Is Sci-fi Dine-in that popular?

mevelandry

DIS Veteran
Joined
Aug 22, 2013
I've been trying to switch a meal at SFDI from lunch to dinner (in a low season, on a TUESDAY) for weeks and the reservation system keeps telling me there is no available time.

Is SFDI THAT popular?
 
Yes it is. Most days walk ups are turned away. What time are you looking for?
 


It's because it's so unique and magical. They do a decent burger. I mean when compared to the burger you'd get at your resort food court, not one from say a gourmet burger place. But it's a lunch place to me. If I'm eating dinner at DHS, I'm eating at Mama Melrose's.
 
I realty wasn't impressed with it. It was my least favorite. Nit terrible just dint have the "Disney Magic!" It was TOO dark also. Just not what I expected. Hoping 50s Dine In is better!
 


For my kids it's a must do every time we are there. I've been trying for two months to get a reservation the week of Thanksgiving on a particular day, and finally got it a couple of days ago. I found hardly any availability that week for SciFi.

Oddly, I could get just about any other reservation I wanted, Le Cellier, CRT etc...

One tip, if you have an odd number of people, 3 or 5 jump up to the next even number and search. For some reason SciFi would allow even numbers, but not the lower odd number of reservations so that might help you find what you need.
 
Sci-Fi is by far the most popular restaurant in Hollywood Studios, no other place comes close. There aren't alot of sit downs is HS.

What I would recommend is keeping your lunch time if you can. Lunch is the best time to eat at Sci-Fi and a bad idea during the night. You want to be as flexable as you can during the night. People will be lining up for Fantasmic early.

I would go to Sci-Fi for lunch to escape from the sun after riding the Great Movie Ride and then;

at night eat at ABC Commissary which has great food, seating and is relatively quite because everyone is trying either to get on HTT or RR, or waiting for Fantasmic.
 
We had reservations the last week of August and they were turning people away that were walking up.

Very popular and very good, will be back
 
we (two of us) have always walked up to scifi and got a table (yes in a car). last trip i made an ADR a few hours prior, and never had an issue. Mind you, its always easier for two ppl. For 3 or more its more challenging.

We love scifi. The picnic burger, wings, onion rings, shakes, and spinach dip with chips are all very tasty! My fave shake is the oreo. Oh my goodness, its simply delish. We love the cool quiet atmosphere at scifi as well.

To answer your original question, yes scifi is very popular! :upsidedow
 
Yes - unique setting that you can only experience at Disney, and low seating capacity. Keep trying. If you haven't already reached the 45 day mark, you may see some open at that time when people have to cancel their trips by.
 
It is a very popular place. The atmosphere is unique and fun. Food is meh.
I agree lunch is a better time to eat here. The Rueben and the hamburger is my family's choice when we eat there. Milkshakes are pretty good too.
 
Sci-Fi is by far the most popular restaurant in Hollywood Studios, no other place comes close. There aren't alot of sit downs is HS.

What I would recommend is keeping your lunch time if you can. Lunch is the best time to eat at Sci-Fi and a bad idea during the night. You want to be as flexable as you can during the night. People will be lining up for Fantasmic early.

I would go to Sci-Fi for lunch to escape from the sun after riding the Great Movie Ride and then;

at night eat at ABC Commissary which has great food, seating and is relatively quite because everyone is trying either to get on HTT or RR, or waiting for Fantasmic.

Oh we're not going to Fantasmic... I tought we might have a chance to score a reservation DURING Fantasmic but no luck so far.
 
In a word: Yes! The hardest ressie to get for our last trip was Sci Fi! I was surprised too, but like PP's have said, it is by far the best option at DHS. If I were you, I'd keep checking periodically for a dinner cancellation, but hold on to your lunch ADR in the meantime. Definitely don't cancel altogether! We really liked it!
 
Keep checking multiple times a day if you can. I just got a reservation for 6 people the day after Thanksgiving after just checking for a few days. It is at 2:45 which isn't ideal, but it's not a problem. We'll just have to get cupcakes at Starring Rolls for a snack. ;)
 
I am having the same problem. It's making me a little bit crazy to be honest! I had to move our original ADR's around leaving me scrambling to get what we wanted. I've gotten Ohana at 6:45 for dinner on the night I wanted, Akershus for breakfast at the time/day I wanted etc etc...but I can't get Sci Fi for lunch! It's the last one I need and we're leaving in a week. :eek: Ugh. When I initially looked at my rescheduling nightmare, Sci Fi was the one I was least worried about!
 
Keep checking multiple times a day if you can. I just got a reservation for 6 people the day after Thanksgiving after just checking for a few days. It is at 2:45 which isn't ideal, but it's not a problem. We'll just have to get cupcakes at Starring Rolls for a snack. ;)

Yes, I came to think I might have a chance to book it while we're there. But we'll see what happens.
 
I realty wasn't impressed with it. It was my least favorite. Nit terrible just dint have the "Disney Magic!" It was TOO dark also. Just not what I expected. Hoping 50s Dine In is better!

Well, you are eating at a drive-in movie so I guess it would be dark. :rotfl2::rotfl2:

But eating with an overbearing brother or sister or aunt or, worse! mother is much better. :rotfl::rotfl:

All kidding aside, Sci-Fi nails the ambiance of what it's supposed to be. Burgers are great and I just lose myself in the movie reels. I grew up with drive-in movies but even if you didn't, this is as close as you can get. I take first-timers here and, so far, no one has been disappointed.

I do second keeping a lunch seating even though not typical for a drive-in movie.
 
I haven't eaten there in a few years, but have an upcoming reservation in March of 2014. It was decent if I remember correctly. I guess I'll be giving it another try. I did have to book it 180 days out. Keep calling and checking online. You never know when something may become available last minute...pixiedust:
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