50s Prime Time & Sensitive Guests??

[WDWprincessloyola]

I would say there are a lot of different experiences. I didn't go there for the longest time because I had heard so much about the "fun" and I really didn't want to be put on the spot for being a picky eater. I started going there when I was in my 20's and I had a plan as how to handle any antics. The staff can be very caricature and fun to watch. I've been there about 10 times now and it is a regular restaurant on our trip. Whenever I get a little "verbal push" from the staff for not finishing my meal or changing a part of my order, they usually pick up on that I am "not in the mood" to be chastised. I just want to eat or enjoy playful conversation. My mom, on the other hand, is far more playful and will instigate interaction with staff. We had a great server and my mom once took her remaining food items on her plate (mashed potatoes, vegetables, etc) and started arranging a castle and moat scene on her plate. The server actually sat down (since it was a slow period) with us for a moment to talk to my mom about manners and playing with her food. I was also the tattle-tale because my mom stole my sticker to use it in a elaborate napkin drawing. What I enjoy most about the experience, is that for the servers we have had each time, they were able to read the situation. They could "play" for my mom, but don't push me. I just want to be an audience. The same servers would engage in more antics with other tables of children and teenagers with parents who definitely wanted their children to be put on the spot. I would recommend just checking out the waiting area, and you can see some of the antics. Some servers are more "in character" than others. If it seems "too intense" or not enjoyable for your family at that time, then go elsewhere. If the antics seem more fun and manageable, give it a try! Or just have a drink or dessert at the bar....much "quieter" there.

 

[GM24]

My husband and I usually go to 50s every other year (switch off with SciFi). I guess the staff has been able to read us very well since we've never had an umcomfortable meal. The staff has been friendly and professional - they did not attempt to engage us in any "antics".

 

[cjsquared]

We didn't get the antics when we went and I wondered why not. I guess the server "read" us. I don't recall any of the other patrons getting it either...must've been an off day.

 

[cluvsdisney]

My husband and I usually go to 50s every other year (switch off with SciFi). I guess the staff has been able to read us very well since we've never had an umcomfortable meal. The staff has been friendly and professional - they did not attempt to engage us in any "antics".

This is us exactly. I find the service super friendly and the character playing is fun but not in any way uncomfortable. The "worst" thing that happened was the waitress sat down with me while DH went to the rest room. We had a really nice conversation about her son's visit to NYC (my home town) and think that only happened because I was super chatty when we were ordering and what not so she wasn't unwelcome. I've never seen anyone made to stand in the corner or anything like that.

WCC on the other hand - I really can't stand. Even when the waitress reads us and doesn't play the games, the place is way too loud for me to enjoy a meal.

 

[Fizban]

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?

If she is sensitive I don't predict a fondly remembered dining experience.

 

[DISNEY1975]

It can be 50/50. Depends if you want to risk it. Ive had a waitress insist by boys go to the bathroom twice to wash their hands, then insist my husband eat all of his food before getting dessert. He didnt want to finish, thought she was joking and guess what, she refused to bring him dessert!
She was the extreme, but Ive had another be sarcastic and play silly jokes. Other times, we got absolutely nothing from the waitstaff.

