Chef Mickey’s is a personality eating expertise with Mickey Mouse and pals in Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort. This restaurant evaluation consists of meals photographs, our ideas on dinner, family-style meal particulars, whether or not it’s well worth the cash, adjustments for 2023, and extra. (Updated December 20, 2022.)
Chef Mickey’s dinner service has returned to Disney’s Contemporary Resort, however not in its regular kind. As with the restaurant’s breakfast, friends can as soon as once more see Mickey and pals throughout their meal, however bodily distanced–which means posed photographs however no touching, hugging, or autographs.
Also gone is the traditional Chef Mickey’s dinner buffet, changed by a prix fixe all-you-care-to-enjoy family-style dinner. It’s $59 for adults and $38 for youngsters, not together with tax and gratuity. The Chef Mickey’s Family Feast is arguably extra formidable than the buffet reviewed beneath, so it’s value contemplating for those who want family-style meals to buffets.
December 20, 2022 Update: That menu information above ought to be appended with a “for now” asterisk. That’s as a result of Walt Disney World simply introduced the next that the present family-style meal will finish on February 28, 2023.
The buffet expertise will return to Chef Mickey’s on March 1, 2023. Check again quickly to view the buffet menu. This is definitely one of many final character eating experiences to revive the buffet, which could have been resulting from improved visitor satisfaction from the family-style meal. (Not to “spoil” something, however our evaluation of the buffet was not precisely optimistic.)
We’ll make sure you re-review the buffet as soon as it returns. By the time it comes again, it’s going to have been gone for almost 3 years, and rather a lot can change in that point. That’s very true as Walt Disney World has overhauled different character eating experiences, and raised the bar considerably with newer eating places. Our hope is thus that Chef Mickey’s will likely be considerably higher in March 2023 than it was in March 2020.
Speaking of newer character eating experiences, if you wish to reduce to the chase and examine our #1 picks for breakfast and dinner, learn our Breakfast à la Art at Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera Review and Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White Review. Those are our two favourite character meals at Walt Disney World proper now.
Normally, Chef Mickey’s affords a buffet for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While it varies in value relying upon season and meal, it’s all the time dear–usually in extra of $50 per grownup. The menu at Chef Mickey’s is principally simply quite a lot of American consolation meals, nearly all of which is customary fare that may attraction to choosy eaters.
Now again to your repeatedly scheduled Chef Mickey’s dinner evaluation for these planning journeys to Walt Disney World on or after March 1, 2023, at which era the traditional Chef Mickey’s expertise may have returned…
Mickey Mouse is the unique rodent restaurateur. The story of Remy in Ratatouille is good, nevertheless it’s fairly clear he noticed the success Mickey was having and determined to tear off the thought. The solely distinction is that Remy can truly prepare dinner.
Mickey spends all of his outing assembly friends, and because of his slacking, what the kitchen produces suffers. The Mouse simply doesn’t appear to care. His restaurant stays in style and tough to ebook regardless of the delicacies, so why trouble? Well, as a result of he’s a cheerful rodent devoted to happiness, and never a ruthless businessperson, however I digress.
Chef Mickey’s is insanely in style and tough to ebook. It’s a restaurant with a ton of followers, and I believe this evaluation received’t sit effectively with these followers. So, earlier than we proceed any additional, I ask the followers on the market to present severe although to why they like Chef Mickey’s. I’m guessing there are a couple of causes: 1) nostalgia, 2) the setting, 3) the characters, and 4) the meals.
I feel the primary three causes are all very legitimate. I’m betting many friends who go to Chef Mickey’s repeatedly achieve this as a result of they’ve fond recollections of it being their children’ first character meal, possibly even the primary time assembly Mickey Mouse.
Among severe Disney followers, Chef Mickey’s has nearly turn into a ceremony of passage character meal. Many friends kind nice recollections throughout this ceremony of passage expertise and wish to return because of this. Nothing unsuitable with that. We all wish to return to the locations the place we made nice recollections.
