For one reason or another you may find yourself with a day at Walt Disney World without going into the theme parks. One of the best ways to spend such a day is to hop around some of the Disney resort hotels. One of the best places to do this is the Magic Kingdom resorts including Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
That’s exactly what Ivonne on our team (@servoisnaked on Twitter and Instagram) did yesterday.
Everyone is raving about the cookies from Gideon’s Bakehouse. But what about their incredible cake slices? Our team had the sweet job of selecting three different slices of cakes to test out. We had a tough time deciding which we like better, the cake or the cookies. Read on and maybe you can decide for yourself.
Cakes on Display at Gideon’s Bakehouse
This local bakery’s original location at East End Market opened in 2016, and usually sells out of its specialty cookies and cake slices on weekends and special occasions. Now at Disney Springs, Gideon’s Bakehouse has a larger interior and a more elaborately themed space. Gideon’s Bakehouse likes to say they were established in 1898. The story goes they purchased what they thought was an old family cookbook, but instead uncovered a diary of a boy named Gideon who dreamed of having his own bakery.
Gideon’s Bakehouse InteriorInside Gideon’s BakehouseGideon’s Bakehouse Cookies on Display
Gideon’s original location and the branding on its website and packaging is inspired by the Victorian era, with some macabre undertones. This new Disney Springs space takes that theme to the next level. This is Disney property after all. Fans of The Haunted Mansion as well as the world of Harry Potter will enjoy the atmosphere.
Now, let’s get to the cakes. Every day Gideon’s presents a new selection of cake slices. Some of staple flavors, and others are fun experiments for the staff. Currently, the Disney Springs location does not offer entire cakes for pre-order, which is only available at the original East End Market location. Here’s the three flavors cake slices our team picked up and devoured at home:
True Red Velvet
Chocolate Peanut Butter
Special Double Frosted Caramel Mocha Chocolate Cake
We’ll start with the True Red Velvet as it is one of the few standard flavors. This cake is a beacon of hope for Red Velvet cake lovers. Nowadays Red Velvet tends to be chocolate cake with red food dye. But that’s not what Red Velvet is meant to be. This True Red Velvet is dense buttermilk cake with rich cream cheese frosting. The candied walnuts add a delightful crunch. This is truly a special cake and one that makes Gideon’s Bakehouse standout even more than it already does.
True Red Velvet Cake Slice at Gideon’s BakehouseTrue Red Velvet Cake Slice at Gideon’s Bakehouse
The Chocolate Peanut Butter is a comfort food classic. Dense chocolate cake is enrobed in thick, sugary peanut butter frosting. It’s a simple cake, but it is executed near perfection. The True Red Velvet is our favorite between these two, but anyone who loves the pairing of chocolate and peanut butter will find this cake irresistible.
Peanut Butter Cake Slice at Gideon’s BakehousePeanut Butter Cake Slice at Gideon’s Bakehouse
Finally, we picked up a special slice that is described as “we were just having some fun with this one.” The Double Frosted Caramel Mocha Chocolate Cake is a delightful surprise. The chocolate and coffee flavor dance together without overpowering each other. The caramel adds a lovely sweetness and is a nice touch without taking over. If Gideon’s other special, just-for-fun slices are as good as this one we’re ready and willing to try them all.
Double Frosted Caramel Mocha Cake Slice at Gideon’s BakehouseDouble Frosted Caramel Mocha Cake Slice at Gideon’s Bakehouse
It’s been a very cold few days by Central Florida standards, but things are thawing out. Other nearby drive-in destinations in the southeastern states have improved weather in the past 24 hours. Both of these aspects could be some of the reasons wait times today increased compared to yesterday. Still, wait times aren’t as high as they could be, especially at EPCOT.
We received 153 actual wait times in our Lines app today – thank you, Liners! Let’s take a break from the holiday clean-up and look at the numbers.
EPCOT Wait Times
Let’s start at the park that really seems to be missing Gold and Silver Annual Passholders right now. Ever since the black outs started the wait times at EPCOT have noticeably decreased. Even then Disney’s posted wait times have been inflated. The actual wait times have been around 60% of what Disney is posting.
EPCOT Wait Times 12-27-2020
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros had an average wait time today of 10 minutes. Its 7-day average is 9 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 9 minutes, so today ranks #12 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 10 minutes, so today ranks #116 for the past year.
Mission: SPACE Orange had an average wait time today of 43 minutes. Its 7-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #4 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #35 for the past year.
Soarin’ had an average wait time today of 53 minutes. Its 7-day average is 40 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #4 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 37 minutes, so today ranks #44 for the past year.
Test Track had an average wait time today of 66 minutes. Its 7-day average is 64 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #11 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #59 for the past year.
Frozen Ever After had an average wait time today of 34 minutes. Its 7-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 63 minutes, so today ranks #24 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 58 minutes, so today ranks #194 for the past year.
Magic Kingdom Wait Times
Magic Kingdom’s wait times picked up a little bit today, but today was still a reasonable day to visit the Most Magical Place on Earth. Today ranks as number four out of the past 30 days for average posted wait times.
