Lunch at Brown Derby or 50s Prime Time Cafe?

[Melody L]

We have two days at DHS and are on the Deluxe DP. We are already eating lunch at the SciFi, per my 12 year old daughter's request. Should we use two credits for lunch at the Brown Derby (gotta try that Cobb Salad) or use one credit for the Prime Time? Which would you choose, knowing that we already have plenty of sig meals planned. Prime Time looks like fun.

 

[Wild4Walt]

The food and service are definately worth 2 credits, but depending on the likes and dislikes for your 12 yo that may sway your choice.

Brown Derby is a replica of the famous Brown Derby in LA. So the inside is pretty upscale. It's done in darker woods and darker carpet. The food is very good. It will be 2 credits vs. the one. There are autographed drawings of the rich and famous all over. ( you will see 2 different color frames - one is for originals that were brought from the LA Brown Derby and one is for the new ones or recreated ones )

50's Prime Time is a different kind of dining experience than the one above. It can be a bit louder, but that's from the laughter. The food here is good also. The gig here is that your waiteress is going to act like your best friends mom.

 

[Hopefully]

I have not eaten at Brown Derby, so I really can not speak to that.
That said, we love the 50's Prime Time. The decor is lots of fun and the food is good comfort food. We will be going back in October.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Tough one; this is sort of an apples and oranges comparison. We like them both, for totally different reasons.

But, if you're going deluxe and have some nicer spots chosen, then I think I'd tilt toward 50's. It's fun if you get a server that's really into his or her character, and the food is pure comfort stuff. Try a peanut butter and jelly milkshake. No, really. Trust me.

 

[Inkmahm]

The food and service are definately worth 2 credits, but depending on the likes and dislikes for your 12 yo that may sway your choice.

Brown Derby is a replica of the famous Brown Derby in LA. So the inside is pretty upscale. It's done in darker woods and darker carpet. The food is very good. It will be 2 credits vs. the one. There are autographed drawings of the rich and famous all over. ( you will see 2 different color frames - one is for originals that were brought from the LA Brown Derby and one is for the new ones or recreated ones )

50's Prime Time is a different kind of dining experience than the one above. It can be a bit louder, but that's from the laughter. The food here is good also. The gig here is that your waiteress is going to act like your best friends mom.

I agree. Two different experiences, both good. I love the food at both of them. There's a bbq chicken salad at BD that is great. The pot roast at 50's Prime Time is excellent. If you want to base the decision on QUANTIY of food, you get LOTS more at 50's Prime Time. Too much to eat for me, actually.

 

[Tam1067]

I don't think HBD is worth two credits. It's good, and my kids want to go back this year, but it's not a good use of your credits at all particularly for lunch.

50s is lots of fun, and the atmosphere is really good too. Of course, my kids want to go there also. But we're doing 50s this time.

 

[bicker]

The menu prices are pretty good indications of relative perceived value; Disney is pretty good that way, IMHO. A (very deliberately chosen) three-course lunch (plus soft drink, tax and tip) at the Brown Derby could run about $64 per person, while a (comparably chosen) three-course lunch (plus soft drink, tax and tip) at 50s Prime Time Cafe could run $38 per person.

64 < 2 * 38 while 2TS == 2 * 1TS

Math doesn't lie.

 

[brendaziz]

OK- well basically what I'd say is- if you wanna pick a place that you like and your daughter will tolerate, go w/ Brown Derby. If you wanna pick a place that she'll like and you'll tolerate (or end up loving possibly) go w/ 50s.

I LOVE brown derby now, but HATED it until i was about 16/17. I used to be so annoyed that my parents always dragged me there cuz it was "boring". haha.

So yeah- either way you'll get good food- will prob be a little better at brown derby, depending on your tastes- but i'm sure your 12 year old will love prime time WAY more. Plus it's only 1 credit.

 

[Joshua_me]

That's like chosing between a steak (Brown Derby) and a Big Mac (Prime Time)

I like them both in different ways.

It's a hard choice.

 

[KatMark]

Personally we did not care for Brown Derby when we went in 2003. The service was terrible and the food mediocre at best (and DH hated the grapefruit cake...and he is a big dessert lover). We usually give each place two tries in case of an "off day" but we haven't gone back because we've not wanted to use two table service credits for a meal we aren't sure we are going to like after our first experience. We've not done Prime Time in probably eight or nine years but we always had decent food and fun.

 

[Nanabug02]

My vote for you would be Prime Time. DH and I have always eaten at The Brown Derby, but the last two times have been really disappointing. Spotty service and the food just wasn't as good as it used to be. After our last meal there last summer, we decided we would be giving it a break for a while.

We always love Prime Time.....food is tasty and it can be pretty fun. I will warn you, its always very crowded and loud in there, so if you can make an ADR for a little bit before lunchtime, or after - it would be better, cause the server will have more time to play with you.

 

[perla75]

I've never eaten at HBD, but the reviews I've read on here average from "meh-nothing special" to disappointing.

50's PTC was a tradition with my family when I was younger & continues to be a tradition now as an adult. The theming is so fun to look at-all of the details with the decor. The experience is very fun & entertaining, as the waiters and waitresses act like your mother and tell you to eat all your veggies & stuff. I love the food here-huge portions & very tasty.

 

[Melody L]

Thanks, all of you, for giving me such great advice. I think I will go with the 50s cafe, knowing that we will be there for the unique experience and not necessarily the food. We already have ressies at Flying Fish, Narcoossee's and CA Grill, so we'll have plenty of grown up meals. Since my daughter isn't into the character meals, 50s would make a good substitute.

Thanks again!!

 

[nothistime]

Go to the 50's Primetime Cafe, but don't go for the food, go for the experience. Brown Derby was forgettable food for twice the credits. NOT worth it, really.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with 50's Prime Time Cafe.

 

[kaytieeldr]

But if you can fit it in, I would still go to the Brown Derby and pay out of pocket for a round of the Cobb salads.