More Fun Gone?

[dolfinjuls]

I have no idea. I really hope it was just a one time thing for a specific person. That's what the cast member told them that day. They are DVC owners and have been there each time they stay there. I know they were just there this past Sept. and loved it as they had before.

I really hope it hasn't changed. I've personally never been and have really been looking forward to making our ressie for July!

 

[Rootskate]

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!

I can't believe the waitress would have the nerve to call your daughter a brat! Thats terrible.

 

[photo_chick]

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.

It depends on the kid. Chances are some parent raised a fuss because it caused their kid to have a meltdown. Personally I try to look into those types of things and anticipate what he my son can an cannot deal with before i take him into a new situation... which is why I have a big binder of Disney activities and restaurants with notes, research, etc. LOL.

 

[Ihave3daughters]

We ate there last Wednesday... Had a great waiter who kept us in stitches.

No lud stuff, but very fun nonetheless. He forced us to interact with the other people around us, which was fun. He launched into a hilarious search for one man's dining companion who had yet to arrive... It was great.

We'll be back... I think a lot of the 'fun' has to do with who you end up with as a waiter or waitress. They can really make it or break it for you...

 

[Keegansmommy]

We ate at 50's between Christmas and New Years and we too were disappointed. We didn't see much fun going on either. The waiter across from our table was having a little fun w/ his table, but that was it. Our waiter didn't really try.

The food portions were much smaller than our previous visit too. Overall, we missed the fun too. We decided to go back to WDW in March and did NOT book at 50's again.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

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!!

The same thing happened to us, only we had Cousin Laura, I believe. She did the airplane/veggies thing with DD and I was laughing so hard I was crying and I couldn't talk. However, she actually shoved the veggies into DD's mouth, which then caused DD to gag and almost vomit on the table. I think that definitely took it a little too far and my DD was a good sport after, but she was definitely upset. She also has a really bad gag reflex, so that didn't help.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

My only guess is that 50's Prime Time involves a great deal of role playing that probably doesn't make much sense to autistic children. For the child to be told "Hi, I'm your mom," they're probably like, "Nuh-uh... that's my mom." And then being "scolded" by this stranger that says they're your mom.... probably pretty confusing. I suppose that could occur with any child, but it's probably more confusing and maybe even frightening to an autistic child.

Now, I do agree that's a bummer. We've had a lot of fun at 50's Prime Time. Have yet to eat at WCC, though. (shame, shame)

 

[samefay]

that you're right about the servers at WCC. We had dined there several times in the past and never had that big of a problem until Jan 2007 - I think her name was something Kate? Anyway, Jan 2008 our family of three (DH, DD, & I) went to the Artist Point and enjoyed a nice relaxing dinner while the rest of our extended family were dining at WCC.

As mentioned we do love the 50s though and would be disappointed if this comes to pass. I would hope this could be something that they can work on as requested by families - like when you make your adr and tell them you're celebrating your birthday, maybe you can mention that by the way we would like a server who would skip the antics because of .... - whatever the reason may be.

 

[tinkandpan]

I'm probably the lone dissenter but I am hopeful that this is the case. I hate restaurants with antics and because of that we have avoided here and WCC.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

When I am on vacation, I want to enjoy myself and not worry about being scolded, even in jest, about not finishing my plate... etc. I know people love the antics, just not us, we ate there once and have never gone back. My children did not like it either. It is also the reason we do not do the restaurant at Wilderness Lodge, different strokes for different folks.. For those who love this shtick, great, but for those of us who prefer to dine and relax, there are those restaurants as well...
Hope it works out for those who love this restaurant that they continue it how they started it..

 

[Jersey Girl]

We have been to WDW three times now and never eaten at Prime Time, though I've always wanted to, but after reading about everything that could do on in this restaurant, I don't think it would be right for my family. I know my husband wouldn't get a joke out of being told what to eat or how to sit at the table and neither would my son. My daughter had wanted to go here after our last trip while we were eating at Hollywood and Vine and she went the wrong way coming out of the bathroom and got a peak at Prime Time. We'll stick with H&V, I think.

 

[ryan89]

Looks like we won't try to eat there this time around. We had a blast in Nov '07 when we went there and hyped it up for my parents recent trip. No wonder they didn't think it was that exciting of a restaurant. My mother was told to "move it or wear it" though.

 

[mom22bless]

I originally had an ADR but cancelled it. My son is on the spectrum but it's really high functioning asperger's. He is really serious and literal. If you try to joke with him, he will think you are being serious. I didn't want it to be too much for him so we didn't go. Someone told me the food was bad at that time so I'm glad looking back.

 

[inkkognito]

Am I alone in being sick and tired of things being "dumbed down" because of complaints? I understand that some people have autistic children to whom antics would be overwhelming. I understand that some people just don't like to participate in this sort of thing. I have a simple suggestion: Don't go to Prime Time or WCC, and let those of us who DO enjoy it have our fun. These are two restaurants out of how many dozens at WDW. Do you really HAVE to visit them? I don't need my fun plain-vanillaed just because you don't like it or cannot handle it for some reason. Harsh? Perhaps, but I can't imagine I'm the only one who feels this way.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

Am I alone in being sick and tired of things being "dumbed down" because of complaints? I understand that some people have autistic children to whom antics would be overwhelming. I understand that some people just don't like to participate in this sort of thing. I have a simple suggestion: Don't go to Prime Time or WCC, and let those of us who DO enjoy it have our fun. These are two restaurants out of how many dozens at WDW. Do you really HAVE to visit them? I don't need my fun plain-vanillaed just because you don't like it or cannot handle it for some reason. Harsh? Perhaps, but I can't imagine I'm the only one who feels this way.

I'm with you on this one. I don't go to certain restaurant, V&A and other signature restaurants because I don't like the food. I go where I'm comfortable. Maybe I should start going to V&A and demanding that I be allowed to wear my shorts and tshirts and order a burger and fries? I understand pandering to the masses, but then what would make Disney special? My nephew was always afraid of characters. Should Disney stop having character interactions for those children who find it too overwhelming? It's ridiculous.

I like 50's PTC. I've been there 3 times and would go back again in a heartbeat. I really think the time of year, time of day and server have a lot to do with your experience. If you know it's not your cup of tea, then pass on it, but don't ruin for everyone else.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

My family (or me) would love to see the decor in 50's, but won't book it because of the antics. We wouldn't enjoy that at all. That doesn't mean we think they should cater to our needs & stop the antics. There's many restaurants for us to choose from w/o 50's & WCC. Life would be so much nicer, if people didn't think it's all about them. If they think their child will get upset, they can do like the rest of us & choose another restaurant. Though, I have a feeling most of the complaints come from the non-DISsers who book 50's or WCC not knowing what to expect. That would be a rude awakening.

PS: The complainers have also changed the signature restaurants. They are no longer what you'd expect, in quality or atmosphere, for the type of restaurant they pretend to be. It's annoying to see Disney once again giving into the squeaky wheel.

 

[stacy347]

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.

Generally speaking, yes, although each child will react differently to each situation of course.

I knew going in that a lot of WDW would affect my DD10 who is autistic (she is fairly high functioning but still very plagued by the sensory issues).

I specifically avoided 50's and WCC because I knew that would be too much for her and I am sorry to hear that that would be a reason for toning anything down at WDW. The parents have plenty of resources available to thoroughly research WDW and decide what to steer clear of like we did.