50's Prime Time Servers?

[HatboxGhost]

We go to Disney restaurants, especially like a 50's Prime Time, and EXPECT to have some fun with the staff. My wife and I LOVE interacting with our "cousins", "siblings", etc. and we usually get a great person to ad lib with saying things like "Did Auntie and Uncle ground you for having that party last night" or "We have been away for awhile, how is Mom and Dad". Goofy things like that. Its all part of the fun. Some people hate it.......we LOVE IT!!! Our favorite, and we had her twice, was cousin Lydia. We asked for her this past trip but she was not there.

 

[HatboxGhost]

What's your opinion on the servers? I've heard a lot of people who were really into the whole act, but also some who have had incidents because someone "went too far". Also, did anyone go and just dislike the nagging? I'm not sure if I'd actually respond well to someone bossing me around. Basically I just want to hear some stories, I suppose.

You can let them know at the front desk if you don't want to play and they usually wont mess with you. My thought is that one of the main reasons why someone like myself would go is BECAUSE I want to have fun and interact with the staff. If I didn't want that, I would just go to a "boring" restaurant like a Ruby Tuesday or Chilis.

 

[HolleBolleGijs]

I went there for the first time in years in March 2012, and it was a blast. I was with a bunch of high school friends (we were there for senior trip), and we had the best waitress. I don't remember her name, but she was an older lady, so it kind of fit the "mom" vibe a lot of the servers give off.

She sent one of my friends for time out because he kept using his phone, told me that I had to finish my dinner when I ordered a coke float, and gave "Clean Plate Club" stickers out. She also challenged us to name a vegetable for every letter of the alphabet, and if we won, we got the stickers even if we didn't clean out plates!

 

[rob45]

One time our server made my friend stand and sing "I'm a little teapot" when she didn't finish her veggies. That was all in fun, and she loved it.

 

[SMPTE MOUSE]

We took my parents here for Christmas a few years back and it was so much fun. The service was awesome and the "act" was priceless. My parents laughed a lot because "that's how it was in the 50's," according to Mom and Dad. Also, we didn't have any reservations and walked right in on one of the busiest days of the year! IMO, one of the best "character" dinning experiences you can have in HS.

 

[PhilharMagician]

Have had great servers with a lot of fun interaction and have had servers with no interaction whatsoever. The food is ok. One of the best items on the menu (IMHO) was Uncle Charlie Tune Noodle Casserole which disappeared when they went with a combined lunch/dinner menu. It can be a fun place.

Uncle Charlie’s Grilled Tuna Casserole
Classic creamy Casserole with Egg Noodles,
Peppers, Mushrooms, Onions, Carrots, and
Celery topped with Grilled Tuna Steak and
crunchy Bread Crumbs

 

[hanwill]

Once my daughter had to meet the little girl at the table behind her and sing "I'm a little teapot" with the little girl... It was really fun- we all had to join in and help them sing.
Another time, a guy at the table behind us kept putting his elbows on the table. The server kept coming through and telling him to move them... well, he had finally had enough. The server went and got the ketchup bottle, drew a line across his part of the table and said,"I TOLD you to keep your hands off the table! Let's see what happens next!" The whole area was cracking up and as a result, my dad knocked the pepper shaker off the table and it broke into a million pieces on the floor. The same server brought over the broom and dustpan and said," I didn't make this mess. You clean it up." We were all crying by the time dinner was over....

 

[LSUmagic]

DH and I ate there a few months back. 50's is a favorite of ours bc the pot roast is so good. We love that act the staff puts on. That particular day I wasn't feeling well and had a headache. The waitress could tell I wasn't into being scolded. She was great. Kept checking to make sure we had everything we needed and even told the next table to "pipe down!" bc I wasnt feeling well which made us all laugh. Most of the time they staff is wonderful about gauging how the table will react.
We will definitely be going back. It is our favorite place to eat at HS.

 

[epcotWSC]

I love 50's Prime Time, unfortunately, the last two times that I've gone the waiter/waitress didn't really seem too into the act. Could be that it was only two/three of us at the table rather than a larger group. Not sure.

Only thing that I was able to get them to do this past time was give me like 4 glasses of soda because I was drinking too fast. Maybe I just eat too properly .

 

[WDW 3]

We've been several times and always had fun. First time we went it was sooo hot and when I asked for probably a 3rd beverage refill our server "dad" shouted to mom in another room to get out the rubber sheets. Our then 12 year old daughter had no idea what it meant and almost died laughing after we explained. Nothing better then seeing mom teased. The next time when daughter was 16 our "cousin " fed her her greens with everyone in the room making the airplane noise. We're going to be there in about 3 weeks and we can't wait to see what happens ☺

 

[pug]

What's your opinion on the servers? I've heard a lot of people who were really into the whole act, but also some who have had incidents because someone "went too far". Also, did anyone go and just dislike the nagging? I'm not sure if I'd actually respond well to someone bossing me around. Basically I just want to hear some stories, I suppose.

