MGM-- 50's Prime or Sci-Fi Dine?

[jtjarvis]

I'm on the fence about whether to get an early lunch PS for 50's Prime, or Sci-Fi Diner for our MGM day in June. Obviously with boys 5 and 7, the Sci-Fi probably would sound better. But my mother will be with us too and think she'd get a kick out of 50's Prime-- it sounds more interesting to me too. (Plus, the food sounds more nourishing. And hey, does it always have to be about the kids?! No, wait, don't answer that!!)

I know the boys won't "get" the schtick at Prime Time, but I'd love to know if it would be at least be amusing for them. If the Sci-Fi is in fact super-cool though, I'll consider it more strongly--

Which would you pick?

Thanks a ton!

 

[Parrothd]

From reading a lot of posts about this subject, I know I'm in the minority with this opinion......but, we much prefer SCI-FI over 50's Prime Time.

Next week, I get to start making my PSs for June too.

 

[Daisie]

We absolutely prefer sci-fi over prime time any day! The only thing that was really outstanding at prime time was the smores for dessert! You cant go wrong with cheesburger and shake at sci-fi. Your boys will love it....much more than being scolded for elbows on the table!!

 

[jtjarvis]

Yep, you guys have helped me nail it -- we'll go for the Sci-Fi Dine-in. I'd read the reviews of each place but it really helps to have someone say they prefer the Sci-Fi over the other. (I also saw a fantastic indoor pic of the Sci-Fi, in the coffee-table book "Imagineering", just a little while ago on my deck! Between that and the votes here I have a consensus. Thanks! I know my boys will adore it, and my mom and I will get a kick out of it too.)

 

[MAC3]

Ok Here's my $.02, DH & I Love 50's Prime time we always make sure to go. Although my DD loves it as well. DD a;ways asks to go to Sci-Fi. She loves it so we do(atmosphere is great).

With that said I do think your boys would get the antics at 50's "What's funnier than watching Mom (or GrandMa for that matter) stand in the corner?

Which ever you choose you'll enjoy it, and you can always try the other next time!

Lisa

 

[jtjarvis]

That's true Lisa -- I always treat these decisions as if I'll never set foot in the place again and we all know we'll be right back there!

 

[safetymom]

I think your kids would enjoy Prime Time Cafe. My kids sure do. They didn't enjoy the Sci Fi as much. Also thought the food was better at Prime Time.

 

[gopherit]

My boys were 6 and 7.5 when we went last year -- it was their 3rd trip to Sci-Fi and they loved it, per usual! It has a very calming effect on them, for some reason -- the big screen, the stars and low lighting, the coolness after being out in the heat... and they love sitting in the cars! We let them sit in the front seat last time -- they felt like they were "driving" our whole party of 8! I was worried that our 6 yr old might fret over some of the dorky movie clips, but he took them at their face value (old dorky sci-fi clips!) and didn't find them scary at all.

That said, Prime Time is on our list for this trip -- we're forcing the boys to branch out in new horizons! Plus, I finally feel our middle son is ready to handle the teasing. We actually didn't take them to Prime Time last time because we were afraid they would pick on him and he might be sensitive about it (he was in a severe anti-veggie phase, and this was a vacation, after all -- need I say more). But we had a brain lapse and took him to WC during that same trip, where the waiter decided this son was fair game, made a big ta-doo about him not touching his veggies and lo and behold, our son LOVED the attention -- silly parents, we sure read that one wrong! SO this trip we will try Prime TIme. DS is much better with his dining and has proven he can "get in the spirit" of it all! And if they pick on "Dad" instead, all the better!

It's nice to know you're in a win-win, either way you go!

 

[MAC3]

Just an FYI gopherit & anyone else who may be afraid of someone sensitive being picked on.

If you have a server that starts on someone of this nature, just politely get their attention and shake your head no. They know to look for these signs. Then they will move on to someone else at the table.

I swear I have a sign on my head that says "Pick Me". I've also have been told if you don't play along they quit it? Haven't tried that one yet.

Enjoy,
Lisa

 

[goofy4tink]

Last night at dinner, we were discussing where we wanted to eat on our next trip. My dd, 10, was being a bit of a brat so I told her if she didn't shape up she was going to eat at Sci-Fi again. She screamed "No!!!" and started behaving. The two of us ate there in Dec and didn't like it at all. The food wasn't great and we found it too dark and cramped. I know we are in the minority. I usually am. My poor dh wanted to try it out since he missed it. Maybe we'll just stop by for dessert in August. We do love 50's P/T tho. Well, except for the steak dh had in August that was not so great. I told him to have the meatloaf, fried chicken or the pot roast but did he listen to me? No. You want steak? Go to a steakhouse.

