This review is specific to the Guest Exp Manager of Food & Beverage: Gabe Santiago!!!! When I arrived with my family I saw a pin board and got excited. They called our name and I felt like I didn't have time to look before we sat and would just do it afterwards. When I sat down Gabe came over WITH the pin board and let me look and trade. It was so SWEET! I got emotional because it was just a kind gesture that pushed the magic even further. That wasn't it though no no ...after eating Gabe came over to check on us and brought over to me three special pins just because! It brought em to tears and after a few tears and a big thank you he gave me a super genuine hug and it was just such a magical moment and a reminder that kindness and care still exist and make such a difference! That was honestly the best part of my day and I'm so grateful people like home still exist in this wor read more

Chef Mickey's - American Near Me - Lake Buena Vista, Florida

I wish I took more photos but everything was so amazing I forgot to get my phone out! I had been hearing some bad reviews lately and debated going back, it's been 20 years! I'm so glad we decided to go, not only did we have a ton of fun, the staff was nice and the food was all amazing! I don't think anyone at my table had anything they didn't like. The characters came to our table and gave us ample time to take photos and interact. Our server, Carlos, was amazing and so kind! The prices here are pretty hefty but for the experience and great food, I felt we got our moneys worth. It's not something we could afford to do often but we had a great time, no regrets! The only change I would make is to have individual seats rather than bench seating for a large group. We had a hard time getting out to see the characters and to get more food, everyone had to slide out to let one person out. That's my only "complaint"! read more

Chef Mickey's - Chef-s Selection of Desserts - American Near Me - Lake Buena Vista, Florida

I chose a late breakfast seating for the day before my first marathon (RunDisney). It was myself, my mom, and my grandparents. The buffet options and food were plentiful. It was great for the day before my race as I could choose to eat more protein and carbs and as much as I wanted. The characters were fun to interact with as they visited our table, and even came back if my grandparents were up getting food when they first stopped by. My grandparents really enjoyed everything about it. The photographer as we left Chef Mickey's was a blast! I gave her a cast compliment at the time and saw her again right before my race the next day. Is it the fanciest of foods? No. Was it a bit loud at times? Yes. But we enjoyed ourselves. read more

Chef Mickey's - American Near Me - Lake Buena Vista, Florida

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The food is fantastic - the service is outstanding - the characters are awesome - this is the best character meal on Disney property IMO! Clean and spacious - well managed and well prepared - plus the production is superb! This is our go to for celebrations on property including this one where we are celebrating the bdays of mama and daddy (35 days apart)! Happy birthday my love and thanks to Mickey and all the Disney cast including KoKo our fantastic server who hails from Minnesota! read more

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If you have kids then a big yes to chef mickeys. If you're a Disney adult then no. It's very small and full of kids running around. The service is amazing and the food is good. The character experience is excellent. It's very casual atmosphere and a big buffet of food to choose from. read more

I've been here at least 3 times prior to this visit with our now four year old and this was our best experience yet. Last time we were not impressed with the character experience because they cycle through so fast just to do the hellos/photo, but this time they seemed to spend a little bit more time interacting with our son because he was showing off a toy to them. The buffet options are great, even for our picky eater. I'm not a big breakfast person but I found plenty to try. It just is big price tag when your kid does not eat a whole lot and you're spending $30 something on 2 Mickey waffles. read more

Chef Mickey's - American Near Me - Lake Buena Vista, Florida

We had a great time at Chef Mickey's! We came here with a reservation for 6 and got seated quickly. The place is huge, plenty of space between tables for the characters to roam free. Food was fine, nothing special, but the highlight was definitely the character experience! They make sure every table gets plenty of interaction with all available characters and tons of pictures. Overall, really solid experience! Would recommend for families and people who enjoy the character meals! read more

