Chef Mickey’s Review : Best Disney World Character Meal?


chef mickey's reopens

Interested in going to Chef Mickey’s Restaurant in Walt Disney World? Well, this is our full review of one of the most magical places to eat at Disney World!

Chef Mickey’s is a staple at Disney World, located inside the Contemporary Resort and is a great option for Breakfast Brunch or Dinner on a non-park day. You do not need park tickets to get there or to be a guest of the resort. Chef Mickey’s is located inside of the Contemporary resort.

You can get there in several different ways.

Chef Mickey’s Review : Best Disney World Character Meal? Dining 1

From the Magic Kingdom, Epcot or the Ticket and transportation center you can take the monorail. From any of the parks and Disney springs you can take the bus, or from anywhere in Orlando you can take a taxi, Uber or Lyft to Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

A fun way we lift to get there from our resort is by taking an Uber to the Ticket and Transportation Center and then hopping on the monorail. There is something special about entering the resort via the monorail, also if you take the monorail you are already on the correct floor!

If you get dropped off by the bus or by car, once entering the Contemporary you go up to the 4th floor. The atmosphere is awesome! Being able to see the monorail come thru the resort while you are dining is fantastic!

Depending on where your table is located you can get views of the seven seas lagoon and get a view of the castle. We were lucky enough to get a table by a window on our last trip.

Characters At Chef Mickey’s

At Chef Mickey’s you get to meet Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Pluto. Each character comes around to your table to take pictures and sign autographs.

The convenience of characters that come directly to your table versus waiting in long lines for character interaction, makes character dining VERY appealing.

They give you enough time between characters to get your food so it’s relaxed. It takes about 90 minutes to have all 5 characters come to your table.

Don’t worry, if you miss one, they will come back around. You will have to take your own pictures as there is only a Photo Pass photographer at the front taking your group picture.

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Also, don’t forget to wear your Disney Magic bands for the pictures taken by the Disney photo pass photographer after checking in for your reservation. It’s always a fun family photo for us.

Breakfast At Chef Mickey’s

On our last trip to Disney World, we had an off day in the middle of our trip. We wanted to do a fun breakfast without dealing with the parks.

Chef Mickey’s was our first choice because we love riding the monorail and have always wanted to stay at the Contemporary Resort.  The buffet was really good. Having a 7-year-old who is not picky but particular about different foods it was nice to have so many options. This is also one of the best value’s that you can find on Walt Disney World property for the Disney Dining Plan as well!

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They had all of the traditional breakfast foods along with some fun new things to try like the spicy Western scramble. My daughters’ favorite park was the make your own waffle bar! The toppings included Syrup, Chocolate Sauce, Caramel Sauce, Sprinkles, Chocolate Chips, Whipped Cream, and more!

Brunch At Chef Mickey’s

Brunch is similar to Breakfast with some really great additions. Everything from Salmon, pot roast and chili cornbread casserole, to chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, and seasonal vegetables.

All complete with the dessert table offering cookies, brownies, and sticky buns.

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We have been at the Magic Kingdom and taken the monorail right to the Disney Contemporary Resort for our reservation, had a nice meal in air conditioning, and then been able to go right back to the Magic Kingdom to finish our day. Being able to take a break in the middle of the day, cool off and get away from the madness of the parks is always a good idea.

Dinner At Chef Mickey’s

Dinner is super yummy at Chef Mickey’s. My favorite thing to start with is the Charcuterie Board with Salami, Assorted Cheeses, Marinated Olives, and House-made Pickles. The shrimp cocktail also can’t be missed! The prime rib is also a go-to option and is one of my personal favorites! They also have Seafood Paella, Roasted Chicken, and Vegetable potstickers. The soup and pasta selections are also delicious.

They have a nice dessert table and create your own sundae bar. Also at dinner, they have some really fun drinks! My favorite adult specialty drink is the Magical Star Cocktail with X-Fusion Organic Mango and Passion Fruit Liqueur, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Pineapple Juice, and a souvenir multicolored Glow Cube.

I’m a big kid, I love taking the glow cubes home and making fancy drinks to remember the magic. They have some fun kids specialty drinks as well. My daughter loved the Lemonade topped with Wildberry Foam.

Chef Mickey’s Review : Best Disney World Character Meal? Dining 5

What To Do After Your Meal At Chef Mickey’s?

After your meal you can walk around the Contemporary Resort and see what else it has to offer, if you are not a resort guest you won’t be able to use the pools but you can roast marshmallows and shop in their gift shops or you can also hop on the monorail and go visit the other 2 resorts on the loop, The Polynesian, and the Grand Floridan.

We have also just taken a ride on the monorail to view the resorts, then hopped on the Epcot monorail and gone for that ride as well. You get unbelievable views around Disney that you can’t always see any other way.
A little-known fact is that if you time your dinner reservation right you can view the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the Contemporary Resort.

You can’t actually see them from Chef Mickey’s but if you go to the 4th-floor observation deck you will be able to watch them and even hear the music that is piped in.

A reservation about 1 1/2 hours before the Fireworks would give you enough time to eat then watch them, or 1/2 hour after the Fireworks would work to see them and then go back and have dinner.

Is Chef Mickey’s dinner good?

While Chef Mickey’s has some of the best character experiences, dinner at this location is not the best.

How expensive is Chef Mickey’s?

$35 to $59.99 per person.

Is Chef Mickey all you can eat?

Yes, Chef Mickey’s is all you care to enjoy no matter which buffet you choose.

How long does it take to eat at Chef Mickey’s?

It takes about an hour to eat at Chef Mickey’s on average.

Do I need reservations for Chef Mickey’s?

No, while advance dining reservations are highly recommended for most, if not all, meals, (particularly character meals), they are not required.

Conclusion

Chef Mickeys is a great character experience and a nice relaxed atmosphere and very affordable especially on the Disney Dining Plan. Some do not like that it’s a buffet but for our family its great that we can all get what we want and also try new things that if we had to order off a menu we may not be willing to try. We always enjoy our meal at Chef Mickey’s every time we go to Disney. Its a family favorite and an all-time classic!

Heather

Heather Noyes, the visionary behind this website and a former Disney travel agent, has woven her lifelong passion for Disney into the fabric of her daily life. Nestled just 3 miles away through the enchanting trees lies Cinderella's Castle, a magical neighbor to Heather's everyday adventures. From her earliest days, Disney has captured her heart, and this enduring love has translated into the meticulous planning of numerous trips for her family, friends, and cherished clients, all destined for the enchanting realm of Walt Disney World.

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