Prime Time CMs

[britdaw]

So I was reading in another post about how annoying the Prime Time CMs are... So what's the deal? What kind of experience do you get when you go in there? I thought it might be a cool place to go for lunch when in HS one day but I wanted to hear from y'all.

 

[dave&di]

Silly things like make you stand in the corner if you don't eat your greens, tell you off for having elbows on the table, too much interaction for me, I want to eat a meal without being shown up!

 

[MrsWhiffo]

That's part of the experience though, hence it being like a "1950's family sitcom".
I am not one for character style meals and things, but I think its done very well here.

 

[unkadug]

That's part of the experience though, hence it being like a "1950's family sitcom".
I am not one for character style meals and things, but I think its done very well here.

Most of the CM's are very good at reading your actions and reactions to their shtick. If you don't appreciate it they normally tone it down at your table.

It can a very interesting place to people watch also...just because of this.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

Most of the CM's are very good at reading your actions and reactions to their shtick. If you don't appreciate it they normally tone it down at your table.

It can a very interesting place to people watch also...just because of this.

That was definitely my experience the one time we ate there. Aside from introducing herself as our cousin, our server did none of the routine one would expect at this restaurant. She must have been able to tell that it just wasn't our scene, because she was a little more hammy with some of her other tables.

 

[MrsWhiffo]

Most of the CM's are very good at reading your actions and reactions to their shtick. If you don't appreciate it they normally tone it down at your table.

It can a very interesting place to people watch also...just because of this.

Very Very True!

 

[Minnie1976]

On our trip in April for our son's wedding son, daughter-in-law, husband and I had a great time at Prime Time. In fact it was great the interaction with the CM. She even had the newly weds stand up and recite her speical vows for them and had them feed each other cake. We caught it all on video. The other people in the area we were in joined in. Of course we are a crazy group. Son and daughter-in-law were going off by themselves to get married at Disney. No guests. Husband decided we were going to surprised them. Totally surprised them. Kissed them congratulations and went our way. As it turned out, they wanted to spend time with us and everyone said it was the best trip everyone had. Planning another family trip to disney in 2013.

 

[lilclerk]

I'm sure they're "annoying" if you're not into playing along. If you're not into that kind of experience, don't eat there.
But if you're willing to play along, it can be a blast. It's one of my favorite WDW restaurants for the experience and atmosphere, not necessarily the food.

 

[accord99cutie]

Our cousin was awesome on our trip this year. We had to say goodbye to the ones leaving and welcome in the ones coming. My daughter told on me for dropping food on the floor, and then it turned around on her and she became the "tattle tale". Our Cousin George was great, and played with those of us who wanted it, and let those who didnt just enjoy their meal.

 

[Lynn1030]

We love Prime Time! I think most people that don't like it are the ones that go in not knowing about the interaction or get offended easily. Even if a CM says something ridiculous, we just laugh and shake our heads because we know each CM has different levels of interaction and it's all in good fun.

 

[jaime_1234]

My mom and I went a few years ago, fully ready for the shenanigans. Our server ended up being a completely normal server with none of the craziness, so I feel like it's just kind of hit or miss.

 

[rustysgirl]

we went in April & the only thing our server did was have us set our table & tell us to eat our veggies. (it wasn't forced or anything, we were just kinda like o ok lol) we were never bothered or anything. then again, we were "well behaved." we ate everything & didn't put our elbows on the table. but if u are into the interaction u could do something to provoke them. i wouldn't worry too much about it. and then again, if u are completely bothered by it, just avoid the place. but even though we weren't bothered it was still nice to see the interaction at the other tables. we loved the decorations & we pretty much just watched the tv at our table & enjoyed the food.

 

[Retlaw Yensid]

I eat there almost every trip I take. It's one of my favorite restaurants in the World. Do be prepared for the servers silly comments, nicknames they give you, and maybe even some playful punishment though. It's all in good fun and is a great dining experience

 

[disneygirl76]

So I was reading in another post about how annoying the Prime Time CMs are... So what's the deal? What kind of experience do you get when you go in there? I thought it might be a cool place to go for lunch when in HS one day but I wanted to hear from y'all.

I think this is a love it or hate it experience and I hate it. My DH loves it. The food first is just stoffers and home food so I want to have more out of my dining experience. As much as I like the character meals, I don't like it when it is an interactive meal with live people. I feel the same way about Whispering Canyon. Not a fan of that place either.

 

[wdwcandice]

The two times I ate there was with my grandson, age 5 the first time and 6 the second time. He loved it! He cracked up at the whole scene and our cousin was fairly mild, interacting enough to get a rise out of him but not to the extent of being annoying. I wouldn't go there with just my husband...because the food just isn't that great but for a large group or with kids....it's great, IMHO.

 

[Maryssa*]

My friend once got forced to stand in the corner for not eating her green beans. It was pretty funny.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

50s is one of our family favorites. When we went in May, Cousin Amy made us set the table and told us to put our "walkie talkies" (cell phones) away at the table. We've always had good servers who are into their part. That's their job. It's an interactive restaurant. If you don't like that kind of stuff, don't go. Plain and simple.

 

[slappy magoo]

We've always had good servers who are into their part. That's their job. It's an interactive restaurant. If you don't like that kind of stuff, don't go. Plain and simple.

I'd also add that while the food is pretty tasty, the restaurant isn't really a must-do UNLESS you like the atmosphere, too. I've yet to find a menu item there that is so out-of-this-world-grand-slam-to-die-for that a shy person who doesn't like the shenanigans of the wait staff should risk enduring said shenanigans for the meal. To go to 50's and ask your server to not be in character is like going to a 3d movie and refusing the glasses.

Having said that, last time we were there, our server was in training...as part of the International Cast Members' Program. From China. He didn't really have a single solitary effing clue as to what the rest of the CMs were doing. And while we were disappointed in not having the whole interactive experience, we just enjoyed everyone else's hijinks from slightly afar. On the plus side, no one came up with the "good idea" to make him a stereotypical "wacky Asian houseboy" like in various movies of the time. That's progress, right?

 

[lebeau]

We've never had a bad experience at the PTC. The cast members have always cracked us up without ever going too far. And the pot roast is to die for!

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

We've never had a bad experience at the PTC. The cast members have always cracked us up without ever going too far. And the pot roast is to die for!

THAT is probably in my top 3 meals on property!! :slurp: