Another 50's Prime Time question

[fchoppa]

I scheduled a lunch at the 50's prime time thinking it sounded cute. The more Iread the more concerned I get. I have an extremely sensitive son. If some one picks on him even in fun he will be crying. He has not developed his sense of humor yet lol. If one of the cm's help him eat his veggies or tell him no elbows on the table or what ever else Ithink he will be completely embarrased and sob. Should I be swithing to the Sci-Fi until he is a little bit older? or do you think the CM's will see the fear in his face a go easy on him. He is 8, but physically and mentally very young for his age, probably looks around 5.

Thanks

 

[clanmcculloch]

CMs at 50s PTC seem to have a real nack for knowing who does and who does not want interaction. It really does amaze me. You can quietly tell your server when he first comes by that your son is very sensitive and just wishes to watch the interaction and I can't imagine that he wouldn't respect that (his tip is dependent on you being happy so it makes a LOT of sense for servers to respect things like this). If your son would enjoy seeing you being force fed or sent to the corner then definitely feel free to act as silly as you want with the server. Be aware that if your son gets into the act and jokingly gives the server a hard time then the server will definitely take that as a queue that he wants the interaction. If your son sits and watches and yes even if he laughs, the server will respect his need to not be part of the act.

 

[happytexasmom]

I would not worry about it. The wait staff is super friendly. When I went we they focused all thier teasing on me and DH....My son is pretty sensitive to....he loved watching us get teased. It was a great experiance. I think you will have lots of fun

 

[goofyintoronto]

Your son might have fun watching the server pick on YOU! And dont worry, if you mention his sensitivity to the servers then they wont pick on him. So your ok there. But in all honesty, until your son has fun with this type of humor, i wouldnt bother going cause all the fun with this place is how they poke fun and tease. For his age, i would pick Sci Fi. I love that place, so does my son! Its such a unique atmosphere. We always be sure to ask for a front seat (my son loves the 'drivers license' he receives in the end). The food is simple yet delish! The ribs, burgers and shakes are awesome! Its fun to sit in a car and watch clips. This is a must-do for every trip for us. I honestly think your son would enjoy this place a lot more.

 

[TDC Nala]

Tell the server quietly that you have a child who isn't up for playing the game. If the kid is okay with watching antics going on around him, as long as he isn't involved, then it'll work out.

 

[Goofy4]

Tell the server quietly that you have a child who isn't up for playing the game.

If you stand close to the door to the "dining room" you should be able to speak with your server before the rest of your party catches up with you and/or someone at the desk could help you deliver the message.

 

[lovebug33]

My nephew was five when he went. He got very upset that they were picking on people in general. He hadn't developed that fun aspect of teasing. He got so upset my SIL had to take him out of the restraunt for yelling at the server. She regrets to this day going there. Just a different view!

 

[pixarmom]

We ate at 50's last July and again this February. In July, our server was entirely into his act and very fun. He required our boys to set the table, eat veggies, take their elbows off the table, etc. but it was all very fun and good-natured. He pretended he was going to make my husband eat spinach and then broke character in a whisper that only the adults could hear - really funny. We had a great time, we all loved it and we all agreed to add it to our regular rotation.

We were back in February and it was uncomfortable. We were ready for a fun act, but our server's tone was really different and didn't come across as light-hearted. He repeatedly made fun of our pre-teen for ordering from the children's menu - called him a "baby," told him he was never going to have a girlfriend ordering chicken nuggets, etc. He took away our pre-schooler's malt and repeatedly called him a "baby" for not eating his food. Of course, our server could not have known that our pre-schooler has a speech disorder, but he was relentless about telling our son to "talk so I can understand you." Then he told me "no - I'm talking to him" when I tried to help him understand what our son was saying. It had an entirely different tone than in July, but I really believe this is the exception and not the typical experience. All the other servers around us were fun and light, just like the CM last July.

So I think it really depends on the server. If you are concerned, I'd definitely mention something when you check in or directly to your server.

 

[fchoppa]

Thanks everyone for your help. I think I am going to move our ADR over to sci-fi. I figure even if 99 times out of 100 everything will be fine, why risk even that 1 time for a lunch. We will just have to put this on our to do another time list. Again thanks so much!

