4 Unspoken Rules for Eating at Chef Mickey's in Disney World

Chef Mickey’s at Disney World’s Contemporary Resort is one of the most popular dining destinations in the entire resort.

Why is that? Well, it’s located just a Monorail ride away from Magic Kingdom, it’s a character meal with some of your favorite Disney friends, and it’s friendly for all ages with a buffet-style meal. However, if you’re planning on grabbing a reservation to dine here soon, there are a few things you need to know.

When We Say LOUD, We Mean It

As this restaurant is a popular spot for many families and the character interactions encourage families to have a great time, this isn’t a quiet or low-crowd restaurant by a long shot.

Not to mention that it’s out in the open in the Contemporary Resort area, so you’ve also got noise from the shops nearby, people walking in and out of the lobby, the Monorail, and everything in between. Since this isn’t a massive restaurant either, tables are relatively close together, so know that it’ll be VERY busy and likely won’t be anything remotely close to a relaxing meal.

Bring Earplugs

If you’ve got someone in your group who struggles with sensory issues, especially when it comes to sound, you’re going to want to bring earplugs for them and other members of your group, just in case.

While this restaurant is fun and exciting for all ages, but most of the tables will have kiddos, which means it can be loud and chaotic. It’s a lot to take in for anyone, but coming from someone who has sensory issues, personally, this restaurant would be a no-go for me unless I had my Loop earplugs with me to help manage the noise levels. And even then, I may have to walk out to take a break once or twice!

Book That Reservation the Moment You Can

You can book dining at Disney World table service locations the moment the clock hits 7AM 60 days out from your vacation beginning. Now, you must have your park tickets (and park reservations, if applicable, most guests no longer need these) and/or Disney World hotel booked in advance of this 60 day window. If you book a trip sooner than 60 days out, you’re eligible to book as soon as that purchase is complete and you’ve received a confirmation email.

With Chef Mickey’s being as popular as it is, you’ll need to book that reservation the MOMENT the clock strikes 7AM, and even then, you still may miss one. If that’s the case, don’t fret! Keep checking back as your trip gets closer, even on the day of, because there are many times a reservation may pop up when you least expect it. If you’re nervous about snagging the reservation though, you can also work with a travel agent for FREE and ask for their help in getting that reservation, like our friends over at Mouse Fan Travel!

Be Prepared For The Food

While we have nothing against the food here at Chef Mickey’s, it’s important to remember that it’s buffet food at the end of the day. It’s not going to blow your mind, and that’s okay! You’re more paying for the character experience here, which is fantastic.

However, if you’re a big fan of fantastic meals and go in with high expectations, you’ll likely be very disappointed and feel you won’t get what you paid for. So before you dine here, remember that it’s not going to blow your socks off, but it’ll be an epic character experience for you and your group. If that’s not enough to make it worth it, then it may not be the right fit for your group, and that’s okay!