The way you eat at Chef Mickey’s in Disney’s Contemporary Resort has CHANGED once again!
Since reopening in May 2021, the popular character restaurant hasn’t necessarily been the same as it once was. It began with the change to an all-you-care-to-eat family-style meal with characters waving at you from afar…then, the character interactions returned to “normal” with Mickey and friends being able to interact with you at your table and pose for photos…and, now the restaurant is back to being the way it was in 2019 (for the most part, at least)!
As of March 1st, the buffet is BACK at Chef Mickey’s! So, now you don’t wait for the food to come to you, you can get right up and start eating the second you arrive for your reservation and save that extra time for posing with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, and Goofy.
The return of the buffet comes with two BIG updates — menu changes and price increases. Let’s talk about the cost first.
- Breakfast increased in price from $45 to $51 per adult and from $29 to $33 per child.
- Dinner increased in price from $60 to $62 per adult and from $38 to $39 per child.
These price increases join others that we’ve seen across Disney World restaurants recently including Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.
Now, let’s get to the menu!
Breakfast Buffet Menu
When the restaurant was family-style, you would receive a wide range of eats at breakfast for everyone at the table to enjoy including fruit, biscuits, waffles and pancakes, eggs, bacon, and more. And, you can find a lot of the same options — they’re just on the buffet line now!
So, for breakfast, you can get things like sweet and savory breads, scrambled eggs, or smoked bacon, stop by the carving station where there’s fresh smoked ham and beef brisket, or go for the classic Mickey Waffles. Plus, there’s a HUGE area of the buffet dedicated to charcuterie and cheese where you can create your own morning spread! Just note that the exact selections could change on a daily basis
There’s also a selection of morning cocktails and non-alcoholic specialty offerings for an additional cost on top of the meal.
The big thing to note here is that three signature dishes are MISSING from the menu. For a little over two years, Goofy’s Banana Bread French Toast, “Loaded” Potato-Cheese Casserole, and a “Celebration” Mickey Pancake have been the highlights of Chef Mickey’s menu. However, these are no longer available with the switch to buffet style.
But, some new (and returning) offerings are on the menu to make up for the loss.
What To Eat
The good (and bad) thing about Chef Mickey’s is that the food is pretty standard. So, while you’re not going to be blown away by all the eats, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser that even your pickiest eater will enjoy.
And, while the menu looks pretty minimal, there are TONS of selections within each category so you can craft the exact breakfast plate (or plates if you’re anything like us) you like!
Of course, there are the classics that you just should try like Mickey Waffles, tater tots, and french toast sticks. But, there are also some signature dishes that offer up a bit of a unique flavor. This includes:
- Buttermilk Biscuits and Gravy
- Warm Bread Pudding
- Vegetable Frittata
Disney has said that these signature offerings will rotate throughout the year, so count yourself lucky if you get the chance to try them!
And, if you’re vegan or vegetarian, there’s still going to be plenty on the buffet line to choose from including Tofu scramble and more.
Now onto dinner!
Dinner Buffet Menu
Much like breakfast, the family-style dinner at Chef Mickey’s was full of options, all served directly to your table. In general, you’d receive about 3-4 different dishes for each course of the meal to share (so, three salads, three meat options, four desserts, etc.). But, with the change back to buffet, there is actually quite a bit more variety!
For dinner, the buffet line is filled with seasonal salads, grilled and roasted vegetables to pair with meats from the carving station, plant-based seasonal dishes, and A LOT of desserts. Plus, there are some more unique dishes that offer something other than traditional flavors like shrimp and grits, vegetable stir fry, and tomato and rosemary focaccia.
And, just like breakfast, you can pair your meal with a specialty drink for an extra cost. There are some fun non-alcoholic options plus a wide selection of beer, wine, and cocktails.
Remember, soda, coffee, and juices are included in the cost of your meal.
Now, if you’re anything like us, staring at a buffet line full of all kinds of foods and flavors can be overwhelming. So, what are the highlights of dinner at Chef Mickey’s that you simply can’t miss? Let’s get to it!
What To Eat
One of the things that you might not expect to find at dinner at Chef Mickey’s is peel-and-eat shrimp, but if you’re a seafood fan, it’s a must-try. And, since it’s a buffet, it’s unlimited!
Chef Mickey’s also boasts SIX signature dishes at dinner time including:
- NY Strip Loin
- Roasted Pork Pernil
- Orange Chicken
- Baked Macaroni and Cheese
- Vegetable Stir Fry Noodles
- Couscous
Sure, you may be able to find iterations of these dishes at other Disney World restaurants, but these are the things that Chef Mickey’s does best.
So, that’s it — the FULL MENU at Chef Mickey’s in Disney’s Contemporary Resort now that breakfast and dinner are served buffet-style! Now, it’s worth noting that Chef Mickey’s has always been a favorite among Disney fans, but it’s not necessarily for its food…
One of the biggest selling points is actually Chef Mickey’s location! Disney’s Contemporary Resort is within walking distance of Magic Kingdom, making this restaurant a great way to escape the crowds and heat and find a more “relaxed” character dining experience.
So, the food isn’t necessarily outstanding, but when you add up the fact that you can find a variety of eats to please almost anyone in your family, you can meet all of the Fab 5 characters, and its proximity to Magic Kingdom, it makes it worth at least one visit!
Of course, with all these things stacked in its favor, getting a reservation here can be a challenge. Here are a few tips to help you secure a spot:
- If you’re staying at a Disney World hotel, you can book dining reservations 60 days in advance PLUS the length of your stay. Plan to eat at Chef Mickey’s later in your trip so that you can secure your reservation before everyone else gets access 60 days out.
- Check for reservations, check again, and keep checking! People are always changing their plans, so you never know when a reservation might pop up. We were able to get ours the morning of!
- If you can’t get a reservation, join the Walk Up Waitlist! This isn’t always available, and you do need to be within a certain distance to join the list through the My Disney Experience app, but it’s the only way to eat here without a dining reservation.
We’ll be giving Chef Mickey’s new menu a try soon, and in the meantime, be sure to stay tuned to The VacationEAR for more of the latest Disney hotel news and updates!