walt disney world dining

Chef Mickey's Buffet

Chef Mickey's Buffet Information
Food/Dining Type: American
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner, Character
Location: Contemporary / Fourth Floor of Disney's Contemporary Resort
Reservations: Suggested
Hours: 7:00am - 9:30pm
Disney Dining Plan: YES (Table Service Credit)
DISboards.com: Discuss Chef Mickey's Buffet
Reviews Reviews of Chef Mickey's Buffet
Menu: Chef Mickey's Buffet Menu
Chef Mickey's Buffet Reviews
(Avg Rating: 7.7)
  • Rating: 5.0 - 02/13
    belle41379 - We visited Chef Mickey twice, within 2 years. Once for breakfast, once for dinner. On both occasions, we received poor service. One visit (dinner) was so bad I actually had to speak with a manager about the poor quality of our server. The food is okay. Not bad, not amazing. For the price you are paying, there is no excuse for bad service and just okay food. We won't be returning for several years.
  • Rating: 10.0 - 02/13
    norwane - We went there for brunch. We thought the food was good, and left full and happy. Overall, no complaints and we would go there again.
  • Rating: 8.0 - 01/13
    lisakramer - We really enjoy eating here. I think we've done all 3 meals over our visits. The character interaction is very good. Always happy to pose for a picture. We've missed some characters and had them come back specifically for us. The selection on the buffet is good enough to make everyone happy. I think this place gets a bad rap. We enjoy eating here every time.
  • Rating: 8.0 - 01/13
    Bamadisdreamer - Loved all the food choices and being able to see the characters. We had breakfast there and it was very good.
  • Rating: 9.0 - 10/12
    cheshirecatattack - Ate here on Oct 26/12. Arrived a few minutes early for our reservation and were seated after a five minute wait. Or server had coffee and juice waiting in our table for us and was came over quickly to let us know how long we would have until the characters came so we could grab our first round of food, the food was all delicious and there was more variety then some other character restaurants, everything I tried was hot, fresh and delicious, especially the corned beef hash and cheese blintez. The characters moved through the restaurant quickly and took lots of pictures with everyone, I will definitely be heading back to Chef Mickeys
  • Rating: 10.0 - 09/12
    Mickey2J - We went to Chef Mickey's the first night we arrived at the world. We where kind of worried about doing a character meal with it being just us, 2 adults. We could not have had a better time. We arrived about 10min before our ADR, we where given a pager and as soon as we sit down it went off. With it being just the two of us, we where given a semi private table in a corner at the windows facing the Magic Kingdom. We could not have had a better table. We were kind of nerves about the food, both being vegetarians and the not so good reviews the food gets here. We could not have been more pleased with the selection. Between the salad bar, mickey cheese ravioli and the Best Mashed Potatoes I have ever eaten it was all great. The Character interaction was great, the first character was at out table within 5min of being seated. Each character came to our table at least 4 times and Minnie came over about 7. The service was great, plates cleared immediately, drinks always filled and someone always coming around checking on us. This is definitional a Must Do and a New Tradition for Us.
  • Rating: 10.0 - 06/12
    moneys11 - Food was AWESOME! Choices were amazing. Loved that all the characters came to each table!
  • Rating: 9.0 - 06/12
    Oledawg - Had dinner with DS and DD and grandkids (6,5,2) but had 9 in party including another 4 year old. This was our first dinner of the trip and it set the tone for the entire week. The kids loved meeting and getting autographs from the fab five. Will go again
  • Rating: 4.0 - 01/12
    fosm001 - Party of 4 - 2 adults, 2 kids. Probably will not do Chef Mickey's dinner again. It was ok and fun to do once. Not worth the price - food was ok nothing special at all. Character time was alright as well. Might try breakfast but doubt it.
  • Rating: 7.0 - 12/11
    jmartin42 - The characters seemed like they were rushed. Felt like they had 30 seconds each which makes a photo and autographs hard with 4 children. The food was really good. We went for breakfast as I had heard the dinner food was just ok. On the plus side it was the first time my DD 3 year old hugged a character. Minnie slowed down when we said she was her favorite character.
  • Rating: 7.0 - 11/11
    lauran - Half of our group would rank this a ten, half would give it a five. We went here for a childs birthday. We had pre-ordered the treasure chest birthday cake, but there was a miscommunication with the reservation people and the restaurant. Apparently, the restaurant no longer serves that cake. No one informed us of this change, so when we arrived and asked about the cake, our server first brought out a bunch of toys and a gift bag, and also free of charge,a nine inch white cake that she told the birthday boy (who turned five that day) that Minnie baked it for him herself. He still talks about that. So the character aspect and the service was stellar. The food to half of us was so-so. Nothing special. To the other half of our group, the food was amazing. The prime rib and mashed potatoes were raved about....ok....(as you can tell I was in the other group). I would recommend this to people with kids or people who like to eat good, hearty (boring) food.
  • Rating: 10.0 - 08/11
    Nadjalu - Chef Mickey's is a dinner we love to do. I always feel I have arrived at WDW when I go into the CR. (don't stay there, but still). So we love to do this dinner. As a buffet it is good food. Not fine dining, but better than most buffets for sure. The beef is always nice and tender, cooked med/med rare. The sides, especially the mashed potatoes are delish. And the characters...gotta love them!! Not sure why people don't like this dinner. We have never experienced the bad people talk about. Everything is hot, plentiful, good and clean. Victoria's and Alberts it is not...but hey for a buffet it gets a A+ in our book!!
