Supper tonight was at Chef Mickeys. This is one of the few places (only place?) weve eaten at every time we go to the World. We got there about 20 minutes early. Since we were coming from Pop, we didnt want to be late, but hit the bus and monorail just right. I figured wed look in the gift store to kill some time. Pirate noticed the VERY long line and decided to go check-in while we browsed. I waited about 5 minutes and then went to meet him. He already had a pager and we sat on some (new to us) comfy couches. Our pager went off almost immeadiately and we went to get our picture taken. Aurora was cranky (again) at this point (cant even remember what it was this time) so we left her out of the picture. They later tried to sell me the pictures for $30. I politely declined, there werent even any characters in it for heavens sake!
For the second time we were seated in the little room off to the side of the buffet. Doesnt matter to us, and its actually kind of quieter in there! We had a great view of the Castle
Our waitress was very prompt at bringing drinks and refills which was appreciated as in the heat, we drank a lot of (non-caffinated) pop that night. She informed us Mickey and friends were still getting some things ready in the kitchen so now would be a good time to get something to eat. We headed to the buffet and were able to get everyone at least one plate for everyone when the first characters headed out. It wasnt long before they made it to our table. First was Pluto, Goofy, & Donald. Now we have discovered that despite Minnie's intense love for Mickey, on TV, she does not like him in real life. LOVES the Princesses
.hates all the other characters. I assume its their size. She is cautiously watching the characters as they approach to prevent a possible surprise attack on her! Aurora is so excited she can hardly contain herself and eat. There character interaction is good. They are very patient with trying to get Minnie to warm up to them
although shed have none of it. Pluto was especially a hoot. A few pictures
Love this face-
Plutos trying hard
Donald
We then had a break and were able to refill our plates. I took some pictures of our plates, but not the buffet itself. Sorry. I especially love Minnies second plate here
seems fitting seeing as a mouse is the cook, right? On the way to the Contemporary Minnie continually told us I want to eat cheese. And she did. Mac & Cheese and the shredded cheese was all she ate (minus dessert.)
For my meal I am ashamed to say, I ate no protein. There was always a line for the meat and by the time I got there I had no room on my plate anyway! I had a ton of the parmasean mashed potatoes. So good, as always. I also really liked (ok, loved) their potato salad, and had some lettuce salad and a couple pasta salads. The pasta salads werent really my thing, although I normally love pasta. Too much sauce that tasted much too strong for me. I also tried the alfredo pasta dish. Not a fan! I couldnt eat it. They also had what looked to be cheesy potatoes with bacon in them. They, too, tasted horrible. Couldnt eat them either. I think it was the bacon taste that was off. Truth be told, I ate the most of the kids mac & cheese. It actually tasted really good, and hey, its Mickey shaped!!! My second plate consisted of the potato salad, the parm. potatoes and mac & cheese. Minnie also consumed an extremely large amount of the mac & cheese, so it gets a thumbs up from us.
Pirate had the meats (a beef and a pork). He stated they were good but not outstanding. He also had some of the things I did (pasta alfredo) but managed to eat his. I think hed tell you the food was fine, not much outstanding. They had a salmon on the buffet that looked good, if you liked salmon. (Neither of us do.)
My Salad plate- (Potato salad, lettuce, & pasta salad
My meal plate- Mac & cheese, parm potatoes, alfredo pasta, potatoes with bacon
Aurora's salad & meal plate- kids pizza & nuggest and lettuce salad
Pirates plates- alfredo pasta, the beef from carving station, parm potatoes with gravy, those cheesy potatoes with bacon (or ham?), ravioli?
Minnie's Cheese Plate
About the time we can see Mickey & Minnie approaching they do the Celebration song & napkin twirling. Aurora is not brought out a cupcake. Now I dont really care as she was being cranky, refused to wear her birthday button, and with the buffet we really didnt need another cupcake. She didnt notice. The girls waved the napkins but were more preoccupied with watching Mickey.
About now Mickey & Minnie come by. By the time they get here my Minnie is actually interacting with them and gives them a high 5. And allows them to get close enough for a picture. We decided this was a major breakthrough! They dont spend quite as much time with us as the previous 3, but it was still good interaction and we got some good pictures.
After they left we headed to the dessert buffet. Of course the girls are taken with the make-your-own sundaes. Aurora gets her own ice cream and puts, I believe, every possible topping on it. I tried to take a picture but it doesnt do justice to what a mess that was! I got Minnie & I ice cream as well, but I swear by the time I get to the table, its already almost melted. Minnie is making a huge mess and really just wanted the candy on top of the now-melted ice cream mess. So I take her back and just get her a bowl of candy
. Much less mess and shes happy! Aurora is continuing to eat the monstrosity. The desserts here were pretty good. The cheesecake was excellent
very smooth, light, and flavorful. I also loved the Mickey ears. Pirate did not and gave me his after the first bite. The chocolate was a bit more towards the dark chocolate side, which he doesnt like. I also had a rice crispy bar which wasnt the best, but I ate it. I wanted more cheesecake but after all the Mickey ears, Im stuffed. Then our waitress apologizes for missing Auroras birthday and gives us 2 cupcakes, each packaged in a cup. The girls are so excited. Let me tell you, we carried them on the monorail, then onto a standing room only bus where a lady holds them for us, then they stay in our room basically untouched. But we are not allowed to throw them away. After we check out on our last day, they have been shaken, maimed, and are stale. We are made to pack them in our backpack to take to the park and manage to finally throw them behind the girls back outside of Epcot! So sorry, no reviews of the CM cupcakes!
My dessert plate- Cheesecake, rice crispy & Mickey ears
Aurora's ice cream, couldn't get a picture to turn out well but you get the idea.
In the end, we will always go back to Chef Mickeys. At least as long as we have kids who want to meet Mickey. No, the food isnt outstanding, but its good and fine and we always find at least one or two things we really like. The character interaction is good and its just a fun meal for us. We both left VERY full.
Total cost- $81.74. Used 3 table service credits.