If you're looking for the perfect way to start your Disney day, Chef Mickey's is an absolute must! From the moment we walked in, the energy was so fun and lively--and getting to meet Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Pluto made it such a memorable experience (yes, Pluto deserves two shoutouts because he's just that cute!). Now let's talk FOOD... because wow. The variety was incredible! From fresh fruit and an unreal selection of pastries (seriously, I could've made a whole meal just from those alone), to a huge spread of breakfast meats and potatoes--there was something for everyone. But the standout for me? The shrimp and grits. Absolutely delicious--perfectly cooked and full of flavor. I went back for more... no shame at all! Between the amazing food, the character interactions, and the overall vibe, this was such a fun and memorable experience. Safe to say, this is officially becoming a yearly tradition for my Disney trips! read more

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I was pleasantly surprised with the quality and quantity of the food- didn't have high expectations but I did enjoy the cheesy potato, waffle bar, beignets, chocolate banana crepe, veggie casserole and sausage. We did get a cupcake for my son's birthday which was a nice surprise. The characters are great- obviously the best part- but my son also enjoyed watching the monorail through the building. So for the experience, definitely worth it read more

Went for breakfast this morning with my husband. Reservation was at 11am. We got seated at 11:40am, just as we were about to walk away because we were tired of waiting. The waitress was friendly, but we felt a little rushed and not much attention was given to us as she had other tables with 8+ people. The character interactions were decent although timing could be a bit better. We waited after we were done eating for Minnie to see us. They told us if we left our table to get food and the characters came by we would miss them and they wouldn't cone back. The other characters sped thru as many tables as possible. It was pricey, food was decent. Just wouldn't run to go back. read more

Chef Mickey's - American Near Me - Lake Buena Vista, Florida

We went for breakfast, and I was amazed by how great all of the food was!! Huge variety, and everything was hot and delicious. Good coffee, great friendly service, and a really fun kid-friendly atmosphere. It can definitely be loud at times with all the music and people though! All the characters were wonderful (even if Goofy scared our daughter at first lol) and we had a lovely time. The photo opportunity is on the way out now, and there was a photopass photographer available at our visit, which was very convenient! read more

Chef Mickey's - American Near Me - Lake Buena Vista, Florida

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Kelly was a very attentive and patient server ! My son wasn't feeling well and she went out of her way to accommodate him . I really appreciate her enlightening our experience alongside the characters ! The food was good and the characters spend a lot of time with customers . read more

Chef Mickeys! I don't think I've came here as a child, but now that I have my own - I had too! My toddler was so excited to see Mickey and all his friends! The characters went to every table, interacted, took photos and signed autograph books. My son was so happy :) Now let's talk FOOD. We went for breakfast. I was honestly happy with the selections they had. They had some charcuterie - meats, cheeses, salmon, etc. They had a good fruit selection as well. They had all the normal "breakfast" foods and more! Mickey waffles, pancakes, French toast, different types of prepared eggs, bacon, sausage and way more to name. It's a buffet, and you're in Disney at the contemporary resort. Of course you're going to pay a hefty price AND be able to see the characters and interact. So yes it was expensive and it was well worth every penny to see my son happy and for his dad and I to pig out. Oh and our server was awesome with making sure we had our cups full! Clearing our plates and making sure we saw every character :) read more

Chef Mickey's - Some of the food - American Near Me - Lake Buena Vista, Florida

Very good food and very fun if you have little ones. Every character will come to your table for pictures and autographs. It is a must do if you are in Disney. The choices of food is crazy. If you think it they have it. The egg station is cool. Plenty of sweets too. The service was awesome. Plenty of character pictures. Awesome read more

I guess my first time here, I was in price shock mode. I came with my youngest grandchild, and she was spellbound. She was able to score all of the characters' autographs and had her picture snapped with them by her parents. I somehow didn't pull out the old iPhone and click a few. It's not about me it's about Grace and 5 years old living a dream and you cannot put a price on those memories. read more

To the people that have said this food is subpar and not worth it.....they lied. This was one of the best character meals I have had for dinner on Disney property. This was a bit overstimulating with the music and everything but the FOOD was delicious and so many options. For $60 it was definitely worth it and I want to go back already. The food was absolutely worth it! read more