But by far, my best experience ever at Disney happened at 50's Prime time. My husbands birthday was over the vacation week and he got a birthday button on the first day. Because our room was not ready and we had a lunch reservation at GFC, he just put the button on his shirt (normally he wouldnt wear it). When we boarded the monorail and walked through GF to the GFC, he got a bunch of Happy Birthday wishes from staff. At GFC, he got a special dessert too. The next day my daughter told him to wear the button again, so he did. We went to Hollywood and Vine. He got a bunch more "Happy Birthday"s and a HUGE cupcake. My daughter was starting to feel a little jealous, especially when he got a birthday card signed by the characters! By lunch time, she was giving people the evil eye when they wished him a happy birthday. She was grouchy upon entering 50's. Of course the waitress wished him a happy birthday and he got another cupcake. She folded her arms and had a huge pout on her face. The waitress asked her what was wrong. She wouldnt reply, but I said "I think she's a little jealous of her father getting a lot of attention, but some day we'll come for her birthday to celebrate." The waitress told her to smile and she should be happy that she is at Disney celebrating with her father . She left the table and came back a few minutes later with a Birthday Pin for my daughter. She said she could keep it until she came for her birthday. Another waiter walked by and our waitress introduced him to my daughter and told him my daughter would some day be coming back for her birthday. He went in the kitchen and came out with another pin. Fast forward about 15 minutes and I think every waitperson there came to our table and gave my daughter a pin. They all wrote her name on each of them and some a special message. They brought her a cupcake and all sang happy birthday. She left with about 15 - 20 pins all over the front and back of her shirt! Did she learn a lesson? No...but I guarantee she was the happiest girl in the park that day I will always be grateful. Thank you Sabrina from Prime Time

 

[Maleficent Dragon]

Thank you to those who gave thoughtful responses and feedback about the restaurant. Oddly, she called me this morning and suggested that we do it instead of Sci-Fi. I told her a little bit about it and she said, "sounds like fun".


I suggested she read some reviews and then we can talk about it some more. She said "ok". End of story for now.

 

[hopeful4fl]

We LOVED it, but it is not for everyone.
Our neighbors were chastised for being English but not knowing their manners. Another table (from Texas) had a whole lot of fun comments thrown at them, with the waiter secretly involving other tables to yell "Ms. Texas, please do not talk with your mouth full". Both tables LOVED it.
Our table had a party of 8 and we were picked on a lot and had a blast. No one was spared. We had one couple made to sing "I am a little tea cup". One caught for tattle tailing and making her stand with her nose in the corner. One for not knowing the color of soap in the restroom and having to go back and wash his hands (we knew this one going in and played it to get a laugh). One for manners, not finishing the vegetables and on and on. We just drank it all in and were in stitches.

I agree with several posters that the waiters should be able to read you and leave you alone, but frankly it would take the fun away from you and probably other tables around you. I would skip it till you went there with someone who could actually enjoy it. I feel this is not only about the food but the experience and should be truly enjoyed. Best to go with absolute shameless people

 

[River Country]

When we were there in November and loved every minute of it. I wish I could remember the waiter's name he was a tall thin Spanish man and he was AWESOME. We also had an awesome room which encouraged the antics. it was great so I would recommend if you are leary of the antics then I wouldn't leave it up to chance. I wouldn't go if I were you.

 

[MrsDuck]

Skip it. We can't stand Whispering Canyon or 50s PT because of the antics.

 

[figment_jii]

Another vote for forgoing 50PT until you don't have your sister with you or she ready/wanting to put with the potential for the antics. I do agree that the servers will try to read the table, but they will also respond to how the table as a group responds. So if only your sister is uninterested in the antics, they may still keep the up act if you or others in your family seem to be enjoying. I went to 50PT once (long ago) and most of my family enjoyed the antics, but I spent the entire meal feeling uncomfortable, dreading the moment the server told me to do something like an over-bearing parent. It was one of the most stressful meals I've ever head in WDW. I have never gone back and don't have any interest in returning. I do, on the other hand, really like Sci Fi. The food is okay (nothing outstanding), but that atmosphere and look of the restaurant is a lot of fun.

 

[amberama76]

We didn't get antics at 50s. Our server pulled up a chair and sat down with us when he took our order and threw straws down on the table and that was it really. A girl at another table got put into the corner for being a tattle-tale. The server had the whole area sing happy birthday to our Daughter and she got a cupcake. He also tried to give me a little bit of a hard time for a green bean I left on my plate...just one tiny piece of green bean really. But I left it because I had dropped it on the table. We got clean plate club stickers since we ate everything. We had our phones put up so I guess we didn't give him any material to work with since we were on our best behavior!