GhostHost1000
Premium Member
I'd much rather see the Hollywood and Yuck buffet go in my opinion
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Prime Time Cafe on the chopping block?
- Thread starter toasty
- Start date
ABQ
Well-Known Member
Here, here. I wouldn't be saddened to see all the buffet places go. But I do believe both restaurants share quite a bit of backstage infrastructure.
roj2323
Well-Known Member
Yes they do share both.
The kitchen is setup a little weirdly but it is one kitchen.
The bathrooms are shared via a hallway and as per normal they are undersized for the number of people the restaurants serve.
Bairstow
Well-Known Member
The Tune In Lounge that is part of Prime Time is our favorite spot to have a drink and meet people. Really hope this doesn't happen.
That place tends to attract crazies, though.
The last two times I've been there I've run into people who are blitzed out of their mind on pills and won't stop talking to me.
rob0519
Well-Known Member
I don't think anyone under 70 relates to the 1950s era. That being said, it was one of the busier periods of movie making. So in keeping with that theme I'd like to see it stay. If management wants to close a restaurant, close the commissary.
englanddg
One Little Spark...
My parents are under 70, and they grew up in the 50s (though, they are getting close to 70).
I'm well under 70, and grew up with Nick at Nite watching 50s tv shows like Car 54, and also relate.
Regardless, theme carries the day. You could similarly say that no one under 70 relates to the 1300s, yet people still go to Medieval Times. Why? Theme.
MonorailLover
Well-Known Member
I agree @Bolt, they should keep the stuff that's currently open and small open, and expand other than demo...
rob0519
Well-Known Member
There's a difference between relating to a time period (having lived during it) and liking what it represents by experiencing it on TV, through movies or in books. If your parents are approaching 70 I'm sure they can relate, but that means they were born in the mid to late 40s and lived through the decade. I've always asked my myself the same question, why would anyone go to Midieval times?
AgeEight-E
Active Member
I'm 38, and I love the '50s era (at least, the romanticized version of it that Prime Time represents, without the deeply rooted social problems). I didn't live through it, but the aspiring futurism of the decor and the veneer of picture-perfect domesticity are appealing to many who didn't. You don't have to have personally lived through something to be able to relate to it, in my opinion.
Communicore
Well-Known Member
I'm a 50's fan, I love mid century modern, Googie, early rock and roll, and 50's style homes. However I cannot say I can relate to 50's Prime Time. Except for some of their decor, and the waiting area with the lounge, I like the furnishings there.
COProgressFan
Well-Known Member
Right. I think it's a well executed concept, and themed quite well. I don't think you need to know much about 1950's TV to understand it, other than the utopian "American dream" concept of Dad, Mom and 2 swell kids eating meatloaf.
And 1950's-type diners (with jukeboxes, etc.) are still somewhat popular. I know of a few independent local places, and plus Johnny Rocket's, etc.
Sounds like another trial balloon TWDC floated Jim's way at one point....
habuma
Well-Known Member
I disagree with your first sentence, but completely agree with the last sentence. (I'm indifferent on the two sandwiched in between.)
I'm well under 70 (but much closer to it than I'm not) and yet I can totally relate to it. Even though it's set in the 50's, the attitude therein (eat your veggies, keep your elbows off the table, etc) aren't *that* far gone are they? And I don't think I'm alone...I know several people (including those younger than myself) who have been and get it. It's one of our favorite restaurants in WDW and I'd hate to see it go.
But I've been armchair imagineering this for a long time and I sense that it will be in the way of any potential Star Wars plans that may or may not happen. If it turns out that all of Echo Lake becomes Star Wars themed or any other theme incompatible with 50's Prime Time, then my vote is to close ABC Commissary and relocate 50's Prime Time over there. Another option would be to construct an all new location for it elsewhere, possibly somewhere along Sunset Blvd--of course, I recognize that's unlikely.
GrumpyFan
Well-Known Member
This question brings up an interesting subject in regards to Star Wars-related dining. I'll be curious to see what happens with dining on that side of the park. Consider that in the rumored area for the remodel/re-theme, there is:
I would venture to guess that the "Rebel Hangar" offering for this years SWW, is a sampler/test of some of the concepts they're toying with for the re-theme.
- 50s Prime Time
- Hollywood & Vine
- Sci Fi Dine-in
- Backlot Express
- Min & Bill's Dockside Diner
- Toy Story Pizza Planet
- Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano
- ABC Commisary
- Dinosaur Gerties
- Writer's Stop
- Others?
I would venture to guess that the "Rebel Hangar" offering for this years SWW, is a sampler/test of some of the concepts they're toying with for the re-theme.
prberk
Well-Known Member
I completely agree. It is the era that defined television and vice versa in a such a perfect way, that it became its own theme. And it is a theme to which many young people still understand and relate to in a "theme" sort of way. And even those who are under 70 watched it on TV either on re-runs ("Leave it to Beaver," "I Love Lucy," "The Mickey Mouse Club," "The Twilight Zone," etc.) or in a romanticized way ("Happy Days," "Laverne and Shirley," American Graffiti, etc.) so much that its images became iconic and well-known -- and thus relatable to many generations.
I suppose that otherwise, since "The Twilight Zone" was a '50s and '60s television program, we could surmise that only people in their 70s can relate to it -- and since they are very likely to have back problems or osteoporosis now and should not experience dramatic drops, we should just plain shut down "The Twilight Zone" Tower of Terror. Obviously the young people could not relate to it or anything.
Unless the theming helped.... Or unless, maybe, the world of movies and Disney take us back to a different time and we understand that.
P.S.: And definitely update Main Street, USA. Kids today can't relate. Move out those horse-drawn cars and barbershop quartets and bakeries. Replace them with a Starbucks.... Oh, never mind....
Communicore
Well-Known Member
I've called for Gertie to join Chester and Hester, instead of tearing it down, it should be moved to Dinoland.
The Empress Lilly
Well-Known Member
I'd hate to see it go. I care much less about losing restaurants than rides - I do ten rides every day, but can only eat at one place. But DHS is losing so much charm as is. Prime Time to me is one of those almost subconscious parts that give DHs identity and place and charm. I don't need a movie IP collection park, I want my DHS.
Besides, I'm a sucker for all that retro stuff!
Besides, I'm a sucker for all that retro stuff!
GrumpyFan
Well-Known Member
Great idea! That would be perfect. They already have one over there that looks very similar, Gertie would fit beautifully.
AEfx
Well-Known Member
LOL, I live in a "mid century modern" house - just learned the term not long ago, haha. My grandparents called it "what they could afford" LOL.
I don't think we so much need to "relate" to 50's PTC, I just don't think that is the right word - but I do think it could use an entire rethink. I'd love to see them redo sections into actual sitcom kitchens - like, Golden Girls, or other classic shows. That would be so much fun.