  • Rating: 10.0 - 07/11
    mom_of_2 - We had so much fun at this restaurant. My children loved the napkin swinging party. All of the main characters were there and were very friendly. They did not rush us at all! We ate dinner here and it was very good. Nice variety. The service was great as well. This is definitely a must do!
  • Rating: 7.0 - 06/11
    ckd7899 - We enjoyed breakfast at Chef Mickey's, but were not super pleased with the staff. It was fun to see the characters, and my children enjoyed them very much. The food was decent - although I'd stay away from the french toast - and the atmosphere was ok. My kids enjoyed swinging their napkins in the air during "party time". Our server was decent, although other servers seemed to be a bit rude, and the photographer was awful. Very rude and impatient - and when dealing with a family with 3 small children, patience is important. It took almost 40 minutes for an omelet to be prepared, also. Overall, not bad, but far from our favorite breakfast.
  • Rating: 8.0 - 05/11
    TXDad811 - Ate breakfast here. The food was very good, and my wife still got specially-made Mickey waffles for her dairy and egg allergy. All characters interact with kids. It is pricey (we were in big group) and the place is very crowded and loud. Too be expected, though.
  • Rating: 7.0 - 03/11
    2Girlz - The overall experience was good, not great. Our two girls (6 yrs and 21 months) enjoyed meeting the characters. The 21 mth old loved pointing at the characters from a distance. Food was ok, decent variety. The biggest negative was that we had an 11:15 am reservation (last one I think) and at the end we felt rushed like we had to leave. The characters came to us last and once they came by, most people in our area (and in the entire restaurant) left and we received our bill fairly early. I only had one helping of food and didn't really get to enjoy "dessert". The characters were leaving and the place was getting empty so we felt we had to leave too. Goofy missed a bunch of us in our area so we had to get him to come back. Other than that it was good for the kids. Photos were expensive and not included and it was only of your family and a statue and one of the fab5 together without your family in it! Why pay $30 for that. The best character dining experience is the Princesses (either Royal Table or the one at Epcot-Norway) since you get the photos included in your price with your child in it. The other big plus is the princesses talk to you so it is better interaction. We did this in 2009 and it was definitely worth it and we were never rushed. Same with Hollywood and Vine - not rushed at all.
  • Rating: 7.0 - 03/11
    Andy48 - We went into dinner at Chef Mickey's with pretty low expectations, figuring that this was first and foremost a character meet-and-greet opportunity. However, we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food. The carved turkey breast was excellent- juicy and flavorful. The Mickey ravioli, cornbread, and garlic mashed potatoes were all solid, as was the salad bar. The pizza and mac-and-cheese for the kids were also pretty good. Other than a rather bland orecchiette pasta salad with feta cheese, the dinner buffet was very good. The dessert bar was somewhat of a disappointment, with a number of small tarts and cookies that all looked better than they tasted. If I did it over again, I'd have stuck with the ice cream sundae bar. The character interactions were excellent - each one of the Fab 5 took their time at our table, and the character handlers were very thorough in making sure that all of them made their rounds over the course of the meal (about 45 minutes). This is a great way to start or end your WDW vacation... and the food ain't half bad, either.
  • Rating: 10.0 - 09/10
    disneygirlmass - everyone who goes to disney should try this, its a disney must...good show and has the classic disney characters
  • Rating: 7.0 - 08/10
    JEThompson99 - Don't misunderstand my rating, this is a great dining experience for the kids! I myself don't have any but I was here with my 5-year-old cousin who loved it. Every character came by our table at least once! The food was pretty good too, but if you're at Disney World without kids, there are better places to spend your money.
  • Rating: 9.0 - 07/10
    meganamess - We ate at Chef Mickey's for breakfast, and really enjoyed the variety of foods. There were several fruit/fruit salads available, as well as eggs, potatoes, breakfast meats, pancakes & waffles. They also have a selection of cold cereals and breakfast "desserts." There was a cheesy potatoe casserole that was so good, I went back for seconds. This is the best way to see Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy & Pluto. They come to each table and will sign autographs and take pictures. Our waitress was Matine, and she was awesome! She brought carafes of OJ and Diet Coke (I'm not a coffee drinker) to our table as soon as we ordered our drinks. She checked on us several times throughout our meal, and even offered to serve as photographer for mother and daughter who were seated next to us. This was a great way to start a day!
  • Rating: 9.0 - 07/10
    Oledawg - Food was good and the charactors spend a great deal of time with our grandchildren. They came by at different times so we had time to take pics and get autographs.
  • Rating: 10.0 - 05/10
    xmasmom - This place is awsome for family's and especially little kids. I would recomend this place to all familys. They also have alot of foods little kids love: Posted via eTicket
  • Rating: 6.0 - 05/10
    Tara922c - The food was okay. It is a getcha in getcha out type of place. We had a late breakfast, and the characters each visited our table several times. We would go back, but only for the characters!
