How noisy is 50s Prime Time?

[CarolinaBlue99]

My 7 y/o DD is a bit sensitive to sound, especially echoey restaurants with lots of tile floor and little sound insulation. How loud is it in 50s Prime Time Diner?

Our 180 day ADR date is coming up in a few days, and I am trying to finalize dining plans for our HS day. I'd consider Sci Fi, but we are a group of 3 so the seating arrangement is not optimal. If 50s Prime Time is a no-go, where would you suggest at HS?

I'm having the hardest time with food options at HS and hoping the Baseline Taphouse might have some food options ...

Thanks so much for input!

 

[Ed J]

It can be loud, not sure if it a good fit for you.

 

[JZCubed]

My 7 y/o DD is a bit sensitive to sound, especially echoey restaurants with lots of tile floor and little sound insulation. How loud is it in 50s Prime Time Diner?

Our 180 day ADR date is coming up in a few days, and I am trying to finalize dining plans for our HS day. I'd consider Sci Fi, but we are a group of 3 so the seating arrangement is not optimal. If 50s Prime Time is a no-go, where would you suggest at HS?

I'm having the hardest time with food options at HS and hoping the Baseline Taphouse might have some food options ...

Thanks so much for input!

If a member of your dining party is a young child and the others are 'average-sized' adults, you should be able to get all three of you into one row of 'cars' at Sci-Fi. And yes, it's tight. But your ADR will likely come with a warning that your group may be split into separate parties - don't worry about that, it won't matter for a party of 3 (or 4).

I don't find the Prime Time dining rooms as noisy as I do the Lounge. The reason is the way the dining rooms were designed - there are fewer tables in each section. This design was on purpose for when the antics of the Waiters/Servers was more abundant. The give-n-take of those antics would not work in a cafeteria-style dining room - because you need a quiet dining room to make the antics work best.

Sci-Fi is a cool space that is worth the experience (if you don't mind the food that is 'meh').

50's Prime Time is an interesting space for adults of a certain age, with typically oversized portions of Americana (pot roast, fried chicken, meatloaf). And don't forget to EAT ALL YOUR GREEN BEANS! If your room gets going - I find it's more fun than loud.

Do not rely on the Taphouse being open; make an ADR and cancel at a later date if necessary.

 

[Colleen27]

50s Prime Time can be loud, but it is broken up and not as echo-y as many Disney restaurants. It is loud in a busy corner diner (or Applebees on a Saturday night) sense than in that din-from-everywhere way that some of the larger places get.

Studios is tough food-wise. Brown Derby is quieter, but it is the only signature restaurant that we thought was disappointing food-wise. SciFi and 50s are better, though nothing fancy, but loud. I've never tried Mama Melrose so I can't speak to the noise level there. Baseline is expected to have some food options, so that might be an option. But honestly, with as little as there is at Studios right now, you might consider making that a split day - attractions in the morning, boating over to the Boardwalk/Beach Club for a late lunch or early dinner, and then head back to the park for the evening shows.

 

[CarolinaBlue99]

If a member of your dining party is a young child and the others are 'average-sized' adults, you should be able to get all three of you into one row of 'cars' at Sci-Fi. And yes, it's tight. But your ADR will likely come with a warning that your group may be split into separate parties - don't worry about that, it won't matter for a party of 3 (or 4).

I don't find the Prime Time dining rooms as noisy as I do the Lounge. The reason is the way the dining rooms were designed - there are fewer tables in each section. This design was on purpose for when the antics of the Waiters/Servers was more abundant. The give-n-take of those antics would not work in a cafeteria-style dining room - because you need a quiet dining room to make the antics work best.

Sci-Fi is a cool space that is worth the experience (if you don't mind the food that is 'meh').

50's Prime Time is an interesting space for adults of a certain age, with typically oversized portions of Americana (pot roast, fried chicken, meatloaf). And don't forget to EAT ALL YOUR GREEN BEANS! If your room gets going - I find it's more fun than loud.