To me i am not into that kind of service but everyone likes different stuff

 

[Monkee Girl]

I love the 50s. The food is so good! But yes, our trips were very hit and miss with with 'play.' We only ever had one amazingly insane experience there:

The second year I went with my cousin we brought my sister Jen. Now, Jen is very hit or miss. She doesn't like to be teased but depending on what it is, she will play around. So we get seated and Jen makes a face because there is a single cube of tomato on her chair. She asks our server (I don't remember his name either) if she can have a napkin so she could clean it up. She was very nice about it. Well....that was it....that one innocent question set us up for the rest of the meal. He starts heckling her, 'oh! don't like vegetables? our chairs aren't good enough for you?' Things like that. then he comes back with like 30 napkins and throws them at her. it was hilarious. So he gives us the rules, speaking very sarcastically when he gets to Jen and goes off. Throughout the dinner, he would make her get up and set all of other tables in our sections and give them the rules. It didn't matter if she was in the middle of eating, he would just yell 'Jen, get over here!'

I believe Jen got the pot roast that night. And she finished before the rest of us were half way through and when the server comes back, he just looks at her and goes "God Jen, did you BREATH!?"

Another thing he did was when he could go to the other tables, he would ask where they were from. Every person in our section were from New Jersey. We were the first ones in the section so we were fine. But by the time we got to the 4th or 5th table, he just proclaims 'God! I can't get away from you people!!!"

So finally, we have dessert and Jen gets whatever giant Brownie Sundae they had and she eats it's all except for one bite that she couldn't finish. Server comes over: "Wow, Jen, you can really pack it in!" and then he got all mad she didn't eat the last bite and did the 'airplane' with her.

He was so cool. She got a picture with him and we tipped him extra nice. It was such a fun experience.

Again, the place is very hit or miss. Out of the 5 or 6 times we were there, that was the only real experience we had. But that doesn't mean the servers aren't good. They were all cool. But this guy was amazing.

 

[Tuvalu]

I love the 50s. The food is so good! But yes, our trips were very hit and miss with with 'play.' We only ever had one amazingly insane experience there:

The second year I went with my cousin we brought my sister Jen. Now, Jen is very hit or miss. She doesn't like to be teased but depending on what it is, she will play around. So we get seated and Jen makes a face because there is a single cube of tomato on her chair. She asks our server (I don't remember his name either) if she can have a napkin so she could clean it up. She was very nice about it. Well....that was it....that one innocent question set us up for the rest of the meal. He starts heckling her, 'oh! don't like vegetables? our chairs aren't good enough for you?' Things like that. then he comes back with like 30 napkins and throws them at her. it was hilarious. So he gives us the rules, speaking very sarcastically when he gets to Jen and goes off. Throughout the dinner, he would make her get up and set all of other tables in our sections and give them the rules. It didn't matter if she was in the middle of eating, he would just yell 'Jen, get over here!'

I believe Jen got the pot roast that night. And she finished before the rest of us were half way through and when the server comes back, he just looks at her and goes "God Jen, did you BREATH!?"

Another thing he did was when he could go to the other tables, he would ask where they were from. Every person in our section were from New Jersey. We were the first ones in the section so we were fine. But by the time we got to the 4th or 5th table, he just proclaims 'God! I can't get away from you people!!!"

So finally, we have dessert and Jen gets whatever giant Brownie Sundae they had and she eats it's all except for one bite that she couldn't finish. Server comes over: "Wow, Jen, you can really pack it in!" and then he got all mad she didn't eat the last bite and did the 'airplane' with her.

He was so cool. She got a picture with him and we tipped him extra nice. It was such a fun experience.

Again, the place is very hit or miss. Out of the 5 or 6 times we were there, that was the only real experience we had. But that doesn't mean the servers aren't good. They were all cool. But this guy was amazing.

How many years ago was this? We have found during the last 5 years the servers have become VERY reserved compared to the way they used to be. We had some very fun and funny experiences like the one you described, but it has been at least 10 years .

 

[Monkee Girl]

How many years ago was this? We have found during the last 5 years the servers have become VERY reserved compared to the way they used to be. We had some very fun and funny experiences like the one you described, but it has been at least 10 years .

Had to be about 7 or 8 years ago. Which is insane now that I think about it. I can't believe it's been that long.

Maybe too many people complained? Maybe it's just that the women aren't as fun as the men? I only ever had the one male server. But I have seen other people get taken care of so I don't know.

When I went by myself in 2012, I watched a cute young couple get the 50's treatment. Not an insane type like mine. But the guy didn't eat his green beans and they were bugging him about it. But they ended up taking the meal away anyway. They got a hot fudge sundae for dessert and when his came out, it was full of green beans. It was so funny.

I would like to go back again and give it another shot. But then we started going to the Sci Fi and have recently discovered Mama Melrose and will be going there this trip.

 

[Tuvalu]

Had to be about 7 or 8 years ago. Which is insane now that I think about it. I can't believe it's been that long.
Maybe too many people complained?