  • Rating: 3.0 - 05/10
    vadisneyfam - Of all our meals, Chef Mickey's was the most disappointing. I made a reservation for Mother's Day brunch because of all the hype about it being the best character buffet. What a HUGE disappointment! I thought the food was frankly boring and pretty tasteless. There were very limited options, and I can't think of one food item that stuck out as the shining star of the buffet. The character interaction was great, but the seating was way too cramped for us to be able to get decent photos. My son absolutely loved the "celebration" dance because he got to jump and swing his napkin in the air. That's about the only thing that was redeeming though. Maybe dinner is better. If I go back, it will only be for the characters and to give dinner a shot.
  • Rating: 1.0 - 05/10
    irishtigger - 5/13 Chef Mickey’s - We weren’t going to give it another chance as it was horrible in ’07 and I wish we had decided to stay away. Our table was awful right by the kitchen door the CM got in the way of almost every picture and it was so loud by that door. We were going to ask to move but we wanted to get to the parks and didn’t want to waste any more time waiting for a seat. The food on the buffet was cold the waffles were sitting out for a long time and the eggs were really really runny and cold. This is not up to par compared to Crystal Palace, or 1900 Park Fare breakfast. We will not be giving Chef Mickey’s another shot. I would recommend Ohana’s and Cape May Café to get pictures with Mickey and Friends. My mom already canceled her reservations here in October when she goes back with my sister.
  • Rating: 5.0 - 05/10
    Yzerbear19 - We have eaten here for breakfast at the past and really enjoyed it, but for this trip we decided to try it for dinner. We were a bit late for our ADR and had to wait a while for a table. Our server was OK. The characters were wonderful. It took a while to meet all of them though. The food was a bit of a disappointment. The mashed potatos were cold. The meat was OK. The macaroni and cheese and Mickey cheese ravoli were both vile and disgusting. There wasn't a lot that appealed to us since we're both picky eaters. The best part was the salad. The dinner was way overpriced in my opinion. I would only recommend the breakfast buffet.
  • Rating: 8.0 - 03/10
    bryon - Chef Mickey's was our first Character meal experience. In my mind it was a great choice for our first character meal. We had fun watching the characters interact with other tables and when it came time for our turn, the kids were ready. While researching the chaarcter meals I liked this one because all the "headliners" were there. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto. You are defenetly here for the characters and not the food. The place was crowded, but the buffet lines were never long. Food wasn't great. Kind of a typical average to below average buffet as far as food goes. Desserts looked amazing, but lacked taste in my opinion.
  • Rating: 8.0 - 02/10
    rayangel - food wasnt exactly gourmet but it was very good and we were happy we spent a lot of money on our trip on some very expensive dinners but this was by far our favorite. our kids had so much fun and we even loved the sundae bar. we work in restaraunts i would definitely say it was way better than golden corral or something like that. we were very happy and will definitely go back on our next trip. so happy we didnt listen to the negative reviews.
  • Rating: 8.0 - 01/10
    timmac - everyone can find something they like to eat, and the kids will be entertained by the characters, the photo package is a bit of a pricey add-on depending on how well the picture comes out: Posted via eTicket
  • Rating: 7.0 - 01/10
    edithkitty - the photographer force us to buy the picture, which is $30 dollars. he is really rude. but the food is really good~
  • Rating: 10.0 - 01/10
    CinderellasSister - We have eaten at Chef Mickey's for our last 3 trips. The food is well laid out with a smooth flowing buffet, and separate kid's buffet. The fresh fruit was very tasty, and the dessert section is a great treat at the end of the meal. CM's are always pleasant, and the characters spend a decent amount of time at each table. My kids enjoyed the singing and swinging their napkins around. We have never felt rushed here to eat and leave. And the picture package that you can get is always a treat. We would highly recommend Chef Mickey's.
  • Rating: 7.0 - 12/09
    FigmentGal96 - Chef Mickey's has been a long time favorite of mine, but this was the first time I had eaten dinner there. We checked in on time for a 5pm dinner seating (the first available dinner seating), and I was confused as to why were given a pager to wait since they don't serve lunch. Were they not ready? We were shuffled off to take a photo with a statue of Chef Mickey, which someone later interrupted our dinner to try to sell us a photo package of for $29.99. I really hate this. I wish they would go back to having Goofy greeting you in the lobby. We were seated across from the buffet next to the kitchen door. This was actually not bad because my son could sit at the end of the bench seat near the door and the characters could all come over and sit next to him to sign autographs. Our server was at our table right away and very attentive. We never had to try to get her attention, and we did not have to wait for our check. The buffet had many options, but the quality of the food was not quite what I had hoped. A lot of it seemed somewhat bland. We say Mickey, Minnie (twice), Goofy, Pluto, and Donald. The last time I was here Chip and Dale were there, but it seems they've moved on. All the characters seemed to splend plenty of time interacting with my son- none seemed in a rush to move on. I would eat at Chef Mickey's again, but I would go back to breakfast.
  • Rating: 8.0 - 09/09
    CastawayJP - We did the character breakfast to celebrate our daughters 2nd birthday. Our ADR was for 7:45 am, but after we checked in they forgot about us! Once we got seated it was a pretty good experience. I would have rated it higher but a couple of things were not great... First we had a bad seating location back in the corner. I felt like the food was just average, and it was so crazy in there our little ones, and us for that matter, hardly ate! But this is one of those things you have to experience, and if we can ever get an ADR again, we will be back!
