50's Prime Time Cafe Participation?

[Songbird76]

So some of your party can still interact even if one person doesn't want to, right? We'll be there in July and I've already made the ADR and am looking forward to it, as is DD, but DS is very nervous. He's highly sensitive and worried they will make him sing or stand in the corner. We read about the antics, but English isn't my kids' native language, so things like singing "I'm a little teapot" make them nervous...they don't know that song. DD just says she'll ask if she can sing something else instead, but DS is getting anxious to the point of stomach aches and such, which is certainly not what we want. But the rest of us are really looking forward to the interactions. Do you just tell them at the podium when you check in for your ADR that one of you doesn't want to participate or how does that work? DS has a tendency to burst into tears at the drop of a hat. I'd rather not be part of the show in THAT way.

 

[DfromATX]

So some of your party can still interact even if one person doesn't want to, right? We'll be there in July and I've already made the ADR and am looking forward to it, as is DD, but DS is very nervous. He's highly sensitive and worried they will make him sing or stand in the corner. We read about the antics, but English isn't my kids' native language, so things like singing "I'm a little teapot" make them nervous...they don't know that song. DD just says she'll ask if she can sing something else instead, but DS is getting anxious to the point of stomach aches and such, which is certainly not what we want. But the rest of us are really looking forward to the interactions. Do you just tell them at the podium when you check in for your ADR that one of you doesn't want to participate or how does that work? DS has a tendency to burst into tears at the drop of a hat. I'd rather not be part of the show in THAT way.

I have never been there, but I can't imagine they'd put someone on the spot like that, especially a child. I'm sure they can "read" people and tell whether or not they would be game or perhaps they tease a little at first and judge the recipient's reaction as to whether they would participate or not. If your little one is more nervous, just give them a "look" that says, "no thanks, not for him." Poor baby, that's a terrible feeling. I feel bad he's anxious to the point of stomach aches. (I know how that feels.) I would just focus on other parts of the trip and try not to talk about this with him. Maybe you're over thinking it all.

 

[RandomPrincess]

We have never had more then a few silly comments. Make sure you eat your veggies etc. If you don't want to participate just say so. They aren't going to bully you.

 

[danyoung56]

I have never been there, but I can't imagine they'd put someone on the spot like that, especially a child. I'm sure they can "read" people and tell whether or not they would be game ....

I hate to be the cause of more anxiety, but from personal experience I think the servers don't read people as well as you might think. I was only there once, and perhaps I just had a bad waitress (or maybe she was just new). But my experience was really unpleasant. The teasing turned into nagging, and about 1/2 way through the meal I just wished she'd leave me alone to eat my meal. I'm usually a fun guy, and I knew what to expect at this restaurant. But she just kept on and on and on way past the point of funny and well into harassment, all without her reading the room (ME!) and backing off a bit.

So yeah, I wouldn't go in just hoping for a good experience. I'd definitely pass the word, either to the greeter or maybe even to the waitperson, that certain people in your party are off limits.

 

[Songbird76]

I have never been there, but I can't imagine they'd put someone on the spot like that, especially a child. I'm sure they can "read" people and tell whether or not they would be game or perhaps they tease a little at first and judge the recipient's reaction as to whether they would participate or not. If your little one is more nervous, just give them a "look" that says, "no thanks, not for him." Poor baby, that's a terrible feeling. I feel bad he's anxious to the point of stomach aches. (I know how that feels.) I would just focus on other parts of the trip and try not to talk about this with him. Maybe you're over thinking it all.

It is entirely possible that I'm overthinking it all, yes. I tend to do that. We were talking about all the fun things we're going to do, and DD is doing a report for school on DisneyWorld and so she was looking up some of the fun stuff. We talked about both Whispering Canyon and 50's Prime Time and about some of the silly antics, and DS said we were making him really nervous about going there. We've tried to reassure him that it's ok, he won't have to participate if he doesn't want to, etc. But my daughter is very excited about it, and loves to talk about it, so we can't just not talk about it around him...plus I've learned with him that it's better if he knows what to expect. If he's caught off guard and can't tell that they are making a joke, then he'll really have a meltdown. So I guess I'll have to give "the look" as you say, and hope they are able to "read" him, that he can't handle the ribbing the way the rest of us do. Thank you for your response!