Shy folks and 50's PT Cafe ...

[ScarletIndigo]

I've just spent an interesting few minutes reading through a thread about the 50's PTC, which most people who reviewed it seemed to enjoy. But I'm just curious if anyone has found it to be an uncomfortable dining experience? Reason being, I tend towards the shy side, and being a tall (nearly 6') gal with red hair, I get my share of unwanted comments and teasing. If I had a nickel for every time some random stranger asked how tall I was, I could finance a lifetime of trips to WDW!

But I digress! So here's the question -- is the PTC experience worth it to someone who really dislikes being teased or singled out? Maybe I'm making it seem worse than it is, but the idea of singing "I'm a Little Teapot" with my nose pressed up against the wall is enough to make me want to run screaming back to the ASMu food court! ;-)

 

[DNSDisney]

I am a very shy person and have done pt50s a couple of times. The waitresses and waiters are very intuative about personalities I think, they didn't single me out at all. And my daughter who is miss social butterfly got picked on for not eatting all her fries, and DH got told to finish his green beans before dessert or else.
It is a lot of fun to watch all the people and staff interact at this rest. , the staff isn't forceful in any way. Go and have a great time, I can promise you they will pick up on your vibe.
Plus it is amazingly decorated to look like a 50s kitchen at almost every table and the food is great.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

I have been to the 50's Prime Time a couple of times and agree with the previous post that the staff seems to pick up on whether or not you want to "play". I enjoy the atmosphere and the food but do not really get involved with the games. My 12 yr old son likes to pretend that he has his elbows on the table just to get a reaction (and he is very quiet so this amazes me). Go ahead and give it a try. You absolutely DO NOT have to participate in any way. I'm pretty certain that you will enjoy the place and want to go back again.

 

[AZKathy]

Check out this thread:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=370843

 

[ScarletIndigo]

Hi AZKathy,

That's the original thread I was talking about. Everyone seemed to have really positive things to say, but I was just curious if anyone had a less than stellar time there.

Now Sci-Fi, that's definitely a place I'll be avoiding if all the reviews here are to be trusted! ;-)

 

[hercamore]

Hi, I can sympathisize with the shy part, but don't worry about it.

My teenagers and my self are very shy and quiet and we LOVE eating at Primetime. Been there 3x and my kids would be disapointed if we didn't return.

No one gives us a hard time at all and as others have mentioned the waiters seem "to know" who wants to play or not.

If you're worried about your hair, plop a hat on!

herc.

 

[AZKathy]

Originally posted by ScarletIndigo
Hi AZKathy,

That's the original thread I was talking about. Everyone seemed to have really positive things to say, but I was just curious if anyone had a less than stellar time there.

Now Sci-Fi, that's definitely a place I'll be avoiding if all the reviews here are to be trusted! ;-)

sorry, duh! I did not know since it was on page 4 already!!!

 

[DisneyCP2002]

I have always had a blast at this resturant. I went as a shy first time experiencer and I never felt out of place. I had a blast and it kept me coming back.

 

[goofy4tink]

When we ate there, in 2001, our party consisted of two families, each with an 8 y/o dd. Our server, Cousin Chris, never really teased and singled out the other family or their dd. In fact, when the girls went to the restroom, Chris followed them to make sure they got there and then when they got back to the table asked my dd what color the liquid soap was!! The other girl was terrified. Sat right down and hid behind her mother. Not my kid! From then on, Chris 'played' with my dd and me. We had a ball and the other family enjoyed just watching the shenanigans!! As others have said, the servers really seem to know who can take it, so to speak. Go and have a ball.

 

[ScarletIndigo]

Originally posted by goofy4tink
As others have said, the servers really seem to know who can take it, so to speak.

That's the impression that I'm getting. And it's understandable -- I'm sure the folks at WDW don't want to hear that guests (and paying customers at that!) were uncomfortable or felt harassed at one of their restaurants.

It sounds like a fun experience. I'm only going to arrange PS reservations for dinnertime at the more elegant restaurants around WDW, but if we have a chance, and the wait isn't too long, we'll definitely try out the PTC!

Thanks for the info, everyone!

 

[Praise2Him]

We last went in 1997, so hopefully our server isn't still there (sorry, I don't remember his name). He did NOT take the hint that my kids didn't enjoy playing along with him. It was cute at first when he insisted that they couldn't have desert without cleaning their plates, but he kept on and on and on...becoming very insistent and obnoxious about it. We are all rather reserved and I really felt that he should have picked up on it, and just let it go. We haven't had a desire to go back since, which is a shame, because it's such a cute restaurant. Maybe we'll give it another try this summer!