  • Rating: 8.0 - 09/09
    cc911va - This is one of our favorite buffet character meals at WDW. We had eaten here before at Christmas time, so we were happy with the food before. We first had our pictures taken which is fun, but a little pricey at $29.00 for two 4 x 6 pictures and one 5 x 7. It took a while to be seated even though we were on time for our ADR. The waiting area is small and compact and the chairs are VERY uncomfortable. There is truly not enough room for all of the families waiting at any given time. Our waitress was very slow and seemed to be truly in the weeds even though we had a late seating and the restaurant was not anywhere near full. There were six of us eating on the dining plan. The hit was the mickey waffles. There was a huge variety of eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage, pancakes, oatmeal, fruit, pastries, etc. They also had cereal but there was no milk to be found. Which is strange. We had to ask the waitress for milk. Of course the highlight of the meal is meeting the Characters. We knew we would see Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and Goofy, but to our surprise, Donald was there too. I was so excited as Donald is my all time favorite. Each character spent lots of time with everyone at the table and stopped for pictures. The character interaction was great. This is a definite must for your trip if you can get an ADR.
  • Rating: 9.0 - 08/09
    Cherinva - We went there August of 2008 for breakfast. After waiting in line for the picture, we were taken to our table that had a great view of the monorail coming out of the hotel. The server was great, we got whatever we asked for. I thought the food was ok, it's standard breakfast food. The character interaction was wonderful. They spent a lot of time at each table and we never felt rushed at all. The only down side to this place, is that it is very noisy and the bathroom is located downstairs. I would recommend it. I looking forward to going back next year and having dinner there.
  • Rating: 4.0 - 08/09
    barrbr - Went here for Supper. The charater interaction was really good but the food was unedible. We literally had to go get something to eat after because the food was just nasty! I hear the breakfast is pretty good so that is the only way I would go back.
  • Rating: 10.0 - 08/09
    asdfghjkl13 - This is one of my favorite restaurants in Disney. I love the food, there's a huge selection, the location is great, service is great, and who doesn't like the characters?
  • Rating: 9.0 - 07/09
    Milla - Last year I had my birthday at this location and the attention I received from the characters and the cast members was amazing!! It was really great to celebrate with Minnie by my side. The kids in my table and near me were having a great time and the characters spend a lot of time with them. So if you are looking for character interaction this is the place to go. The only problem IMO is the poor variety of food, even though I must say that everything I ate tasted wonderful, specially the breakfast pizza. It is definetly a place I'd recommend to everyone!!
  • Rating: 10.0 - 07/09
    safetymom - We enjoyed it as two adults. Character interaction was great.
  • Rating: 8.0 - 06/09
    kim532 - I think this is a place where you go see the characters and not to get a great breakfast.
  • Rating: 4.0 - 06/09
    Madi100 - I only put that I recommend this because I know that there are many people who love this restaurant, and it is a good place to see characters. It's buffet food, and it's just not that great. If you don't want to see characters, go someplace else.
  • Rating: 8.0 - 06/09
    PIRATEGIRL007 - I have only had breakfast at Chef Mickey's but I really enjoyed it. The selection was great and some of the more non standard items (such as the breakfast lasagna and pizza) were excellent. The charector interaction was wonderful, I just had to come to see Mickey this trip (spent 11 days my first trip and never saw him out anywhere, only in judges tent and line was huge) and if Mickey is a must without a huge line then it is worth paying the price and you will get a decent meal and a ride on the monorail as a bonus!
  • Rating: 9.0 - 06/09
    TAKitty - This is my favorite character meal. The kids always have a fun time here! The food is pretty good and the desert bar is wonderful for the younger set.
  • Rating: 3.0 - 06/09
    GraceLuvsWDW - I'm sorry. I'm not too hard of a critic but this restaurant leaves me needing a tranquilizer after eating here! I have a quite rambunctious 6 year old but this place is sheer madness! I've dined here twice, both during "off" season but this place was too chaotic and I won't be returning. I know a lot of people view this place as a must do-and integrate it into their trip rituals but there's food all over the floor, there's babies crying, crazy children loaded up on very unhealthy food everywhere, and characters coming around S-L-O-W-L-Y in between their napkin twirling (am I the only one that finds this event unsanitary?)and parading. This buffet has WAY too much sugar on it! And the food choices are mediocre at best. I know it's tempting to want to see the Main Gang (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto) at one spot with no waiting in line but I'd much rather send you to Cape May breakfast for that and have you skip this nerve bending madhouse! If you are AT ALL sensitive to noise or crowds or have any anxiety over these, skip this establishment!
  • Rating: 8.0 - 06/09
    WallE - This was our second evening trip to Chef Mickey's. It is quickly becoming a favorite. The food was good and the characters were great. The cast members present did a great job of helping to manage (in my opinion) some unruly kids and unconcerned parents next to us. The kids were standing in the chairs screaming. The way they handled innappropriate behavior should be noted. They addressed them respectfully yet the parents got the message. This is a great first night meal with kids in the parks.
  • Rating: 10.0 - 06/09
    pperfectmom - We had breakfast at Chef Mickey's and it was the most wonderful dining experience. The food was fresh and tasty and the characters were so involved with our kids. I'm looking forward to trying it for dinner on our next trip.
