One of the best parts of visiting Disney World is seeing all the characters.
Hey, Chef Mickey!
Sure, you can wait in line to catch a character at a meet-and-greet spot in the parks. Or you can wave to a character in passing during a parade. But one of the BEST ways to meet characters is through character dining experiences, where you’re guaranteed to meet the characters PLUS you get to eat, making it the best of both worlds. However, when we asked you, our DFB readers on Facebook, which character meal was the worst…you told us!
We’re just going to start with the one character dining experience that you OVERWHELMINGLY told us was the worst. Okay, Mickey, we’re really sorry about this, but Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort seems to be one character meal that a lot of people have had bad experiences with.
Chef Mickey’s Card
Thom told us, “Chef Mickeys was absolutely horrible. Food was terrible and the character experience was nonexistent. Loud, crowded and dirty. Never again!”
Jennifer answered, “Chef Mickey… I know I’ll get some ‘hate’ for this, BUT, when we went for dinner many years ago, it was so chaotic and rushed. The food wasn’t being put out fast enough etc. Maybe it’s changed… I still think it’s something to do once for the cute Chef outfit pictures. 
“
Chef Mickey’s
Marla commented, “We did not enjoy Chef Mickey. There are many more options with better atmospheres, food options, and character interactions.”
Doug added, “Food is very basic for the price and you’re mainly paying for the atmosphere. It’s something we used to do every trip when my boys were little but stopped doing once they became teenagers and we found better options across WDW.”
Food at Chef Mickey’s breakfast
Mary said, “Chef Mickeys is my least favorite character meal and everyone swears by it but the character interactions weren’t great and the food was blah. It’s a one and done for my family.”
It’s interesting because a lot of comments were about how that might be an unpopular opinion, but it seems like DFB readers would rate Chef Mickey’s at the bottom of character dining experiences in Disney World.
Chef Mickey’s!
That said, Chef Mickey’s is a fun option for those with little ones. From the classic characters to the picky-eater-friendly menu, it’s one of Disney’s most famous restaurants for a reason!
Yum!
We did see a few other places mentioned, too, including Garden Grill in EPCOT, which DID surprise us. Jean said, “I am assuming I was there on a bad night because I know this is a fan favorite, but I had one of the worst meals of my life at the Garden Grill.”
Garden Grill
However, a few other readers had bad experiences at Garden Grill. Edith commented, “Garden grill! Characters are great, food is awful. I could eat better food at Sizzler.”
Breakfast at Garden Grill
Here at DFB, we quite enjoy Garden Grill, but, like any restaurant, it’s not for everyone! In the past, we’ve enjoyed the unique atmosphere and warm, savory entrees served here.
Berry Shortcake
Some of you also mentioned Tusker House in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Melissa said, “Tusker House food was good but the atmosphere was rather chaotic, which can be overwhelming for littles and those with sensory issues.”
Cat had a recent bad dining experience there: “Tusker House. Many years ago we had a great experience there, but when we went back recently it was not very good. Even the ambiance was not good – sort of darkish inside and with people spread out throughout such a large restaurant, if your table is in a corner you will never see the characters close by. The food is nothing to write home about either.”
Tusker House
We even saw several mentions of Be Our Guest, which isn’t technically a character meal, although Beast does come out at times, but it’s not a typical character dining experience like the other restaurants. It does make us think that Disney is missing out by not making it more of a traditional character dining experience with Belle and Beast, though.
Beast at Be Our Guest
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We used to love garden grill, but over the course of time menu was changed. You don’t get the same value for your money and the poundcake that they give you at the end does not even start to resemble the cake they used to give.
Honestly out of the list I would agree , however Hollywood and Vine would be our #1. I had to pass on many food items as watched people use their hands and use a serving spoon meant for one item at a different item. With multiple allergies in our family , buffets are out period unfortunately. But keeping specific to character buffets , Hollywood and Vine the worst. Restrooms grotesque. It’s the customers I know, but still buyer beware.
Chef Mickey is never going to be a fine dining experience, the food is geared to what children will eat. It is loud because kids and the monorail make noise! Regarding it being “dirty” I have never experienced that and we eat at the café right beside it a lot during our trips.
Our group must have been very lucky, as we have had breakfasts at Garden Grill and dinners at Chef Mickey’s – I’m 2018 and again in 2023 – and they were all great. Lots of character interactions, very good food, and great memories.
So the article based on guest says Chef Mickey, Garden Grill, Hollywood and Vine and Tusker House basically all suck. Went last December – Chef Mickey’s Kids favorite!!👍👍👍 (girls 11 & 7; boys 6 & 5)…They still talk about them Chipmunks at Garden Grill and the food was ok good 👍👍👍….Tusker House had ample Character interaction and food was unique and even better 👍👍👍👍. Didn’t go to H & V….No way you should compare these to fine dining at WDW or DFG recommended table service meals. These are for the kids. Period!
I totally disagree with the comments on Chef Mickeys. We love it and we’ve been going there since 2001. We like breakfast the best. Food is great, characters are fun, the servers are great. I can see how some would think its loud and chaotic.. To me it’s fun. Im 73 by the way.
Everything is going south at WDW The food the prices the ticket cost resort cost and the employees have horrible attitude toward the guest. This place is sinking into the abyss sooner than later 👎
I’ve never had an awful character meal but most of the time I feel like character breakfasts are about paying for the characters to come to me and not waiting in a line. As someone with food allergies I’m pretty limited so I often just ask them to bring me a plate from the back and I’ve never had an issue yet. No bad meals but honestly no super memorable ones either in terms of food, the things I remember are the character interactions and fun I’ve had with friends at these places.
Chef Mickey just got a new Chef from Cape May. We’ll see if that helps.
I agree with the food comments about Chef Mickey’s and Garden Grill. We go back every once in a while when it feels like we’ve done all the others enough, but that is once every several years at best. The food the last time were were at both places was surprisingly disappointing, the staff was tremendously overworked, refills and seconds just weren’t a thing. We almost left both places before we’d even had all the courses because it was taking so long. If you really want to meet Chip and Dale, Garden Grill is a great place to do it, but other than that, I don’t particularly recommend either of these to people.
I don’t enjoy the noise and chaos of Chef Mickey’s, and I haven’t been to Garden Grill in years because as a picky eater, the menu doesn’t appeal to me. But I do like Tusker House and would absolutely go back. I was there in February and I liked everything I tasted. I definitely recommend Tusker House.
I’m going to give a shout out to the best character breakfast on property – Topolino’s! It’s a little (not much) more expensive than the others but the food, service & character interaction was the best I’ve ever had!
In terms of food quality, I feel that there are 3 tiers. Character meals are at the bottom. Table service at the parks are in the middle. Table service at the hotels are the best. If you want even better than that then the food on the cruise ships are way above the WDW meals.
Susan mentioned the restrooms were bad at Hollywood and Vine. I agree, however, I’ve found all the restrooms in the restaurants at the parks are disgusting. Susan said that that’s down to the customers, which is true, but the cleaning cast members need to keep on top of it.
It’s sad to see negative comments about Chef Mickey’s. I have so many fond memories of eating there as a kid. Granted that was the late 80’s, early 90’s and there are a ton more character dining options to choose from now, but still, I feel like a character dining named for the big cheese himself should be one of the top spots! Hopefully Disney will hear the feedback and make some improvements
Consistently my BEST three Character Meals:
1) Akershus
2) Garden Grill
3) Chef Mickey’s
They never disappoint my little ones – and isn’t that the point of Character Meals.