worried about 50's prime time for parents

[lilpnutmama]

Hi all. I am doing all the bookings for our upcoming trip. my parents are in their mid 60's and I booked them dinner at 50's prime time because they grew up in the 50's and i thought they would enjoy the theming. However I have not been there myself but after reading a bunch of reviews where people said their dads were miserable or "in hell" I am worried. they are pretty conservative people and wouldn't want to get into crazy antics at all. Especially my dad. He is quite shy in many situations.

Do you think I should cancel their reservation? I am sure they would love to see it but I am worried they will have a horrible time.

 

[onelilspark]

Is there anyway they can check it out prior to their ADR? Or maybe arrange for a drink in the Tune-In Lounge? My parents love the theming because they grew up with it all, and even though they're pretty conservative, we always have a blast at this restaurant.

 

[Pakey]

We are a few years younger than your parents but basically grew up in the 50's also. We have never had an over the top experience at 50's in at least a half dozen meals there. I think the CM's can tell which guests want the fun and which do not.

 

[Kaler131]

We LOVE it there and I have always thought that my mom (who is 64) would LOVE it too....but she just doesn't go to WDW (the horror!!! LOL )
I bet your parents would like it. The theming is great! Maybe you can call and have them put a note in the reservation (????) about it, but like pp had said, I have never seen anyone go over the top. My daughter got picked on quite a bit (she's 14) but she was asking for it!!

 

[hotdogmj71]

My mom (56yo at the time) had a blast. We could not get an ADR, but I thought she might like the theming. We walked up & asked if we could just look. The greeter was very nice & said sure. Mom kept saying "I remember having a -insert- like that" over & over.

 

[lilpnutmama]

Are they able to go into the bar for a drink first? that might be a good idea.

I am worried to even tell them about some of the interaction. like if they did the "airplane" thing with my dad he would be mortified. now if we were all eating there together I would probably laugh my head off at him but when it's just the two of them I think they would not be comfortable, having to get up and do something in front of other guests.

 

[bavaria]

Just tell the server that you have no interest in the 'act'. We do that and most servers are grateful that they can be themselves for a change, and end up having a lot of conversation with us.

 

[CantWait461308]

I have to admit I was not happy at the Prime Time Cafe when we went in June. I thought it would be a cool 50s atmosphere when it turned into a "Do what I say" type situation. I would have expected this from someone who would have been casted as "mom" or "dad" even, but from the guy who called himself our "uncle" was not ok with me. He even asked us if we had washed our hands and when we said yes, he asked us what color soap they had. I was kind of annoyed by this. I don't wash my hands before dinner. I use the anti bacterial gel and being told to go to the bathroom and wash my hands was not ok with me.

I think it varies with each cast member you get though. They all have different rolls, some are moms, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, and sisters. It all varies and I'm sure how they act and what they say varies, but I wish instead of them being bossy, they would just converse.

 

[DISNEY1975]

Are they able to go into the bar for a drink first? that might be a good idea.

I am worried to even tell them about some of the interaction. like if they did the "airplane" thing with my dad he would be mortified. now if we were all eating there together I would probably laugh my head off at him but when it's just the two of them I think they would not be comfortable, having to get up and do something in front of other guests.

My mother (70) would not step foot into this place without the grandkids. I have never seen the "airplane" being done, but just thinking about this happening to my mother (the queen) has me ROFL!!! She also would not appreciate anyone asking her if she washed her hands before sitting down, which has happened to my oldest son. The waitstaff does know ehn to hold back a bit, but I dont think any table escapes completely without being picked on at least once or twice during the meal.

Aside from not liking the antics, she is not really into "home cooking comfort" food. I am dragging her there this week, but only because I and kiddies want to go. We are going to California Grill that night to make it up to her!!

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

I think the antics @ PT are so cute. We took DM there when she was 65 and she loved the decor. She kept saying we had this or that. Our "neighbor" the babysitter for us asked us about the soap and I had the airplane used on me as I don't like peas and left them from my Pot Pie. We thought everything was in good fun. I never felt weird or picked on. PT is one of our favorite restuarants and we eat there on each of our DHS days. If you really dislike being part of a show I would cancel However, I think you would be missing out on something really cute.

