50s Prime Time & Sensitive Guests??

[Maleficent Dragon]

I have always wanted to try 50s Prime Time Cafe. I am taking my sister in December and thought about making an ADR. The only thing that concerns me is that she is a bit defensive and she is always quick to complain about service. I can easily tell her what the restaurant is all about and "pre-warn" her about the fun/gimmicks, but that is not the same as sitting there and being a part of it.

We dined at Whispering Canyon in 2009 and she did not enjoy it. Actually, there were 4 of us and nobody did. Our service there was horrible. The waitress took the "show" too far in many areas. I have dined there other times and it was not horrible like that, but she was not there with me to get the experience it should have been.

For those who have dined there, do you think this would be an issue?

 

[rwdavis2]

Yes. Do not do it.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

They SHOULD be pretty good about "reading" the guest. If you think she would not like the antics personally, I would mention that in some way at check in.

At WC--we had a member of our party who was clearly NOT in the mood. Our server ended the show immediately (after barely doing much of any antics) and was "normal" for the duration of the meal.

I would just let them know or choose some place else.

 

[IndyRnRfan]

Don't take her. The show is part of the experience.

 

[minnie mum]

I agree with the PPs. While your server may be able to "read" you, your DSis will still be seeing the antics all around her at the other tables. If she isn't able to accept the act for the fun that it is, then save her and yourself from the dissatisfaction, and choose somewhere else. Perhaps HBD would suit her better.

 

[HopperFan]

Given your description of her I would not go. I avoided it for years for fear of the behaviors, now I really enjoy it and play along but I don't think it's for everyone.

Some thoughts -
- Even if they don't pick on her they won't get out of character so may be your cranky aunt or obnoxious Uncle Joe.
- Just because your server picked up on doesn't mean the person who delivers the food or the server at next table will. It's a group effort in there.
- Once the servers gave the entire room tests to take, paper tests. All the tables in the room started working together because we had different tests so we might know something they didn't. It was like a communal dining room and all talking. That makes some people uncomfortable.
- I would say 80% of the time due to servers talking we end up talking to our neighbors.
- You might have someone standing right next to you with their nose on the wall for putting their elbows on the table. Not you but would that bother her.
- You set your own table or else. Would she say that is rude?

I would just save the angst and pick somewhere else. Even if you like it, if she doesn't, your meal or day could be ruined.

 

[worm761]

I would save 50's for a time when you don't have your sister with you.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Given your description of her I would not go. I avoided it for years for fear of the behaviors, now I really enjoy it and play along but I don't think it's for everyone.

Some thoughts -
- Even if they don't pick on her they won't get out of character so may be your cranky aunt or obnoxious Uncle Joe.
- Just because your server picked up on doesn't mean the person who delivers the food or the server at next table will. It's a group effort in there.
- Once the servers gave the entire room tests to take, paper tests. All the tables in the room started working together because we had different tests so we might know something they didn't. It was like a communal dining room and all talking. That makes some people uncomfortable. She would get a kick out of that.
- I would say 80% of the time due to servers talking we end up talking to our neighbors.
- You might have someone standing right next to you with their nose on the wall for putting their elbows on the table. Not you but would that bother her. She would laugh, but be embarrassed that people are looking at her. She would not complain about it, though. She would probably enjoy retelling the event. She likes to talk about herself. LOL
- You set your own table or else. Would she say that is rude? Not at all.

I would just save the angst and pick somewhere else. Even if you like it, if she doesn't, your meal or day could be ruined.

Thank you so much for those thoughts. That helps a lot. I responded within your post as well.

 

[Baklava]

We're skipping this one due to a similar issue- ours is a person with social anxiety who does not do well with being stared at. We decided this would not be a fun experience for him, so we're doing the sci-fi drive in instead. Plenty of kitsch without being uncomfortable for anyone. (We hope!)

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Bag it. Sounds like she might go Rosie O'Donnell on the waitress.

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Bag it. Sounds like she might go Rosie O'Donnell on the waitress.

Seriously?

 

[Hopefully]

I would not go eiither

 

[PoohsFan1]

My family doesn't mind the antics at both 50's and at WC, we think it is fun and part of the atmosphere. However, we have taken friends/family members that aren't into that sort of thing and I know the waitstaff picked up on it because they would do some antics just to make it fun but not enough to totally embarrass them, and these were on a couple different occassions.

 

[Gary M]

We were at WCC during Feb. of this year. They now have a coaster type sign on the table that you can indicate whether you want to be part of the "fun" or not.
We picked the not "fun" choice and were left alone. We enjoyed our meal and will go back to the WCC. I didn't like the antics at '50's Primetime and haven't gone back in several years.

 

[HopperFan]

We were at WCC during Feb. of this year. They now have a coaster type sign on the table that you can indicate whether you want to be part of the "fun" or not.
We picked the not "fun" choice and were left alone. We enjoyed our meal and will go back to the WCC. I didn't like the antics at '50's Primetime and haven't gone back in several years.

Very interesting.

 

[bucky1023]

I vote for skip and try it yourself without her the next time you go. If you know that she is sensitive and there is a good chance she will be uncomfortable or even miserable about the meal then I wouldn't even risk it.

There are certain places my mom hates going to so when I travel with her so I avoid them and go when she isn't there. I'm on vacation and want the people I am traveling with (as well as myself) to have a good time and if skipping someplace that could make someone upset/angry/uncomfortable I don't even bother. In the end I'm still in WDW and having a great time

 

[Lucius Best]

50's Prime Time Cafe has always been a must do on our trips, because of the antics. We've had some great servers who were lots of fun, but would tone it down for guests who were clearly not interested in playing along.

However on our recent trip, we found the antics conspicuously missing. Not just from our server, but from all the servers in our area. I don't know if it was just an off night, or if they have consciously cut down on the schtick.

 

[PoohsFan1]

However on our recent trip, we found the antics conspicuously missing. Not just from our server, but from all the servers in our area. I don't know if it was just an off night, or if they have consciously cut down on the schtick.

That would be sad if they didn't do the antics anymore, that is one of the major reasons why we like this place.

 

[Fantabulously Cherry]

I would save 50s for a tim you don't have her with you. It's not for anyone who is sensitive in any way. That's part of why we love it so much. And I hate your experience at WCC was so bad. We have always had a great time whe Senor Dusty Trails is our waiter! We had another waitress once, who was nice but the atmosphere wasn't the same.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

There weren't many antics when my family ate there. Based on that I would have said there shouldn't be a problem, but after reading some of the other descriptions I'd say avoid it as well.