A review of 50’s Prime Time Cafe at Disney-MGM Studios
Whenever I think back on my experience at the 50s Prime Time Café at Disney MGM Studios, I feel I understand the meaning behind Kurtz’s famous last words in the Heart of Darkness: “the horror, the horror.” In short, I’d rather chew tin foil then eat there again. The premise behind this restaurant is rather straightforward: you have entered “your” family’s kitchen sometime in the 1950s. The decor is kitschy and right out of an episode of “Leave it to Beaver.” On small televisions, you can watch clips of “I Love Lucy” and other classic (and not so classic) sitcoms.
The food is below average and fairly pricey. Lunch items include such typical Mom and Pop fare as fried chicken, pot roast, meatloaf, and chicken pot pie. The prices range from $13 to $16. These same items appear on the dinner menu with similar prices bucking the usual trend of being able to eat cheaper at lunchtime. Dinner does also include other choices like glazed salmon and pork tenderloin. Appetizers are basically the same, as well. The choices include beer-battered onion rings, shrimp cocktail, and Cesar salad. There is a bevy of specialty drinks of both the alcoholic and non-alcoholic type. Kids may like the flavored sodas which are basically a combo of sprite and a fruit juice like sour apple or watermelon.
But herein lies the rub with the Prime Time Café- the cast members. Keeping with the general theme, the servers are your family members- brothers, sisters, mothers, third cousins twice removed. The shtick presented by your “family” sets this restaurant apart in the annoying department. “Mom” may inspect your hands for cleanliness or scold you for not finishing your vegetables (I hated that as a kid and it has not gotten any cuter since). Your “siblings” may tease you while “Mom” isn’t around. This nonsense is definately not for the shy and younger kids may find it unsettling. I just find it distracting, which on second thought, may be a good idea considering the quality of the food. Its particularly bad if the cast member is not giving it his or her all (a rare exception I grant you).
This restaurant is often compared to the other heavily themed Disney MGM Studios eatery, the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater. The food is not great at either establishment, but I love the atmosphere at the Sci-Fi. The eat-in cars and cheesy movie clips are fun. I find the atmosphere at the Prime Time bothersome which just accentuates the fact that the food is not very good. I am aware that there are many supporters of the Prime Time café who love to play along with the servers and enjoy the vibe. Its just not for me.
Today’s dining review is from Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra
Mike said,
April 14, 2007 @ 9:24 pm
Thanks
Gordon said,
April 14, 2007 @ 10:15 pm
My experience eating there was pretty much the same as yours Mike. Completely underwhelming. And the shtick that the wait staff use grows real thin real fast. I’m not the kind of person who appreciates paying good money only to be dragged on stage or forced into some audience participation torture. This is half of the reason why I don’t like this place. The other half is the food.
Matt said,
April 16, 2007 @ 1:26 pm
Primetime is dependent on a couple of things. First, your server. Like the Jungle Cruise or Voyage of the Little Mermaid, it all depends on the CM you have to serve you. Some are more entertaining than others. Second, you do have to go in knowing you can be made fun of by the CM’s, but all in fun.
I agree the food is nothing to write home about, but I didn’t hate it either. And the desserts are wonderful (the smores are amazing) but I’ve found the food to be reasonable, unlike the Sci-Fi which is terrible all around.
Marcia Smith said,
March 12, 2008 @ 11:48 am
My family loved the Prime Time Cafe. It actually was one of our favorite experiences at WDW. The food was all right, not like some of the fancier buffets–but our server was great and we had a lot of fun with other tables “cousins” and their servers.
GAM said,
April 7, 2008 @ 12:19 pm
what!! your jokin right??
this is one of THE best places to eat in disney, my family enjoyed every moment. the whole experience was extremely entertaining, including the service. youve got to be prepared for everything when your spending a holiday in WDW, theres no point in being so close minded. everyone has preferences, but theres nothing you can slate about this restaurant.
Mike said,
April 26, 2008 @ 2:47 am
I hated my experience there. Having said that, I know a lot of people love it like GAM.
Michael said,
May 30, 2008 @ 2:46 am
I can see both sides of this argument. Personally, I hate being dragged on-stage or forced audience participation. I’m not the kind who wants to “do stuff” at “those places.” I’ve never even gotten a picture with the parks’ characters, because I feel that’s too close to the action. But I LOVE this place and have eaten there many times. I may be wrong, but in my opinion, the servers just seem to know who does and doesn’t want to get picked on. I’m sure they’re occasionally wrong, but of the six times I’ve eaten there, it always seems to be “just right.”
As far as the food, I can’t really comment because I’m just not a picky eater. But it tasted great to me.