More Fun Gone?

[dolfinjuls]

50's Prime Time?

My coworker's family just came back from Disney and went to 50's like they do every trip. They were sadly disappointed this time though. There was none of the normal antics going on. It was very quiet. Her father asked why and they said they had to stop because it is too overwhelming for autistic children.

 

[vicki_c]

We were at 50s PTC in late December and our waiter was great -- he didn't make anyone get up from the table or anything and sing (and I was really happy about that), but was playfully obnoxious and really gave my kids some grief -- deservedly so. I thought it was just the right level of "fun". We were there in November as well on an adult-only trip and our waitress was very low-key.

I was really embarrassed at WCC last year, so personally I'm glad they toned down a few of the antics there -- I swore I wouldn't go back there after my horse ride through the restaurant (I was a good sport though and did it). And I can confirm they have stopped doing that type of thing with adults anyway - a CM told me that in December while we were at WL.

 

[Disneyjamie]

I would still go there for the food though - love the meatloaf.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

We were there in November. We love the silliness there and at WCC, but this family sat next to us and they were screaming, using swear words, being rediculious really. My DD6 and DD9 were staring at them and my grandmother told them not to stare that they had mental problems. I don't know what was wrong with them, but they were awful. Throwing food and silverware, banging forks on the table for minutes on end. The waitress was obviously trying to control it, but frankly I can't believe they let it go on like they did. We asked for our check early and took dessert to go, our waitress told us he couldn't blame us. I think people try too hard sometimes to get something to happen, rather then just kind of letting it happen. We enjoyed it very much up until they got there though it was less involved then before, we figured it is based on your server and never thought too much of it, but maybe they are scaling back. I love the sillinesss, but like my granmother said, in the 50s, bad manner were not accepted, these people had beyond bad manner. My kids still talk about them, when anyone is using bad manner and dinner the kids will say, "you don't want to act like that crazy family in Disney".

It was too bad really, the food there was amazing as always but after waiting 2 hours to get to our table (with ADRs mind you), it was very disapointing to be rushed out by them.

 

[Tina G]

It was too bad really, the food there was amazing as always but after waiting 2 hours to get to our table (with ADRs mind you), it was very disapointing to be rushed out by them.

You seriously waited 2 hours to be seated at 50s Prime Time Cafe?? We'd have been gone after 30 minutes max. Was there a specific reason that you waited that long that you know of? We're making a lunch ADR there for our trip in May and I hope that's not the norm to be expected.

 

[Bella O]

We ate there New Year's Day for dinner, and we had a 15-20 minute wait for a 4:50pm adr.

 

[hgbluesparkles]

Eek! I'm wondering if we should keep our ressies there then or switch to someplace else? This was supposed to be our "fun" dinner for our trip in March. Should I maybe switch to SciFi?

 

[goofy4tink]

We ate there last month and it was great fun. We had Cousin Cooper. He went through all the schtick you would expect. He even had us sign a card for an older gentleman at the next table. Had great fun doing that. There wasn't any of that really loud, yelling going on though. Perhaps they have toned down a bit, but we had a great time.

 

[samefay]

We love the family feel of the 50s.
The WCC however, is another story. If they've toned down a bit we might go back but our waitress was downright rude. She kept calling our daughter a brat. We had reservations at 7 and it was after 10 before we got out of there - no fault of our own and we were seated on time. Thank goodness we were staying at the Lodge. I eventually told DH I would wait for the check and to take the little one up.
She called her a brat because she didn't want to talk to her and for some reason the lady thought that my daughter should be more interactive - it's bedtime lady!

 

[litlpixie2]

WOW, that's a shame about the 50's PT, if thats true. They were great when we were there in August...nothing over the top but just enough to have my girls in stitches and beg to eat there again! As far as kids with autism go, if they are going to get overstimulated, wouldn't any part of WDW affect certain children? Am I wrong? I dont know.

 

[dawnbu40]

We also had Cousin Cooper on our visit last month and we had a great time! We had an adr for lunch and were seated very quickly. Our "cousin" started in on us immediately about elbows on the table etc and he seemed to be having fun with all his tables. The real fun began however when DM65 woldn't eat her greens. He told her several times she needed to and then he finally asked her "Are you going to do it or am I?" Well she thought he meant he'd eat them so she said "you do it". He picked up her fork and proceeded to try feeding her with the "here comes the airplane" and when that didn't work he tried the "airplane". DD18 and I were laughing so hard we were crying!! He told her fine she won but that he got to pick out her dessert. He came back with a small plate covered with whipped cream topped with fudge and m&ms. DM went to take a bite and discovered it was her greens with candy toppings! It was a fun meal that we won't ever forget and the food was good too!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

You seriously waited 2 hours to be seated at 50s Prime Time Cafe?? We'd have been gone after 30 minutes max. Was there a specific reason that you waited that long that you know of? We're making a lunch ADR there for our trip in May and I hope that's not the norm to be expected.

