Dining reservations a necessity?

[Soarin08]

Just a side note, but can someone please explain why Chef Mickey's is supposedly so wonderful? Everyone I've talked to says it is a chaotic, subpar mess of a restaurant with minimal character interaction. I'd much rather go to Garden Grill to see Mickey. At least he comes by the tables at least twice. Hence why I don't plan to waste my time trying Chef Mickey's until I'm forced to.

[Mark86]

Just a side note, but can someone please explain why Chef Mickey's is supposedly so wonderful? Everyone I've talked to says it is a chaotic, subpar mess of a restaurant with minimal character interaction. I'd much rather go to Garden Grill to see Mickey. At least he comes by the tables at least twice. Hence why I don't plan to waste my time trying Chef Mickey's until I'm forced to.

Chef Mickey is kind of like an icon in Disney. If you have kids, you probably should let them experience it once. Personally, we used to go yearly and buy the family picture they snapped at the beginning. There is like 7 years worth of pics on my fridge. After smartening up, we realized that the food is average at best and the atmosphere is chaotic/loud. The characters spend 30 seconds at each table if it is a good day. If you want quality food with better character interaction, go to the Garden Grill. That restaurant relaxes me.

[SorcererDonald16]

Just a side note, but can someone please explain why Chef Mickey's is supposedly so wonderful? Everyone I've talked to says it is a chaotic, subpar mess of a restaurant with minimal character interaction. I'd much rather go to Garden Grill to see Mickey. At least he comes by the tables at least twice. Hence why I don't plan to waste my time trying Chef Mickey's until I'm forced to.

For me, a big part of it comes down to priorities. I don't really care about meeting the Big Cheese, so meeting him 2x at Garden Grill would not interest me at all (I do love C&D, however!). Mickey's nice and all, but just "ok" for me. The highlight of CM for me is . And with one exception years ago in MK, the best Donald interactions I have had have always been at CM.

I started going there for breakfast once a trip (also once a year) in 2006, and the food has stayed consistently good. I'm not really a picky breakfast eater, as long as I have variety (I dislike 'Ohana for the lack of variety, for example). After last year, I do have to say that CP has better breakfast food (puffed French toast and the made-to-order omelettes, for starters). Will keep doing both as long as we can, though. I only chose to visit CM in the first place back in 2006 (prior to the Duck's breakfast invasion) because, like Mark said, it is iconic in WDW and something I had seen for years from the monorail.

We usually do a late seating (11am-11:20am) and stay for a little over an hour, so we do usually see at least two characters twice, and things really empty out the last 25 minutes or so of our meal.The characters did used to spend more time at the table, though. The last couple years it has gone way down, but lucky for me, Donald has always spent extra time with me and my family after I informed him he was my favorite character. I'm glad he is there because as much as I loved C&D, I really do not want to have to subject myself to Tusker House for breakfast with Donald. I am more of a standard American fare person for breakfast, and our ADRs at CM and CP are usually the only time we eat breakfast out the entire trip. Otherwise, we stick to muffins, danishes, etc. and juice in the room before heading to the parks.

As long as Donald sticks around, I'll keep going as long as the food doesn't become inedible.

[Amy]

I would think the main draw of Chef Mickey's is the monorail going through right next to the restaurant. That would have impressed the heck out of me as a child ~ probably even now as an adult, I would be snapping pictures

[DisneyYorkie]

Just a side note, but can someone please explain why Chef Mickey's is supposedly so wonderful? Everyone I've talked to says it is a chaotic, subpar mess of a restaurant with minimal character interaction. I'd much rather go to Garden Grill to see Mickey. At least he comes by the tables at least twice. Hence why I don't plan to waste my time trying Chef Mickey's until I'm forced to.

We have loved CMs every time we have gone and the food has been fantastic, the atmosphere fun, and the character interaction superb. Guess it is individual experience and personal preference, but we wouldn't miss going to CMs when taking a Disney trip.

[DisneyYorkie]

I would think the main draw of Chef Mickey's is the monorail going through right next to the restaurant. That would have impressed the heck out of me as a child ~ probably even now as an adult, I would be snapping pictures

The monorail passing through adds an element that you can't get at any of the other character meals or dining experiences in Disney. The closest thing would be the boats passing through the San Angel Inn or perhaps rotating slowly through the Land attraction while dining at Garden Grill.

[theBIGyowski]

I can see CM being a huge draw for families with small kids...but other than that...you can get much better breakfast at other places...but they may not be character breakfasts. DW and I loved eating at Kona Cafe...and will try to make that a tradition going forward.

[DisneyYorkie]

I can see CM being a huge draw for families with small kids...but other than that...you can get much better breakfast at other places...but they may not be character breakfasts. DW and I loved eating at Kona Cafe...and will try to make that a tradition going forward.

I have had both breakfast and dinner at CMs but actually prefer dinner which I think has one of the best selections of any Disney buffet I've ever eaten. While expensive, I think the quality and selection for both adults and children is unsurpassed. And the desserts....unbelievable!

[theBIGyowski]

I can see CM being a huge draw for families with small kids...but other than that...you can get much better breakfast at other places...but they may not be character breakfasts. DW and I loved eating at Kona Cafe...and will try to make that a tradition going forward.

I have had both breakfast and dinner at CMs but actually prefer dinner which I think has one of the best selections of any Disney buffet I've ever eaten. While expensive, I think the quality and selection for both adults and children is unsurpassed. And the desserts....unbelievable!

there you go...making me hungry!

[Amy]

I would think the main draw of Chef Mickey's is the monorail going through right next to the restaurant. That would have impressed the heck out of me as a child ~ probably even now as an adult, I would be snapping pictures

The monorail passing through adds an element that you can't get at any of the other character meals or dining experiences in Disney. The closest thing would be the boats passing through the San Angel Inn or perhaps rotating slowly through the Land attraction while dining at Garden Grill.

I've never dined at Chef Mickey's or San Angel Inn (although the boats sound lovely), but we did have dessert once at the Garden Grill and the rotating restaurant thing was pretty neat. That was the first time I realized the farm scene was part of the Living with the Land boat tour and the Garden Grill

[DisneyYorkie]

I've never dined at Chef Mickey's or San Angel Inn (although the boats sound lovely), but we did have dessert once at the Garden Grill and the rotating restaurant thing was pretty neat. That was the first time I realized the farm scene was part of the Living with the Land boat tour and the Garden Grill

What Disney won't think of next Which makes me think that would be a GOOD topic for a new thread...What cool things could Disney do with a restaurant that haven't already been done....

[Goofyfan]

I've never dined at Chef Mickey's or San Angel Inn (although the boats sound lovely), but we did have dessert once at the Garden Grill and the rotating restaurant thing was pretty neat. That was the first time I realized the farm scene was part of the Living with the Land boat tour and the Garden Grill

What Disney won't think of next Which makes me think that would be a GOOD topic for a new thread...What cool things could Disney do with a restaurant that haven't already been done....

Sounds like a good idea yorkie

[momeja]

Ohana is another restaurant where you absolutely must have a reservation. You'll never get in otherwise.

Speaking of Chef Mickey's: I know it's an obvious whine but CM used to be so much better! When we first started taking the kids in 2001, the restaurant wasn't nearly as popular. In fact, at certain times, it was a free dining location for CMs. The characters used to spend time with you and the parade was long and fun. The last time we went there in 2010, it was much more mechanical.

I personally think the change happened when they kicked out Chip n Dale.

[elizabethswann]

I'd say definitely. I didn't get a reservation for two restaurants in Epcot until I was thankful Soarin08 helped me out with two of them but I'd say they are very much a necessity even if you go during the off season.