Is Disney Character Dining Worth It? Chef Mickey’s Review (2023)

If your number one guy at Disney is the number one Mouse, then Chef Mickey’s character dining may be on your to-do list. But is this Disney character dining worth it? Here’s what you can expect when you book that hard-to-get Chef Mickey’s character dining in 2023. Is it one of the cheapest character dining at Disney World? Let’s discuss.

Is Disney Character Dining Worth It? Chef Mickey’s Review (2023)

Spending money on making memories at Disney World can be “easy” to do. Especially when it comes to feeding you and your family.

But trying to decide where to spend your Disney dollars wisely isn’t always easy.

Is Disney character dining worth it?

That depends on a few factors, but we’ll run down the ins and outs before you book those Advanced Dining Reservations 60 days in advance.

Here’s what you need to know about Chef Mickey’s character dining experience at Disney World.

Spoiler alert: it has some of your favorite characters!

Is Chef Mickey’s The Cheapest Character Dining At Disney World?

It’s not- but it’s right there in the middle when it comes to the more affordable character dining.

Character dining options at Disney World range in price:

• Character Breakfasts: from $42 to $45 for adults
• Character Lunch/Dinners: from $55 to $65 for adults

The cheapest character dining at Disney World is Garden Grove, located in Walt Disney World Swan Hotel.

But before you get too excited, you won’t see Mickey or Princesses there, so Garden Grove may not be exactly what you’re looking for.

How Much Does Chef Mickey’s Character Dining Cost (2023)?

Currently, Chef Mickey’s lands right in the middle when talking about the cheapest character dining options at Disney World.

And it has Mickey Mouse (and most of the Fab 5!). So that might be enough to sway your family to give it a try.

• Breakfast: $45 per adult, plus tax and gratuity; $29 per child, plus tax and gratuity
• Dinner: $59 per adult, plus tax and gratuity; $38 per child, plus tax and gratuity
• The Disney Dining Plan has not returned at this time.

What’s On Chef Mickey’s Menu?

For breakfast, you’ll have traditional American breakfast foods brought to you family style.

Chef Mickey’s was a buffet pre-2020, and it will return to a buffet on March 1, 2023. But until then, you will be served family style.

We ate from the breakfast menu and had way more food than we could even remotely finish.

Eggs, Mickey waffles, beef brisket, bacon, sausage, yogurt, cheesy potatoes, and fresh fruit were all available.

There are also 5 different mimosas to try- we loved the cinnamon apple version!

If you have picky eaters, there is plenty of familiar food to satisfy them (for dinner or breakfast!).

Is The Food At Chef Mickey’s Worth The Price?

In our opinion, the food was pretty darn good- even the eggs tasted a little better than what you can get around Disney property. That could be pixie dust talking, but the meal was satisfying in every way.

It wasn’t very different or impressive enough to say it was worth $45, however.

You can get basically the same eggs, bacon, and Mickey Waffle at your resort food court or quick service restaurants for around $16.

We’re not saying anything negative about the quality of food or variety of options, just the overall meal budget could be blown with one character breakfast at Chef Mickey’s.

So keep that in mind.

But if you have a big appetite or really enjoy trying new things, the variety was absolutely there in this family-style meal.

You won’t leave Chef Mickey’s hungry, that’s for sure!

Is Chef Mickey’s Disney Character Dining Worth It?

While we acknowledge the food may not live up to the price tag, we also recognize that we aren’t really paying for the food.

What you’re actually paying for at Chef Mickey’s is a decent meal with outstanding interaction from your favorite Disney characters. As well as location, location, location.

Since the meal is served in the middle of the Contemporary Resort, it’s convenient not only for families staying there or along the monorail resorts, but also for folks visiting the Magic Kingdom that day.

And that, my friends, is what makes Chef Mickey’s Disney character dining worth it.

Our overall experience was good as far as food quality, great place location and theming wise, and character interactions.

What Characters Are At Chef Mickey’s?

You’ll be visited by Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, and Goofy all dressed in themed chef outfits. Daisy Duck does not have a character meet at Chef Mickey’s.

They are absolutely adorable and make plenty of time at each table for guest interactions.

There’s also a short song that’s played and the characters dance with each other and circle around the dining room to the delight of kids ages 2 to 92.

If you want the best way to get family pictures with most of the Fab 5- and not stand in long lines all day chasing them!– this is one of the best Disney character meals at the Walt Disney World Resort to accomplish just that.

Ask a cast member for assistance taking that family photo!

Important Information For Dining At Chef Mickey’s Restaurant

This restaurant is inside the Contemporary Resort. You do NOT need theme park admission for this character dining.

But you will need an advance dining reservation to eat here as it is incredibly busy all year round.

Also be aware of the travel time to get to the resort table service restaurants. Budget 90 minutes to 2 hours if you are traveling from another resort hotel or another Disney theme park, especially if relying on Disney transportation.

Uber or Lyft are the easiest options for traveling between two resorts for dining.

You can book your dining up to 60 days in advance online- and reservations are highly recommended.

This Disney family-style just returned in 2022, so it’s bound to be a popular choice for many families going in 2023.

Be sure to plan accordingly if you want to make a reservation for Chef Mickey’s character dining at Disney World in 2023.

And don’t forget your autograph book!

Is Chef Mickey’s Disney character dining worth it? We think so, if your family is looking for one Disney character dining option, this lands in our top two choices for best character meals (Tusker House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the other!).

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