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Food is surprisingly good for such a large scale buffet. Decent amount of vegetarian options. Obviously it is more about the experience than the food here (however the desert table was fabulous) All the characters individually come to each table so there's no waiting in lines. Perfect for large groups and a great way to meet more characters ! read more

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Let's get this out of the way: Chef Mickey's is overpriced. You know it. I know it. Mickey knows it. Somewhere in the Disney boardroom, an executive cackles as parents willingly fork over half a car payment for breakfast. But here's the thing... it's still worth it. Walking into Chef Mickey's feels like you've stepped into the Vatican of character dining -- only the Pope is a six-foot mouse in gloves. You're not here for the culinary revolution. You're here because your kids want to hug Goofy before noon, and you want a mimosa to survive it. The food? Think Las Vegas buffet but with ears. Piles of Mickey waffles that taste like nostalgia and syrup, eggs that somehow remain fluffy despite being made by the thousands, and bacon so plentiful it could bring Ron Swanson to tears. Do you need to refinance your house to afford it? Maybe. But when Pluto comes around and high-fives you mid-bite, suddenly it feels like money well spent. Now, the real kicker: the Contemporary setting. There's something surreal about sitting under those massive monorail beams, coffee in hand, while a train glides overhead and Donald Duck pretends to cook pancakes. It's a mix of kitsch and magic that only Disney could pull off. Yes, Walt would've rolled his eyes, but then he would've secretly gone back for seconds on the banana bread pudding and admitted, "Alright... this is ridiculous, but it works." Bottom line: Chef Mickey's isn't about the food -- it's about the spectacle. The characters, the chaos, the overpriced buffet that somehow feels like a rite of passage. And honestly? I'd do it again. Because where else can you eat scrambled eggs while Mickey Mouse personally checks on your table? read more

Chef Mickey's - American Near Me - Lake Buena Vista, Florida

Chef Mickey's is an iconic Disney restaurant. One of the very few places I had heard of even before I visited the resort. If you have kids this place is an absolute must go. The characters come around and each child the opportunity to interact one on one. No matter who your kid's favorite character is they will get their turn. As a grown adult this place is simply a buffet style restaurant. The food is similar to all others served at most resorts. If the food is what you're after this place is probably not worth the price. That being said, that food is good and worth trying if you've never had it previously. Would recommend. read more

Chef Mickey's - Breakfast - American Near Me - Lake Buena Vista, Florida

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This is a 'must' for anyone traveling to DisneyWorld. Chef Mickey serves an enormous and delicious buffet! Super and an excellent value considering what you get! So, let me explain, if you haven't been, the most important part of this experience is that Disney characters come to your table for hugs and pictures.... Just love it!!! Disney is serious about everyone having a good experience to the extent they send a cast member over towards the end of the meal to make sure you saw and was engaged with each character. Well done for sure. Such a light hearted experience that you won't soon forget.... And we were 4 adults! read more

Chef Mickey's - American Near Me - Lake Buena Vista, Florida

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I have fond memories of going to Chef Mickey's as a kid with my family and always found it fun. It's a character dining option that is a buffet style restaurant. Located in the Contemporary Resort on the 4th floor. If you're not staying at Contemporary, you can take a bus, the monorail, or drive your own car/rental car to the hotel and let the guard know you are dining there. (Always recommended to have a reservation.) They offer a mix of proteins, pastas, side dishes, and kid-friendly options - there's something for everyone. While no one in my group is gluten free, I understand you can let the chefs know if someone in your party has that restriction and they will accommodate accordingly. While it is popular for younger fans, it can be just as fun for adults too - sometimes the characters get very comical with their interactions and it makes for some fun memories. Quality of the food is quite good - it's been years since I've gone and I was impressed by the meats and variety of food. There's not really a limit on when you can go back up for more - good for those who don't know what to eat or want a nice variety. read more

