Chef Mickey’s ~ Is The Hype Real?

Ahhhhh Chef Mickey’s!!!! One of the Walt Disney World cult restaurants. I swear even non-Disney fans have heard of Chef Mickey’s. It’s all the rage for Disney nuts! The question I get asked by EVERYONE going to Disney for the first time is “is it worth it?” Does Chef Mickey’s live up to all the hype? I figured since this is a VERY popular topic, I would give you all the details you could ever want and my own opinion! That way you can make your own decision!

Chef Mickey’s

You will enjoy a lively, all-you-care-to-eat buffet with Disney Characters inside the Contemporary Resort. As the monorail whizzes by, Disney Characters mingle with Guests for photos and autographs and periodically lead diners in song and dance.

Guests at Chef Mickey’s may meet such Disney Characters as:
Mickey Mouse
Minnie Mouse
Pluto
Donald Duck
Goofy

Location

Chef Mickey’s is located inside the Disney Contemporary Resort! You will have to take an elevator to get to the restaurant, so be prepared to do some walking. If you’re staying at one of the Disney monorail hotels, you can easily access Chef Mickey’s by hoping on the monorail and heading to Contemporary Resort. If you’re staying somewhere else, you can drive on over since parking is free or take a Minnie Van or Lyft!

The Food

The food is served buffet style, which I’m always a fan of. Perfect to hit up right before heading to the parks. Stuff your face so you won’t be hungry and want to splurge on expensive park food!

​The quality of the food is exactly what you would expect for a buffet that caters to kids. You get the famous Mickey Waffles. Bacon, eggs, hashbrowns, sausage etc.... Don’t expect a 5 star meal, but it’s definitely a tasty one!!! I love Disney buffet breakfasts!!! So yum!!!

Tips!

• If you can’t get a reservation, start checking the Disney dining website the week before your trip. You will most likely score a reservation due to others canceling theirs!

• Bring entertainment for little ones. Just because you have a reservation for a certain time, doesn’t mean your reservation will be ready. You will most likely have a good 20 minute wait before being seated. Having a tablet or toy on hand will come in handy!

​• Be ready for a chaotic meal. Eating at Chef Mickey’s is not relaxing and since the characters visit you at your table, you have to constantly watch for them and get up so you can take pictures. In addition, it is always crowded and loud.

​• Make sure you budget your time good! Chef Mickey’s is not a restaurant you can easily get in and out of. Expect to spend around two hours for the whole waiting for your table, dining and photo experience.

Opinion!

In all honesty, I have a love-hate relationship with Chef Mickey’s. It is very loud! Just because a character is at your table does not mean other kids and their parents with cameras will not raid your table for a picture. So many Disney newbies in one place that there is no such thing as etiquette! It’s literally everyone for themselves. I get so much anxiety just thinking about Chef Mickey’s.

However, the characters are wearing the cutest outfits ever!!! The location is pretty sweet as well. The monorail runs right threw Contempoy Resort, which takes you right to Magic Kingdom! You also do not need a park ticket to dine since the character dining experience is located outside the park. Perfect for larger parties where half the group is headed to the Park after breakfast and the other half back to the resort or maybe to the golf course!

I will most likely never be heading back to Chef Mickey’s. I have been a handful of times and my daughter finally went where she will be forever old enough to remember the experience. I will be dining at one of the other, more relaxed character dining options such as Minnie’s Beach Bash at Cape May on future Disney trips! My anxiety just can’t take the chaos.

If you’re a Disney newbie however, I don’t want my opinion to totally sway you from going. If it’s literally a dream dining location, check it out! The photos will be fabulous. If you’re on the fence however, I would choose a different dining experience since you need to be a die-hard fan of Chef Mickey’s to enjoy the meal! I’m Disney obsessed!!! I have a whole Disney section on my website & the only time you will hear me talk crap about something Disney is when it comes to Chef Mickey’s Lol... sorry Disney ;-)

Let’s Chat!

Have you dined at Chef Mickey’s?