Hollywood Brown Derby or 50's Primetime Cafe?

[ukeeyorelover]

In a bit of a dilemma at the moment.

Still planning our holiday.
We have decided that we will do Chef Mickeys for breakfast and Crystal Palace for dinner. This year we would like to do one extra dinner as our budget just about covers this.

We've researched all of those and we have singled it down to two restaurants. These are Hollywood Brown Derby and 50's Primetime Cafe.

Just wonderin if anyone has visited these and which they think would be the best?

Thanks

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

I have not been to the Brown Derby in years but we go to the 50's Prime Time every trip. My DS (almost 14) always asks if we can eat there. He enjoys "playing" with the waitstaff about elbows on the table. It's the only place where he actually eats all his green beans. This is because he knows that if he doesn't the waiter/waitress might feed them to him!
It is a very different experience and everyone in the restaurant becomes "cousins". I have read that if you use the rest rooms make sure you note what color the soap is because the waiter/waitress might ask you. If you don't know they could ask you to stand up in the middle of the area you are in and sing a silly song.
It's all done in good fun and the waitstaff seems to figure out right away who wants to "play along" and who really does not want to join in and they adjust their approach.
I have found their salmon really very good. My son always has the fried chicken and cleans his plate every time (he is afraid not to!!!!).
Anyway, we enjoy the 50's Prime Time. Not really big on the playing along except for my (normally quiet) DS. What most people don't seem to bring up very often is that their food is really very good.
Hope this helps a little. I know you will get many more and different responses.

 

[catnik]

Both restaurants are miles apart in terms of atmosphere but both have really good food. If you are in the mood for an entertaining (and high volume) dinner, then Prime Time Cafe is lots of fun. If you are looking for a more relaxed, "let's linger over our food and enjoy ourselves" atmosphere, then Brown Derby would be my choice. We like both but go to the Brown Derby when it is adults only dinner. Lots of families bring their children to either restaurant and both have kid friendly food, but IMO Prime Time would definitely have more going on visually to entertain the kids than Brown Derby. Hope this helps and have a great time!!

 

[ukeeyorelover]

Thanks for your responses!

You've been really helpful. I think we're agreed on 50's Primetime, the atmosphere sounds like just what we're looking for!!!!

Maybe we'll try Brown Derby on our next visit,

Thanks again!

 

[grimp]

On our first trip to WDW we went to 50's Prime Time for dinner. I thought the atmosphere was ok and the food disappointing, but not terrible.

On our trip in 1996 and 2000 we ate elsewhere. On our trip earlier this year my 12 year old grandaughter thought she wanted to try it so we we took her for lunch. It was again more than disappointing. The food we did not expect to be great, but it was terrible, except for the milkshake which was very good. I had the shrimp pasta dish, my granduaghter the stew and my wife something else which I can not now remember. This food was not just average, but just plain bad.

Not only was the food bad, but the supposed banter with the staff was uncomfortable. It was like being at a comedy club with a comedian who is mot funny. Pathetic is the best word I can think of to describe our waiters performance. Never again for us since there are so many other enjoyable palces to go. At MGM the Sci-Fi drive in is better, but not great by comparison for atmosphere and food at comprable prices. If you want to have a similar type interaction with the waiters, then the Wispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge does a much better joy of entertaining you and the food is a cut above the 50's Prime Time.

I know that some people like the 50's Prime Time and recommed it, but I just can't figure out why based on my personal experience and taste.

 

[Eeyore2003]

Of those two I would go to the 50's Prime Time. We have tried all the sit down restuarants at MGM except Hollywood and Vine(will be doing that one in July). We like the Sci Fi the best. We had a bunch of not good meals and bad service at the Brown Derby, and Mama Melrose, we found it crowded and only one of our group of 3 liked their meal. We always seem to enjoy the Sci Fi, although many complain about the high cost of food there.

 

[jann1033]

we did brown derby last trip ( Jan 04, 2 adults) and loved it great service & atmosphere for adults, and wonderful food ( we got coconut shrimp, steak and creme brulee all great even the coffe tasted good, no doubt due to the silver serving pot!), prime time a few years ago and thought it was cute atmosphere ( knew is could be "being crabbed at " but did not feel it was over the top and less than at Whispering canyon !), mediocre food and kind of expensive but probably would do prime time if with young kids, brown derby hands down without or adult kids due to the interest level of kids and do not know if young kids would want to sit in a"nicer" rest. when they could be going on attractions!

 

[DNBois]

DH and I actually ate at both places last May. These restaurants are so opposite in atmosphere, food choices and prices. We would highly recommend the Brown Derby and here is why:
We ate the Brown Derby for dinner on our 3 year anniversary - we absolutely LOVED the food, the service, the atmosphere. If you do go, we recommend sharing the famous cobb salad for an appetizer. With the appetizer, the entrees, two glasses of wine, shared dessert and coffee, the bill came to about $120 or so and it was worth every penny!
We ate at the Prime Time Cafe for lunch one day and after an hour wait, we were seated and a personable waiter made jokes with all his tables, provided great service and the atmosphere was great - exactly like you would think it would look like. However, we HATED the food with a passion - DH had fried chicken that was really tough and I had the pot roast and I cannot even explain what it looked like. Let's put it this way - our waiter came over to see if we wanted to order dessert (which we would if we were not nauceous) and picked up my fork and urged me to take another bite so he could bring us dessert; when he looked down on the fork, he immediately put it back down and we immediately asked for the check. I am just so disapppointed that we didn't complain and get at least one meal taken off the bill but live and learn, right? Needless to say, we will NEVER eat there again!!
Well, good luck with your decision and let us know what you decided!!

 

[4greatboys]

I would pick 50's Prime Time. We really like the food and its a lot of fun to eat there.