I'm brand new to this site and this will be my first time going to Disney with little kids (4 and 6). I'm most interested in the 50's Prime Time Café at HS for our upcoming trip in May. I would also like to do the Fantasmic package to get reserved seating, but I can only get reservations at MM for 4:55. So, would you eat a noon lunch at 50s Prime Time and then early dinner at Mama Melrose at 4:55, or would it be better to eat noon lunch at MM and then Prime Time at 6:30? What do you all think of Mama Melrose for lunch? I kind of think of it as a dinner place. Is Prime Time a better lunch or dinner place?
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Mama Melrose vs 50s Prime Time
- Thread starter suze
- Start date
Pocahontas
Well-Known Member
Welcome! 
I think Prime Time works for dinner or lunch, but MM definitely has more of a dinner feel - it has a more romantic/classier atmosphere. I would do the package, MM @ 4:55 and lunch at PT.
+ They both have great food and amazing theming, as expected. You can't go wrong with either, really.
Good luck!
I think Prime Time works for dinner or lunch, but MM definitely has more of a dinner feel - it has a more romantic/classier atmosphere. I would do the package, MM @ 4:55 and lunch at PT.
+ They both have great food and amazing theming, as expected. You can't go wrong with either, really.
Good luck!
Last edited:
zurgandfriend
Well-Known Member
We like 50"s PTC, Mama's is okay but we prefer the food and fun at PTC.
Tuvalu
Premium Member
We only ever do Mama's at lunch. Usually have the flatbread or share a pasta dish. Never thought of it as particularly romantic, haha. 50s Prime Time has the same menu for lunch and dinner and is very filling, so we do dinner there! My vote is for noon Mama's and 6:30 Prime Time.
We've done both more times than I can count. I would go with 50's Prime Time for lunch and MM for dinner. Reasoning: Both are going to be pretty big meals. 50's Prime Time has the interaction with the Cast Members which is quite enjoyable. I expect with younger kids that entertainment factor will play much better in the afternoon when they are still higher energy. I would also try to get 50's for a very early seating since it is a lot of food. Assuming that you aren't going back to your room for a nap mid-day, the relatively early dinner time at Mama Melrose will give a good hour of downtime for them to rest a bit, and it's a much less stimulating environment in MM, so their little brains can shut down a bit. Plus the pasta fills them up with some carbs to give them a little steam to stay up for Fantasmic.
You can't go wrong with either choice, but I would definitely make sure to have a good 5+ hours between meals because they are both pretty filling menus.
You can't go wrong with either choice, but I would definitely make sure to have a good 5+ hours between meals because they are both pretty filling menus.
HouCuseChickie
Well-Known Member
We've actually done MM dinner for a similar time slot for the Fantasmic pkg. We've also eaten at 50s PT a couple of times. While I think 50s is more fun, our MM food was better than what we had at 50s on our most recent visit. I also really like having the seating that comes with the Fantasmic pkg.
When we did the pkg w/MM, we shared some quick service sandwiches from Studio Catering, had dinner at MM, and finished off the day with some snacks. I know 4:55 may seem early, but pretty much all of the Fantasmic package meals for dinner are early...partly because they fill the less popular times with the package, but they also need to get you fed and out on time for Fantasmic. When we did it...we had to be at the preferred seating area between 5:45-6pm (show started at 6:30 that night). Service was so slow at MM that we barely made it...still, with 2 little kids...it was totally worth it to not wait in line.
You noted doing a 6:30 dinner at 50s and switching to MM for lunch for the pkg. What time is Fantasmic? The preferred seating with the pkg at MM is usually for the first showing (assuming it's a night w/2 showings- some nts it's just 1). Just wondering if the timing of Fantasmic would conflict with a 6:30 dinner reservation.
When we did the pkg w/MM, we shared some quick service sandwiches from Studio Catering, had dinner at MM, and finished off the day with some snacks. I know 4:55 may seem early, but pretty much all of the Fantasmic package meals for dinner are early...partly because they fill the less popular times with the package, but they also need to get you fed and out on time for Fantasmic. When we did it...we had to be at the preferred seating area between 5:45-6pm (show started at 6:30 that night). Service was so slow at MM that we barely made it...still, with 2 little kids...it was totally worth it to not wait in line.