Isn't it sad that the restaurant operated as it was themed (playful banter and "scolding") for almost 20 years and it is only in recent years that the atmosphere has had to change due to guest complaints? Disney was always upfront about the servers' antics in the park maps and other literature...heck, that was one of the main reasons to dine there...otherwise you are just in an old-time diner which serves comfort food.

 

[Monkee Girl]

Isn't it sad that the restaurant operated as it was themed (playful banter and "scolding") for almost 20 years and it is only in recent years that the atmosphere has had to change due to guest complaints? Disney was always upfront about the servers' antics in the park maps and other literature...heck, that was one of the main reasons to dine there...otherwise you are just in an old-time diner which serves comfort food.

It is sad and I really hope that that theory isn't true. I would hope that people had enough common sense to know what kind of place it is and if you don't think it's for you then don't go. Whispering Canyon is the same kind of place. I remember telling some co workers about the restaurants after coming back from a visit and (I forget what I was telling them) but one of the guys made a comment like 'I would punch him in the face if he did that to me." I then had to spend 10 minutes saying how it is all show and supposed to be that way.

Another theory I have is I wonder if it has anything to do with table turn around. 20 years ago, the 50's wasn't that known I don't think. Then comes the free dining plan and all that and everyone wants to eat there. So to push enough tables through they tell the cast to cut down on the shenanagins. Who knows. I would like to go back now and see.

 

[ExtinctJenn]

You can let them know at the front desk if you don't want to play and they usually wont mess with you.

I can confirm this. We've never been and have ADRs for our trip next week. My son is on the autism spectrum and doesn't handle certain kinds of "discipline" or "picking" well. He however would get a big kick out of seeing US (mom & dad) picked on so I thought it could be a lot of fun for him. I spoke to someone at Disney who said all we'd need to do is let the person know at check-in that our servers should have a lot of fun at our expense, and not so much at our son's, and they'll make sure it happens!

 

[Tuvalu]

Another theory I have is I wonder if it has anything to do with table turn around. 20 years ago, the 50's wasn't that known I don't think. Then comes the free dining plan and all that and everyone wants to eat there. So to push enough tables through they tell the cast to cut down on the shenanagins. Who knows. I would like to go back now and see.

Completely agree!

 

[notslim99]

I'll always remember going in 2012. My wife and I were talking about the presidential election, and our server overheard us. She asked if we were voting for Eisenhower or Stevenson. We got the biggest kick out of it, and I said "I like Ike." She nodded and then asked my son if he was going to eat his green beans or if she needed to feed them to him. I love 50's.

 

[Kay Tee]

What's your opinion on the servers? I've heard a lot of people who were really into the whole act, but also some who have had incidents because someone "went too far". Also, did anyone go and just dislike the nagging? I'm not sure if I'd actually respond well to someone bossing me around. Basically I just want to hear some stories, I suppose.

We never go to Disney without making a reservation at the 50's Prime Time Diner. It's so much fun! The atmosphere is wonderful. You feel like you are in your moms kitchen back in the 50's. Tables are individually in a kitchen setting like back in the 50s with all appliances and old fashioned tv set that plays bits and pieces of old tv shows. It's fun to watch the old comedy shows while waiting for your food. It's simple and innocent humor. Waitresses are usually MOM or a Cousin and they treat you like you are eating in Moms kitchen back in the 50's. They are in 50's attire too. If you make sure you are sitting up straight, keep your elbows off the table and eat everything on your plate, you won't be harrassed. It's not that hard to do. My husband and I grew up eating like this, so it's fun to watch how other people think it's bizarre. We have learned to follow the rules and then you don't get picked on. This past December we were seated to a table with a large family. We looked over and the older woman had a hat made of a paper napkin sitting on top of her head with the words "brat" written across the front. Unfortunately we missed what happened to make her wear a hat, but it was obvious she had her elbows on the table. Because, a little while later, her waiter came over and made her stand in the doorway and she had to hold a napkin with her nose against the door frame while the entire room had to yell to her, KEEP YOUR ELBOWS OFF THE TABLE. She played along with it and everyone had a great time. The whole room was roaring with laughter. When she got up to leave, she wore her hat out of the restaurant and through the park. She loved it! Later in the evening our kids/grandkids decided to eat there. We warned them what could happen. The place can be extremely loud so it's sometimes hard to hear. The waitress asked our daughter for her order and our daughter couldn't hear her. Our daughter said to her about it being too loud to hear what she was asking so the waitress yelled out loud to the entire room, EVERYBODY SHUT UP..THIS LADY CAN'T HEAR ME!!!!!! It was one of the funniest moments ever!! Some of the waiters and waitresses have such quick wit. They make eating dinner a lot of fun. Even if you follow the rules, you can watch other people get teased. It's one of the highlights of our trip....Plus the food is absolutely delicious. We have never been there when the place isn't packed with people. It's worth going at least once to experience something different. We love that place!