50’s Prime Time Cafe Review for Families

Elbows off the table! Let’s go back in time to visit 50’s Prime Time Cafe, and talk about which families this restaurant is going to be the best fit for! We recently dined here on a family trip to Walt Disney World, and I intentionally saved this one until our kids were tween and teen ages. 

Some of the information below includes affiliate links. When you click these links Moms with Mouse Ears may make a commission from your purchase. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

50’s Prime Time Cafe is set as if you’re in the 1950s and is a unique and entertaining dining experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

This retro-themed restaurant transports guests to Mom’s kitchen, where vintage televisions play classic black-and-white sitcoms, and the décor is straight out of a mid-century American home. 

Overview of 50’s Prime Time Cafe

The servers, also known as your “cousins”, are in character from the moment you sit down, reminding you to mind your manners, keep your elbows off the table, and clean your plate if you want dessert!

I wanted to wait until my kids were a little older to eat at this one, because I wasn’t quite sure how our family would interact with a bit of “ribbing” during meal time. We ended up booking this dining experience when everyone old enough to understand the premise of it, and a few of them are quite the jokesters themselves – so I thought this would be a good fit at their ages of 13 and 14 at the time of the meal. 

If you have younger kids, don’t be afraid to book this one though if the menu appeals to you. It is all in lighthearted fun, the servers will dial up the ribbing to the amount you play into it.

Ambiance and Layout

The inside of the restaurant is unique and feels more like sitting in a home than actual restaurant seating. The rooms are divided to have only 4-5 tables in each setting and there are windows looking through to the different rooms. 

We had comfortable booth seating at our table with some retro chairs on the other side, and thought the decor was interesting to look at while we were waiting on our food. 

50’s Prime Time Cafe Menu Selections

The menu at 50’s Prime Time Cafe is filled with comfort food favorites, just like Mom used to make. Dishes like Grandma’s Chicken Pot Pie, Aunt Liz’s Golden Fried Chicken, and Mom’s Old-Fashioned Pot Roast bring that classic home-cooked flavor.

I ordered the Salmon and my husband got the Caesar Salad with Salmon, which we both thought was excellent. One of my daughters prefers eating lighter and she ordered a soup. While my other daughter ordered the porkchop, which was a hearty meal.

They also have a great dessert selection. I ordered the traditional Hot Fudge Ice Cream Sundae. And options like the famous Peanut Butter & Jelly Milkshake and traditional Homemade Chocolate Cake satisfy your sweet tooth. 

If you’re looking for an extra fun twist, head next door to the Tune-In Lounge, where you can grab a retro-inspired cocktail before or after your meal.

Reservations and Planning

Reservations for 50’s Prime Time Cafe are highly recommended, as this unique dining location can be popular, especially during peak travel seasons.

The goal is always to be so well behaved at dinner, you make it into the “Clean Plate Club” before you leave the restaurant! (My camera preferred focusing on the table over the sticker!)

Booking in Advance

Guests can book through the My Disney Experience app, the Disney World website, or by calling Disney Dining up to 60 days (plus length of stay for Disney Resort guests) in advance. While same-day reservations or walk-ups may sometimes be available, they are not guaranteed, so securing a spot early is the best way to ensure your preferred dining time.

If you’re unable to find a reservation, using a reservation alert service like MouseDining can help notify you when a spot opens up.

Meal Pricing

The pricing at 50’s Prime Time Café in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is in the moderate range as far as Disney dining prices go. As of our trip in March 2025, food meal prices typically ranged from $18 to $28 per entrée, with favorites like Aunt Liz’s Golden Fried Chicken priced around $25, Mom’s Old-Fashioned Pot Roast at approximately $26, and Grandpa’s Crab Cake for about $27.

Appetizers and desserts generally cost between $8 and $12, with options such as Beer-Battered Onion Rings priced around $11 and the Traditional Warm Apple Crisp for approximately $9. Beverages vary, with non-alcoholic drinks typically costing $4 to $6, while specialty cocktails and alcoholic beverages range from $10 to $15. Prices and menu items are subject to change.

Rating 50’s Prime Time Cafe

What makes 50’s Prime Time Cafe truly special is the immersive, interactive experience. The cast members fully embrace their roles as family members, playfully teasing guests and making sure everyone follows the house rules. 

We thought the food was pretty good here and it’s a solid 4 stars – not a dining reservation we would do every trip, but one we will return to again in the future. 

(Should be noted the servers here get a full 5 stars! They are so fun! Only thing that we rate one star less than other experiences, is that the menu isn’t the best fit for our family, so if you think this experience sounds fun and love the menu, make sure to book this one!)

If you love a good laugh and don’t mind a little lighthearted scolding from “all your cousins” this is the perfect place to dine. (Also, if you’re extra good at dinner – they may let you sneak in this “elbows on the table” photo as you leave!)

Whether you’re visiting for the nostalgic atmosphere, the delicious comfort food, or just to see if you can make it through a meal without getting called out for bad table manners, 50’s Prime Time Cafe is an entertaining restaurant experience at Walt Disney World!