Afraid We Won't Like 50's Prime Time Cafe

brendrek

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On the advice of a customer, I booked 50's Prime Time for our upcoming trip. Now we've discussed dining there many times before and decision was always no. I'm afraid we won't enjoy the role playing or we'll get lousy food like we had at the Sci Fi Drive In. I already know we'll get scolded for putting our elbows on the table, but do they ever take things too far? If someone told DBF to stand in the corner he might not want to play along with that..LOL
 
Last trip to WDW 2/08 the Prime Time Cafe was our absolute favorite dining experience. To us, we found that most of the food at WDW, besides our Signature dining experience, was good to marginal. Because of that, the experience was a big factor for us. That restaurant was just so much fun. We were with our (extended) family of 9, with 6 kids ranging from 3-17. We all laughed our way through the meal. You'll love it!
 
Prime Time is fine, and food is kind of how I cook. lol. Pot roast, fried chicken (although I don't fry it we eat a lot of chicken), mashed potatoes. Sort of comfort food.

They will leave you alone if you do not want to play, just like at WCC.
 

We've been there a few times and other than a few little minor things, we've pretty much been left alone.
 
We liked it alot, it was a nice change from the norm. The food was good and the atmosphere was fun.
 
I'm a little worried, too, because I'm not much for "antics", and DD will CRY if they tease her too much. But the place really gets so much love and the food looks great, so we are giving it a try. Hoping it's not a disaster, but I've decided to go for it. We don't care for Sci-Fi, either, but do like to eat at the park, so we're running out of choices. Hope this is a winner!

Good luck!
 
The first time we ate at 50's, we were there with another family. Our dd's were 8 at the time. We had Cousin Chris as our server/family member. Now, my dd is fearless when it comes to stuff like role playing...so she had no problem at all with the antics. We all thought it was pretty hilarious when I was caught with my elbows on the table and had to write an essay, on a napkin, as to why one shouldn't put their elbows on the table. Then, Cousin Chris has a ball playing with my dd and her french fries...did a whole camels going to bed at night in the place of the little plane flying food into the child schtick. It was hysterical. BUT....the other dd, across the table starting shoving french fries into her mouth as fast as she could. Seems she was terrified that she would attract Chris's attention if she left anything unfinished on her plate. Her face in one photo is really funny. We have travled to WDW with that mom and her dd several times since then...they always ask that we not eat at 50's.
So....long story short...the servers seems to know who wants to play and who doesn't. I have never seen anyone 'played with' that looked unhappy about it.
 
Much like many of the other dining locations that aren't quite like they used to be-the role play isn't nearly as strong as it used to be but the food is still great. Don't get scared off, most of the "parents" just remind you to eat your veggies and comment if you do but I haven't seen any airplanes in the past 2 trips I have made there
 
I'm a little worried, too, because I'm not much for "antics", and DD will CRY if they tease her too much. But the place really gets so much love and the food looks great, so we are giving it a try. Hoping it's not a disaster, but I've decided to go for it. We don't care for Sci-Fi, either, but do like to eat at the park, so we're running out of choices. Hope this is a winner!

Good luck!

They have REALLY cut back on the teasing based on our last visit. Apparently some people couldn't take it and therefore they ruined it for everyone, LOL. It was never really bad, all in good fun, but they have pretty much cut it out (as I understand)--same with Whispering Canyon Cafe.
 
Just adding another positive note for the place. We ate there for the first time during our August trip, and absolutely loved it. The food was GREAT, the atmosphere fun, and the role playing? Fun, but honestly, it is like everywhere else. You either do it, and enjoy it, or you don't, and the servers sense it.

Let's just say we had such a good time, and good food, that it is now our favorite HS dining place. I might even go so far as to say it is one of our favorites overall! :thumbsup2
 
We've been there 3 times in the last year - once as an adult couple (and we were just about totally left alone) and twice with our kids. We had a lot more fun and interaction with our kids -- they enjoyed it so much - they think the "stern" waiters (our cousins!) are a blast and they like to egg them on as much as possible.

So I agree that the servers generally seem to pick up on the vibe of how much you can tolerate and might not do anything at all.
 
All of my kids are rather shy, but when we go to 50sPT they come out of their shell. We've eaten there many times and sometimes we haven't had any antics at all. The last trip was really fun - DD11 tried to get DS in trouble by telling on him that he stole her milkshake - well she got in trouble for tattling and everyone in the room had to point their fingers at her and say "tattletale, tattletale, shame on you". Everyone was laughing. Then DS15 accidentally spilled DD's drink all over her and he got sent to the corner for a little while. I'll never forget the first time we ate there - DH got in trouble for putting his elbows on the table. So DD-who was only 4 at the time - was so worried about getting in "trouble", she was coloring her kids menu with her elbows way up in the air - it was so cute!
 
We've never had too much teasing or playing.
Its just been a few funny comments- and they are pretty good at seeing how well take it!
Also, every time we've been there (except for twice) its been so busy anyway, that they don't have too much time to focus on you. Still good service, but not spending large amounts of time at your table.
Oh- and the food was decent too.
 
Much like many of the other dining locations that aren't quite like they used to be-the role play isn't nearly as strong as it used to be but the food is still great. Don't get scared off, most of the "parents" just remind you to eat your veggies and comment if you do but I haven't seen any airplanes in the past 2 trips I have made there

We were there two weeks ago and my dh did get the airplane. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: My boys and I were cracking up. It was so funny. I wasn't sure if I wanted to goto this restaurant either---but it was one of our best dining experience, food was good and we all had a great laugh. The boys are still talking about it. :)
 
We went last year and my Wife got the Airplane because she didn't eat her greens :rotfl:. Excellent food, IMHO, and loved the atmosphere. We want to go back next year, with or without our friends who will be traveling with us.
 
You can get the same food next door at the Tune In Lounge. Nice and quiet with good drinks.
 
I think you will like 50's. The food is really good. I love the pot roast and DS loves the stacked sandwich. The cherry cokes are not to be missed and the milk shakes are yummy. As for the teasing, I really think the servers are pretty adept at knowing how much the customer wants. When DH has gone with us he likes to ham it up with the servers. Last spring DS and I went alone and since I'm more reserved all we got was a "set the table kids" and "elbows off the table."
 
Only you know yourself whether or not the atmosphere is right for you. Forget the food part - that's going to be in question no matter which restaurant you go to. I've read lots of bad reviews on just about every disney restaurant. Opinions and/or experiences vary greatly. To me, 50's PT is the type of place you have to go to with the right attitude in the first place. If you walk in with a "don't come anywhere near us..", why bother? Lots of other places to eat without those antics.
 

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