Do not rely on the Taphouse being open; make an ADR and cancel at a later date if necessary.

This is super helpful! Sounds as if Sci Fi or 50s Prime Time could work for us. It's not actually the volume of sound, but the timbre/pitch (echoey in large spaces with high ceilings and lots of tiled surfaces). Anyway, I'm glad to hear we don't necessarily need to rule it out. And that Sci Fi is an option - I'll poll my partners in crime then make a decision. Definitely planning on making an ADR and also hopeful Taphouse will be open since we are going first week of March. Thanks!

 

[Colleen27]

We'll be there the same week, so I'll join you in hoping for a Taphouse opening. I doubt we'll have a meal there, but a snack and a drink might be just the thing.

 

[JZCubed]

This is super helpful! Sounds as if Sci Fi or 50s Prime Time could work for us. It's not actually the volume of sound, but the timbre/pitch (echoey in large spaces with high ceilings and lots of tiled surfaces). Anyway, I'm glad to hear we don't necessarily need to rule it out. And that Sci Fi is an option - I'll poll my partners in crime then make a decision. Definitely planning on making an ADR and also hopeful Taphouse will be open since we are going first week of March. Thanks!

I am deaf in one ear and have the most trouble in rooms with constant ambient noise - I understand from my own perspective (it's why we avoid most Qwik Serve).

Yes, both restaurants should work for you.

But if you have to wait at Prime Time when it's crowded, the Lounge can be difficult.

If possible, make your ADR's for an early time slot to avoid those crowds in the waiting area.

 

[CarolinaBlue99]

50s Prime Time can be loud, but it is broken up and not as echo-y as many Disney restaurants. It is loud in a busy corner diner (or Applebees on a Saturday night) sense than in that din-from-everywhere way that some of the larger places get.

Studios is tough food-wise. Brown Derby is quieter, but it is the only signature restaurant that we thought was disappointing food-wise. SciFi and 50s are better, though nothing fancy, but loud. I've never tried Mama Melrose so I can't speak to the noise level there. Baseline is expected to have some food options, so that might be an option. But honestly, with as little as there is at Studios right now, you might consider making that a split day - attractions in the morning, boating over to the Boardwalk/Beach Club for a late lunch or early dinner, and then head back to the park for the evening shows.

Good point about eating outside the park - we are staying at the Swan so easy to hop out of the park for some down-time and better eats. And we're getting Parkhoppers since we are so close to Epcot. Sounds like hopping over the Epcot or to our "home turf" of BW/YC/BC/Swan-Dolphin area for lunch might just be the best choice.

Thanks so much for all the input - who knew dining was so complicating. I honestly think it's easier to plan meals for a vacation to NYC than to WDW!

 

[alltwelve]

IMHO Sci-Fi is one of the quietest WDW restaurants on property, with the exception of the film on the screen. I don't know if its the movie theater setting that makes people quieter for that reason, but all you really hear are the sounds on the screen and the clanking of silverware and plates (has anyone else noticed the same thing?). 50's Prime Time kinda depends on your server- some are really loud and others not so much.

 

[JZCubed]

Good point about eating outside the park - we are staying at the Swan so easy to hop out of the park for some down-time and better eats. And we're getting Parkhoppers since we are so close to Epcot. Sounds like hopping over the Epcot or to our "home turf" of BW/YC/BC/Swan-Dolphin area for lunch might just be the best choice.

Thanks so much for all the input - who knew dining was so complicating. I honestly think it's easier to plan meals for a vacation to NYC than to WDW!

No way about making choices in NY.

You can spend weeks in NYC just eating at the Michelin-Stared establishments.

We stay at Swolphin too. Cabana is yummy, Fresh is better at breakfast than lunch, The Fountain is OK, but a weird location to eat (as people in bathing suits pass by your table while you eat). The Signatures are only open for dinner. However, the places along the nearby Boardwalk are better for lunch, relatively speaking.