  • Rating: 9.0 - 06/09
    LuccaDrake - We (two adults) ate here in 9/2008 for breakfast. We had a reservation for 7:30am so we were seated immediately when we arrived. A waiter came over shortly thereafter to take our drink orders. Then we got some food from the buffet. Everything was cooked well and there was a good variety of traditional breakfast items. One thing I loved was the breakfast pizza. Once we got back to our table the characters came around and each spent a good amount of time with us. It was noisy with all the children there but we had expected that. It didn't take away from the experience but added to it seeing all the happy kids dining with Mickey and friends. We would definitely eat there again. However, if you are taking the early morning character dining buses to get there, make sure you allow lots of time as they make multiple stops and yours might not be first!
  • Rating: 1.0 - 06/09
    Hewolf - I recently ate at Chef Mickey's on May 30th. I had a 9:20 reservation for two. I was really looking forward to the buffet as I am a huge prime rib fan. I was looking forward to the all you can eat aspect. Unfortunately all you can eat was more like all you can stand to eat. Upon arriving for our reservation I noticed people with the same amount of people in their party getting seated before my wife and me even though they arrived after we arrived. I complained to the staff and magically my table was ready. The manager came by and apologized and offered us 30% off our bill. I appreciated the fast and courteous service of the management. We also weren’t charged for the one alcoholic beverage we both had. I was surprised how strong the drink was, but perhaps they wanted to get you drunk, so you wouldn't notice how terrible the food was. The best way I can describe the quality of the food is to compare it to public school food. The ravioli tasted like it came from a can. My wife had a bad cheese cube with her salad. The mashed potatoes were of a glue consistency. The prime rib I was so looking forward to be beef instead. While the beef tasted good, it was surrounded by fat that I had to avoid to while eating it. Everything else on the buffet was bland and just not good food in the least. After hearing about their famous dessert bar that to was disappointing. How you can have an ice cream bar without peanuts is beyond me. I know they had trail mix, but I don't want all that other stuff in my ice cream. I enjoyed the cheesecake squares and the Mickey domes, but after the awful food this was little conciliation. I did not use the bathroom, but my wife did. She said the bathroom was disgusting. She said there was toilet paper and garbage all over the floor. This was by far the worst bathroom I was the worst I saw while at Disney. Please stay far away from Chef Mickey's I would think that a restaurant carrying Mickey's name would serve better food. If your kids want to see the characters have them go to the designated character spots.
  • Rating: 9.0 - 06/09
    UGAFan0829 - Chef Mickey's has become a tradition for my husband and I. No matter where else we're eating during our trips to Disney, we always look forward to eating here. The dinner is great, with lots of choices-make sure to try the parmesan potatoes! The character interaction is a lof of fun as well. Even though our party consists of only the DH and I-no children-the characters still spend as much time with us as everyone else. The dessert bar is so yummy as well! The only negative part of dining at Chef Mickey's is the crowd. It's such a popular restaurant, so it's always crowded, and can be somewhat loud, but that doesn't affect our experience. And even with ADR's, our experience has been that you still have to wait at least 10-15 minutes. We are looking forward to trying Chef Mickey's for breakfast on our next trip.
  • Rating: 5.0 - 06/09
    Tinkalink - We went to the breakfast. I rate this good for one reason, the service was excellent. However, the food, characters and overall feeling of being rushed made this a poor experience. The food selection is limited and bland for a buffet. Outside of Mickey Waffles, which we could get at our resort, there was no breakfast item you could'nt get from a kid's camp chowline. We really felt rushed at the meal, we were told when to go and not go to the Buffet. They shoved each character in front of us and pulled them away(or had a CM stand next to you) within a minute's time - reminding us each time to have the autograph books open and the camera ready. If you are a table of four or less, too bad. We have been to many, many character buffets so I can speak with experience on this - this is the most overrated buffet - this includes Cinderella's Round Table(3x), which we loved - in all Disney World. Many people like it because the Fab Five (Mickey, Minnie,Goofy, Donald and Pluto) are all in one spot, they come to your table and your done. If that's your thing then great. We believe when we pay the money for a buffet, there had better be fresh food, a good selection and a relaxing meal. We didn't get it at Chef Mickeys. One other note, Chef Mickeys tries to sell you a package of pictures of your family with a statue of Mickey. This is horrible you don't even get the "real" Mickey - AND you can pose with a statue of Mickey and Minnie for nothing at the Pin Trading Post in Downtown Disney - what a scam.
  • Rating: 10.0 - 05/09
    MJ6987 - Best character meal
  • Rating: 6.0 - 05/09
    elmo2wdw - This is not my favorite character meal, but my kids like it. It is always extremely busy and very LOUD!!!!!! The food is good but I feel very rushed to go to the buffet and be back for the characters. I like O'Hanas breakfast much more!
