By Fairy Diva
My family visits Walt Disney World frequently, and the magic never gets old. With each trip, we try to make a point to try new experiences- new rides, new restaurants, new activities. While we enjoy trying these new things, we somehow seem to end up repeating some of our favorites each and every trip. While I certainly do not mind our traditional meal at my favorite restaurant, “Ohana, my children always ask for the same place. Every. Single. Time. What is that place? Chef Mickey’s!
Don’t get me wrong, I love Chef Mickey’s as much as any other Disney-loving guest, but it is not my number one choice, So, as I sat down to plan out our next set of Advance Dining Reservations for our next trip, I asked myself, “Why are we eating at Chef Mickey’s again?” The more I pondered on this, I quickly realized that Chef Mickey’s is just one of those special restaurants. There are a few reasons why we always end up there.
The first reason we always end up at Chef Mickey’s is because my children adore it. I think this mostly involves the character meets. And there is definitely something special about enjoying a meal where we can meet the Fab Five of the Disney characters- Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald and Pluto. There is no other restaurant in all of Walt Disney World that features the Fab Five together. This alone makes the dining experience special. The characters have never seemed rushed on our many visits there, and they always interact well with my children. While my son enjoys their silly antics, may daughter is a bit more reserved. The characters seem to gauge this perfectly! They are always gentle with my daughter and get a bit more comical with my son. I love seeing my children get excited and enjoy these character interactions.
Another reason we end up at Chef Mickey’s is the food. Now, I will be the first to admit that Chef Mickey’s, to me, offers basic buffet-style food. I enjoy it, but it doesn’t have the same appeal as other restaurants. My children, however, think the Disney-shaped mac and cheese and other kid offerings, along with the dessert area, are the best. While you can get this at other restaurants, the appeal seems to be greater for my children. I am sure this goes back to the characters roaming around.
Chef Mickey’s has cute Disney details, mostly in the shape of Mickey Mouse. And during each meal, there has been a sort of parade, with everyone waving their napkins in the air and enjoying!
Going to Chef Mickey’s has managed to become a tradition of sorts for our family. And I am definitely ok with that! There is a joy in enjoying the magical experience of the meal and seeing the happiness it brings to my children. Basically, Chef Mickey’s is to them what ‘Ohana is to me!
If you plan to eat at Chef Mickey’s, there are a few things to expect. First, I highly recommend making your Advance Dining Reservations at this restaurant. Chef Mickey’s books up quickly. There are three meals offered at Chef Mickey’s .Breakfast runs from 7:00 am until 11:15 am daily. A brunch is available from 11:30 am until 2:30 pm. And finally, dinner is served from 5:00 pm until 9:30 pm. Chef Mickey’s is located at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, which is a quick monorail ride over from Disney’s Magic Kingdom. The Disney Dining Plan is accepted at Chef Mickey’s and is a one credit meal.
Upon check in, guests are directed to a photo opportunity. This photo is included with Memory Maker packages. Prices vary depending on the meal and season. Chef Mickey’s is buffet style and all-you-can-eat. Characters, dressed in chef attire, greet you at your table, so be sure to have a camera ready and an autograph book to collect the signatures from the Fab Five.
If you would like to include a visit to Chef Mickey’s on your next Walt Disney World vacation, be sure to contact All for Dreams Travel!