We actually waited one hour and 50 minutes, 20 of which "didn't count" because it was early check in. And yes, for some reaon we waited. It was one of those, shoud we just leave, well we've waited so long it can't be much longer. We asked if they could tell us how much longer or at least where we were on the list but were told that they did not give out that information. My DD6 and DD9 fell asleep on the couch so we just let them sleep and eventually we got in. It was the week of Thanksgiving (though that is when we always go), we were a part of 7 (though when we eventually were seated we were in a table for 6 and we had to wait for a chair to free up to get a chair to put at the end of the table), our ADR time was 1:20 (I made it a bit off time since we have always had a wait there, though never like this), and it was EMH that night, so that all together may have made it a bad combination. Being on the DDP, all our meals were planned so if we had left we would have lost those credits. But, it is what it is. No big deal, my kids got a good nap and we were able to stay so long that we were on the last bus to our resort that noght after the EMH, so all was OK. I was really just more upset over the behaivor of the family (kids and adults) at the table next to us. It is the only complaint I had all trip. I didn't "complain" either because, while I ws surprised they didn't kick them out, I really felt bad for their waitress, and frankly all the staff because people were obviously upset and they seemed to not know what to do. We actually said we wondered how often that happens, maybe it was severe enough to cause them to make some changes.

Like I said, we always love the antics, but swearing and causing a scene is not antics, it's just rude!!!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

We love the family feel of the 50s.
The WCC however, is another story. If they've toned down a bit we might go back but our waitress was downright rude. She kept calling our daughter a brat. We had reservations at 7 and it was after 10 before we got out of there - no fault of our own and we were seated on time. Thank goodness we were staying at the Lodge. I eventually told DH I would wait for the check and to take the little one up.
She called her a brat because she didn't want to talk to her and for some reason the lady thought that my daughter should be more interactive - it's bedtime lady!

That's too bad, we have been there a few times and love it, never anything like that. That woul have made me mad too. We have lucked out with amazing (and funny) servers when we have gone. It all depends I guess on who you get.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

WOW, that's a shame about the 50's PT, if thats true. They were great when we were there in August...nothing over the top but just enough to have my girls in stitches and beg to eat there again! As far as kids with autism go, if they are going to get overstimulated, wouldn't any part of WDW affect certain children? Am I wrong? I dont know.

I would think so. My son gets more upset if he gets too hot though than overstimulated but each autistic child is different. I prefer to skip things I know he can't handle than expect the world to miss out to cater to him. I tend to have a different view on handing his autism than some other parents of autistic kids I know though.

 

[Tammy296]

I am disabled (not autistic but deaf...) and I don't understand why the antics bothers autistic children or their parents?

This was my favorite restaurant too!! If the fun is gone and the DDP is getting downright disgusting (with the loss of the apps and inc. gratuities) why bother going???

I was in the works for planning a trip but I don't know if I want to now.

Everywhere I read, it seems that WDW is getting cheaper every year or cutting from customers. It's dissapointing to read about these things. I went in 2007 and thank my lucky stars that I did go! But would I want to go now? I don't know... I'm fast changing my mind...

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Last month I went there for dinner with 3 of my friends from Orlando and we got in there for dinner around 6:00 PM without an ADR and waited like 10 minutes for our table. Anyway I believe our server was Uncle Tom and he was funny from the start. Right away he started with the rules and also made me take off my hat at the dinner table. Besides that towards the end of our meal he made one of my friends eat his vegtables by feeding him with the airplane noise which we thought was very funny to see.

 

[clutter]

We ate there on NYE, and there were antics going on. (We also got seated right after checking in.)

Perhaps there was someone nearby that was reacting to the antics, and the change isn't on a permanant basis?

p.s. as a long-age Farrell's waitress, I really look forward to working there when I retire!

 

[vicki_c]

We ate there on NYE, and there were antics going on. (We also got seated right after checking in.)

Me too - how funny! We actually had 2 reservations for 2 on NYE (a 5:05 and a 5:10) and we were seated within 5-10 minutes and they were able to combine us at one table. We had Cousin Mikey for our waiter I think - I even took a picture because he was so fun!

 

[disnut8]

I have never heard of the 50s having to stop all the antics because of autistic children. That surprises me to no end. Especially since I ate there in September and then again over Thanksgiving (the Saturday after Thanksgiving) and the servers were exactly like they have been in the past. I don't know, I would question that Cast Member's comment. Anyone else been able to verify that the antics of the 50s Prime Time Cafe have officially been silenced? Anyone? Positive proof? I haven't seen it printed anywhere at all.

 

[TiffinyKC]

OK, as the partent of an autistic child, can I just say...what?

I don't get it. Now, my DS is on the high functioning side of the spectrum (Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified), so perhaps there are other children who would not react well in this enviornment, but not mine.

I'm wondering if we have the whole story here.