 

[sgtdisney]

We ate there a few years back and really didn't enjoy it too much. You really have to go in with the right attitude I think and be up for the 'fun.' Maybe we are sticks in the mud, but I really don't want to pay for a meal and be treated like a child. I kept tensing up when the server came by and just waited to be reprimanded again. I got slammed a few times for resting my arms on the table. Also for seasoning food, stuff like that. I suppose it was all in fun, it just got old fast.. To each his own though, there a lot of people who truly enjoy the 'show' there. We ate there once and have not yet had any desire to return.

Maybe it is more fun with kids, we didn't have any at the time we went.

 

[tileman]

We ate there sat the 18th my wife me & the two kids when we were at MGM for star wars weekend and it was a not to our likeing.

We have at at the Rainforest Cafe at AK and Crystal Palace and a few outhers on site with good atmosphere and quality.
The server was funny at first but after about 10 min of going on and on about stuff I was about ready to just walk out.

The meal was not so good me and my wife had the Turkey Sandwichs and the bread was hard or just old.
And the server did not even give us any utensils or napkins till we asked for them.

But for the $50.00 we spent I would of payed $25.00 more for the server just to shut up.

 

[dznyntnh]

A friend and I went to The 50's Prime Time once a few years ago, it was the worst dining experience we had the whole trip.

Our waitress did not ge the hint that we were looking for a nice quiet lunch and didn't feel like 'playing' with her. I don't understand a place where the waitstaff 'scold' the customers.

At the Studios, I stick with The Sci-Fi, lots more fun.

 

[TreeOfLife]

I ate at the 50's years ago. My experience was not pleasant at all. If you aren't into the gimmicks and mind noisy places, you will not enjoy this one.

I sat and watched a table with adults get roudier than a bar during happy hour. They tapped on the table, acted like rambunctious little kids and eventually sat the waitress on someone's lap. It was a little too loose for my taste and mood at the time.

Then there's the real little kids... Parents let go and the little brats have fun being noisier yet.

On top of it all, not all wait staff are talented to get into the characters. Ours ended up getting so rude that I replied with a sarcastic comment about not leaving a tip if he did not bring lime for my soda. Things sort of escalated into rudeness. I always say I wish Simon Cowell auditioned them instead...

I could not wait to get out. In all honesty the moment I stepped out of the building I noticed my ears had been getting sort of "numb" and ringing. It was an annoying sensation.

 

[ScarletIndigo]

Wow! This thread has gotten really interesting ... The first several posts were very pro-PTC and now the truth comes out from people who didn't enjoy it as much! ;-)

I agree with the folks who mentioned the noisy and somewhat in-your-face attitude of the wait staff. Who wants to pay good money for a meal and then be harassed (albeit in a playful manner!) as part of the "ambience"? Not me ... I'd rather be pampered at the California Grill. ::Grin::

Thanks for the insightful info! I'm glad to finally be reading both sides of the coin!

 

[Kaitysmom]

I am a very shy person as well - didn't enjoy the experience that much. I thought that some of the antics at the other tables were funny, but just lived in dread that I would get singled out. I ordered a milk shake and it filled me up. I was scolded for not finishing my meal and was 'fed' mashed potatoes before I could be done. Yuck! Got lectured for tattling, putting my arms down on the table, etc. I thought it was annoying and haven't gone back. I saw others having the time of their life though.

My advice would be to steer clear if it isn't your cup of tea to participate in the experience. You'll probably be like me and won't be able to relax when you see the server, mom, coming towards you.

 

[BrerMom]

Our server was pretty intuitive. The only time the whole trip our 1 1/2 year old was a handful was right before we ate here. The server took one look at me, barely nodded, and never teased me at all. I must have looked pretty harried. She teased DH about elbows on the table, but that was it. Our kids love to be teased and she did tease them, but nothing like was talked about here. No force-feeding, etc.

I would much rather eat here than at Whispering Canyon at WL. My poor DH had to ride a stickhorse out of the restaurant and around the lobby! He said it wasn't a big deal. I would have died. At least at Prime Time, the only people that see you are people that are in the same boat.

Your experience probably depends on the server much more than the restaurant.

 

[grinningghost]

I am very shy when it comes to having any kind of attention showered on me - but I was pleasantly surprised with 50's PT. Our waiter was very good at knowing when to stop the act so we could eat in peace. He did scold me for having my elbows on the table, and he also made a comment about me not cleaning my plate, but it was truly all in good fun. My DD found it hilarious, so maybe it is better if you have kids there.

Oh, one other thing. I went to the restroom there, and man, did I get lost on the way back to the table. I asked a waitress where the heck I was going and she proceeded to scream our waiter's name until he came and escorted me back to the table. Just like a real family would.