50's Prime Time Cafe - need advice

[redrosesix]

We made an ADR for 50s PTC because the food is sooooo good. It's a great place to have a real meal - and I for one eat my veggies because I really like having that kind of meal and you're not going to get it everywhere in the parks. IMO, any restaurant decision has to come down to the quality of the food...

...Which is the reason why Sci Fi and 50s PTC are the only places we eat in DHS

Having said that, DH and I have gone our separate ways many times in order for all to both have a better trip - he doesn't want to do all of the things that DD and I do and that's fine. Having said that, he loves Sci Fi AND 50s PTC - like a PP said, if your DH can name the movies in Sci Fi he'll like the theming in 50s PTC. The interference with your meal from the wait staff is a minor part of the experience - it's really the decor that makes it.

 

[Ro Z]

My DH had the pot roast and it was great. He had one bite left on his plate and the server picked up his fork and did the airplane. The rest of us laughed but then he said she just made me eat grizzle (then we laughed harder) He won't go back! I wouldn't call it force fed but..........We do love the food and try to eat at the bar. I agree with PPs if you know he won't enjoy it skip it or go without him.

 

[MSSANDRA]

We really like the food and have no problem with the antics but could see a lot of people who might. I would let him look at the menu, let him know what may happen at the table and then ask him what he thinks. If he really only goes along on the whole trip for the food, I would let him have his way on this one. We like Mama Melrose if you might want another option.

 

[laurainsem]

I would just explain to him why you want to go as much as you do. Hopefully he'll be a good sport and understand why it is so important to you. Offer to let him choose one restaurant or activity that is special to him.

I think once he gets in the door he will, like you said, love it. If nothing else, the food is total "man food"! Meat, potatoes...yum!

 

[walkdmc]

Everyone should try the fried chicken and PB & J milkshake from 50's PT once in their life. Seriously.

 

[*Seanaci*]

Ok...if I read your post right, you guys have never been to 50's...simply because DH isn't into the antics and theme of the place?

I say make the resi and show him the menus from allears.net. If, when the time comes HE still doesn't want to go, send him on his way. Let him go eat on his own at Sci-Fi.

Personally...DH needs to be an adult in this situation...rather than you bending to his feelings. You want to go to 50s and try it out...because you have heard great things about it. You also think your kids will enjoy it. Tell DH you're making the resi (perhaps go ahead and secretly make him a resi for the same time at Sci-Fi if he truly decides he doesn't want to partake in the silliness of 50s, send him over to Sci-Fi)...and that you'd really like him to do this for you/with you and the kids. At least you'll get to try it one way or another.

 

[Lidian]

Update:
We couldn't get a table (at a decent time) for Sci Fi, so I did give DH the option between Mama Melrose, Hollywood & Vine (which he didn't care for from 2009 trip), 50's, or at a nearby hotel. He said to book 50's (since we already have a rezzie for Italian elsewhere in the week). He did let me know that if the server was too over the top, he was out the door. I assured him that if the server went too far with antics on him, I'd step in and say something.

(His original statement was "Where ever you want to eat at, I don't care." So I pointed out I really wanted 50's - I hear the food is good and I love the theme. He said to go with it.)

I truly do believe that he'll get a kick out of the server and will probably dub 50's as one of the "most fun meals". If nothing else, me and the kids will, and he'll get a delicious dinner. Thanks for the input!

 

[2010_Bride]

After that conversation I would choose a different location for lunch.
DH obviously doesn't want to go there, and the servers won't back off. When we were there in the summer a man sitting behind us told his "Aunt" to knock off the antics and she tapped on a plate to get everyones attention and said that someone was cranky and needed a nap! This was pretty funny to the rest of us, but not him. I would bet that completely ruined his day and his family probably had a cranky dad for the rest of the day

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I feel the same as your DH. I do want to try it sometime to see the decor, but would politely ask to be served traditional restaurant style. Having someone force me to finish my plate wouldn't humor me in the least. I never finish my plate, & I don't plan to for the sake of the theme. Since you want the shenanigans, I really don't see a way for both of you to enjoy it. To be honest, I'd be really unhappy if my DH tried to force me to go there & participate in the shtick. It would definitely ruin my day & his. Fortunately, he would respect that, & agree he'd rather have no antics. This probably isn't what you want to hear, but I think you should save this for DH-less trip. IME, trips are much better, if everyone is enjoying themselves. I hope you find a place you all love.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

After that conversation I would choose a different location for lunch.
DH obviously doesn't want to go there, and the servers won't back off. When we were there in the summer a man sitting behind us told his "Aunt" to knock off the antics and she tapped on a plate to get everyones attention and said that someone was cranky and needed a nap! This was pretty funny to the rest of us, but not him. I would bet that completely ruined his day and his family probably had a cranky dad for the rest of the day

Maybe, I'll never get to see the decor then. I'd really love to see it. I'm surprised they don't back off. They probably wouldn't think it was very funny, if that guy didn't leave them a tip. When we decide to try it, I'll politely let the hostess know we don't want the antics, & ask her to convey that info to the manager, before we're even seated. I wouldn't want to offend a server, after we've already had one assigned to us.

 

[Pooh667]

Hi,

My DH is not into the antics either but he really likes the food at 50's. Before he went the first time, he was a big reluctant but gave it a try. He said it wasnt bad at all. Granted he did keep his elbows off the table, and cleaned his plate. He actually relaxed and had fun. Our server wasnt over the top. We have eaten here many times and he always says to book it. One time we did have a server over the top and he could tell by our reactions that my DH wasnt really into it so he went scaled back. Good luck!

 

[ambertides]

In these sorts of situations we find we end up with two working scenarios:

1) We split up. I do what I want to do, he does what he wants to do.

2) We take turns. He does something he's not entirely keen on doing, and in return I agree to do something I'm not entirely keen on doing.

At Disney, this often translates into I ride thrill rides alone, and we take turns picking dining choices. For example - in March I get a 1900 Park Fare breakfast with Wonderland characters and he gets a Cape May dinner (I hate seafood).

 

[Lidian]

I do think in some cases its compromise vs doing your own thing.

We'd much rather try to compromise when possible, and DH is too laid back to really get upset over a meal. He might get aggravated and not want to play along, but even if an over-the-top server is in his face, he'd be reasonable and not let it ruin his day. (Or her tip for not breaking character.) I know a lot of people aren't as laid back and it might ruin their day (ahem, like me)... and I appreciate the feedback and warnings soooo much! But I really do think that if DH will just let the magic take over, he'd pick on our server as much as she/he will pick on him.

Regardless, even if DH was having a rough day, I'd tell the hostess ahead of time and then the server. But I do truly think that if DH would just flow with things, he'd have a blast.