WORRIED!! LATE ADR for Character Meal

[mammapapa]

I made ADR at CHEF MICKEY'S 8:50 PM, which was the earliest time available. They close at 9:30 so we'll be the last ones. It will be my DD5 Bday and I want her to enjoy everything without rushing things.. We don't want to find the buffet half empty and also MIckey and gang gone!
Has anyone booked a late dinner here?? WIll I still be able to enjoy the meal??? Will the restaurant be deserted with just the waiters around??

 

[Bob P]

Hi and welcome to the DIS!

Don't worry...the buffet will be full, Mickey and everyone will still be there and going strong, and you won't be the last ones seated!

Bob

 

[Cindy's Mom]

nm, double post

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I know my DD5 would have a problem eating at 9p. But that my daughter. You mentioned you wanted it to be special for her, but while I do think the restaurant will be crowded, there is just a different "feeling" to a place that is closing in 40 minutes. Disney will deny this, saying that they make the magic for all their guests, but remember their CM's are people too, who have outside committements. You must be going soon, to have all the times filled up. I just made my all my June ADRs and got every time I requested. You really should try 1900. Does the restaurant actually close at 9:30? Because if it does, thats alot of money to spend for 1/2 hours time. We usually soak it all up and spend at least 1.5 hours there.

 

[momrek06]

DH & I had basically the LAST ressie at Liberty Tree Tavern in Feb. I was worried the atmosphere was going to seem hurried....WELL NOT AT ALL. Yes, the restaurant was starting to empty as the fireworks were going to take place BUT for the most part people were taking their time and the characters were there spending QUALITY time with each and every table. I think sometimes we are all so tired by that time of day that once we sit, it is difficult to get back up and run quickly out so as not to miss anything. I would not worry one bit about Chef Mickey's and the atmosphere. You and your family will have a blast.

 

[Stitch1404]

On my last trip we had the last seating for both breakfast at 'Ohana and lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table. At CRT, it seemed really, really rushed. Our waiter just seemed really tense and our food came at the same time as our appetizer. Then when we were leaving we saw the people there for dinner already in the lobby getting their pictures, so that is why everyone was in a hurry.

At 'Ohana we had the exact opposite experience. We were one of only a few families in the restaurant and no one made me feel like I needed to leave. Stitch came back to our table 3 times because it was so empty in there! We really had a great time there.

I guess that probably didn't help, but I just wanted to let you know that I have had both experiences with the last seating!

 

[dsnymomof4]

When we ate there in 2004, our seating was for 7:30, but probably didn't get out of there until almost 9:00 - it was almost empty. There was plenty of food the whole time and we had so many visits from the characters! Since there weren't that many people in the restaurant, they kept on visiting us - the kids loved it! That was our best dinner ever!

 

[luvmarypoppins]

We had that time once. I took it too because it was the only thing available. We have 3 teen ds so it was o.k. with them. I have been there at various times during the evening. I guess I would say that it was a little empty and yes, I did feel like our server wanted to get out of there. After 2 drink refills they basically disappeared. I did notice however, that the characters spent alot more time with the people. I think some of them even sat down at the tables, can you blame poor minnie etc. She probably had a hard day too. The food was o.k. I know they even squeezed in a family later than ours, they had no adrs and were dvc, a huge group of like 10 plus and they were celebrating a birthday too. Yes they came and brought the cupcake etc. but they did seem a little rushed because the place was closing in like 30 mins. but the photo ops were alot better because they basically had the characters to themselves by then. Good luck. Can your child stay up that late? That is something else to consider.

 

[mammapapa]

We had that time once. I took it too because it was the only thing available. We have 3 teen ds so it was o.k. with them. I have been there at various times during the evening. I guess I would say that it was a little empty and yes, I did feel like our server wanted to get out of there. After 2 drink refills they basically disappeared. I did notice however, that the characters spent alot more time with the people. I think some of them even sat down at the tables, can you blame poor minnie etc. She probably had a hard day too. The food was o.k. I know they even squeezed in a family later than ours, they had no adrs and were dvc, a huge group of like 10 plus and they were celebrating a birthday too. Yes they came and brought the cupcake etc. but they did seem a little rushed because the place was closing in like 30 mins. but the photo ops were alot better because they basically had the characters to themselves by then. Good luck. Can your child stay up that late? That is something else to consider.

Geez, if I had known about this character dinner I would have booked it way in advance. My DD would definitely be exhausted after a day at MK!
She'll also be hungry by then. But my main worry is being at Chef Mickey's all alone with the characters. Sure, having monopoly over these characters can also be nice, but I would also prefer a more lively atmosphere with a lot of other kids around.

 

[Mommy Poppins]

Keep trying back, people cancel all the time and an earlier slot may open up. Also, call while you are at WDW as people change their plans even after they arrive for vacation.

 

[MinnieJasmine&Pooh]

Hello. Last year we had a PS at CP in MK for lunch and my DD had been waiting all year to meet Pooh. Just before we were to go in she realized she had not brought her special Pooh Bear with her and she was crushed. The lunch was perfect, the buffet was great, the characters were great but my dd was so sad her Pooh did not get to meet the character Pooh. So we checked at the desk and got a late PS for dinner later in the week. I too was worried about the late PS(around 9) for dinner. Well we went and the place was a mess, the buffet was half empty, my other kids were asleep in our laps, we had to track down the waitress and one character almost left without coming to our table BUT my dd was just as happy as could be sitting there with her Pooh waiting to have dinner with the character Pooh. It was so worth it because it was just magical for her. I think if your daughter is awake and excited to see the characters it will be great. Good luck and I hope your trip is great. Also I would keep calling because something earlier may open up.

 

[Piglet54]

We made some late ADRs in the past for meals and frequently catch late shows at Pleasure Island. Even though we're adults, we always break up the day around 1 or 2 and go back to the resort and rest in the afternoon. We take a nap or relax by the pool. Then, when we go back to the parks we're refreshed and ready to go again. As for the restaurants, we've eaten at several after 9pm and the food is fresh and the waitstaff attentive.

 

[mammapapa]

Well we went and the place was a mess, the buffet was half empty, my other kids were asleep in our laps, we had to track down the waitress and one character almost left without coming to our table BUT my dd was just as happy as could be sitting there with her Pooh waiting to have dinner with the character Pooh. It was so worth it because it was just magical for her. I think if your daughter is awake and excited to see the characters it will be great. Good luck and I hope your trip is great. Also I would keep calling because something earlier may open up.

What a lovely story!! I know what you mean. The most important thing is that our children are happy. Then we are happy too. I hope the same will be for my child.

 

[NurseGodwin]

We have eaten at Chef Mickey's for dinner twice, both after 9:00, and it is fabulous! Remember that since it is a buffet, as soon as you are seated, you are eating right away, not waiting for your order to be taken and prepared. Also, there are no lines at the buffet later in the evening. Plus, the characters are get sillier as the night goes on. Both times we received extra special treatment and attention from the entire cast: Minnie, Mickey, Chip, Dale, and Goofy. They visited our table numerous times, sometimes pulling up a chair and sitting down at the table (probably to rest, but our kids thought it was cool to actually "eat" with them) On our most recent visit, Mickey started "teasing" Chip at our table and secretly tied his apron strings to my chair. Pretty soon all of the characters got in on the action. We had our very own dinner show! We were laughing so hard we ALMOST couldn't eat our delicious desserts. Both times, we never felt rushed, service was great, and the food was fresh. For our upcoming May trip, DD14 and DD8 have insisted that we do Chef Mickeys again "late" as it is now a tradition and a highlight of our trips. Go and have a great time!