50's Prime Time or Sci Fi Dine-In

[pooh6890]

I keep trying 50's because so many people prefer it over Sci Fi, but I have to say, I find the food (with the exception of the s'mores) just as boring as the food at Sci Fi, and the atmosphere not as good. I think part of the problem is that 50's depends largely on the server interaction to make it special, and I must just give off too much of an introvert vibe to ever have one act like anything but a server.

Since I'm used to eating by myself, or at most with one other person, I have no problem eating in the slightly-odd car configuration at SF, and I love the film clips. I'm the complete opposite of the person who thought the loop was too short there--I think the whole film loop at SF runs around 40 minutes or so, while the 50's TV loop runs about 15 minutes. That, I get tired of, and I even really like the Dick Van **** Show.

I can see where a large party might have trouble at SF though--if you eat in the cars (which is part of the fun) half of you are probably going to be talking to the other half's heads.

I am still laughing that Dick's last name is ***** out

 

[ParkPrincess]

i voted for Sci-Fi. We just returned from DW last weekend and had dinner on Saturday at PT 50's. The experience left us a little disappointed. First of all, our server was too busy with too many tables to pay any attention to anyone. When she came up the first thing she asked us was "were we on the dining plan".....does that matter in way of serving us or was that information needed to put the order in....probably. She told us all the same stuff, no elbows, no fighting...blah blah blah and then took our order....she was pleasant enough. Then we barely saw her after that. We ordered 2 salmons, 1 pot roast and 1 chicken. Their vegetables were horrible!!!! Mine were carrots and zucchini. Theirs were some sort of collard greens with some sauce that they preferred NOT to eat.......of course, she made the other 3 eat theirs when she found out they didn't with an airplane fork. They were good sports about it but it was really awful. Then she left and never came back until the family next to us left. She had to clear the table, sweep the floor and re-set the table. I asked her don't they have busboys to do that? Nope...at least they have food runners......Anyway, I did feel bad for her but her service to us was really bad. The total bill came to $98.00 including tip and the food and service was pretty awful. We won't be going back there for quite a while. My favs in MGM have always been Brown Derby and the Backlot express......we will continue to go there.

I know...the servers can make the whole experience there terrible by not doing their part. Only once have we had the true Prime Time experience. The other times is was so-so. We've never really cared for the food. It hasn't been gross, but it definitely wasn't yummy.

As for asking if you're on the DDP or not, it's so they can put it on the tab correctly. Not any other reason.

 

[goofyinohio]

I vote for Sci Fi. We love this place more than any other. I get the ribs on every trip and love them. We love the atmosphere and sitting in the cars is what really makes this cool. I'm really into drive in movies so that doesn't hurt.

As for 50's we ate their again last trip and I'm not sure why we keep going back. The food to me isn't great and the part you really hope for with the server was boring and rarely even around. We saw other people having fun with their servers and what was strange with our server is the place wasn't even that busy. It wasn't awful don't get me wrong I love the atmosphere in the place (This is probably why we keep going back.) The oldie TV shows are just great.

 

[conandrob240]

Please tell me more about "made them eat" vegetables. I eat what I want, when I want especially on vacation. I would not eat anything I didn't want to eat.

 

[One Small Step]

The whole appeal of the 50's PT IS the act! If you're not willing to go along with it, or don't find the whole premise amusing, then you should probably chose another restaurant. ;-)

As for the food, I have always found it to be very well prepared, very fresh, and WHOLESOME, just like Mom used to make! Even my ds13, who is very finicky about vegetables, made an attempt to try the collard greens for "Uncle Tommy," and all of us in the room put our arms out to the sides and made airplane noises so that Uncle Tommy could shovel another bite of mac and cheese into ds7's open mouth! Perhaps it is more fun if you have kids along, but both times we have had servers who have really gotten into the shtick and it's been a fun time for all of us. Remember, "no Tower for an hour!" after you eat!

 

[MJMcBride]

The SciFi is OK, but the Prime Time gets my vote for the worst place to eat in all WDW. I worte a review here
http://www.mouseextra.com/2007/04/14/a-review-of-50s-prime-time-cafe-at-disney-mgm-studios/#comments

And here's the Mouse Extra review for Sci-Fi.
http://www.mouseextra.com/2007/01/30/disney-world-dining-review-mgm-studios-sci-fi-dine-in/#comments

I find the food mediocre but the place is fun. Stick to burgers and shakes.

 

[ParkPrincess]

Please tell me more about "made them eat" vegetables. I eat what I want, when I want especially on vacation. I would not eat anything I didn't want to eat.

You don't have to eat it if you don't want to. It's just part of the act. The theme is like you're eating at home back in the 50s, and you have to eat all your vegetables if you want dessert. They're not going to not serve you dessert if you don't play along. Sometimes, they'll bring your dessert out with your uneaten green beans in it.

Like one of the other posters mentioned, if you don't want to play along, then you may want to skip that particular restaurant.

 

[pooh6890]

Luckily I was with my nephew his girlfriend and my daughter who all have good sense of humors. The server made airplane sounds and only made them take one bite of those horrible collard greens....I probably would have too but they were really disgusting. I have been there 2 other times with friends that were totally turned off by the place. One of them even threw money at me and then left the table.......(we are not even friends anymore)....

I think that this is probably our last visit there......I really enjoy the food and atmosphere at the Brown Derby and prefer to spend my time there.

 

[ParkPrincess]

I have been there 2 other times with friends that were totally turned off by the place. One of them even threw money at me and then left the table.......(we are not even friends anymore)....
QUOTE]

What happened that was so terrible that your friend would throw money and leave? Do tell...

 

[wilda]

I remember that you couldn't really talk at Sci-Fi; had to whisper. The lighting was somewhat dim and we couldn't see what we were eating.

Prime Time is nothing to write home about, just a friendlier atmosphere. So I would say Prime Time has my vote....

 

[pooh6890]

I have been there 2 other times with friends that were totally turned off by the place. One of them even threw money at me and then left the table.......(we are not even friends anymore)....
QUOTE]

What happened that was so terrible that your friend would throw money and leave? Do tell...

My friend is from London and the server was talking to her with a cockney accent and just playing with her and she didnt find it funny.we did and told her to get a grip ....she didnt... some people have no sense of humor....she got up and then we got into a fight outside the restaurant and she took her son (who was totally embarrassed) and said we are leaving..AND SHE DID.....she took off and drove home to miami with my suitcase in her car.......i had to go to her house and get it the next day when we arrived home.....we have seen each other a couple of times since then but are not really friends anymore....what a shame huh?