Characters, food, Disney what else do you want. Grab food before the parks or go to the park come back for food and then hit the pool it's walking distance to MK and Mickey and friends stop by dance and you have a great time read more

Did brunch here with the kids in Disney. I feel like Chef Mickey's is a classic and we just had to do it. It's right in the lobby of the Contemporary Resort and you get to see the monorail come through which our kids thought was so cool. I'm not a big fan of buffets so we chose to come for breakfast because I feel like eating breakfast at a buffet is less gross than dinner. The buffet had every type of breakfast staple you could want and the food was honestly delicious. They do have the Mickey waffles. My favorite thing I tried ended up being the beignets. So good. You get to meet 5 characters who come to your table. Plus Mickey comes out periodically and dances around with the kids. The characters we had when we went were Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald. Our waitress was great and a worker did come over as we were getting close to the end of our meal to make sure our kids had gotten to meet all the characters. I feel like Disney does such a good job with the character dining. Now, that comes with a high price, our breakfast was over $200. My younger two are technically free so that is really just the price for 2 adults and 2 kids. But, I felt it was worth it for the experience. read more

Went for dinner for my daughter's 3rd birthday. The character experience was great, as usual. However, the food and service left more to be desired. The food is very mediocre. It was cold and there were little options for the $44-$60 that you pay for. The service was terrible; as soon as an hour hit, it felt like our party was being rushed out of the establishment. This is something I've never experienced, as we've done character dining experiences before. This will certainly be our last time dining at Chef Mickey's. read more

Overall we had a great time at the character dinner located on the second floor of the Contemporary. Of course, make a reservation in advance. Even with one we ended up waiting a bit. Our service was awesome- Sarabelle was our server and she was awesome with our kids and made the experience even better. They share when every character is coming and double check at the end that you got to see all five. Each character spends time at your table for photos and signatures, plus a few dance parties in your table section. The food was surprisingly good- I wasn't expecting much from a buffet targeted for kids, but they definitely did a good job and have a variety of dishes, from teriyaki salmon to shrimp scampi. The desserts were also yummy! You can order specialized drinks or alcohol. The only downside was the price. For one adult and one child I left spending around $160 after tax and tip. Glasses of wine ranged from $13-$20 per glass. It was pouring rain so we valeted which was $42. So it really added up! Adult dinners were $69 before tax and kids over two were $44. I can't imagine going with a large family- definitely pre plan so you can budget for this pricey but fun experience. read more

Chef Mickey's in the Contemporary resort is a must do when at Disney. Reservations can be made online up to 60 days in advance. With our reservation, we were able to check in with our phone at our reservation time. Disney has this down like clockwork, we were seated, greeted by a pleasant waitress, and proceeded to get our food at the buffet. Then what we were all waiting for, Chef Mickey, and his friends, including Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto came to visit our table. They all took photos with the children and signed autograph books. The food was plentiful and good, but a pretty basic breakfast buffet including eggs, potatoes, fruit, Mickey waffles and a nice selection of pastries. Someone in our party was celebrating a birthday so they brought her a cupcake. Cost is $58 for adults and $37 for children 3-9. Parking at the Contemporary is complimentary for diners for up to 3 hours. I recommend Chef Mickey for kids and kids at heart. read more

Chef Mickey's - American Near Me - Lake Buena Vista, Florida

My daughter and nephew had a blast! They are both 3 years old. And they loved the character dining. The Buffet was busy but the food actually wasn't bad at all. Avocado toast, salmon, deviled eggs etc. we will be back soon read more

Chef Mickey's was so sweet and so cute. The kids had a great experience. The food was good but I wouldn't say I was impressed but just for the experience I want to give it a 10 out of 10. It is an absolute must do even if it's once in your lifetime specially, if you have small children, they will really really enjoy this experience. However, my oldest daughter and my husband disagree with me on the food and they give the food a ton out of 10 out of 10. read more