The setting can be fairly cool. There’s one thing to be mentioned for eating within the Grand Canyon Concourse of the Contemporary with monorails passing overhead. Same goes for the characters. You have all the Fab Five at Chef Mickey’s (in cool outfits, no much less), making it among the finest experiences for character eating.
These three issues could make it straightforward to miss the faults in an expertise. Namely, the meals. It’s simply not good, and isn’t a legitimate cause for liking Chef Mickey’s. Usually, when I’ve a nasty meal at Walt Disney World, I attempt to give the restaurant the advantage of the doubt, considering of the methods my expertise may need been an outlier or simply unfortunate, and discover a cause to present it one other probability regardless of the meal. I simply can’t give Chef Mickey’s the advantage of the doubt after our dinner.
Our meal wasn’t dangerous due to any situation that could possibly be described as “variable,” just like the meals being chilly or overcooked. It was simply plain dangerous. Ingredients appeared low-cost, most buffet gadgets lacked taste, and every little thing was simply usually low-quality. The meals felt like a complete afterthought, as if individuals have been there primarily for the ambiance and character interactions, and meals didn’t matter.
I commented to Sarah throughout our meal that I might have gladly traded our meals at Chef Mickey’s for one thing on the close by Contempo Cafe counter service restaurant, and he or she wholeheartedly agreed. That’s type of unhappy contemplating we may have had a meal at Contempo Cafe for ~$15/individual, and Chef Mickey’s was about triple that value. Granted, Contempo Cafe is our #1 counter service restaurant at Walt Disney World, however nonetheless…
Now, I perceive that Chef Mickey’s is principally aiming for family-friendly consolation meals (that is actually no Boma or Tusker House), nevertheless it looks like there was no effort put into any of the gadgets on the buffet. Maybe the rationale is that it’s all for youths with easy tastes (however what about their mother and father?), I’m probably not positive. Almost just like the perspective of Rizzo the Rat when he proclaims, “they’re tourists, what do they know?” in MuppetVision, apart from meals.
Before we delve into explicit meals gadgets, let’s take a fast take a look at the decor of the restaurant. Aside from the monorail overhead, the restaurant simply consists of colourful designs, Mickey Mouse pop-art, and a Mickey head motif. It has a little bit of a Nineties vibe to it, however not in a method that feels dated.
I just like the design, particularly the colour and pop artwork. For probably the most half, it simply feels enjoyable–precisely how a personality meal like this could really feel. Plus, you completely can’t beat that monorail overhead. Just take a look at it!
This ambiance alone nearly makes the restaurant worthwhile. Too dangerous you may have the identical ambiance by simply sitting within the Grand Canyon Concourse without cost, or by consuming at Contempo Cafe for a fraction of the worth. Plus, in these locations you received’t be subjected to the entire chaos that’s Chef Mickey’s.
Here’s one of many buffet strains. Notice that the names of the meals are scribbled onto the glass. Classy.
As for the meals, the silver lining is that it’s not all atrocious. There are some glimmers of mediocrity within the combine that give Chef Mickey’s some redeeming worth. Let’s check out the assorted gadgets.
Here’s a plate of assorted meats and mashed potatoes. Anyone conversant in our weblog will immediately acknowledge this vegetable-free plate of meals as mine.
The carved beef sirloin was low high quality however above common relative to different stuff right here. I appreciated the mashed potatoes, however they appeared like an inexpensive type of on the spot potatoes.
The ribs aren’t all the time out there at Chef Mickey’s (the nightly menu does change some), however don’t get too upset in the event that they’re not there.
I’ve by no means met ribs I didn’t love…till Chef Mickey’s. Okay, I nonetheless ate a number of them, nevertheless it was as a result of it was a ‘lesser of evils’ state of affairs.
Some carved turkey on this plate. Quality-wise, it appeared like one of many higher issues out there, nevertheless it was ready dry.
