50's Prime Time or HV Buffet???

[SmileyJoyz]

I know I've seen a lot of posts on regarding how much people love 50's PTC. I'm just curious, if you had to choose would you pick this over the HV Buffet? There's two reason the buffet appeals to us:
1.) we can do it at our own pace and not be rushed or likewise no have to sit forever
2.) we had a HORRIBLE experience the first time when we went to PTC

And trust me, when I say horrible, I mean horrible. My boyfriend and I have both been food servers and know the ins and outs of the profession. There have only been TWICE in ours lives since serving that we've left LESS than 20%...one was a Greek restaurant here in Chicago and the other was PTC. Anyways, I know that he was probably one bad seed but it still sits in the back of my mind. In fact, we have his picture (he even looks pissed in the picture) and every time I look at my old vacation photos it brings up bad memories. I guess I'm on both sides of the fence with this one. If I knew more about the HV buffet I might feel better making a decision. So, if anyone out there has comments, suggestions, etc I would really appreciate it!

Oh, btw...we are also going to the Chef Mickey's buffet another night. Are HV and CM too similar to justify doing both?

 

[Eeyore1954]

Hiya, neighbor! I've had my share of poor service and on a very few occasions it was at WDW, but I try to chalk it up to a "bad hair day." I know that not every CM assigned to PTC should be there -- there are some servers cut out for that place and some that are fish out of water. Maybe you got a transplant from some other restaurant who was upset about the temporary transfer?

Anyway, even with your experience, I'd still choose PTC over HV. I like HV's buffet -- heck, I love ANY buffet (Pooh has nothing on my appetite!), but I just love the atmosphere and the comfort food of PTC. HV seems a little laid back to me.

Chef Mickeys and HV on the same trip? Why not! I love going to several character meals during a trip. The more the merrier. Chef Mickey's is fun and after the meal you can shop or wander around CR.

I think whatever you choose will be great. You probably just hit the odds and got the one "off" server that day. I'd give PTC another chance to redeem themselves. (But please don't "shoot" me if it turns out bad again! )

 

[SmileyJoyz]

Eeyore1954--

Don't worry, I'm not the type to shoot the messenger!

Thanks for your honest comments though. I think a part of me really wants to go to PTC again, I guess I just need some prodding and reassurance.

Oh and while Chef Mickey's would be a character dinner, HV would not (I think they only do character breakfasts and lunches). I'm not against seeing the characters too often, I guess I'm just trying to decide which will have the better food and atmosphere.

 

[mickeyluv71]

Hey SmileJoyz! I guess since I'm in Waukegan, we're sorta neighbors too!! (Also,I'm the one with the Quaker who imitates "Emperor's New Groove" and the "Uh huh, uh huh, uh huh!" part).

I just wanted to encourage you to give PTC another chance as well! I've never been to H&V, but I have been to PTC once. I'd been sick the day before and wasn't really sure how I'd do eating...though the toast I'd had for breakfast was ok. Anyway, we had a great server...she even took into account that I'd been sick when "evaluating" our plate cleanliness levels and deemed that I'd done well enough considering everything that I deserved a sticker as well. I'd agree with eeyore that it's possibly that the server might not have been a regular PTC server, so I'd give them a try.

At the moment, I'm trying to get in touch with my sister to see if she wants me to make any other PS ressies for my visit down there (she's made breakfast for one morning...she says 'Ohana, but she could be tricking me; I've made breakfast for my last morning at 1900 Park Fare for a special treat for me), like for the first night i'm there or somewhere on the 17th before MNSSHP. I figure three weeks out isn't too early to push her for if we want to do something there! But with her, there's no telling!

I hope you have an awesome trip! When are you there?

~Beth

 

[SmileyJoyz]

Beth--

It's amazing how many Disney enthusiants also share their homes with loveable feathered friends! Could there be a link???