You noted doing a 6:30 dinner at 50s and switching to MM for lunch for the pkg. What time is Fantasmic? The preferred seating with the pkg at MM is usually for the first showing (assuming it's a night w/2 showings- some nts it's just 1). Just wondering if the timing of Fantasmic would conflict with a 6:30 dinner reservation.
71dsp
Well-Known Member
On our last couple of trips, we would eat a very light breakfast, then MM at lunch and 50's Prime Time for dinner. It has always worked for us, although as previously noted, it's a lot of food between the two. We usually try to get a reservation for noon at MM then around 5:30 for 50s. We're not exactly hungry by 5:30, but we make the best of it (and usually go to the first showing of Fantasmic, if it's a two showing night). For food, I think I actually prefer 50's Prime Time, although I do like MM as well.
For food, I think I actually prefer 50's Prime Time, although I do like MM as well.
Jessica Meier
Well-Known Member
We did a MM late afternoon Fantasmic reservation and thoroughly enjoyed it. Will probably try 50's PT on our next trip just to try it.
Fantasmic is at 9pm, so would a 6:30 dinner at 50's Prime Time get me out by say 8:15 and in time to make it to Fantasmic?
HouCuseChickie
Well-Known Member
If F! is at 9 and it's the only showing that night, you will likely need to be at the preferred seating area between 8:15-8:30p. We usually can make it out of 50s in a little over an hour, but you also have the issue that you may not be seated on time. Last time we had dinner at 50s- we had a 4pm ADR and were seated closer to 4:20pm. I personally think you'll be fine with the timing, but you'll just want to keep an eye on the time.
With a F! 9pm show, you might want to look at taking a break from the park in the afternoon to get the kids some rest. MM lunch and 50's dinner sound more like a good plan to me now. Do MM very early (11am maybe) after morning touring. Go to your resort and get some rest from 3-5pm so the kids aren't supper cranky at F!, then come back for your 50's 6:30pm ADR. A 4 and 6 year old in a park for 12+ hours usually makes for a difficult night (assuming you are getting into the park around 9am).
Brian & Jill
Well-Known Member
We have only been to Mama Melrose for lunch twice and we absolutely loved it!!! We have never been to Prime Time although I have heard that it is very good. I also agree with everybody about timing and you should be ok.
We have never been to Prime Time although I have heard that it is very good. I also agree with everybody about timing and you should be ok.
Tuvalu
Premium Member
I believe Mama's does not begin seating until noon. I have eaten there at least once a year for over 15 years and have never been able to get an ADR earlier than 12 pm.
Still agree that even with a noon seating and 6:30 pm 50s Prime Time the OP should be fine for 9 pm Fantasmic.
mickey2008.1
Well-Known Member
On food alone, Mama Melrose for dinner. has many options, even for kids. what kid does not like pizza? Great atmosphere. And the desserts are amazing. Kids dont like meatloaf and green beans. 50's for lunch with a filling dinner at Mamas
You are spot-on there. We always do 50s for lunch and it opens at 11am, so I was thinking Mama's was the same. I was wrong - it opens at 12pm daily.
Actually, my DD10 cannot stand 90% of all pizza (and she does like meatloaf and green beans, chicken pot pie, and many other 50s dishes). She has a very strong dislike for all things tomato. She loves Mama Melrose because it was the first place she ordered a pizza - with the chef making her a special pizza using garlic-butter sauce (aka White Pizza) which she now orders regularly at a number of places.
mickey2008.1
Well-Known Member
Dont get me wrong, I love meatloaf and mashed potatoes with green beans, and I wish my kids would too. But Mama Melrose has a much better menu than 50's. More extensive, from a great grilled pork chop to simple flat breads. Seafood dishes, alfredos, and everything there can be altered as it is cooked to order on a line, unlike 50's. Fresher is better.