Where do I even begin?! This has to be one of the best Character Breakfasts on property! Everything from the food, the layout of the restaurant, the route of the characters & how much time they spend with you, the service, everything was literal perfection. We had the BEST time celebrating my 2 year old niece's birthday. Nabil was a sweetheart & attentive! Your server starts you off with a fruity surprise- POG JUICE or you can order coffee, milk, etc. Then you're free to start going crazy at the buffet. First plate consisted of a Mini croissant, a Minnie muffin, & a Warm Sticky Cinnamon Roll! Went on to get the scrambled eggs with Steak & Mushrooms, Biscuits & Gravy, Bacon, Cheesy Hashbrowns, Potato Wedges, and for the last plate had to visit the plentiful fruit section for some pineapple, grapes, and banana... FOSTER, on fresh French Toast! Also grabbed a Mickey waffle, delicious and sugary Beignets. The best food coma is one at Disney! You get to meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto while you're dining! They have fun with the whole family, autographs & photos/videos are encouraged, and once the do a full cycle they are able to come back for more 1-1 and Mickey even did a celebratory dance with our section of the restaurant. The character attendants were also kind enough to ask each table if they wanted anymore interaction time with any character before they left to the other side. Obviously Pluto is her favorite out of the five! We can't wait to come back again sometime soon, if you have kids that love meeting the Fab Five this is a MUST DO breakfast experience at Disney World for the entire family to enjoy! read more

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Fab 5 Character Dinner, , yes please! Chef Mickeys is located on the upper floor of the Contemporary. Dinner is a buffet with so many choices and themed desserts... I left very full! The service is amazing- definitely a Disney service. All 5 characters are into the room at about the same time. Staff made sure that all tables saw all characters. read more

Chef Mickey's - Themed Desserts at Chef Mickeys! - American Near Me - Lake Buena Vista, Florida

FANTASTIC character experience! The buffet was enormous and the food was delicious. I would totally go back here every time I go to Disney. All the characters spent a good amount of time with us. The ambiance was chill and the vibe was relaxed. Totally recommend this to all families! read more

It's funny how this place gets some pretty divided opinions. Some folks (like myself) are big fans while others complain it's overpriced with meh food. Here's the thing, this is a character dining experience with guaranteed access to five of the most popular Disney characters that you'd otherwise be spending a ton of time trying to hunt them down for photos that you'll wait hours for. This place isn't meant to be one of the elite dining experiences so people should really manage their expectations for the food, which to me isn't as bad as some make it out to be. Compared to other Disney buffets, this place is actually better than average. The food you get here is better than what you'd pay for at the crystal buffet at Magic Kingdom or the similar character dining/buffet equivalent at Hollywood Studios. It might be as exciting to the palate as say the character dining buffet at Animal Kingdom, but this place in general is pretty good. Their carving station is always solid, the salad bar and peeled shrimps are always dependable and they have a good sized dessert bar with plenty of options. Their cupcakes are always a hit for us. The characters come out pretty frequently and on good nights you might get a rare chance to take extra photos. This place is also a no-brainer for people who like to stay the Contemporary like myself, or want to hit up a character dining here before taking the monorail to or from Magic Kingdom. The contemporary also has a pretty big arcade and gift shop right next to Chef Mickey's so there's that as well. I usually try to come here twice during each visit because the kids love it so much. I definitely would suggest this place over most Disney buffet/character dining option choices. read more

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I was going to give this a 2 star, but the characters made me bump it up. That said, this is one of the most brazen money grabs in WDW. Dinner for me, the Misses and the little one was about $240 after tip. And THAT was being mindful about spending. Example, I got a watermelon lemonade...(this is a BUFFET, to remind...). It was $6.50. A plain, thin glass of watermelon lemonade. I obviously finished it rather quickly, and asked the server if they are refilled. Nope, that'll be $6.50 each time sir. So, I did water after the initial lemonade. (Kudos to our server too, who was forthright with his info. He also told us that the alcohol pours weren't worth the exorbitant prices either.) The prime rib was absolutely inedible, but the rest of the food was decent, if underwhelming. The characters were cool, but you have to wait for them to come to your table, which can take a while inbetween appearances. You're paying for the experience. We did it because we wanted to guarantee that the Little One saw Minnie, so it was worth it to us, but I will absolutely not be going back. read more

