Chef Mickey’s has always been a favorite for us at Disney World. It is the only place on the property where you can see classic characters dressed in chef attire; the atmosphere enables everyone to be a kid again, and the food is good.
During our recent trip, we stopped in for a late breakfast during lunch. Although some things went well, it was not a perfect visit.
Let us start with the positives. The characters were fun. We visited on the day of our Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, and we were wearing our party shirts for later that night. The characters recognized our Halloween attire and did not disappoint us with their interactions due to this. I noticed the characters were very accommodating to larger parties. They took time for awkward selfies as someone in the large group attempted to take a large group photo with the characters and posed for smaller groupings of guests in the large parties. We missed our chance to visit with Mickey, but a cast member asked if we had seen all the characters. When I mentioned we missed seeing everyone’s favorite mouse, they made sure to have him come say hello to us. Cast members also offered to take photos for guests with the characters.
Another positive was the improved photo opportunity as we left the restaurant. Previously, Minnie did not visit the tables but was available for a photo with a Disney PhotoPass photographer. On this visit, all the characters came to the table for pictures we took ourselves, and then we had fun photos with Chef Mickey’s background before leaving. The photographer took his time with each family and offered props for pictures. We used props and had a Magic Shot inserted into a picture. This change in the photo experience was a big improvement in the overall quality of the experience and value for our money.
My husband had a good dining experience. He made trips to the buffet as a typical dining guest. He was pleased that hot foods were hot and things were cooked appropriately. He left full and pleased with the quality of breakfast food.
Now let me explain the negative part of the visit. I did not eat from the buffet as a special diets customer, and I was disappointed in my overall experience. As a special diets customer, I flagged the three foods I cannot consume when I made our advanced dining reservation online so that a series of precautions would be in place. This means that when I checked in, the hostess was aware of my dietary restrictions, and the waiter was alerted by a stamp on our seating ticket that a guest had food restrictions. I also chose to speak directly to an allergy chef to feel comfortable communicating that I could not consume wheat, dairy, or strawberries.
I have come to really enjoy and appreciate the special diets accommodations at Disney World, and I feel that I could not vacation there without becoming sick without this service. My meal was cooked without the ingredients I had flagged, and I did not have any problems until the end of the meal when I was presented with dessert. At the end of the meal, the allergy chef brought me a cookie and a brownie (each individually packaged) and stated that it was part of an allergy kit and that he was told it was safe for me. I almost squealed out loud due to my excitement of being able to eat a brownie. I commented that the only other place at Disney World that had a brownie for me that I was aware of was the Hollywood & Vine restaurant. As I talked, I could sense the chef was starting to have doubts or concerns regarding whether I could eat the brownie. He then reviewed the ingredients on the package and noticed that it contained milk powder.
I was shocked that the mistake had occurred. My point is not to leave a negative review so much as it is to give a strong reminder about advocating for yourself (even with trusted restaurants) if you have food allergies, food intolerances, health diagnoses such as diabetes or celiac disease, diet recommendations by a doctor, or other issues that lead you to have a special diet.
The service from the waiter was appropriate, but I did leave feeling that some trust had been lost in the special diets service at this location. I was also sad that I was given a treat that I thought I could enjoy, and then it had to be taken away because it contained an ingredient I had flagged.
Always review ingredients yourself (which I do). I can understand how this could have ended poorly for someone. A child or adult could have excitedly ripped into the package and eaten the dessert without checking the ingredients because they were thrilled to be able to have a treat and because they trusted the allergy chef to present them with safe options. Maybe someone would have put the dessert in their backpack for a snack in the park later and would have forgotten to review the ingredients.
The concerning truth is simple: even (usually) trusted allergy chefs are human, and therefore, they can make mistakes. Do your part by adhering to protocols, asking questions, speaking directly to a chef as needed, and reviewing ingredient lists on packaging.
I will give Chef Mickey’s a chance to earn back my trust. As frustrating as the experience was, I am glad that the chef was able to get clarification on the product ingredients so the mistake could be avoided with others. I hope he was able to communicate with other cast members in the kitchen to reduce errors going forward. Honestly, I hope the mistake was jarring and embarrassing enough that the same mistake will never happen again.
Someday, I will return and speak to an allergy chef, and they will bring me custom Mickey-shaped waffles, and all will feel magical again.
This is not medical advice. Consult your doctor regarding your special diet or before trying food.
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