Some things in life are unavoidable – like rising ticket prices for Disney World and shelling out a small fortune for every meal on property.
While we’ll never stop visiting Walt Disney World Resort, we’ll admit that lately, prices have soared to mind-boggling heights. From the random bottles of water you pick up on a hot day to character dining, everything has become more expensive, which is why we’re even more careful about where we choose to spend our money.
With that in mind, we have one restaurant that we’ll never recommend to first-time (or even hundredth-time) visitors to the Most Magical Place on Earth: Chef Mickey’s.
Located within Disney’s Contemporary Resort, only a short walk away from Magic Kingdom Park, this restaurant has sparked some mixed reviews over the years. And trust us—it’s divisive for a reason. Given the choice, there are far more exciting spots to enjoy character dining without breaking the bank. Here’s why we’re firmly saying “no thanks” to this Disney World experience—and where you’ll find a better meal with all the magic intact.
The Food is Terrible
We won’t sugarcoat this because it needs to be said: the food at Chef Mickey’s is bad. While breakfast is marginally closer to average, dinner is just outright terrible, with the low-quality Carved New York Strip Loin, bland Baked Macaroni & Cheese, and sad-looking Grilled and Roasted Vegetables making it really hard to justify that $69 fee per adult.
Buffets can be a gamble, but we’ve enjoyed some fantastic ones at Disney before—proof that Disney can deliver when it comes to quality. While Chef Mickey’s might cater mainly to kids, that doesn’t mean it should skimp on the dining experience. Guests deserve more, even in a family-friendly setting.
Character Interactions Are Minimal
One of the biggest perks of character dining is that you get quality time with the characters without spending forever waiting in line in the baking hot Florida sun.
Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald Duck do the rounds at Chef Mickey’s, and while they’ll make time for every single table – and the interactions can be really fun – we’ve always found that the experience is much more rushed during breakfast or dinner here than other character dining restaurants.
We have a theory as to why that is (as you’ll hear in a second). Let’s be clear: we’re not putting the onus on the cast members here; they do a stellar job of churning out magic at Chef Mickey’s and always have done. However, it’s the very nature of Chef Mickey’s itself that makes it tough to get the interactions you often experience at other locations.
It’s Pure Chaos
Back to that theory we mentioned. Chef Mickey’s is chaos. Pure chaos. While it would be easy to say that that’s because it’s a child-oriented restaurant, the reality is that it’s Disney World – child-oriented experiences are everywhere.
We’re not sure what’s in the air at Chef Mickey’s to send kids haywire, but we have never had a single relaxing experience at the restaurant. The tables are crammed together to fit as many guests into the restaurant as possible, and you’re hard-pressed to hear the rest of your party 99% of the time. It’s loud, it’s stressful, and – in our experience – isn’t even particularly enjoyable for the kids themselves at a certain point.
Other Character Dining Experiences Offer Better Value
The good news is that Chef Mickey’s is far from the only character dining experience at Disney World. While it drives the biggest crowds because the main mouse himself is stamped all over its name and branding, you can meet the Fab Five at multiple other locations and enjoy better food.
Our number one recommendation is always EPCOT’s Garden Grill, the rotating restaurant where Southern comfort food is served family-style (and tastes delicious) for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and you get to meet Chip and Dale, Pluto, and Mickey Mouse in his farmer gear. Need we say more?
Elsewhere, you can also meet Minnie, Mickey, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The food isn’t among the best of Disney World’s offerings, but the experience itself is wholesome and cute – plus, their outfits change seasonally.
If you want to get out of the parks, Topolino’s Terrace at Disney’s Riviera Resort is also a solid choice. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy – all of whom are dressed like their favorite creative jobs, because, of course – flit around the restaurant while you enjoy one of the best character breakfasts on Disney property.Reservations are hard to secure, but so, so worth it.
What are your thoughts on Chef Mickey’s?