Any Updates on Chef Mickey?? (Updated-Post 238)

[Itinkso]

Oh I hope this is true - I want Mickey @ my table! please let us know

Her message from noon today reported that Mickey was in the plate photo area and that he wasn't yet roaming. DD is still on her shift until CM closes tonight so will report again if anything changes.

 

[pinkerbell]

Her message from noon today reported that Mickey was in the plate photo area and that he wasn't yet roaming. DD is still on her shift until CM closes tonight so will report again if anything changes.

Thanks for the update, hoping he left his post and made the rounds

 

[RMAMom]

I too hope that he is roaming again. I think part of the fun is watching Mickey and Minnie interact with each other.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I am really upset to hear this!!! Part of the allure of CM is all the characters roaming... having him static shortens the visiting time. We planned this meal so we didn't have to hunt down the Fab 5 in the parks.

Hopefully they'll decide this whole program is a bust before we go to CM on Sunday 9/26. I would change my ressies in a heartbeat if this would have been dropped in my lap more than a week before our trip!

Anxiously awaiting your report Itinkso!!!

 

[kahblue]

I hope with the news that this is only a test and that it possibly has already ended, people haven't canceled their reservations just due to this info. If you are paying for the meal, is the cost really worth it just based on whether Mickey comes to your table? I would never pay that much for him to come to my table most likely one time for 2-3 minutes. The overall experience is what should count.

KIM

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

I hope with the news that this is only a test and that it possibly has already ended, people haven't canceled their reservations just due to this info. If you are paying for the meal, is the cost really worth it just based on whether Mickey comes to your table? I would never pay that much for him to come to my table most likely one time for 2-3 minutes. The overall experience is what should count.

KIM

Actually yes I would cancel... the food at CM isn't as great as some of the other restaurants in the World. We booked SOLELY for the character experience, and if I'm not getting what we had expected, we'd cancel no questions. At least with the table visit the kids could get autographs, not just a picture then be herded to our table.

Heck, I'd cancel now (for Sunday 9/26), but we'd not likely get another decent character meal with Mickey that we could easily get to (using Disney transport) AND we coordinated our dinner with another couple we are traveling with (who are from another state).

It's bumming me out big time.

 

[Tricia1972]

I hope with the news that this is only a test and that it possibly has already ended, people haven't canceled their reservations just due to this info. If you are paying for the meal, is the cost really worth it just based on whether Mickey comes to your table? I would never pay that much for him to come to my table most likely one time for 2-3 minutes. The overall experience is what should count.

KIM

We haven't cancelled our reservation yet, but we might.

I agree with you - it is about the overall experience. However at Chef Mickey's, Mickey is a big part of the experience.

We're going to wait and see, but in my opinion the reason that Disney keeps taking things away is because through the law of supply and demand we condition them that they can.

I read a lot of "Why did Disney take away...." on the boards, and it's because Disney is a buisness. They've discovered that they can continually trim expenses and diminish experiences in the name of saving money and consumers continue to purchase the lessened product. Disney has discovered that they can take away the Appetizer, tip and second drink for breakfast on the DDP and it's still wildly popular, even though they are increasing the prices each year and gradually taking away the value. They can increase the prices of the Wishes Dessert party so much that it now nearly rivals with a hard ticket party and they fill up seats. They've added seasonal surcharges to the buffets and to the DDP cost simply because they can.

If they can take away the Mickey experience so it's no more than any other photo op shot and then parlay that into a chance for them to make an extra $30 with 50% of the customers, you can bet your last Mickey bar that they will.

So I disagree only in that I hope that if people feel strongly enough about the change that they are willing to put their $$ where their mouths are when they complain about this latest potential change and cancel their reservations if they feel strongly about it.

Personally, I can wait in line to see Mickey in the Judges Tent and get the same amount of interaction for my kids. (because you do usually wait in line for photos at Chef Mickey's anyway). So for us it will come down to whether or not Minnie, Donald, Pluto and Goofy are enough to make the experience whole for us.

 

[MHSweb79]

To the OP- Keep in mind that a party of 4 "plus highchair" is actually a party of 5. The baby counts as a whole person, for capacity and fire code reasons.

 

[julluvsdisney]

just an fyi mickey is also at O'hanas breakfast. Gives you a 2nd option!

 

[mom2rtk]

It wouldn't be unprecedented since Donald greets guests out front at Tusker House and you have to buy the photo. No more Donald interaction at the table.

I partially like that approach. While you do miss out on the extra time at the table, you do come home with a much nicer photo. No chairs in the way, no straws in people's faces, no half open mouths of other diners in the background.

Even if you don't want to pay the $30 (I hardly ever do) be sure to get in this sort of photo yourself. The CM's will take your photo for you if you ask. When Mickey comes to the table, he doesn't have anyone with him to take the photo.

Also, if you buy the photo, you CAN add it to your photopass and add the borders.

 

[jhpatrick1]

This was on another thread here on the Dis. There were a few people who said they worked there and it was only a two week test.

 

[wolf29]

Besides Ohana, Mickey is available at Garden Grill. There was a Mickey statue at the entrance where they were taking photos, but we passed. When we were @ CM late August Mickey did come around, as did Donald, Minnie, Goofy & Pluto. Place was uncrowded, so we were able to really enjoy ourselves. Too many other opportunities to see Mickey to pay for a photo there.

 

[jerivera]

I heard that Mickey no longer goes around the tables to greet everyone at Chef Mickey's. Now he stands somewhere, and you pay $19 to take a picture with him.

Is that true??? Can someone confirm? Need to know if I have to cancel my ADRs for Chef Mickey's and plan something different for my daughters.

Thanks!!!

 

[MEAGON2222]

yes it is true. He will only be at the poduim only for pictures

 

[Cherinva]

I heard that Mickey no longer goes around the tables to greet everyone at Chef Mickey's. Now he stands somewhere, and you pay $19 to take a picture with him.

Is that true??? Can someone confirm? Need to know if I have to cancel my ADRs for Chef Mickey's and plan something different for my daughters.

Thanks!!!

From what I've heard, there is a "test" going on right now...Mickey stands at the front for pictures. The other characters do go to the tables......not sure if it's going to last or how long the test is going on.

 

[Motomom06]

Same with Donald Duck at the Safari breakfast at Tusker House in Animal Kingdom.

 

[TDC Nala]

It was $30 for the photo, not $19. But reports are that you can take the picture with your own camera.

 

[maggiew]

Also, I think I read the pictures are $29!!!

But the CM will take a picture with your camera too.

Maggie

 

[Tricia1972]

It's kind of hard to know what is going on because there is SO much information out there and questions about this right now.

As it stands as of this morning, from several sources.

Chef Mickey - Not roaming right now, but will be roaming again soon. At that time the management will review "roaming" vs "stationary" Mickey and decide Mickey's fate.

No exact word on when he'll roam again. Most say early October. Definitely no word on when the'd switch to stationary again if they decide to go that way. (Though I can pretty much promise you that if Disney makes more money with him stationary for the photo op, he'll stay there)

 

[nyz2004]

poor September diners. it's so hard to get a reservation, yet so disappointed in the end. money driven Disney.