Need opinions on 50's Prime Time Cafe

[ValinWV]

We've been there three times. It was a lot of fun. The food was good and the deserts were large. We only left it off of our plans this year because we didn't have enough days to eat at all of our favorites and we are trying to do more character meals for the kids.

 

[frdeb1999]

We absolutely love going here. Great food, service and always have alot of fun.

 

[dzneelvr]

Ambiance Only: We definitely found it annoying on our one and only visit years ago. DS was probably 10 and DD 8 at the time; it was a hot June day, we purposely make our lunch ADRs for the heat of the day so we could enjoy some AC'd R&R. We are seated and begin the odyssey of having to have "manners" and listen to a scripted dialogue with each and every server contact. Needless to say, we all got frustrated and asked if they could just cool-it until we had some food and cold drinks in us. Huffy would be the word to describe the response.
We'd been to an Ed Debevic's in Chicago which pioneered the concept, but they would gear the "act" to the group's tolerance level, something PT did not. To this day, when we walk by, DS now 21 and DD now 19 both say "let's not go there again!"

 

[Keira1387]

50's PT is great! We love eating there!

 

[lynn46356]

We've been numerous times. We had a lot of fun twice and not so much on the last trip. Some of the servers really get into character and then some again not so much. I think it really just depends. The visit that was the most fun (2/07) our waitress was a hoot. We were called Chuck (DH), Missy (myself/DW) and Skippy (DS). I'm now always called Missy and we use Skippy a lot more too. We'll never forget that trip. Every time we eat there I notice its packed! Hope this helps.

Lynn

 

[zuzu310]

Ambiance Only: We definitely found it annoying on our one and only visit years ago. DS was probably 10 and DD 8 at the time; it was a hot June day, we purposely make our lunch ADRs for the heat of the day so we could enjoy some AC'd R&R. We are seated and begin the odyssey of having to have "manners" and listen to a scripted dialogue with each and every server contact. Needless to say, we all got frustrated and asked if they could just cool-it until we had some food and cold drinks in us. Huffy would be the word to describe the response.
We'd been to an Ed Debevic's in Chicago which pioneered the concept, but they would gear the "act" to the group's tolerance level, something PT did not. To this day, when we walk by, DS now 21 and DD now 19 both say "let's not go there again!"

TOTALLY AGREE... I know everyone loves this place and maybe it was the heat or maybe I just have a problem with authority, but I found it to be annoying after awhile. I'm all for a little fun, but when I was there our waitress was SOOO into the act that I heard her manager tell her that she needed to tone it down a bit. I don't like to be told what to do so that is part of it. We had dinner ressies and after a long hot day I just wanted to eat and relax not be a part of the action. I felt like she was beathing down my neck. I think it just depends on your personality and that place must just clash with mine. I have been to WCC numerous times and never had a problem there so I dunno...

 

[Bongi22]

My daughter loved it so much when she was 5 it was a must return to at age 7. Planning our trip this year ( turning nine while there ) it is one of only 2 restaurants she asks to go to. The other being the Princess at Norway which is more about the meet and greet than the restaurant itself.

I agree with others who have said the server you have will alter the experience from ok to outstanding, but I also have found that much of that has to do with the server reading the customers mood. I've seen the same server play with one table a lot more than another, and it has a lot to do with eye contact and a smile. If you are receptive, you have a much greater chance of having a memorable experience. I don't doubt that some castmembers might be having a bad day or new at this location and not as active as others. But at the same time, I truly believe that the hostess at the front gives a quick read of the groups and puts groups more likely to partake and enjoy the experience with the more involved servers.

I wasn't sure if I would like this place, but I tried it for my daughter... in the end I was smiling just as much as she was not only because of how happy she was but because of how the servers were able to make the kids smile by focusing on the parents unlike most other places at WDW. Kids love the attention Castmembers give them, but love it more when mom and dad are "put in their places" by the Aunt's and Uncles at the 50's prime time.

 

[mom2meiko]

we love the atmosphere - it's great as long as you are the type who will have fun playing along. the food is pretty good but as a vegetarian i prefer sci-fi drive in better for food - but definitely not for atmosphere. i would absolutely recommend it!

 

[mma800]

Looking forward to trying 50s PTC in April! Good to see the reviews.

 

[preciousmama45]

to go or not to go.........

 

[tlenzendorf]

We loved, loved, loved 50s PT! Our favorite meal the whole trip, including meals at CRT, CP, CM, Ohana and WCC. Our cousin Jennifer was great. We got napkin hats to wear for misbehaving and I got stuck in the corner and got the shame, shame, shame finger from our section Our kids thought it was the best thing ever. I highly recommend it. The more you interact with your "cousin", the more you get back. The lady next to us got her cell phone taken away, then she stuck her green beans in her napkin and got busted. DD got her mac n cheese fed to her. SO AWESOME!!

 

[clanmcculloch]

We've been twice. Both times the food was ok but not great. They did a wonderful job with DD11's food allergies but for the rest of us the food was just alright, if that.

In 2007, the waitress was wonderful. She kidded around with us a bunch. DH didn't like his steak (it tasted like liver; it was really weird) so when he didn't finish his dinner, the waitress was not impressed. She picked up his fork and took a piece of his steak on it, called everybody in the room's attention and then did the airplane thing to get him to eat one more piece (believe me I have this on film ). She was a lot of fun. Despite DH's meal being so terrible, he was the one he insisted that this was a must-do place for our next trip.

In 2008, we had to wait 1.5 hours to be seated. The waiting area was so crowded that there wasn't even sitting room for most of that time. Yes, we had ADRs. This was the first week of free dining. We had gone the previous year for free dining and never experienced anything like this. This happened at the restaurant next door earlier in the week as well. We were not happy. Well, once we finally got seated, I was very disappointed that beyond using a few 50's lingo phrases (like Daddy-o), the waiter was just a basic waiter (not even a good waiter, just barely average).

We won't be going back.

 

[ilovejsparrow]

It always surprises me to read negative reviews about this place. I have never had a bad meal and the antics are fun and entertaining. The food isn't claiming to be gourmet, but for what it is, it's delicious. I say go for it, it's a staple for my family every year and we have always loved it.

 

[tlenzendorf]

Oh yes, I forgot about the food Everyone loved everything except for DD and the mac n cheese. But she only eats Kraft, she is picky...