What's the deal with Chef Mickeys?

[dogodisney]

We've been to Chef Mickey's twice. The first time was for dinner and it was great. I mean, a buffet is a buffet but the choices were fresh and tasty (and we all enjoyed the desserts and sundae bar.) We also had a great time with the characters and took some nice pictures.

The second time was during free dining when they added lunch as an option. This time was just "okay". The lunch food wasn't fresh/refilled on the buffet and our seats were up in an "overflow" type area away from the action. The characters still made the rounds but, I don't know why, sitting upstairs just wasn't as fun.

Based only on our first experience, I'd go back. I think it's a fun place and a great way to meet The Big Cheese. Also, the kids got a big thrill riding the monorail into the Contemporary and then getting to eat there.

I had read alot of negative comments and was a little leary but decided to give it a shot. I'm glad we went. We went for dinner during Free Dining and had a great experience.The food was good and fresh and the character interaction was wonderful. I got a lot of great pics.

I enjoyed riding the monorail over to the Contemporary too.

OP.....Go with an open mind and have a great time!

 

[msvlwb]

We love Chef Mickeys and would go more but we can't get in without ADR's.

We are local and used to go and walk up and get seated. It's truly one of our favorite places to eat anywhere. We have noticed that since the free dining started the portions of things like desserts have become smaller. They have extremely high quality food. The childrens items are really good too. I haven't been in several months. The last time we went it was about 90% of the quality it was before free dining. Still good, the best baked ham I've ever had.

 

[eagillinois]

CM is a tradition for us also. My DDs are teenagers now but we still go every trip on our first full park day for Dinner. I have never had a complaint about the food and I like that because we see many characters here, my children dont ask to stand in line at the parks and see them again.
We can't wait to go again in March!

 

[goofy4tink]

We try to CMs on each trip...at least once, either breakfast or dinner. I think, that over the years, the quality has gone downhill. I used to love dinner there..not so much anymore. Now, I book breakfast, a late seating so it acts like brunch really.
It just goes to show how different people have completely different thoughts on exactly the same thing. I love that upper room. I had the best CMs meal there one Thanksgiving. The food was verging on really great, which was a change. The second time we were in that upper room, we were unfortunatly seated next to a table of about 8-10. They were loud, obnoxious and rude. Their kids kept getting up and running to the characters as the characters came to our table..happened every single time and not once did a parent say anything. Good thing my dd is older and it wasn't a big deal, other than just being rude. To top it off, those kids ran around, up and down those steps, almost tripping several others who were trying to get to and from the buffet area. The adults were loud and rude to the server they had. That experience really colored my feelings about CMs and it's patrons.
But, overall....I like that upper room. We no longer need to see the characters coming and going, and we only need them to stop by quickly to say hi and they can go spend more time with a younger kiddo. It's usually quieter up there...much less hooting and hollaring if you know what I mean.