Character Breakfast Buffets: Chef Mickey's vs. Cape May Cafe'

POSTED: Wed, 03/07/2012 - 06:05 | POSTED BY: Kristen Kirk

One of the most beloved traditions at Walt Disney World is a stop at one of the many fantastic Character breakfasts. There are many to choose from with different styles appealing to different types of travelers.

Chef Mickeys

Chef Mickey's is Crazy Busy Fun with The Mouse Himself
Located on the concourse level of the Contemporary Resort Hotel, Chef Mickey's offers guests the opportunity to dine with the Mouse himself. Just off of the monorail, it's a convenient stop for families on their way to the parks. Chef Mickey's is one of the most difficult character breakfasts to get a reservation at. The restaurant is decorated with a broad variety of Mickey modern art. It spans several rooms located around a central buffet, and your seating location can influence your experience. On my last trip we had Mickey, Pluto and Goofy make brief stops at our table and quickly move on. If you're eating here expect a hard sell from the Disney Photo Pass team trying to sell pictures that are taken at the entrance.

Costing $35 per adult, the food on Chef Mickey's Buffet typically includes "Mickey waffles, cheese blintzes, biscuits and gravy, three-cheese omelets, scrambled eggs, French toast, fruit, pastries, oatmeal, cereal." The food is decent and plentiful with mild flavors, great for those less adventurous eaters. With so many kids in attendance and getting their own plates the presentation can sometimes get a little sloppy.

Chef Mickeys is a great family buffet and a fun, fairly quick way to start your day. With lots of hustle and bustle, to me Chef Mickey's feels rushed, crowded and loud with sense of urgency that keeps the tables turning over at rapid pace. If you're a touring commando, this may be the breakfast for you.

Cape May Cafe'

Cape May Cafe Offers a More Sophisticated Atmosphere
Cape May Cafe' can be found just off the lobby at Disney's Beach Club Resort. I find it easy to get a reservation here, especially if you would like a later breakfast seating. Decorated in a charming seaside style, the overall feeling at Cape May is relaxed and comfortable, with fewer kids running around than at Chef Mickey's. Characters often include Donald, Goofy and Minnie Mouse dressed in classic beachwear. The characters are more interactive at Cape May and stay as long as needed. I have never felt rushed at breakfast here and find the servers to be attentive and friendly.

Only $29 for adults, the cost is less expensive than Chef Mickey's. The menu always includes biscuits and gravy, Pan Baked French Toast, and Mickey waffles, as well as asparagus, bagels & lox, bacon, sausage, and seasoned potatoes. If you're looking for something sweet try the bread pudding with vanilla sauce, muffins, danish, or donuts. Overall the food is bountiful and flavorful with lovely presentation and more adult flair. Mimosas and Bloody Mary's can commonly be seen dotting the tabletops.

Cape May is the character breakfast of choice for those who prefer a more quiet and leisurely meal highlighted not only by characters but some great food too. Of the two character breakfasts highlighted today, I feel that Cape May is the shining star of character meals for grownups.

Which type of character breakfast do you prefer, fast paced to get you to the parks quicker, or laid back and relaxed? Do you have a favorite? Leave me a comment and let me know!

In:

Melinda Gregory wrote on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 13:42:

On our last trip to WDW, my hubby and our two girls plus my brother, his wife and my niece and nephew (pre-teens) all did the Cape May character breakfast and LOVED it! It was the only character meal we did during our trip, but it was a highlight. We opted for a later seating, so it was more a brunch for us, and it worked out great. The characters made the rounds pretty frequently, the food was plentiful, filling & good. Highly recommend this one - for guests of all ages.

claudine wrote on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 15:52:

We will be dining at Cape May on March 17th and I love this charactor breakfast. The charactors spend more time at each table and the food is great. The thing I dislike about Chef Mickeys is the noise and the children running around, I understand that the kids are excited, but its hard to enjoy your meal when they are running everywhere.

JoAnn C wrote on Wed, 03/07/2012 - 23:50:

I've only had one character breakfast and that was at Tusker House and loved it!

emmaanne wrote on Mon, 03/12/2012 - 19:02:

Just had breakfast at Cape May this past saturday and I have to say it was wonderful!!! The characters made their way to our table within about 20 minutes or so, and the food and service was great!

joe wrote on Mon, 03/26/2012 - 03:16:

I love Cape May but they don't have Mickey. If they ever add Mickey, will it be the same?

Amanda wrote on Mon, 03/26/2012 - 12:24:

I had breakfast at Chef Mickey's on Christmas Eve and it was horrible. The service was bad. The food was the worst I've had at WDW. And the characters basically ignored my table, we had 2 adults and no kids.

Kristen K. wrote on Mon, 03/26/2012 - 12:29:

Joe - I think that adding Mickey would change Cape May in that it would probably become more crowded. If they had to turn over more tables faster, that could make the quality of the food go down. I'll stick with breakfast there and just get my Mickey fix in the Park!

W. Miller wrote on Wed, 03/28/2012 - 22:14:

Cape May certainly is less rushed than Chef Mickey, but I did not really find it to be as fun. Although because there are less people the characters spend more (or multiple) time at the tables. It seemed to me that the characters were really an after thought to beef up attendance at a lack luster buffet. I visited Cape May in October 2011 and I found it to be the worst buffet that I have been to at WDW. The food options were seriously limited and the quality was barely passable (i.e. cold, not replenished.) If you want quality time with the characters go here for sure, if you want good food just skip Cape May.

salejune wrote on Wed, 05/02/2012 - 17:42:

We went to Chef Mickey's last Christmas and it was wonderful. The food was great. However, if you really want to enjoy a great character breakfast, try O'Hana's at the Polynesian Resort.

Gymnunaw wrote on Thu, 12/20/2012 - 20:58:

check this link, coach handbags outlet for gift aPltKHbF http://e--store.com/

Primary links

Secondary links