50's Primetime - What's your experience?

[scrappinginontario]

I'm trying to decide if I should book this for our group or not. My DD and I went last summer and although our server was nice, he did not have the same gig as other servers around us.

Just wondering what the normal 'schtick' is like? Is it a fun, playful humor or more sarcastic and/or embarrassing? I'm not sure the group I'm going with would be into being embarrassed and I know what sarcasm is not our choice of humor.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Tinkerkell007]

I went one time and I don't care to go back. I love being goofy and having a good time and laughing but I just didn't get into this. I felt like our waitress was more sarcastic and seemed on a power trip. I don't know if that is how it was supposed to be or not. It could also be at that point in the day, I was just really tired and hot, and the last thing I wanted to do was pay a decent amount of money to be uncomfortable.

 

[GaBelle]

We've been twice and my family loves it. My kids get a kick out of the "cousin" picking on their parents! The type of experience really depends on your server. A good server will read the group and tone it down if you are not responsive to their antics. Likewise, if you laugh or egg them on, they will run with it.

 

[sephorachick]

I'm trying to decide if I should book this for our group or not. My DD and I went last summer and although our server was nice, he did not have the same gig as other servers around us.

Just wondering what the normal 'schtick' is like? Is it a fun, playful humor or more sarcastic and/or embarrassing? I'm not sure the group I'm going with would be into being embarrassed and I know what sarcasm is not our choice of humor.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks!

Here is my review on Primetime 50s we were here a few monmths ago loved it. Pics & experience at this link:

http://yohoyohobloggerslifeforme.blogspot.com/2012/11/primetime-50s-diner-review.html

 

[nocomment711]

Much of it is contingent upon the waiter or waitress. The last time we went, our server was terrible.

Then again, I plan on going back this year simply for the S'mores dessert and the drinks.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I loooove the antics and atmosphere! Its hilarious and a lot of fun! Our waitress was amazing, she played it well. She kept scolding me, my son loved it. Lol!

As for the food, I had the fried chicken...I found it a bit too salty. But it was good otherwise. My fave item there was the PB&J shake, and the apple crumble with icecream. OMG so yummy!!!

 

[JanB]

As you previously observed, there will be a mix of approaches among the servers. You can never really know which sort of server you will get. Also, you can never know which person in your party the server will choose to focus on. It's not always the parents. If you choose to go, I think that you have to be prepared for anything from nice & bland to a little fun-loving all the way to really pushing it (and maybe not seeing when they should back off, which we have encountered).

We have been several times because the menu is appealing to us, but we stopped going. Our son dreaded the possibility of being the target. My husband and I could take it, but it honestly was more annoying than entertaining. Clearly everyone doesn't view the experience the same way.

 

[scrappinginontario]

Thanks everyone! I think with this mix of people I'm going to skip it to err on the side of caution.

Think I'll book Mama Melrose's Fantasmic Dinner Package instead.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. It helped greatly in making my decision!

 

[tinkerhon]

As you previously observed, there will be a mix of approaches among the servers. You can never really know which sort of server you will get. Also, you can never know which person in your party the server will choose to focus on. It's not always the parents. If you choose to go, I think that you have to be prepared for anything from nice & bland to a little fun-loving all the way to really pushing it (and maybe not seeing when they should back off, which we have encountered).

We have been several times because the menu is appealing to us, but we stopped going. Our son dreaded the possibility of being the target. My husband and I could take it, but it honestly was more annoying than entertaining. Clearly everyone doesn't view the experience the same way.

We felt the same way !!! I mean, we love having fun (it IS WDW), but it was a bit much--- A one-time only for us

 

[WMorganS]

My wife and I *LOVE* the 50's Prime Time Cafe. It's truly unique within the WDW dining experience because it has such a comfortable down-to-earth atmosphere.

That said, I don't think our 7yo kids like it quite as much as we do, perhaps because they're used to being told to wash their hands and eat their vegetables, so that bit of novelty is lost on them. But the food is delicious, and they definitely get a kick out of the water making me eat my greens, etc.