Actual wait times show to be about 70% of Disney’s posted wait times. Showing actual wait time data and expected wait times to compare against Disney’s posted wait times help our Lines app users better plan their day and avoid wasting precious time.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin had an average wait time today of 45 minutes. Its 7-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 39 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 34 minutes, so today ranks #64 for the past year. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 57% of the posted wait time.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant had an average wait time today of 26 minutes. Its 7-day average is 22 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 17 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 4 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 79% of the posted wait time.
“it’s a small world” had an average wait time today of 45 minutes. Its 7-day average is 53 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 44 minutes, so today ranks #8 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 35 minutes, so today ranks #38 for the past year.
Magic Kingdom Wait Times 12-27-2020
Jungle Cruise had an average wait time today of 44 minutes. Its 7-day average is 55 minutes, so today ranks #5 for this week. Its 30-day average is 46 minutes, so today ranks #19 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #122 for the past year.
Pirates of the Caribbean had an average wait time today of 58 minutes. Its 7-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 50 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 43 minutes, so today ranks #22 for the past year.
Space Mountain had an average wait time today of 68 minutes. Its 7-day average is 64 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 49 minutes, so today ranks #2 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 53 minutes, so today ranks #75 for the past year.
Splash Mountain had an average wait time today of 63 minutes. Its 7-day average is 61 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #6 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 52 minutes, so today ranks #49 for the past year.
The Haunted Mansion had an average wait time today of 29 minutes. Its 7-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #11 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 40 minutes, so today ranks #151 for the past year.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had an average wait time today of 82 minutes. Its 7-day average is 88 minutes, so today ranks #4 for this week. Its 30-day average is 74 minutes, so today ranks #4 for the past month. Its 365-day average is 76 minutes, so today ranks #88 for the past year.
Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid had an average wait time today of 32 minutes. Its 7-day average is 30 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 34% of the posted wait time.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Wait Times
In the land of Hollywood wait times picked up today. Part of this is indeed due to the improve weather, but also Rise of the Resistance’s performance slowed down just a hair today. Today ranked number four out of the past 30 days in terms of average posted wait times.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Wait Times 12-27-2020
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith had an average wait time today of 47 minutes. Its 7-day average is 48 minutes, so today ranks #3 for this week. Its 30-day average is 46 minutes, so today ranks #15 for the past month. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 78% of the posted wait time.
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue had an average wait time today of 41 minutes. Its 7-day average is 38 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 31 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 51% of the posted wait time.
Toy Story Mania! had an average wait time today of 44 minutes. Its 7-day average is 35 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 29 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 10 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 52% of the posted wait time.
Slinky Dog Dash had an average wait time today of 69 minutes. Its 7-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 65 minutes, so today ranks #11 for the past month. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 76% of the posted wait time.
Alien Swirling Saucers had an average wait time today of 41 minutes. Its 7-day average is 33 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 28 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 62% of the posted wait time.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway had an average wait time today of 46 minutes. Its 7-day average is 42 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 47 minutes, so today ranks #16 for the past month. We received 11 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 71% of the posted wait time.
Rise of the Resistance is having a decent day. There are no major delays, and it is performing on pace with the past 7 days. Some of the last few days have outperformed compared to today, meaning higher number boarding groups were reached. This may be one of the reasons we are seeing slightly higher wait times across the park today.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Wait Times
Although Animal Kingdom is great in cooler weather, thanks to the animals being more active, sometimes when it gets too cold it’s outdoor attractions aren’t as fun. Today ranked number three out of the past 30 days, though actual wait times showed to be about 64% of Disney’s posted wait times.
DINOSAUR had an average wait time today of 66 minutes. Its 7-day average is 39 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 39 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 5 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 98% of the posted wait time.
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain had an average wait time today of 39 minutes. Its 7-day average is 29 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 32 minutes, so today ranks #5 for the past month. We received 16 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 49% of the posted wait time.
Kilimanjaro Safaris had an average wait time today of 51 minutes. Its 7-day average is 25 minutes, so today ranks #1 for this week. Its 30-day average is 24 minutes, so today ranks #1 for the past month. We received 9 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 45% of the posted wait time.
Na’vi River Journey had an average wait time today of 72 minutes. Its 7-day average is 60 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 56 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 6 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 83% of the posted wait time.
Avatar Flight of Passage had an average wait time today of 87 minutes. Its 7-day average is 61 minutes, so today ranks #2 for this week. Its 30-day average is 62 minutes, so today ranks #3 for the past month. We received 7 actual wait times today, and the actual wait averaged 72% of the posted wait time.
The year 2020 certainly was an unusual one, and it’s easy to be overwhelmed with the negative. To help brighten your holidays, we’re running a series of articles of the best of what we saw for 2020.
Yes, the TouringPlans blog covers content that you’d expect to find on many Disney blogs (although with our own unique twists and data-centric focus), we’re also famous for posts that you just plain won’t find anywhere else–even beyond the truly unique content of the Saturday Six. We’ve already shared three “only on TouringPlans” posts of 2020, but we have just too much content to fit in one post. Here’s three MORE of our favorite posts that are unlike content you’ll find elsewhere on Disney blogs.
