Will we be rushed out for 11:20am Chef Mickey's?

[peanut520]

it is the last ADR available for breakfast and it works really well for our arrival day, but should i reconsider? i thought it would be cute that dd's first meal on her first trip would be with mickey. if i cancel where do you suggest? we are staying in CR and right now the plan is to go to MK as our first park, but i'm considering going to EC first so we can do a MK RD. i'm afraid that if we will be facing a melt down if we dont eat before the park because she might be too excited to get food down once we step into the world.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Dang, that's late for breakfast, what time do they start serving lunch? I'm not sure if I wouldn't try to book something earlier at either O'hana or 1900 Park Fare, or book a lunch at Chef Mickeys.

 

[cigar95]

it is the last ADR available for breakfast and it works really well for our arrival day, but should i reconsider? i thought it would be cute that dd's first meal on her first trip would be with mickey. if i cancel where do you suggest? we are staying in CR and right now the plan is to go to MK as our first park, but i'm considering going to EC first so we can do a MK RD. i'm afraid that if we will be facing a melt down if we dont eat before the park because she might be too excited to get food down once we step into the world.

If she's impressionable, the first meal might leave her with the idea that ALL WDW meals are with Mickey - and hence, later meals then become a disappointment. This is similar to the strategy that parents of younger children start off a WDW vacation with a visit to a park *other than* Magic Kingdom.

But as far as your concern over a meal at the last seating, don't worry. Those late seatings often have a much better character greetings when there are fewer guests in the restaurant. And no one will rush you out the door or empty the buffet.

Another possibility is a late seating at 1900 Park Fare - still with characters, and just a monorail ride away. Then ride over to Epcot for a first day.

 

[peanut520]

Dang, that's late for breakfast, what time do they start serving lunch? I'm not sure if I wouldn't try to book something earlier at either O'hana or 1900 Park Fare, or book a lunch at Chef Mickeys.

Chef Mickey's is breakfast or dinner, but i did see there are some lunch options so i was thinking of it more of a brunch.

If she's impressionable, the first meal might leave her with the idea that ALL WDW meals are with Mickey - and hence, later meals then become a disappointment. This is similar to the strategy that parents of younger children start off a WDW vacation with a visit to a park *other than* Magic Kingdom.

But as far as your concern over a meal at the last seating, don't worry. Those late seatings often have a much better character greetings when there are fewer guests in the restaurant. And no one will rush you out the door or empty the buffet.

Another possibility is a late seating at 1900 Park Fare - still with characters, and just a monorail ride away. Then ride over to Epcot for a first day.

hmmm... i never thought about it that was that she would think that every meal is with mickey and i always thought that the first park for a little one was MK . see what i know!

 

[cigar95]

hmmm... i never thought about it that was that she would think that every meal is with mickey and i always thought that the first park for a little one was MK . see what i know!

Well, not everyone agrees with that strategy, but it makes sense to me. If you spend the first day meeting Mickey and the princesses, spending the next morning riding around in a truck looking at elephants just might be a letdown for *some* younger ones.

On the other hand, starting out the trip with a meal with Alice and the Mad Hatter would be really neat, then a later meal with Mickey would be even cooler. In general, a kid's first time doing something at WDW *can* set their expectations for all that follows - first meal, first park, first attraction, first transportation . . . . . . but you know your daughter better than we do.

 

[peanut520]

Well, not everyone agrees with that strategy, but it makes sense to me. If you spend the first day meeting Mickey and the princesses, spending the next morning riding around in a truck looking at elephants just might be a letdown for *some* younger ones.

On the other hand, starting out the trip with a meal with Alice and the Mad Hatter would be really neat, then a later meal with Mickey would be even cooler. In general, a kid's first time doing something at WDW *can* set their expectations for all that follows - first meal, first park, first attraction, first transportation . . . . . . but you know your daughter better than we do.

i just never really thought of it from setting an expectation point of view. that is why i love this board everyone has something to bring to the table as far as suggestions and experiences. i actually think that she'll love AK because she loves dinosaurs and the hay rides (they have hay ride truck or open seating trucks) at our local orchard.

 

[Diegosmom]

I never thought about that either. Going in Jan with DS (who will be 4.5) and I was trying to figure out what to do for lunch the first day. We arrive really late on Sat night (like 11pm or midnight) so figured we would sleep in on Sat then hit a character lunch with Mickey. Was hoping for Chef Mickey or Garden Grill but couldnt find anything for lunch. But I had not even considered that this would set the example for the entire week. And we are probably only doing 3 TS and only 2 with characters. Hmmmmm I just figured if we got the meet with the Fab 5 over with at lunch then when we hit the park we wont have to stand in line.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

Chef Mickey's is breakfast or dinner, but i did see there are some lunch options so i was thinking of it more of a brunch.



hmmm... i never thought about it that was that she would think that every meal is with mickey and i always thought that the first park for a little one was MK . see what i know!

It could be a brunch. I know that during real busy times they have served three meals so I don't know.

Is this the only Character meal that you are planning? I have to say that the one at 1900 Park Fare is perfect for little girls. Here is a link.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.ID=28

Lady Tremaine, and Anastasia and Drisella are hilarious at dinner!

 

[smiths02]

I never thought about that either. Going in Jan with DS (who will be 4.5) and I was trying to figure out what to do for lunch the first day. We arrive really late on Sat night (like 11pm or midnight) so figured we would sleep in on Sat then hit a character lunch with Mickey. Was hoping for Chef Mickey or Garden Grill but couldnt find anything for lunch. But I had not even considered that this would set the example for the entire week. And we are probably only doing 3 TS and only 2 with characters. Hmmmmm I just figured if we got the meet with the Fab 5 over with at lunch then when we hit the park we wont have to stand in line.

Garden Grill is only dinner

Chef Mickey is usually only breakfast and dinner although they have done lunch in really busy times

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Chef Mickey's has only served lunch during Free Dining.

 

[DizneeMommy]

We had "brunch" at 11:00 at Chef Mickey's on our first trip after a few hours in MK. . .we had a terrific time, and the restaurant was not very crowded. We spent lots of time with the characters, who actually had time to hang out at each table longer. We will be back in July for an 11:00 ADR after EMH morning at MK!

 

[si-am]

Something that might be fun if you don't have your heart set on a park for arrival day: Downtown Disney. You can eat at Rainforest Cafe which is fun for kids, and spend the afternoon looking around.

 

[fakereadhed]

That's our FAVORITE time for breakfast at CM. Tons of character interaction and we aren't rushed at all. As long as it doesn't interfere with your touring go for it!

 

[peanut520]

It could be a brunch. I know that during real busy times they have served three meals so I don't know.

Is this the only Character meal that you are planning? I have to say that the one at 1900 Park Fare is perfect for little girls. Here is a link.
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.ID=28

Lady Tremaine, and Anastasia and Drisella are hilarious at dinner!

oh i have plenty character meals planned! akershus, tuskers, garden grill and crystal palace are all scheduled, but i'm reconsidering tusker i am hearing 3 meals at AK is a lot.

 

[peanut520]

We had "brunch" at 11:00 at Chef Mickey's on our first trip after a few hours in MK. . .we had a terrific time, and the restaurant was not very crowded. We spent lots of time with the characters, who actually had time to hang out at each table longer. We will be back in July for an 11:00 ADR after EMH morning at MK!

that is good to hear!

Something that might be fun if you don't have your heart set on a park for arrival day: Downtown Disney. You can eat at Rainforest Cafe which is fun for kids, and spend the afternoon looking around.

i think we definitely want to do a park since we are only there 5 days.