Chef Mickey's: Disney's Contemporary Resort
When you say - let’s go to Disney, it does not quite feel like we are home unless we are having at least one meal at Chef Mickeys. This is the ONE constant restaurant that we have had since we became Disney parents. We cannot even count the times we have walk through the atrium at The Contemporary Resort to find our favorite place Chef Mickey’s.
Like all dining reservation you are able to book Chef’s Mickeys at your 60 day window. If you have trouble getting the resrvation you want, check out my blog on how to set dining alerts.
If you are unable to get a reservation at Chef Mickey's, don't worry! You can join the restaurant's waitlist and receive an estimated wait time based on the size of your party. Even if you are unsuccessful 60 days prior to your visit, there are still plenty of chances to secure a reservation. It's worth noting that the restaurant has a new cancellation policy, allowing for cancellations up to 2 hours before the dining time. This means that many reservations become available on the same day, so keep checking for availability.
Disney Dining Plan: 1 Table Service Credit
Breakfast: 7:30 am - 12:30 pm
Dinner: 5 pm - 9:30 pm
Type of Meal: American, Character Dining, Buffet
Menu: View Menu Here
Waitlist Available: Yes!
Location
Chef Mickey's is an extremely popular dining experience located in the Walt Disney World Resort for a reason. The restaurant is situated on the fourth floor of the A-frame Building at Disney's Contemporary Resort and offers families a chance to enjoy delicious food while also meeting their favorite Disney characters. Chef Mickey's is perfect for days Rest Days since it is located at a resort, or as a great way to start your day at Magic Kingdom since Disney’s Contemporary Resort is only a 10-minute walk from the park.
Food
The restaurant offers a buffet-style dining experience with a wide range of options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The breakfast buffet includes classic items like bacon, scrambled eggs, and Mickey waffles. For guests who want to try unique dishes, the restaurant also serves lobster Benedict and smoked salmon. There is something for everyone!
For dinner, the restaurant provides a vast selection of dishes, such as roasted chicken, beef, and various seafood options. Additionally, vegetarian and vegan options are available, making it an excellent choice for guests with dietary restrictions. It is also my top choice for picky eaters, my kids are always full when we leave this restaurant.
If you happen to be on the Disney Dining Plan and are over 21 years old, you have the option to enjoy an alcoholic beverage along with your meal. As per the plan, you can choose from a selection of beers, wines, and cocktails available at select restaurants across the Disney parks and resorts.
Characters
Chef Mickey's is well-known for its exciting character meet and greets. During the meal, guests get to meet and take photos with Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, and Pluto. The Disney characters visit each table, giving everyone a chance to interact with them, take pictures, and get autographs. It's a fantastic opportunity for both kids and adults to meet some of their favorite Disney characters and make some unforgettable memories.
It has changed over the years, and now all the characters are in Chef Jackets when they meet you. We love it. You are missing Daisy but sometimes you can catch her at EPCOT in her Chef Outfit completing the set.
Reasons not to go to Chef Mickey’s
If you are considering dining at Chef Mickey's, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of this restaurant. On one hand, Chef Mickey's is a popular and well-known establishment at Disney World, and for good reason. The restaurant offers a buffet-style dining experience, where guests can interact with characters. This makes the restaurant a great option for families with young children who want to enjoy a fun and interactive meal.
However, it is worth noting that Chef Mickey's is one of the more expensive dining options at Disney World, and the prices may not be suitable for visitors on a tight budget. Additionally, the restaurant is quite old and outdated, which may be a turn-off for some guests who are looking for a more modern dining experience. While the restaurant's dated decor may evoke feelings of nostalgia for some, it may not compare well to newer and more upscale establishments such as Topolino's.
If you are looking for a fun and interactive dining experience with beloved Disney characters, Chef Mickey's is definitely worth considering. However, if you are on a tight budget or are looking for a more modern dining experience, you may want to explore other options at Disney World.
Breakfast Prices:
$54 per adult, plus tax and gratuity
$34 per Child (Ages 3-9), plus tax and gratuity
Dinner Prices:
$66 per adult, plus tax and gratuity
$41 per Child (Ages 3-9), plus tax and gratuity
Chef Mickey is a popular dining destination, but it can get quite crowded and loud during peak times. The space has multiple rooms, some of which are dimly lit. In my opinion, Chef Mickey's is in need of a remodel, and hopefully, that will happen soon.
The food is mediocre for the price. But you have to remember you are not paying for the food, you are paying for the experience of the character meal. I personally like this buffet because it's so big and picky eaters always find something here.
Dining can take a long time. Always allow for 90 minutes for a character meal - you will not get out of there in under an hour. So if you have a goal to be at the parks early do not plan a character meal.
Our Families Personal Experience at Chef Mickey’s
I cannot count at this point how many times we have been to Chef Mickey’s we have been coming here since 2012.
My kids love the food because a wide variety of simple foods are available for them. For breakfast, they enjoy fruit, biscuits and gravy, waffles, and pancakes. They particularly love the orange chicken, hamburger, and baked mac and cheese at dinner. The simple food options cater to picky eaters, and the buffet-style setup allows you to sample a little bit of everything. The food is consistently of high quality, making it worth the price. Overall, my kids eat the most at this meal.
The price can be steep, but the overall experience is well worth it. If you're planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort, enjoy the chance to dine at Chef Mickey's. It's a must-visit restaurant that will leave you feeling happy, full, and thoroughly entertained.
After the pandemic, the napkin dance that used to take place at Chef Mickey's has been discontinued. Previously, guests would twirl their napkins in the air while the characters danced by, joining in the fun. However, the napkin dance has been replaced by the "biscuit dance" song, which isn't as enjoyable. It's worth noting that guests can still obtain autographs from each character during the experience.
But what sets Chef Mickey's apart is the character interactions. Throughout your meal, Mickey Mouse and his friends make their rounds at every table, taking photos and signing autographs. It's a wonderful opportunity to meet some of your favorite Disney characters and create memories that will last a lifetime.
PhotoPass Opportunity
The PhotoPass opportunities at Disney Parks are constantly changing over the years. Currently, a spot is available for a family photo for Photo Pass. However, I don't think any character meetings are scheduled there for January 2024. But this can change. As you can see below, many options for PhotoPass have been available over the years.
Please note that photos are not included with your dining reservation unless you have a PhotoPass entitlement, such as Memory Maker or Memory Maker One Day, or if you are a qualifying Annual Passholder with a PhotoPass download benefit. You can also purchase photos individually.
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