Some hen, scalloped potatoes (I feel), and “salmon.” I’m not solely satisfied the salmon was fabricated from fish.
Lots of random stuff on this plate. We tried every little thing at Chef Mickey’s (simply desirous about that offers me delicate PTSD) and a lot of the meals was utterly forgettable. Actually, that ought to be “food with an asterisk,” as a result of I’m unsure if some issues meet the FDA definition of meals. I like processed responsible pleasures simply as a lot as the subsequent man, nevertheless it appeared like every little thing at Chef Mickey’s was processed and low high quality.
When I mentioned every little thing lacked taste above, maybe I used to be being too harsh. About 50% of the menu tastes like butter and/or cheese. So there’s that…I assume.
At this level, you is likely to be considering (like I used to be): “Well, at least dessert should be good. Kids love dessert!”
Well…you’d be unsuitable. Above is a brownie-like factor. It was not good.
Unfortunately, “taste” is just not one thing that they had a lot of.
On the plus aspect (probably), I feel preparation may need been the difficulty right here. So you may need higher luck with these.
The bread pudding was truly midway respectable.
The different desserts most likely made it appear higher than it was, however both method, it wasn’t dangerous.
The character interactions have been usually good. In all of our experiences at Chef Mickey’s, the place has been a zoo, however that’s completely to be anticipated of a restaurant like this. Kids get excited, mother and father allow them to run round…it occurs. Don’t eat right here for those who’re not eager on the thought of another person’s rugrat leaping round your desk. We liked the outfits that every of the characters had. For how busy Chef Mickey’s is, the character interactions are all surprisingly good. This was an actual aid given the meals high quality.
Characters are good about spending time and having enjoyable with every desk; it’s not only a matter of posing for photographs and shifting alongside. One draw back was that it was tough to get photographs with out different friends or Cast Members within the background, however that’s an issue in any respect character meals. It’s simply exacerbated on the in style ones, particularly when tables aren’t spaced out (as is the case at Chef Mickey’s).
Another situation for us is that not many character attendants have been round. For most friends this most likely isn’t a problem as a result of it’s mother and father wanting photographs of their children. Sarah and I don’t have a lot use for photographs of 1 or the opposite of us–however not each of us–within the shot. I want character attendants trailed every character at each character meal.
Before begin considering I’m only a curmudgeon who hates enjoyable, basic Walt Disney World experiences, wait till you learn our upcoming Cinderella’s Royal Table evaluation. To offer you a short synopsis, our expectations have been far exceeded and we completely liked it. See? Not all destructive!
Overall, Chef Mickey’s is without doubt one of the worst eating places at Walt Disney World relating to meals. The factor is…this may occasionally not even matter. So many individuals simply need the Chef Mickey’s expertise. The ambiance is enjoyable and the character interactions are good at Chef Mickey’s. So, possibly the Mouse is true relating to the meals being an afterthought for a lot of friends. The solely different mouse-operated restaurant I’ve visited was Chuck-E-Cheese, and it was just about the identical method. Yet, I nonetheless liked that place as a child, and I believe many households will love Chef Mickey’s regardless of the meals.
Personally, Chef Mickey’s can be low on my listing of character meals to revisit sooner or later due to its excessive value and poor meals. If I’m being trustworthy, although, and we had children, I’d nonetheless be sure they skilled Chef Mickey’s as soon as. (We’d most likely do breakfast, although, as our final breakfast at Chef Mickey’s was good. Granted, that was about 5 years in the past.) This actually speaks to the draw of Chef Mickey’s as a spot the place households make recollections, even when it shouldn’t even technically be allowed to name itself a restaurant.
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Your Thoughts…
Have you carried out Chef Mickey’s at Walt Disney World? What did you assume? Worthwhile for the characters, for the meals, or for each? Is this meal one thing you’d wish to strive? Any particular suggestions from the buffet? If you’ve got any questions or ideas to share, please submit them within the feedback. We love listening to from readers!