50's Prime-Time Cafe Review

[acmy]

We spent the week after hurricane Jeanne at WDW and had a great time. Without a doubt the highlight of our trip was the meal our party of 8 had a 50's Prime-Time Cafe. We had a PS for 1:30, showed up a half hour early and were seated within 10 minutes. Our server was Aunt Claire. She was simply amazing. You have to understand that when you are eating here you are getting more than a meal--you're getting a show, too. She stayed in character the whole time, even when we tried to ask her personal questions, like, "How long have you worked here?" Her response was, "I've been working this kitchen since you were knee-high to a grasshopper and you kids never call or write, and now you're interested in me?" Hiliarious! She has this tone to her voice (a la Fran from "The Nanny") that really makes just about anything she says seem funny. She snuck up behind my Dad while he was eating and tied a plastic bib with the Little Mermaid on it around his neck, while she was doing that she sang part of the Little Mermaid song in this really loud, somewhat tone-deaf voice. Everyone in the dining room was laughing. She said she used to sing that lullaby to us when we were kids to make us go to sleep! Another couple that came in after us were seated in her section. It was obvious from their accent that they were from the East Coast and so when she went up to the table she said, "Where have you kids been? You haven't called since you moved away. Where are you living now, Philly?" They just looked at each other like, "How did she know?" When our meal was over she grabbed my friends plate and said, in her usual loud voice, "Now that's what I like to see. ATTENTION! ATTENTION EVERYBODY!" as she clanged on the plate with a spoon and walked around the room. "This is what I like to see. A clean plate, with tongue marks and all." She did so much more that just kept us rolling with laughter. My kids still talk about her as much as they do the rides and other attractions. Oh, and the food was good and tasty, too! If you can, you have got to try this place. And see about getting Aunt Clare as your server!

 

[Princess Michelle]

Such a fun place! I have heard others comment on how fantastic "Aunt Claire" is. She sounds like a real hoot and a half. I'm glad you had such a great time, thanks for the review!

 

[Blondie]

We love 50's Prime Time! It's one of our favorites! We've never had the pleasure of Aunt Claire being our waitress, but we have witnessed her in action! She's one of the best, if not THE best there!

 

[dlbwright]

Thanks for the review. I have only been there once and can't remember my mom's name, but she was awesome! I will look for Aunt Claire the next time I go. I have heard great reviews about her!

 

[SAWYERMAW1]

The only trouble with the Prime Time is that unless you get a good waitress, it's not near as much fun. We've had some really good and some that just were waitresses.

 

[AngieBelle]

I think that place is a lot of fun! I'm leaning towards going there for my birthday on the 20th. Does anyone know what their birthday routine is so I know if I'll be willing to put up with it or not? hehe. I'm kinda shy.

 

[goofy4tink]

We have had terrific servers aka cousins and one that wasn't so terrific. On our last trip in August we watched one poor family being put thru the wringer. They had a teenage boy who did something to annoy his 'cousin' or 'aunt' and was put up against the wall, with everyone in the area shouting..."Shame, shame, shame!!" Then another child sassed the 'aunt' and she was made to set the table so mom could have some time off. It really was hysterical. Now, when someone misbehaves at our house, you hear "Shame, shame, shame!"

I have to say that the 'cousins' seem to know who can take it and who can't. I've never seen anyone being 'tormented' that was unhappy about it. I wonder if you can ask for a server who has a lot of personality. When we were there in 2003 we asked for Cousin Chris since we had enjoyed him so much the last visit. The hostess rolled her eyes and said "Oh, cousin Chris has today off. We all need a day off from him." Guess he has too much character for some of his fellow employees but we loved him.

 

[suzimar57]

we've had "auntie claire" twice on past visits to the 50's prime time for lunch - and our pictures are even in one of her photo albums that she passes around!

 

[TwingleMum]

Thanks for sharing. Sounds like everyone had a great time.

 

[danny1649]

Thank you for sharing.

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

We were there in August with a "Magical Gathering" group of 16 people and had the pleasure of also having "Auntie Claire" as our server. She was so much fun! It was totally worth the price of the meal to watch her make my stuffy BIL stand up and sing "I'm a Little Teapot"!!!! And then she and another waiter sang the theme to "All in the Family". They sounded just like Archie and Edith! My dad had such a great time at this restaraunt. It brought back good memories for him I think, he still talks about it. If you have the chance, definately ask for Auntie Claire!

 

[TallyLassie]

That sounds like fun!

I have heard that the fried chicken is good. What is your recommendation on what to order?

