Sept. 2007
The Hicks Go to Chef Mickey's,
There Was a Really Big, Really Cool Thunderstorm,
and Then There Was That Incident
Involving a Really, Really Big Mouse....
[Sorry I have taken so long to update. Life...and all that jazz.]
So, when we last left the Hicks they had lunched in the wilds of
Animal Kingdom.
As Animal Kingdom closes early,
and was pretty much devoid of TS credit choices at that time,
(which apparently has been fixed now)
the Hicks decided to plan a dinner at a resort for that night.
Our family had eaten there on our last trip, and really liked it.
We also thought it would be a good way to ensure that the cousins
got there moment with Mickey without waiting in line.
I was unsure whether we would stay till park closing or not,
so I made the ADR for 6:45 pm.
Later, when I panicked, and thought that was too late,
I called back to change it.
The earliest they still had available was 9:45 PM!!!
I politely declined, and decided to just deal.
We ended up leaving the park during the parade
(THAT was a joy, let me tell ya. More on that during my trip report.)
so had a little bit of time to kill before dinner.
So, we did what any self-respecting Hick would do,
and headed back to the room for an air-conditioned nap.
Ahhhhhhhh.
How refreshing.
We managed to rouse everyone in time,
and we headed off to the bus for Magic Kingdom.
Thus far in my resort to resort travels
I have stuck to the resorts on the monorail.
This eliminates the need to go to a park and trade buses,
or find the other resort while hauling 7 sweaty children in our 15 passenger,
(which would have had 13 people in it if we had driven somewhere this trip)
OR, worse yet, figure out how to get a taxi for 13 people.
We rode the WDW bus to MK, then walked over to the monorail.
In the afternoon heat, this seemed like a LONG walk.
Especially as it was starting to drizzle.
I wish the buses were closer to the monorail.
And the park.
And my room.
But I digress.
Bionic SIL and kids, and Mom had not had a ride on the monorail yet.
They really enjoyed it.
And I just read in my friend HeatherSue's trip report,
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1831386
that her dh Henry says
that the barn-like smell on the monorail
is actually the smell of an electric motor.
Well that explains it!
I was pretty sure that they were not letting animals whiz on the monorail
but ya never know!
It's a quick trip to the Contemporary, as it is the first stop on the hotel loop FROM the MK.
On the way back, you have to go through the entire loop.
But we like that part.
I don't remember having a very long wait,
I think due to cutting time short (naps are important!)
We had decided to forgo the picture,
knowing now that they would try to gouge us for a mediocre pic,
and that we'd rather just get on to the food.
We were seated in the back window filled room.
It was a GREAT location, with an awesome view
of the roof of the Contemporary, and most of the lake.
We had been in the room next to it last trip,
but the sun was setting so we managed to only see
the shades drawn and bright sunlight streaming through.
This time, due to the storm outside, the shades were wide open.
It was just up the stairs from the buffet, which was really handy.
Chef Mickey's is a rather noisy place.
The food is excellent, and quite fancy by Hick standards,
yet still has offerings like Mac and Cheese, and chicken nuggets.
If you are looking for fine dining in a quiet atmosphere...
this ain't it.
If you are looking for good food,
and fun character interaction,
with a party feel...this is your place!
The CM took our drink orders, and I knew what I was having.
Chef Mickey's has had, on both trips, the most delicious
Pina Coloda smoothie.
It contains no alcohol, and doesn't need it.
It is delicious, smooth, and creamy,
better than an alchoholic Pina Colada,
because they tend to be heavy on the ice.
You can see Bionic SIL's smoothie below.
Our first
Free Dining trip they included the smoothie on the dining plan.
But restaurants are not required to include specialty drinks,
and, alas, this time we had to pay out of pocket.
Mom had a glass of wine (not sure what kind?),
and John had, I think, an Amber Bock (beer).
They both also enjoyed their out of pocket drink choices very much.
But, let me step back a moment and say
that I can't remember if the chef came and spoke to us that night
about our Food Allergies.
One did on our last trip,
and I know that they didn't on our breakfast meal later this trip,
but I THINK they did this visit, just can't remember for sure.
I remember that the waiter asked who had a special occasion,
and we looked at him blankly,
and he double checked his paper and said
"Um, maybe it was a special request???"
OH! Food allergies!
I pointed out Danger Boy,
forgetting entirely about Bitsy,
and the waiter gave Danger Boy a "it's your special day" placemat.
Which I thought was really weird.
And, I remembered later, we left it there!
Anyway, all that to say, if you NEED to talk to a chef, PLEASE ASK!
Don't just assume they will send one out to you.
I pretty much know what to avoid, but my kids aren't ana to their foods,
so we're not as much at risk.
I think we barely had time to get our food when the characters started arriving.
They were Minnie, Mickey, Pluto, Goofy,
and Donald was standing at the entrance.
Well, I've got to go do laundry
so I'll update more later.
Next up: The Incident at Chef Mickey's, Part 2
You even got individual pictures with him!
I am already looking forward to bump's first trip to WDW which we are planning for October 2009 
