads, etc. Then the dinner choices I've had have always been good too. Don't be scared; you'll be glad you tried it!

 

[SmallWorld71]

Chef Mickey's - We've been a few times and it's fine. The dinner food is not gourmet by any stretch, but if you go in knowing that, then I think you would enjoy it more. The mickey shaped cheese raviolis are good as are the mashed potatoes. There are always a couple of meet selections as well as salad selections. I think you'd have to be really picky to leave hungry. That said, I don't know that I would pick there with just 2 adults. The big draw as you mentioned are the characters. Also, the bold colors of the place really appeals to kids. Do be aware that Chef Mickey's is really loud. (As are many TS places of course, but this one can be REALLY loud.)

If you are interested in a character buffet dinner, we find the food at Crystal Palace to be a lot more varied than at Chef Mickey's and it's a must do for our family. We like Chef Mickey's OK, but will probably only be returning in the near future if we are traveling with others who want to go.

You can always meet the fab 5 at Epcot's character connection - go early for a minimal wait.

If you do decide to go, I highly recommend making your ADR for right when they open (5:00, I believe). Although check-in will be a bit chaotic, the restaurant will be relatively quiet in the beginning, the characters will come faster and the food will be fresher than later in the evening.

As far as favorite breakfast - we really like Kona Cafe. We just find the backdrop of the Poly a lovely way to start the day. It would not be a good use of a TS credit though.

 

[zmanandshan]

We personally did not like Chef Mickey's. Characters were fine, but its such a large and busy place, that the encounters seemed a bit more rushed than at other character meals. Our favorite character meal is Garden Grill, with Crystal Palace and Cape May breakfast tied for a close second.

 

[joeytdog]

I will 2nd Daisy Lynn's posting:

If your children are in the age where they will want to see each character (or most of them) in the fab 5 then CM is worth it......you get photo opps with all of them and thus avoid waiting in lines at the park, allowing you more time to ride the rides......The primetime for anything (rides or characters) with little wait is the first 2 hours at the park....and I would rather ride the rides than see characters....JIMO...

You are not paying for the food quality, I think everyone would agree on that. You are paying for the characters--its that simple.

Personally, my family (kids ages 6 and 7 now) goes to Chef Mickeys on arrival night every trip.....about 630pm....but you need to call far in advance....it gives us something to do once we unpack and like I said above, gets us right to fab 5 and gets the magic started

It has become a tradition for us

JIMO

(also note, if you book a little later, say 730 then you can stroll directly out to Contemporary Patio and see Wishes as well...just a thought)

 

[TwistGrl101]

We love Cape May breakfast at the Beach Club...with Minnie, Donald, and Goofy in their bathing suits.

Also, to meet the fab 5, you can do the meet n greet at Epcot.

 

[BarbieGal457]

I went with friends and enjoyed it. I wouldn't say it was five-star food, but we were famished and it definitely satisfied me! Plus being in the Contemporary was a ball. I haven't done the DDP since 2006 so I can't remember if it's 1 or 2 credits but if it was 1 credit I'd book it (not 2 though).

I have to echo that 'Ohana is also my favorite breakfast. It was a blast! It was also easy to get to MK afterwards as we just hopped the monorail.

 

[sanapp]

I would never pay OOP as it is not worth it for Dinner, but on the DDP to see the fab 5 I would consider it. Just go into it that you are there for the characters and not for great food. I love to have character meals and not stand in line for characters!!!!!!!

 

[gdrj]

CM's is always on our list from when our first was 1 1/2 yrs old until our last visit with our youngest who was 18 at last visit. Our 21 yr old wanted to go the last time he was with us. I think it shows that the memories the kids have there with the characters when they are young stick with them!!!

Going later this year w/o kids for the first time later this year, will be the first time we have not gone to CM's on a trip. CM's is not about the food but I've never left hungry...

 

[Tinkerbellah]

I know its one of the only times you can get the fab 5 together. But the reviews are not so stellar. We would be going for dinner. Is it worth the TS credit or not? Honest Opinions please!!!! Also, if you had to eat anywhere for breakfast, where would it be. I love breakfast but dbf isn't a fan, so it would have to be a great breakfast to get him to agree!

First of all I will say I love Chef Mickey's!! I have never once gone to WDW w/out eating here for Dinner or Breakfast. The last time we went here I was too excited watching my son's face & taking pictures to eat much but the fish of the day was great & I always loved the mashed potatoes, salad & dessert bar. forCM

My parents said the Trails End Buffet was fantastic last time but I missed it so I'd like to try it, next time. It's also a good value if paying cash.
I love breakfast too. here are some of my favorites: Olivia's/Kona/Whispering Canyon[off the menu] breakfasts. They all have made to order choices, so ya don't get over stuffed by a buffet. Kona's coffee really is THE BEST.

 

[Jenn M]

We went to CM for breakfast on our last trip, and our entire family loved it. We thought the breakfast food was decent, and both of our young boys ate a full meal. I also grabbed some apples and bananas on the way out that we munched on later at the park. We also loved the characters. Pluto tried to eat my 1 year old, and my oldest son still talks about it! We are planning on going for dinner on our next trip. I hope it will be okay after reading some of the reviews for dinner. We plan to eat there on our first night as a great kick off for our vacation. My husband said it was a "Must do again." We are also doing the Lilo and Stitch breakfast, the Mary Poppins breakfast (I am not going to attempt to spell that one at 1900 Park Fare), Lunch for Tuscar House, and the dinner at CM. As long as I don't have to cook, I am usually happy!

 

[goofyintoronto]

I was really disappointed in the food quality and selection at Chef Mickeys. Food wasnt even warm. Atmosphere is terrible too. I would not go back. Not worth it.

The fab 5 were great thou! That was the only good part.

Tusker House, Cape May, & Ohana are all great choices for breakfast!!! Im not sure which one i like best. (not sure if someone mentioned it but Tusker House now has characters at lunch too!).

My all time fave (non-character) breakfast place is definitely Kona. SO GOOD! Tonga Toast & pressed coffee pot is amazing.