 

[DoomBuggyBabe]

Oh, the fried chicken is excellent. DH-to-be swears by it, and most certainly will be having it again next month when we visit on our DisneyMoon.
I've also had good experiences with the pot roast and the meatloaf. The food is all very down-home and stick-to-your-ribs. My only problem is with the ever-present green beans. Not that they're badly prepared. I just hate green beans. But if I don't eat them... well, I'm not sure I want to be an "I'm a Little Teapot" victim.
One other thing. Save room for dessert. Give the s'mores a try. Yum. Sundaes aren't bad, either.
Cheers,
Q

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

My whole family ADORES Auntie Claire! I told her that she's my favorite relative. (Funny thing is...she IS!) We send her Christmas cards every year, and when we saw her this past August, she remembered us!

Kind of a funny story. I have a dear DIS friend, Brenda (whom I've never actually met, but I feel like I have!), and last year, I had sent Brenda and Auntie Claire cards...actually, LAST year, I did Thanksgiving cards (homemade, with a picture of our 3 kids and the dog) instead of Christmas cards. A couple of months later, Brenda went to the Prime Time and asked Auntie Claire if she knew "Mare" from RI, and Auntie Claire seemed surprised and then pulled my Thanksgiving card out of her pocket and said "THIS Mare?!" Brenda said she was very excited, and they took a picture...Brenda, her DD, and Auntie Claire holding my card. Brenda emailed me the picture, and in August, when I went with my family, I took THAT picture with me, and Auntie Claire said "did she tell you how that happened?! I had your card in my pocket!"...how cool is that!!! Then, we took a picture of my DH, the 3 kids, and me with Auntie Claire holding the picture of Brenda, her DD and Auntie Claire holding my Thanksgiving card. Got that? LOL It was a such a kick! Seeing Auntie Claire is always a highlight of our trips.

The other night, there was a show on the Food Channel about Disney, and they did a bit about the Prime Time and she was on it. We taped that part, and I just watched it again today...always makes me .

We're going to Orlando for Thanksgiving, but only Universal, not Disney. We're so disappointed we won't see her this trip!! On every single trip to Disney...8 in the last 7 years...we've eaten at the Prime Time...twice last time. (We went one day, when Auntie Claire was supposed to be working, but this was right after Hurricane Charlie and she had damage to her house and didn't work that day, so we went back on another day.)

Food? I like the Chicken Pot Pie.

 

[disneywithdrawal]

Originally posted by goofy4tink

I have to say that the 'cousins' seem to know who can take it and who can't. I've never seen anyone being 'tormented' that was unhappy about it.

Does everyone pretty much agree with this? I'm planning to go there with someone who would be horrified if he was made the center of attention! Now if he's teased at the table it won't matter but something that would get the attention of everyone around (like singing I'm a little teapot or the "shame" stuff) would really make him miserable. Is it safe for us to go there?

 

[WishingOnAStar]

I was really excited to take my family here- I was dying to have someone really give dh a hard time! But, our server wasn't into it. He was very nice and the food was okay, I was just hoping for more.....

Oh well, even a bad meal at Disney is still better than a good one at home!

 

[Leota]

I have heard such wonderful things about Aunt Claire from Mare & Brenda that I'm dying to go eat there just to finally see her in action.

 

[disneyfanz04]

I LOVE 50's prime time, but I have never seen Claire in action...made PS for Sci-Fi...think I will cancel and rebook for 50's, and try and request her. Thanks for the info!!!

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

I have never seen Aunt Claire, but I have met Sister Susie and she was excellent (especially when someone at our table didn't finish his green beans!). She had everyone in the room sign a card for the bride and groom at the table next to us (only it was a birthday card that they'd changed). Can you imagine having that to keep in your scrapbook.

We also had Cousin Christopher and I believe it was one of his last nights. He said he was moving to UT to be with his fiance. Good for him, but bad for us, I wanted him to wait on my brother and sister-in-law when they went down for their honeymoon.

 

[cl1067]

On our very first trip to WDW, we ate at the 50's Prime Time Cafe...it was our first night on the world and it was awesome! This was almost 7 years ago now, but I will never forget how the waiter (I have no idea what his name was) sat down beside us and told us that fish was on the menu. When I said I didn't like fish, he told me it didn't matter that's what mom made for dinner. HE took our whole order without writing one thing down and as each person gave their order, he would say, "Ok, great, but it really doesn't matter because you are all getting fish!" Since he didn't write anything down we were all a little nervous as to if we were really getting fish or what we ordered!

I thought it was great and can't wait for this trip to go back again!