It’s no secret that Walt Disney World has a litany of culinary options. From table service restaurants to quick service outposts, there’s something to eat for everyone at the “Most Magical Place on Earth.”

Over my 30+ years visiting Walt Disney World, I’ve eaten at many of the restaurants across the property’s theme parks and hotels. One thing I, and all of the members of our team, have learned: Not all Walt Disney World restaurants are created equal, no matter how well-known they are.

Take, for example, Chef Mickey’s. This buffet restaurant, located quite literally in the middle of the Contemporary Resort’s Grand Canyon Concourse, is one of Disney World’s most well-known, especially thanks to its character breakfast, which features the company’s most iconic characters: The Fab Five of Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, and Pluto in chef outfits.

However, in our experience, the restaurant’s food can be… less than ideal. First up, the restaurant is expensive for a breakfast buffet offering, costing $59 for adults, while children ages 3-9 cost $38, and in our experience, the food once again didn’t justify it. For example, we had a steak and egg scramble where the former was tough to chew, while the latter were bland and didn’t add much flavor to help out the rest of the plate.

 

Meanwhile, the Turtle French Toast (French toast with a few crushed nuts and chocolate sauce to throw on it to consider it “turtle” style) was very dense and hard to cut through. Granted, the flavor from the cinnamon sugar and basic chocolate sauce was mild and fine, but I wasn’t anything we’d get again.

On top of all of that, we felt rushed in our dining experience. While it’s understandable, given the restaurant’s popularity and high turnover, it definitely hurt the overall meal. It was simply not a gratifying, enjoyable experience.

So, Where Should You Go Instead?

Well, there are several better options across property for character breakfasts, but our recommendation today is Topolino’s Terrace.

Located at the top of the Riviera Resort — and offering views of EPCOT among other sights — the restaurant (whose name roughly translates to Mickey Mouse in Italian) has a light Italian theme with elegant decor and impressive chandeliers.

Plus, unlike Chef Micky’s crowded table setup, things are nice and spaced out at Topolino’s.

It’s breakfast offering features a choice of entrees for adults costing $54…

… and a children’s choice for $33.

We really enjoyed the Sour Cream Waffles (which are served with roasted apple, chantilly, and orange-maple syrup, served with your choice of smoked bacon, ham, sausage, or plant-based sausage).

While the waffles were less sweet than the classic Mickey waffles, probably because they’re made with sour cream, the maple syrup was delicious and added a beautiful citrus flavor to the dish.

If you want something a bit more savory, we also loved the Quiche Gruyère, which is made with house-made pancetta, roasted potatoes, field greens, and lemon vinaigrette. This super cheesy dish was seasoned just right and went really well with the potatoes and salad.

Beyond the food, the breakfast also offers some of Disney’s best-known characters — Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy — decked out in adorable artistic costumes that certainly make for a unique photo op, even for those who’ve met the characters many times.

Next time you’re planning a character breakfast at Walt Disney World, consider hopping on the Skyliner over to Topolino’s Terrace as opposed to Chef Mickey’s. Stay tuned to DFB for more Disney dining takes.

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Which of these restaurants do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below.