  • Rating: 8.0 - 05/09
    hideeh - Nice character interaction. Servers don't usually rush you out. The food choices are plentiful and usually tasty. Delicious salmon and parmesean mashed potatoes. Dessert choices look better than they taste, unfortunately. The restaurant is a PARTY every day! We enjoy it, but if you are looking for some place quiet, this isn't the place
  • Rating: 8.0 - 05/09
    bsusanmb - This is only a breakfast review. We eat here every trip with the grandchildren. Character interaction is so much better at the restaurants as compared to standing in line. Prior to the new renovation, we loved this restaurant. Not so sure now. We were seated in the new area and things were just not organized. We had a long wait to be seated. The characters seemed rushed, compared to previous visits. Perhaps too much space to cover...the food is good at breakfast, not exceptional, nothing made to order, but good. Servers nice and accomodating. The photos they take are way overpriced. The photographer was short tempered and rude. It would be so nice to have this option and also a photopass person here. The kids always love it and they are toddler age. DGD has been there at age 1,2,3 and 4. It is so cute to see the changes in her with the characters. The restaurant is bright and open, but very noisy with all of the kids and the monorail. But we wouldn't miss this one.
  • Rating: 8.0 - 05/09
    msc_idiot - The food is wonderful and the atmosphere is fun. It has turned out to be an every-trip thing for my family. We buy the photo every year to mark changes in our family. However, it is VERY crowded and VERY loud.
  • Rating: 10.0 - 05/09
    2pirateprincessmom - The best character dining and one we schedule the rest of our trip around!
  • Rating: 6.0 - 05/09
    magic2go - Chef Mickey's dinner was a first for us last weekend. This was a birthday dinner, so we figured the splurge was worth it. This is definitely a great atmosphere for a birthday celebration, as the characters give it such a fun feel. Seeing them in their chef outfits is a really nice touch as well. The food here is pretty average and we were not overly impressed with it.. there were plenty of choices for everyone. BUT, the atmosphere was the reason we came, so we were overall satified. Character interaction with our kids, who are a bit older (9 and 12) was quick - a little too quick, but I did see the characters taking tons of time with younger ones. Overall, we enjoyed the experience, but won't be rushing back too soon.
  • Rating: 8.0 - 05/09
    BlueFairy - what is there to say? worth doing if you really want to see Mickey. love the location near the monorail. Food was pretty good at breakfast.
  • Rating: 7.0 - 05/09
    Daycounter - Don't get me wrong, getting to meet all of the main characters in one swoop is a great thing, but I think that is the best part of this buffet. I went for breakfast and was surprised at the limited offerings. Breakfast basically includes waffles/bacon/eggs/hasbrowns and danishes. You're going to be paying a premium for the characters. I guess if this saves you from waiting in the parks to meet these characters that's a good thing.
  • Rating: 8.0 - 05/09
    xipetotec - This is a great venue to have dinner with Mickey and Friends specifically. We went for the breakfast buffet which was quite extensive. every so often, there would be music and the characters would break into dance and have everyone in the restaurant to wave around their napkins. When we were done, it was a quick hop onto the monorail to get to MK
  • Rating: 9.0 - 05/09
    obithar2 - This is the only character meal that my family consistently requests that we go to again and again. The food is pretty good, the interaction is great, and the atmosphere is fun.
  • Rating: 8.0 - 05/09
    dpuck1998 - A great character meal for breakfast or dinner. One of the best on property for characters, food is pretty good.
  • Rating: 7.0 - 05/09
    DemoBri1 - My rating is somewhat affected by my disappointment with the last couple of dinner experiences at Chef Mickey's. I'm making this statement based from the parent point of view rather than the child's point of view. I think that breakfast has a better selection of food, but your kids will have a more than adequate selection for dinner as well. The quality of food is normal buffet-type fare and quality, and while it is good, there are other buffets in WDW that are better. The character interaction is great with the kids, and during a normal amount of time that it would take for your meal you will probably get a couple of instances where the kids will be encourage to stand up and wave their napkins over their heads as the characters do a bit of a dance around the tables. Your kids will have opportunities to get autographs and pictures with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Chip, Dale, and Donald. In certain times, depending on when you sit down for a meal, you may not have a character come around for some time, and then all 5 will come right after another. Thus, you seem to feel a bit "rushed" to either eat your food before the characters arrive, or to finish your food before it gets cold because of all the characters coming at once. As you come into Chef Mickey's you will have the opportunity to take a picture as a family, and a CM will come around to your table to "show" you the photo for possible purchase of a photo package. There are no options to this package, it is all or nothing, and usually runs around $30. If this is your one and only visit, you will probably end up ponying over the $$. All in all, if you have children and you haven't done Chef Mickey's I would recommend it. It's a good place to get your children introduced to the characters, and they will have a ball meeting Mickey. It is NOT a must do if you are a frequent visitor to WDW. If you do go definitely try breakfast rather than dinner. If you do end up at dinner try to get as early a seating as possible.
  • Rating: 8.0 - 05/09
    Gaskorvan - Fun buffet with decent food quality and selection. Great for kids.
  • Rating: 8.0 - 05/09
    susiemouse - Pros: Great selection of food in buffet, something for everyone. Great interaction with the Characters, all come around to every table for pictures with your family. Also, sing, dance and include everyone who is dining. Excellent service from wait staff. Cons: Opt out of picture from package, it is somewhat tacky. You and your family pose in front of an oversized fork, knife and plate. Kids need to be chaperoned when going to restroom, not located in restaurant. **Great location, can hop on monorail! This is great way to start your magical day at the magic kingdom!**
  • Rating: 10.0 - 05/09
    justadisneygirl - The service was excellent for dinner. My DS only wanted to eat bacon, and the Chef prepared some just for him. Riding the monorail into the hotel was a neat experience for the kids. I would rate this as one of the top 3 for character interaction. I avoid Cindy's though and was not overly impressed with Akershus. I'd rather find the princesses around the parks. They aren't too hard to find.
