What has been your luck at Chef Mickey's w/out PS

[hightown]

Leaving in 29 days

Would like to hit Chef M's on Monday 11/11 for dinner. Nothing till 9pm.

Do folks have good experience with walking in without PS?

Thanks for your help..

 

[Dad of 5]

Best I remember (and I'll be gently corrected online ), we did Chef Mickey's one evening calling about an hour ahead for a PS. No problem.

Of course, it was early January, during one of the lowest attendance times of the year (which is why we went then!).

The place was still full, but we didn't have to wait but just a few minutes.

 

[jel0511]

I've never tried it, but when I didn't have a PS once (I eventually got one) this was the advice I received from the GF concierge. "Show up at a few minutes before opening time, I think they start serving at 5:00. Approach the podium and tell them you wish to be seated, most people have reported that they can get seated in approx 20 - 30 minutes that way. They have to seat everyone with an early PS first, but they NEVER fill the restaurant with those first PS's, so this is your best shot." Good luck and go with the attitude that you might not get in, it has happened before, but this is probably your best bet.

 

[nisiemouse]

I don't know about Chef Mickey's but this summer I called dining to try and get a priority seating for Cape May the day we were leaving and they told me they had nothing. We happened to be staying there so I walked down and asked and was seated in 5 minutes. If you try it I would go early. Good luck.

 

[Snow Wight]

We have never had trouble getting a PS for Chef Mickey's about an hour or two head. Just call from your room or *88 (I believe that is the correct number) from any pay phone on property - no charge.

 

[RobinMarie]

Our last night in May I tried for a dinner with the fab five and the operator suggested I walk up. Our party included two people with disabilities and we were staying at the FW cabins, so the thought of walking up only to have to leave was a reality. We hopped on the bus, took the boat over, and walked up to the Contemporary at 5pm and were pleasantly surprised! I was so worried we would have walked and pushed wheelchairs for no reason!

There was plenty of availability - I thought it was strange they wouldn't make a PS for us that afternoon.

 

[Melynny]

I have called while in line to reach the podium to check in for a PS, and I was seated quicker than if I just waited for an opening. We have often just showed up, since there were only 2 of us, it seems that we have an easier time finding availability than larger parties.

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

What about for a large party? We have about 13 people - do you think we would be able to just "walk up to the podium" and get seated? The only time they had available for the date we wanted (11/09/02) was at 9:00 pm and they couldn't give it to us because of the size of our party.

Do you think we would have a shot? Is there another good character dinner???

Thanks for your help.

Lisa

 

[zurgswife]

We did a walk up 2 years ago with 11 people...but we went early...like 4:30--5pm...figuring with a small wait we would be seated somewhere between 5 - 5:30...that is exactly what happened...We have done this 2 additional trips with a party of 6 and still had success...

 

[jennymouse]

I had a PS for 6:00pm on our first night but switched to Boma's...now I'm kicking myself because I think my girls would like Chef Mickey's more. I've tried calling for cancellations, but nothing until late. I think I might try walking up at 4:30 or 5:00 and see what happens. If we have no luck we can high tail it back to AKL for our Boma PS.

 

[Certifiable WDW Nut]

I would try walking up. I really think the PS system is screwy. DH and I decided to take a long weekend at WDW in August on very short notice - a couple of weeks. Once we decided to go, I called for a PS at Artist Point. I couldn't get a PS for the time I wanted - 6pm maybe, but could get one for 6:30. At 6:20 or so we showed up and the place was almost empty. I mentioned to the hostesses that we tried for an earlier PS but couldn't get it. Even the hostesses thought it was screwy we couldn't get the earlier PS. Unless it is peak season (Easter and Christmas) or you are trying to get into Cindy's Breakfast, I would always try walking up or calling just a couple of hours ahead.

 

[ttfn3]

I had this very same problem prior to our trip this past May. A couple months prior to our desired night for Chef Mickey's, the CM's said the only thing available was 8:45 p.m. Exactly two weeks out, I called and magically I had my pick of any time from 5 p.m on. I think they must hold some times back for concierge. I would suggest calling two week out. Also, fyi our PS was for 5 p.m. I saw at least one large group of people that did not have a PS and there were able to get a table without any problem.
Good Luck!!

 

[carleesmom]

I also tried getting a PS at Chef Mickey's & was told they didn't have anything until 9p, so will try going early as well as calling when we are there. Are children allowed to choose foods from the adult buffet or only from the children's selections? My 9 yo DS has a large appetite & wasn't sure if mac n cheese/pizza/fish/hot dogs would satisfy him or not. Thank you again for the wonderful hint!