 

[Parrothd]

Another FYI, THAT doesn't always work. I speak from experience. The more I asked them not to, the more they seemed to do it. Not only that, they tried to humiliate me for even asking them not to, saying things (very loudly so the whole place could hear) like "ahhhh, this table over here doesn't like to be picked on", so the entire restaurant could laugh at us. I found that totally inappropriate and irresponsible. We won't be back anytime soon. It's just not worth it. It really stressed out the little ones.
I guess everyone is different. Give me Sci-Fi any day of the week over Prime Time.

 

[disney4us2002]

Replies like parrothead's are what keeps me from going as well. I think the menu looks great and I'm kinda bored with Sci fi as we've always done that but I just don't find it funny to be picked on, made to eat my green beans, or asked to stand in the corner. I don't get why the antics are necessary. It's lunch for goodness sake, not a show. As much as I'd feel uncomfortable my dh would be beyond annoyed. He would probably leave. It's definitely not for us.

 

[jtjarvis]

The heads-ups about Prime "teasing" have really helped me nail my decision to try Sci-Fi -- and not even for my original reasons. I'm wondering if, all hot and probably a bit stressed from EMH that day, I wouldn't be the one who'd dislike attention! It really does sound like a cool and clever place but I think we will definitely hold off until the boys are older -- if not only because they'll be less stressful in the parks [for moi!] in a couple of years!

Thanks again y'all -- these boards are amazing. They literally help you make your trip the best it can be --

 

[stinkerbelle]

Originally posted by disney4us2002
I don't get why the antics are necessary. It's lunch for goodness sake, not a show.

Actually, no - it's both. It's the charm of the place...the theme of it.

I guess you really have to be in the frame of mind for this place. Hubby and I love it...we don't get "picked on" as much (as it's just the two of us, no kids)...but we always enjoy our trips there.

The last 2 times we've gotten the same waitress...she was real sassy to us...so we were real sassy right back. (She loved it)

 

[arminnie]

Originally posted by gopherit
It has a very calming effect on them, for some reason -- the big screen, the stars and low lighting, the coolness after being out in the heat... and they love sitting in the cars!

I was just going to add that I find Sci-Fi more relaxing and laid back. You are an active participant at Prime Time - which can be a lot of fun - but it is not as much of a "break" as Sci-Fi. If you want to calm down some over stimulated kids Sci-Fi would be better.

You really can't go wrong though. My only complaint about Sci-Fi is that I never have room for a shake when I have the burger so you might want to consider sharing.

 

[kozmo]

Any good codes out there for wilderness cabins????Would an anual pass get a good rate!

 

[MAC3]

Originally posted by Parrothd
Another FYI, THAT doesn't always work. I speak from experience. The more I asked them not to, the more they seemed to do it. Not only that, they tried to humiliate me for even asking them not to, saying things (very loudly so the whole place could hear) like "ahhhh, this table over here doesn't like to be picked on", so the entire restaurant could laugh at us. I found that totally inappropriate and irresponsible. We won't be back anytime soon. It's just not worth it. It really stressed out the little ones.
I guess everyone is different. Give me Sci-Fi any day of the week over Prime Time.

Thanks for that warning! I was under the assumption that they would stop if needed. Sorry for your experience. I agree with Sci-Fi being a great break (relaxing) from the heat!

 

[Scoot]

We did the 50s last week and it was great! Our party was ages 2 to age 85 and everyone had a great time. The food was surprisingly good (we weren't expecting that)and the entertainment was better. One of the best things we did at WDW. We would certainly go back again.

 

[goofy4tink]

As far as the 'teasing' goes we've had two different experiences at 50's. First time we were with another family. Our dd's, both 8 at the time. We had Cousin Chris, who is a hoot. The other family just wasn't into the whole teasing, so Chris focused on my dd. She really got into it and gave back just as good as she got. But, when we were there last August our waitress wasn't into the whole thing. No different than any other place. Maybe if when you check in at the front desk, you tell the hostess that you have a member of your party that would really be offended by the 'attention' and could you have a server who is more laid back, you might be okay. Otherwise, tell them to let you know if that isn't possible so that you can have the option of eating someplace else. I would make two ps's at two different places, just in case you need the back-up.

 

[CoolDisneyCat]

We have only been to Sci Fi once and really don't plan on going back. Our party of 7 was split into 4 cars in all different parts of the restaurant. We had a PS for 2 pm and then waited about 40 minutes and still this is the best they could do. We found the place dark, the cars cramped and the movie trailers too short and repeated way too often.

We go to 50's on every trip. We have never been teased too much. We just love this place and reccomend it to all our friends. The thin onion rings are so yummy! I do wish they had burgers on the menu, though.