Keep your elbows off the table. Chew with your mouth closed. Don’t hit your sister. Sounds like dinner at home with your mother, right?
It’s not exactly home, but it’s pretty close. At the 50’s Prime Time Cafe in Disney’s MGM Studios Theme Park, you’ll find all the comforts of home. From the television sitting just near the table playing clips from your 50’s favorites such as Dick Van Dyke and Donna Reed to having “Mom” or “Big Brother” sitting at the table to take your order, you’ll wonder if you’ve been transported back in time to an era where comfort food consists of pot roast and mashed potatoes.
Our own dinner started off with a bang with our waiter, or should I say, our “big brother”, reminding us that we needed to remove our elbows from the table. I pushed my luck and continued to keep my elbows on the table, after which I was warned that if I didn’t follow the no elbow rule, I would be forced to sit in the corner and think about what I had done. At first I was skeptical until I saw a girl from the table next to me promptly relegated to the
corner. If you really want a great photo opportunity, make sure your favorite family member gets time in the corner. The wait staff encourages photos!
However, the antics of the wait staff are all in fun and you’ll find yourself laughing at the amusing behavior of the “Mom” and her help.
The food will also make you long for more family dinners at home with a menu filled with traditional, American family food such as chicken pot pie and traditional meatloaf and with Mom reminding you to clean your plate, you won’t feel as guilty for overdoing it.
The crowning touch of the 50’s Prime Time Cafe is the decor. The walls are adorned with decor straight out of a traditional American 1950’s home while the tables are the familiar formica tables that have since become collector items among those who collect retro furniture. Each table features a television nestled into a hutch among such trademark kitchen items as vintage blenders and mom’s flour and sugar canisters. You’ll feel as if you’ve stepped right into the kitchen of Donna Reed. The waiting area is nothing to ignore either. As you sit amongst the leather couches and old fashioned television sets, you’ll half expect to see Dick Van Dyke tripping over an ottoman at any minute.
The 50’s Prime Time Cafe is a must see for those visiting Disney’s MGM Studio Theme Park. During crowded times in the park, wait times can range from anywhere to 45 minutes to multiple hours, so it is a good idea to make dining reservations by calling 407-WDW-DINE ahead of time. If you’re staying at the Walt Disney World Resort, you can make reservations by visiting the concierge’s desk in the hotel lobby.