  • Rating: 9.0 - 05/09
    MikeWD - We always make it a point to include Chef Mickey's into each of our trips. The kids love the character interaction. Most of the main characters are there (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald). Good variety of food. Dessert selection is good as well.
  • Rating: 8.0 - 05/09
    disneyplanner76 - Meals are standard Disney buffets, we like breakfast but don't like dinner as much here. The atmosphere is hard to beat- get to watch monorail and your basic Mickey and pal characters. I like the set up tables aren't crammed into space.
  • Rating: 9.0 - 05/09
    DeVineMom - We had such a good experience at our Chef Mickey breakfast. We were staying at the Contemporary and were able to do a late Sunday morning walk-up about 10am. We maybe had to wait 20 minutes. Friendly waitstaff. Wonderful character interaction with the Fab 5. Not too overwhelming for the kids - just enough. We thought the food was good as well. This meal was a memory maker for our family - a really special event for us.
  • Rating: 10.0 - 04/09
    SCDisney - Attending this meal is a part of our family tradition when we go to Disney. The food is good, the characters are great, and it really gets you in the mood before going into the parks. Also, it is nice that no park admission is required. Everyone who goes to Disney should eat here at least once!
  • Rating: 9.0 - 04/09
    SamIAm21 - We have been to Chef Mickey's a few times and each time, we've found it to be pretty good, but some visits were better than others. Breakfast is consistently pretty good, but dinner can vary. However, there is a wide array of choices and you can always find something you like. Of course, this is the only character meal that features Mickey Mouse and it is a must do. Between the catchy "Celebrate" tune to the napkin waving, it's every kid's favorite place to eat. The buffet section dedicated to kids has all the favorites; mac n cheese, chicken nuggets, and pizza! For those under the age of 13, what's not to like?
  • Rating: 6.0 - 04/09
    JeemaRee - Maybe it was just me but I thought the food was so - so. I'd heard such great things about this meal and the character interaction was outstanding! but the meal itself was ok.
  • Rating: 3.0 - 04/09
    dkrause19 - We recently had breakfast at Chef Mickey's. The charater interaction was great but the food was awful. It wan not very good the last time we went so I figured I would give it another try. This time it was worse. I would suggest going to Crystal Palace or Tusker House.
  • Rating: 9.0 - 04/09
    peacefrogdog - This is the classic character meal. However it seems to get very noisy and hectic in there. Not a problem as the kids love that sort of stuff, but after hearing the songs over and over again, it can get a bit annoying. Having said that the food is great, and your kids will love everyone moment of the meal.
  • Rating: 7.0 - 04/09
    dpuck1998 - A great place for breakfast. Very loud, but the characters are great and the meal was more than adequate for breakfast. What a great way to start your day.
  • Rating: 9.0 - 04/09
    hockeymomNS - We celebrated my son's 10th b'day here and it was wonderful. The time that everyone gets with the characters is second to none. We enjoyed the food, although we aren't fussy eaters and it was more about the birthday. I love all of my pictures from this dinner and my usually shy son, seemed ok with the interaction and attention.
  • Rating: 8.0 - 04/09
    fightinfire21 - We've ate here for breakfast several times. The food is typical breakfast buffet food but it is good. The buffet here is large so it handels the large crowds at this resturant pretty well. Character interaction is OK. The resturant is HUGE so you do feel like the characters rush a little bit to make their rounds. One other advantage is the walking distance to the Magic Kingdom. You can get an early reservation here and walk to the Magic Kingdom for the opening.
  • Rating: 9.0 - 04/09
    mousy_in_canada - We went for breakfast with my 3 girls and they really loved seeing the characters so close, and the characters did not rush off to the next table at all, they took their time with my kids and signed their autograph books and posed for a picture with each of the girls and a group shot of all the kids. in fact they had so much fun they forgot to eat! I don't think the food was perfect but it had a wide selection and we left satisfied. The real draw was what the kids experienced there!


Chef Mickey's Fun Time Buffet is located on the fourth floor concourse of the Contemporary Resort. It's open, lively, energetic and bustling with activity.You'll soon be singing, clapping and twirling your napkin overhead. This character meal is one of the most popular that Disney offers. Mickey and Friends will be your hosts. In addition to Mickey, you may see Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald. (subject to change.)



Chef Mickey's Buffet MENU

NOTE: All menu items/prices are subject to change

If you have menu discrepancies or corrections, please let us know
NOTE: * Indicates buffet item and cost represents total cost of buffet.
Menu is subject to change.