I'm thinking I want to go back there because we missed all of that "special" treatment the first time (no sticker, no motherly advice...we even had to take the view finder from someone else's table to see the desserts!!!) I think I'm starting to feel jealous after I hear about all the "good times" people have had! Guess I'll talk it over with my boyfriend tonight and see what he thinks!

We'll be there from Oct 26th-Nov 1st staying offsite. My b-day is the 26th and his is the 3rd, so we're doing this vacation in lieu of giving each other presents. Just look for people wearing Joy & Josh GOH badges! That will be us!!!

Joy

 

[SmileyJoyz]

Beth--

It's amazing how many Disney enthusiants also share their homes with loveable feathered friends! Could there be a link???

I'm thinking I want to go back there because we missed all of that "special" treatment the first time (no sticker, no motherly advice...we even had to take the view finder from someone else's table to see the desserts!!!) I think I'm starting to feel jealous after I hear about all the "good times" people have had! Guess I'll talk it over with my boyfriend tonight and see what he thinks!

We'll be there from Oct 26th-Nov 1st staying offsite. My b-day is the 26th and his is the 3rd, so we're doing this vacation in lieu of giving each other presents. Just look for people wearing Joy & Josh GOH badges! That will be us!!!

Joy

 

[jgates]

Actually we had worse service at PTC this trip. Our waitress had NO enthusiasm. (Course this was just like this MOM (me) at home cooking!) But we enjoyed watching the others and trying to guess how much some of the people at the other tables were paying for their food. We had a large group next to us that ordered appetizers, full dinners, malts plus desserts. ACK!!!!! Here we were with 2 malts, one chicken dinner, soup & a salad, kids meal and one smore and it cost me oodles to get out of there!

But I did enjoy the food at H & V. Good quality and I liked being able to pick here and there with what I wanted. DS ate the Prime rib (supper) but then headed to the kids bar for chix nuggets and mac & cheese! (Course now at college he is eating one meal per day........)

 

[baileybrad]

We find the lunch at H&V to be one of the best meals on-site. We have enjoyed the dinner meal there, also, but we usually eat our biggest meal of the day at lunch. PTC is a been there done that kind of place for us. We have eaten there 3 times over a period of 20 trips or so but have always found the food to be nothing more than average. The beauty of WDW is that not everybody likes the same restaurants. Our 2 little boys enjoy the lunch especially due to the characters....we go there for the food.

 

[unfreshdiva1]

My vote is for PTC. Ask for "Auntie Claire" for your server (yes, you can actually request your family member). She is fantastic and a wonderful person (ask to see her photo albums)!

 

[SmileyJoyz]

So many suggestions! I guess I should call first and see if there is even still priority seating for PTC (right now we are booked for HV) and then take it from there. Thanks everyone!!!

 

[SamanthaL]

I would do 2 things.
-Book PTC and ask for a server who is out going ( like someone said"Aunt Claire")
-Rip up the picture of the server who gave you bad service. Who needs bad memories.

 

[SmileyJoyz]

Good idea!! Or it could just become my new dartboard!!!

 

[SmileyJoyz]

Just wanted to update you that I decided to switch my PS to PTC and canceled HV. I had no problem getting a PS at 5pm for the 28th. As soon as I hung up the phone, I felt much better...I think deep down I really wanted to go there, but was hung up on that last bad experience. I'm sure it will be much better this time! Thanks everyone!!! I'll be sure to request Auntie Claire!!!

 

[Wildcard]

Having tried both, I would suggest H&V. Both are enjoyable, but I feel that H&V is a little more laid back. This can really help during a hectic park tour. The food quality is very good at both, but you will absolutely love the dessert counter at H&V if you are an ice cream fan.

 

[NorgeKathrine]

To be honest, I wouldn't do either. We really didn't enjoy them at all. Usually when we go to MGM we just do quick service because the sit down restaurants aren't appealing to us. We did enjoy Mama's but it's been a while and a menu change since we've been there so I can't really comment on that.

 

[Doctor P]

This is a no brainer to me. PTC is the best choice. It is the only restaurant we eat at each and every time we go.