 

[Abbeysmom]

We ate there a couple weeks ago and found it to be a nice place to eat. My dad who is 63 went with us, and he is definately not into goofing around and I think the server (Uncle somebody) could sense it and he just treated us as normal. I don't think he said hardly any of the "script" I'm sure they are expected to say. He was also waiting on the other tables near us and he seemed to be treating them the same way. I think they can tell whether you want to play a part or whether you just want to converse normally and most of them will adjust to how you are acting. I would definately keep my ADR as we found it to be a very good meal. I loved my pot roast and the smores were wonderful!!!

 

[perriwinkleblue]

Just tell the server that you have no interest in the 'act'. We do that and most servers are grateful that they can be themselves for a change, and end up having a lot of conversation with us.

This would be my advice. Just catch the hostess and/or server and tell them that although your Dad will like the decor, please no "brother, uncle, Mom, etc." act. If they know that this would ruin his time, I'm sure they'll respect that. After all, their aim is to entertain, not annoy. One of my best Disney experiences here involved chatting with a "brother" and "sister" when they were "themselves".

 

[Terapin]

When we went the experience was blah to yuck. The food was mediocre at best (and I like meatloaf!) Our server was inattentive and absent. We got none of the fun theatrics, but a nearby table, with a different server, seemed to have a ball. My mom is a young 60ish woman and thought it was really neat. I love the theming myself. I could live in that restaurant! We aren't planning to return. Next trip we are planning Sci-Fi for lunch, where I am sure we will be equally, but differently, underwhelmed (by the reports I hear)! It's all good though - we're on vacation and can take the good with the blah!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I actually have scratched Prime Time off my list. I posted a thread about the restaurant and all but one of the posters said the servers really played the act up. One even said their server spoon fed the Dad in their group his collard greens. Another said they made the kid clean their plate before they could order dessert. Another said they were made to wear a bib. I can tell you that if somebody did that to me, I would have to get up and leave!

We have chosen to go to another restaurant.

 

[Sugardimples]

I personlly really like Prime Time, but it there is any doubt in your mind, I don't think you should go. There are plenty of other places to eat.

 

[StageTek]

The objections are fascinating.

The “schtick” is part of the atmosphere. If people don’t want to
play along that can tell their server that - as bavaria already
mentioned.

No server has ever “made” a child clean their plate. It’s the
game. Parents who are offended can (again) ask their server not
to play the game with their children. No adult who has not wanted
to play along has ever been forced to play the airplane game.

I’ve only been once - solo. The family next to me seemed to really
enjoy themselves. I noticed that the moment the server left the
kids would ask if they really had to finish everything and the
parents told them no; it’s just a game the servers play. And when
the “aunt” made Dad eat his vegetables using the airplane bit the
kids roared in laughter.

And boy or boy did the servers pick on me. All alone at the table
even the other servers cam by to play the game. I was a willing
participant and they all saw that so we all had a great time.

But I understand. If these games and schtick make you
uncomfortable and you don’t feel comfortable telling your server,
then this this isn’t the restaurant for you. The food isn’t so
amazing that it can’t be missed.

My advice to ilipnutmama is to tell your parents about the games
that are played there. And tell them they can ask their server to
not play. If they feel uncomfortable asking, then I think you
should cancel their reservation.

 

[lilpnutmama]

My advice to ilipnutmama is to tell your parents about the games
that are played there. And tell them they can ask their server to
not play. If they feel uncomfortable asking, then I think you
should cancel their reservation.

Thanks, StageTek, that is exactly what I will do.

 

[Kay1]

If you think they would like it mainly for nostalgic reasons but not the "show", you may want to consider Sci-Fi. They'd probably get a kick out of that.

 

[catne]

I would not send people in their mid 60's into that sort of restaurant, especially if you know they may not appreciate that sort of humor...sure the theming is neat & all, but not worth the antics, IMHO. Which may be funny for younger people, and maybe give them a feeling of growing up in a different era...but really are just tiresome to the mature set (and also a reminder of rotten parenting techniques we lived through once...don't want to go there again! )

Mama Melrose would be a much better bet...it's also a little nostalgic...reminds me of the neighborhood Italian restaurants when I was a kid in the late 1950's & 1960's. Pleasant nostalgia, not obnoxious nostalgia.

 

[bavaria]

Well, I don't like the 'act' either and frankly I won't go to WCC anymore at all because there the servers seem to be offended if one doesn't want to play or if one requests seating by the fireplace. At least at Prime Time they will accommodate the request not to make an act, and do so very willingly.

When I go with others from Europe we have no issue, so long as we make the request with our server.

DHS doesn't have a lot of good table service options (not that the food here is stellar either). Sometimes this is the only option available for people.