Breakfast (Updated: 05/13)
Entree/Main Course
    Breakfast Buffet: Guests 10 & over (7:00 am - 11:30 am) - Premium Fruit Bar: Seasonal melon and fresh fruit display, assorted flavored yogurts and more. Cereal Selections: Almond granola, Frosted Flakes, Fruit Loops, Cocoa Krispies, hot oatmeal and grits. Breakfast Specialties: scrambled eggs, Pluto's cheese blintz, 3 cheese omelet, Chef's daily omelet, Corned Beef hash with cornbread, Goofy's veggie lasagna, Mickey waffles, cheese potatoes with bacon, Breakfast potatoes, bacon & sausage links, Minnie's breakfast pizza, Challah French toast, pancakes with a variety of toppings, and buttermilk biscuits with country gravy. Pastry Chef's Creations: bagels, chocolate croissants, muffins, cinnamon rolls, Rice Krispie treats, peach cobbler, warm bread pudding, assorted danishes and more. Traditional breakfast beverages included. Prices vary  *

Dinner (Updated: 05/13)
Entree/Main Course
    Dinner Buffet: Adult (5:00pm - 9:30 pm) - Includes Premium Salad Bar and Soup du jour. On The Carving Board: Spice Rubbed Prime Rib and Oven-roasted Bone-in Ham. Chef's Buffet Specials: Roasted turkey pot pie, Chili dusted Tandori chicken, Baked salmon fillet with wasabi mango coulis, and Chicken Florentine with tortellini and Italian sausage. Wonderful Accompaniments: parmesan mashed potatoes, Mickey cheese ravioli in marinara, garlic steamed broccoli floret with feta and black olives, Mandarin orange-glazed baby carrots, and green beans with onion-pesto and tomato. Includes the fabulous sundae and dessert bar. A gratuity of 18% will be added to parties of 6 or more. Prices vary $36 to $59  *
Drinks
    Bottled Water - Perrier 330 ml $3.25 or Bottled Water 500 ml $4.50
    California-Sunset Margarita - Cuervo Gold, Cointreau, and cranberry juice. - $8.75
    Cappuccino - Cappuccino - $3.49
    Draft Beer - Amber Bock $5.00 or Bud Light $4.50
    Espresso - Espresso - $2.99
    Florida-Concourse Colada - Pina colada with Captain Morgan spiced rum and a swirl of Midori melon liqueur. - $8.00
    France-French Martini - Grey Goose vodka, Chambord, pineapple juice and a splash of sparkling wine. - $8.75
    Hong Kong-Mellow Martini - Skyy vodka, banana liqueur, Lychee, and pineapple juice. - $8.75
    Japan-Yukiguni - Absolut vodka, Cointreau, and lime juice in a sugar rimmed martini glass with a green cherry. - $8.75
    Pina Colada Smoothie - A non-alcoholic blend of coconut and pineapple. - $4.29
    Red or Blue Glow Drinks - Sprite flavored with Grenadine or Blue Raspberry syrup served with a glowing ice cube and Mickey straw. - $4.59
    Selection of Domestic and Imported Beer - Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Lite & O'Doul's Amber $4.00; Michelob Ultra, Sam Adams, Corona, Heineken, & Amstel Light $4.50; Guinnes Stout Bottle or Bass Ale $5.75
    Selection of Sparkling Wines, Chardonnay, Alternative Whites, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot - Price range for a glass $5.25 to $8.75 Price range for a bottle $23.00 to $50.00
    The Classic Smoothie - Bananas, strawberries, mango and orange juice. - $4.29

Chef Mickey's Buffet
Child's Menu

Breakfast (Updated: 05/13)
Entree/Main Course
    Breakfast Buffet: Guests 9 & under (7:00 am - 11:30 am) - Premium Fruit Bar: Seasonal melon and fresh fruit display, assorted flavored yogurts and more. Cereal Selections: Almond granola, Frosted Flakes, Fruit Loops, Cocoa Krispies, hot oatmeal and grits. Breakfast Specialties: scrambled eggs, Pluto's cheese blintz, 3 cheese omelet, Chef's daily omelet, Corned Beef hash with cornbread, Goofy's veggie lasagna, Mickey waffles, cheese potatoes with bacon, Breakfast potatoes, bacon & sausage links, Minnie's breakfast pizza, Challah French toast, pancakes with a variety of toppings, and buttermilk biscuits with country gravy. Pastry Chef's Creations: bagels, chocolate croissants, muffins, cinnamon rolls, Rice Krispie treats, peach cobbler, warm bread pudding, assorted danishes and more. Traditional breakfast beverages included.  *

Dinner (Updated: 05/13)
Entree/Main Course
    Dinner Buffet: Children (5:00 pm - 9:30 pm) - Includes Chef Mickey's Macaroni & Cheese, Goofy's Cheese Pizza, Minnie's mini vegetables, and Chip & Dale's Tender Chicken. Premium Salad Bar and Soup du jour. On The Carving Board: Spice Rubbed Prime Rib and Oven-roasted Bone-in Ham. Chef's Buffet Specials: Roasted turkey pot pie, Chili dusted Tandori chicken, Baked salmon fillet with wasabi mango coulis, and Chicken Florentine with tortellini and Italian sausage. Wonderful Accompaniments: parmesan mashed potatoes, Mickey cheese ravioli in marinara, garlic steamed broccoli floret with feta and black olives, Mandarin orange-glazed baby carrots, and green beans with onion-pesto and tomato. Includes the fabulous sundae and dessert bar.  *


If you have menu discrepancies or corrections, please menus@wdwinfo.com

See AllDIS UPDATES
Subscribe to Receive Daily Disney Updates!
See AllDISNEY NEWS STORIES
More Disney News Stories
See All DINING DISCUSSIONS
disney world discussion forums

More Info ORLANDO HOTELS