 

[CarolinaBlue99]

No way about making choices in NY.

You can spend weeks in NYC just eating at the Michelin-Stared establishments.

We stay at Swolphin too. Cabana is yummy, Fresh is better at breakfast than lunch, The Fountain is OK, but a weird location to eat (as people in bathing suits pass by your table while you eat). The Signatures are only open for dinner. However, the places along the nearby Boardwalk are better for lunch, relatively speaking.

The fact that there are so many excellent restaurants in NYC seems to make it easier - there are always alternatives and hidden gems. First time going to Disney as an adult but it seems to have a narrower range of good dining. At least for our taste, I guess. But we are fairly adventurous eaters (even our 7 y/o). I hope to be pleasantly surprised by the food, though!

We booked the Swan to use SPG points but now that I am looking at dining I am really appreciating the location. And we are going during Flower and Garden, so I am looking forward to checking out the Epcot booths!

ETA: thanks for the tips on Swolphin restaurants! They will come in handy, for sure.

 

[JZCubed]

The fact that there are so many excellent restaurants in NYC seems to make it easier - there are always alternatives and hidden gems. First time going to Disney as an adult but it seems to have a narrower range of good dining. At least for our taste, I guess. But we are fairly adventurous eaters (even our 7 y/o). I hope to be pleasantly surprised by the food, though!

We booked the Swan to use SPG points but now that I am looking at dining I am really appreciating the location. And we are going during Flower and Garden, so I am looking forward to checking out the Epcot booths!

ETA: thanks for the tips on Swolphin restaurants! They will come in handy, for sure.

The rule of thumb around Dis'Boards is that non-Disney run places are generally 'better' food.

But as a former manager of NYC restaurants (that you would know about), let me say this - Disney serves an extraordinary amount of reasonably good food. For better or worse, the food is geared towards American tastes - which mean burgers & nuggets will eventually make it to most menus. But you can still have a good meal at Disney.

Is this fine dining?? Not if you are comfortable locating hidden gems in NYC.

I guess what I came to learn fairly quickly by traveling more frequently to Disney is that I've lowered my expectations for most every sit-down meal...and the food tastes better.

We're partial to the seafood-centric menu at BlueZoo, we also enjoy Shula's, and Il Muilno is very good Italian too.

Boathouse (we're going for our first time) & Paddlefish are good options in Disney Springs. Homecoming is there too, albeit, with top-notch fried chicken.

And we very much enjoyed the tapas at Capa inside Four Seasons (take a taxi).

 

[TheRustyScupper]

How loud is it in 50s Prime Time Diner?

1) What?
2) What?
3) What?
4) Sorry, but we ate there, and I can't hear what you are asking.

 

[CarolinaBlue99]

The rule of thumb around Dis'Boards is that non-Disney run places are generally 'better' food.

But as a former manager of NYC restaurants (that you would know about), let me say this - Disney serves an extraordinary amount of reasonably good food. For better or worse, the food is geared towards American tastes - which mean burgers & nuggets will eventually make it to most menus. But you can still have a good meal at Disney.

Is this fine dining?? Not if you are comfortable locating hidden gems in NYC.

I guess what I came to learn fairly quickly by traveling more frequently to Disney is that I've lowered my expectations for most every sit-down meal...and the food tastes better.

We're partial to the seafood-centric menu at BlueZoo, we also enjoy Shula's, and Il Muilno is very good Italian too.

Boathouse (we're going for our first time) & Paddlefish are good options in Disney Springs. Homecoming is there too, albeit, with top-notch fried chicken.

And we very much enjoyed the tapas at Capa inside Four Seasons (take a taxi).

Good tips all around (from someone who seems to know what he's talking about)! We are headed to NYC at the end of the month, and I can't wait to explore some good eats! Really appreciate the help as I finalize our dining plans

1) What?
2) What?
3) What?
4) Sorry, but we ate there, and I can't hear what you are asking.