If you have kids, and at least one parent is into playing along (e.g. "Do I HAVE to eat my beans?"), then you'll have a lot of fun.

For us, it's the perfect place for lunch after the Indiana Jones stunt show. It's right next to the show, and helps us slow down and relax for a bit.

 

[MrsDuck]

I haven't been in years but was more embarrassed and annoyed than anything. This (plus the average food) explains why we haven't been back.

 

[MichelleWDWfan]

My son and I love 50's Primetime. The food is plentiful, and much like down home cooking.

This is my son't fave restaurant. He loves the playful atmosphere, and wants the servers to pick on him LOL

The last time we were there, we were seated on the other side of an older couple. They were having a great time, and jokingly bickering about something they were eating. Their server Cousin Mary "warned" them about arguing at the table...they kept it up and Cousin Mary put the wife in the corner, literally!! Her husband got a kick out of it, and everyone in the room roared with laughter. She had to stand there for 5 minutes.

It was the most fun experience we had at 50's Primetime.

 

[Paradise18]

We really enjoyed our meal there. I had the pot roast and thought it was fantastic. Having read reviews of the restaurant prior to going I think I expected more from the server. Maybe we just had one of the mild ones or he sensed a vibe that we wouldn't be interested. Either way it wouldn't stop me from going again.

 

[emilyindisney]

Last time we went, we had Uncle Dale and he was great. Funny, but not too harsh and a very nice guy. During the same visit I saw another waitress across the room berating people and blowing a whistle at them and stuff. Not really my cup of tea, so I don't think I'd return. I'd be too nervous to get someone whose not quite as nice as Uncle Dale!

 

[funkbucket007]

We've had a mixed bag of servers but it's still a must every year for us. It's my DW's fave so we actually do it twice every trip. We've never been in "trouble" but get a kick out of those that do.

 

[DSLRuser]

always crowded.

ate lunch there in 2010, and it was great.

because of the 2010 lunch, we wnet for lunch in 2011 and it was very mediocre at best. we skipped it for this 2013 trip.

many times they can be so busy, the servers dont have time to "interact" and do their "schtick".

 

[winnieatepooh]

I forget what our servers name was, but he was our "cousin." He was extremely sarcastic and very "blah, why am I here, I'm a teenage boy and I'm better than this..." It was amusing but not over the top, which was what I was worried about. I didn't want to be embarrassed and was quite nervous about it, but he was fine. He made fun of me when I didn't finish my meal and wanted dessert, but he still let me have it (and didn't bring me any gross green beans with whipped cream). I did see another woman through the window who I think was a groups "grandma" and she was much more into it than our server was. If your group wants a more low key server, be sure to request it at the check-in...they will accommodate you!

 

[JiminyCricut]

My family loves the 50s Primetime Cafe. It is on the "must-do" list every time and we highly recommend it to our friends with kiddos. Our 3 and 8 year olds thought it hilarious that Mommy and Daddy had somebody telling them what to do! I had the pot roast and it literally transformed me back to the day, sitting in Grandma's kitchen on a Sunday afternoon. As with anything Disney, nothing was lost in the details. Our server even sat down towards the end of the meal and had a lovely conversation with the kiddos (nothing derogatory or berating at all). Perhaps we just hit it with a fantastic server as I would find nothing enjoyable about a twit coming at me with a whistle and loud mouth! And I am fun, I really am! Before crossing the Cafe off your list, I would suggest having a quiet word with the hostess explaining that you want the experience, but on a low-key level. I'm sure they can adjust accordingly.

 

[jude&jonah]

I love love love this restaurant when with a big group of good sports. I went 6 years ago and was unfortunately the person who was put into the corner I think my elbows were on the table, I can't remember.

Agree with everyone else it SO depends on the waiter- it is such a hit or miss.

 

[spodie]

We typically make it here about once every other trip, so we end up there quite often. Like others have said, it really depends on the waiter, and I think they are pretty good at getting the vibe of the table right off the bat. However, I have found that, more often then not, it's just a normal dining experience where we can sit back and watch certain other tables going through the antics.