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Exceeded expectations!! Family of 13 for dinner. Character interaction was EXCEPTIONAL! Buffet food was varied and delicious . Service was spot on!! We had a large table In the smaller dining area. Not a single complaint - we have been coming to Disney for years....first time here-- highly recommend!! read more

Birthday brunch! OMG, they were so welcomoing as we descended from the Monorail! Prompt seating. If you need the fascilities be forewarned that there are Warhols in the hallway toward it. Yes! My socks were knocked off hastening the need for the fascilities! After welcoming and seating us they verified allergies. Chef Victor was sent to tell us what is best avoided at this buffet. (Lee organized a hypo-allergic birthday treat as the cupcake had no-no ingredients.) There was an amazing mushroom omlette. There were Mickey Waffles you could douse in Bananas Foster sauce! There were all manner of fruits. It didn't matter where you were sat because there was a fresh set of buffet stations near you. Plus, there was a dessert station. Everyone will come to visit you. I didn't share all the photos. Minnie Mouse has amazing light-up footwear. Goofy will listen to everything anyone has to say. Donald is Galant! Mickey is charming! Pluto does everything! Bruh can even dance while blindfolded by his own ears! Definitely visit! read more

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A trip to Disney is not complete without atleast one character dining dinner. We were excited to try for our first time. The food was just ok and not worth the high price tag. The characters were great and made it all worth it. Loved getting to explore the Contemporary and watch fireworks after our meal. Overall, a great experience but think we will save our money next time for some of the other dining experience. read more

Chef Mickey's - Chef-s selection of Desserts including Warm Apple Crisp - American Near Me - Lake Buena Vista, Florida

This character dining used to be my favorite but not anymore. The places weren't busy at all that the characters when 2 rounds and my reservation is at 6:00 pm on 12/22/25. The food selection was the worst compared to other character dining. read more

While staying at the Contemporary, we ate breakfast at Chef Mickey's. It is a character dining experience. The characters that they had were Mickey, Minnie, Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto. Every character stops by the table. They even have someone who came by to ensure that they all visited each table. My daughter is usually very shy but every character that came to the table, she had to hug. The characters at Chef Mickey's were very good. Breakfast was delicious and there was a wide variety of food and treats to choose from. Good thing it was a buffet because I did not have enough room on my plate. The service was very good and the Cast (employees) were very polite. This is a fun and great place to enjoy breakfast at before going to one of the parks. The monorail for Magic Kingdom stops at the Contemporary, so if you are at a connecting resort, I highly recommend stopping here for a meal whether it is breakfast or dinner. Plus it is an easy way to meet some characters versus standing in long lines while inside the parks. We will definitely eat here again. My daughter really enjoyed this dining experience and had a huge smile. If you decide to dine here be sure to have a reservation. read more

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You're literally just eating a cheap continental breakfast at a fancy hotel and have people in costumes walking around. Thats all. its extremely expensive and the food and coffee is terrible. 10/10 DO NOT Recommend. There are much much better places you can spend your money at. read more

We dined at chef mickeys on 12/26/25 at 12:20 PM. We drove two hours to celebrate my birthday and bring our toddler to meet Mickey for the first time. I've been here before and never had a problem, but this time we had mold on our French toast. This was especially a problem being my husband's allergy to mold and penicillin etc. This was extremely disappointing to encounter at Disney of all places. Please see attached photos. I am hoping someone can make this right. Disney account email: Gabeycakes18@gmail.com Reservation: Confirmation Number: 355360045632 read more

Chef Mickey's - Mold on French toast - American Near Me - Lake Buena Vista, Florida