50s Prime Time Cafe

Dining at Disney World is a big part of the fun of any family vacation to the resort. There are so many wonderful dining options that choosing where to eat can be quite a task! While it is just not possible to eat at every restaurant and eatery in the resort, try to make time for this one: The 50’s Prime Time Cafe.

The 1950’s theme restaurant is located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park on Hollywood Boulevard. Reservations, though not required, are recommended since the restaurant is often booked far in advance due to its popularity. The food is American and the atmosphere is FUN! Read below to learn a bit more about this popular Disney World café.

The Décor

As is the case with many Disney World experiences, many of your senses will be engaged when you enter the 50’s Prime Time Café. Of course, taste is important, but the smells, sounds, as sights in this nostalgic restaurant are also great reasons to visit.

Fun meets comfort food at the 50s Prime Time Cafe.
Fun meets comfort food at the 50s Prime Time Cafe.

At the TV tables, you can watch popular 1950’s television shows, such as The Dick Van Dyke Show, Father Knows Best, and the classic series I Love Lucy – all on vintage styled televisions.

The entire café is full of hundreds of knick knacks that call to mind the simpler times of the mid-20th century. Those who remember or are fans of this era will be thrilled at all of the items on display – from Formica tables to porcelain salt and pepper shakers shaped like cows.  Even those who are not will find them interesting and fun.

The Menu

This is a mid-priced restaurant, but there are plenty of inexpensive options for those guests who want to experience this restaurant but are on a tight budget.

On the lunch and dinner menus, you will find comfort food such as Dad’s Traditional Meatloaf and Aunt Liz’s Golden Fried Chicken. A few special entrees appear only on the dinner menu such as Cousin Barry’s Olive Oil Poached Salmon. There is also a delicious array of appetizers, such as Aunt Annie’s Seafood Salad, Chicken Noodle Soup and Cousin Amy’s Iceberg Lettuce Wedge.

A special kid’s menu ensures that even the pickiest of eaters will find something pleasing. The kid menu includes reliable standbys such as Macaroni and Cheese, Grilled Hot Dogs, and Chicken Nuggets. While French fries and soft drinks are available upon request, they do not appear on the menu which may make it easier for parents who are trying to encourage healthier eating.

When it is time for dessert, looking at the menu is part of the fun! Instead of being handed a traditional menu, the waiter or waitress will instead hand you a Viewfinder toy through which you can see the dessert options. The delectable selections include 50’s Boston Cream Parfait, S’mores, Seasonal Cobbler and Root Beer Floats. For the adults, there are yummy drinks such as the Godiva Chocolate Martini or the Key Lime Coconut Martini.

One thing is for sure, with a menu full of such delicious American classics, there is no need to walk away from the 50’s Prime Time Café hungry!

The Wait Staff

One of the best parts about dining at the 50’s Prime Time Café is the wait staff.  Beyond simply serving your food the waiters and waitresses make the dining experience extra special.  They will treat you like family – including reminding you to eat your vegetables and keep your elbows off the table!  It is all done tongue-firmly-planted-in-cheek and is funny, and it adds to the family atmosphere and nostalgic feel of the restaurant.

Special Requests

For those with special dietary needs or requests, the 50’s Primetime Café is more than happy to try and meet your needs. It is best to make any special requests known at the time that you make your reservation in order to assure that the staff will have any special items on hand.

If you love the 50’s Prime Time Café and restaurants that offer unique dining experiences, you should also check out some of the other theme restaurants listed below.

Rainforest Café

This is the only restaurant on the list that can be accessed without park admission. That is because, while you can enter it from inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, it is technically located off of park property. This fun theme restaurant operates in locations throughout the United States, but the massive aquarium, silly looking animal barstools, occasional live animal shows and realistic sounding thunder make it worth a visit. There are also great animatronic animals that are fun to watch while you munch on coconut shrimp, the absolutely amazing bread pudding and other Rainforest Café favorites.

Coral Reef Restaurant

The Coral Reef Restaurant is located inside Epcot’s Future World. Eight foot tall windows provide a view of the nearly 6 million gallon Coral Reef Aquarium that is located inside The Seas with Nemo and Friends pavilion. If you get lucky, you may get to observe some guests who paid for the privilege of SCUBA diving in the tank among the sharks, turtles and 6000 other creatures.

T-Rex Café

The whole family will be able to appreciate this theme restaurant, but it is particularly appealing to children. Frommers said it was one of the best theme restaurants in the park. One look around and it is easy to see why. Everywhere you look is something that pays homage to the time when Dinosaurs roamed the earth. Located in Disney Springs Marketplace, this restaurant features geysers, a replica of an archaeological dig site and huge animatronic dinosaurs. Keep your eyes on the sky because there are regularly occurring meteor showers inside this super fun, theme café.

Sci-Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant

So it’s the end of a long day spent exploring the theme parks. You really just want to chill out and watch a movie, but you’re hungry so what to do? Just head on over to the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant, located in the Hollywood Studios theme park. You’ll be seated inside an old convertible. Place your order and munch on some complimentary popcorn while you wait for your food. Check out some old science fiction movies playing on huge screens. You will feel like you are at a 1950’s drive in, only with air conditioning, really great food and no mosquitoes!

Disney Offers Plenty Of Options For Themed Dining

As you can see, there are several options for theme restaurants in Disney World Resorts. Whether you want some fabulous fried chicken, fresh seafood, or amazing desserts, the 50’s Prime Time Café will have just what you want. Be sure to visit some of the other suggested theme restaurants as well. Remember, Disney and fabulous food go hand in hand!