 

[carrie1626]

Thanks everyone for your help. I think I am going to move our ADR over to sci-fi. I figure even if 99 times out of 100 everything will be fine, why risk even that 1 time for a lunch. We will just have to put this on our to do another time list. Again thanks so much!

I think you made the best choice for you and your son. If he's able to enjoy that kind of atmosphere in a few years, then GO

 

[goofyintoronto]

I think you made the best choice for you and your son. If he's able to enjoy that kind of atmosphere in a few years, then GO

I also agree that you made the best choice. At his age, he'd enjoy Sci Fi A LOT MORE!!! Go back in a few years. Have fun!

 

[Brancaneve]

Wow! I had no idea it was like that! I have ADRs there in less than two months. Thanks for the heads up everyone.

 

[smiths02]

We have an early lunch ADR at Sci Fi and a dinner ADR at 50s...

I was going to have to go mostly OOP for both (we are on DDP)...I was considering dropping 50s PTC just because we should probably leave DHS and go hang out at our hotel and also use our counter service (Wolfgang Puck Express-yum! )

I think I just confirmed that is what we will do.

I think the teasing could be fun...don't know if it would be really fun in July after a day of walking around. Also don't know if I want to get served something I didn't order. However, sitting in a dark, cool place in a car with old movies playing and sipping a milkshake sounds like fun in July

 

[Disneyhenry]

I understand your concerns, Sci-Fi is a great place for kids, great food too!

 

[JennyMP03]

I don't think I'll ever eat at this place because I'm a picky eater, I get full very quickly and rarely finish a meal (I hear their portions are huge!), and I'm easily embarrassed. I'd be a prime target for teasing.

 

[smidgy]

years back, I had to go GET a server to come tease my tween sons. We felt ignored

that being said, you never know. If you have a sensitive son, I would avoid it. that is the "schtick" at this particular restaurant. not just the 50'-60s food and decor, but the teasing and ribbing. just like I wouldn't take a child to Trex if he didn't like dinosaurs.
even if the servers avoid teasing your son, they will still be teasing many others in the room.. hopefully. that's the whole point!

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I agree that if he's that sensitive, you'd probably be better skipping it. Yes you can quietly ask your server not to tease but I've had a server from another table walk by and say "ELBOWS" in a singsong voice at me so someone else may say something not realizing. Also, if there's teasing going on around you, if may cause your son to think "If they're doing it to them, it might happen to me!" Wait til he's a bit older, and you won't have to worry as much.

 

[sharona]

I agree that if he's that sensitive, you'd probably be better skipping it. Yes you can quietly ask your server not to tease but I've had a server from another table walk by and say "ELBOWS" in a singsong voice at me so someone else may say something not realizing. Also, if there's teasing going on around you, if may cause your son to think "If they're doing it to them, it might happen to me!" Wait til he's a bit older, and you won't have to worry as much.

Hmmmm - this is making me rethink my lunch ADR here which was already causing me headaches trying to fit in everything else around it and get out of there in time to hit a WP for a few hours. It sounds like fun but dd8 is a very light eater and can be picky about certain things. She doesn't react well to teasing from family - not sure how she would react if teased by our server.

Check the May canceled ADRs thread tomorrow if you're looking for a 50s lunch on 5/11. Going to sleep on it and discuss w/ dd in the morning.

 

[squirrel]

I don't think I'll ever eat at this place because I'm a picky eater, I get full very quickly and rarely finish a meal (I hear their portions are huge!), and I'm easily embarrassed. I'd be a prime target for teasing.

The first time I ate there with my oldest niece the server knew we didn't want in on the fun. I asked what other sides I could get with the chicken and got fries and corn. When my niece's food arrived, I knew instantly she wouldn't eat the appetizer that came with the kid's meal (I guess it was one of those complete meals). I ate one piece of chicken and the sides and we were given our empty plate stickers.

Then last year I knew how much food it was so my younger niece and I shared my meal (chicken again). We managed to finish the whole plate! My niece was so full from eating 3 pieces of chicken she didn't touch the dessert. I told my niece after we were seated that the servers pick on us if we don't behave at the table. She helped me set the table before the server even asked.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

I'm 25 and a very picky eater, but I also don't mind the teasing. I "bribed" my aunt with origami paper hats to get out of eating my veggies. There's definitely ways to get around the teasing, but if someone is so sensitive that any type of comment may set them off, or even the worry of someone saying something would be that bad, it's just better to skip it.