Testing Mask Efficacy
We knew when the Disney Parks reopened that masks would be a requirement, but which mask would be best? In true Mythbusters style, the TouringPlans staff rigged up gear to test a variety of masks. See the results of the study here.
Choosing an NBA Team Based on Hotel
When the NBA bubble came into play at Walt Disney World, suddenly there were many non-basketball fans who took an interest in basketball season. But if you’re not a fan, how do you choose which team to support? How about comparing each team and their record to a Disney resort?
Becoming a Disney Cyborg
And by far the most 2020 of our article series was when one of our bloggers decided to see if it would be possible to have an RFID chip implanted that would be able to substitute for a MagicBand. Long story short–it is possible. Read the progression of this experiment in Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3, if you dare.
A few months ago Chef Mickey’s reopened, but with one very important ingredient missing: there were no characters. Our team visited during that time. The food satisfied, and the lack of characters was welcomed for those looking for a hearty breakfast without the kinetic craziness of typical character dining. Now that the characters are back we have to say, Chef Mickey’s may be our current favorite for Disney character dining.
Chef Mickey’s Atmosphere
The atmosphere at Chef Mickey’s can be one of its greatest features for some guests, and the worst part for others. It is located on the concourse level of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, in a multistory atrium. The iconic monorail whooshes by every few minutes and thanks to its atrium setting the voices of all the guests and the music bounce all around. This is not the place to be if you are not a morning person. If, however, you are looking for a high-energy experience that is undeniably Disney, this is your place. You can’t help but feel excited. There is no denying that you’re at Walt Disney World when you’re at Chef Mickey’s.
Chef Mickey’s Food Service Station and MonorailChef Mickey’s Former BuffetChef Mickey’s Distanced Tables
There is no more buffet. Everything is served on platters, family style, and your server will gladly bring you second helpings, or thirds or more, of any of the food, which is included in one flat price. The characters, which are Mickey and his pals, come out and greet guests by section rather than coming to each individual table. All character dining is currently done this way, with social distance, but Chef Mickey’s has been the most energetic that our team has experienced since the parks reopened. As each character came to the section that our team was dining in, they danced a little and were very cheerful.
Chef Mickey’s Food and Beverage
If you love breakfast food, you’re going to be in heaven at Chef Mickey’s for breakfast. Here you won’t find anything too fancy, just elevated versions of American breakfast classics. The meal starts off with a select of breakfast breads with honey butter, as well as fresh fruit and yogurt. Then the feasting continues with a bountiful breakfast platter of bacon, chicken sausage, beef brisket, scrambled eggs, and Mickey waffles. This platter is bursting with classic breakfast items.
Chef Mickey’s Bread Yogurt and FruitChef Mickey’s Breakfast Platter Celebration Pancake Banana French Toast Cheesy Potato CasseroleChef Mickey’s Breakfast Platter
A few specialty dishes are served which include “Loaded” Potato-Cheese Casserole; a “Celebration” Mickey Pancake; and Banana Bread French Toast with Espresso-Mascarpone Cream, Toasted Bananas, and Chocolate Crumbles. Of the three our research team enjoyed the Potato-Cheese Casserole the most. But all three dishes really elevate the whole meal. It is a lot of food, so if you’re going to do this for breakfast, consider having a very light lunch.
Chef Mickey’s Cheesy Potato Casserole
Our team felt the meal was worth the $42 per adult and $27 per child, plus tax and gratuity. Considering the quality of the food, the fact that you can have as much as you like, and the distinct atmosphere, it is worth it. Our team, and many of our readers, are reporting that they enjoy the family-style service much more than the buffet. Having the food brought to your table makes it more of an enjoyable meal, and you don’t have to run the risk of missing the characters while waiting in line at the buffet.
Chef Mickey’s Character Appearances
Thankfully the food at Chef Mickey’s is good and the entire experience doesn’t hinge on the characters alone. But the great news is the character interaction here is high energy and tons of fun. Each character dons a special chef’s outfit that matches their personality. You won’t need that second cup of coffee once you see Donald shake his tailfeather and Goofy’s flap his ears as he skips around. Although the chance to have one-on-one interaction and photos at your table is temporarily gone, it is still a fun experience. Just practice the art of composing a selfie beforehand.
Chef Mickey’s Mickey himselfChef Mickey’s MinnieChef Mickey’s Goofy
Each guest receives a souvenir postcard. This Chef Mickey’s postcard has each of the characters autographs on it, and features great artwork on the front with the characters in the monorail as it pulls through the Contemporary.
Chef Mickey’s Souvenir Card
We have listings and ranks for every Walt Disney World restaurant. Our readers give Chef Mickey’s an 85% thumbs up rating. It is ranked number 50 out of 106 table service restaurants. Reservations for character dining can be difficult to secure. Our Reservation Finder tool is free to use – give it a try!
Have you dined at Chef’s Mickeys before? What do you think of the new setup?
Filed Under: Dining, Dos and Don’ts, kids, Trip Planning, chef mickey’s character dining, disney character dining, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, walt disney world mickey mouse
