50s Prime Time Cafe vs Sci Fi Drive In?

[Andy S]

Trying to decide on our HS dinner for our trip in April (ADR window opens in a couple weeks).

Thought I'd let the experts vote on which they like better: Sci Fi Drive in or 50s Prime Time Cafe.

Our kids are 3 and 7, so I'm curious which one they'd enjoy more. Also, is one busier than the other where we would have a better chance getting our ADR time of choice?

Menu's look to be about the same in terms of price/quality/selection...

Thanks!

 

[disneymom0104]

We have done both multiple times and our family prefers Sci Fi. There are some great things about 50s Prime Time, too- and really you probably can't go wrong. We just like the ambience of Sci Fi better.

 

[serenitynow]

Our crew likes Sci-Fi better too. They love the little cars and the campy movie.

 

[StirlingSilver83]

We have eaten at both. Both places have unique theming and are a lot of fun. My kids though would probably pick Sci Fi over 50s Prime Time bc they get to eat in a car and watch old "horror" short film flicks on a big screen TV like you are at an old drive in movie, lol. We ate at Sci Fi for the first time on our last trip and it was seriously 1 of the highlights of the trip and became a fast favorite of my 2 kids and my hubby, lol. My hubby asked y we hadn't eaten there before, lol. On our next trip next year I am planning on eating at both of those places bc we will have our MIL with us so the more fun themed places we go to the better as far as I am concerned LOL. 50s Prime Time is also fun, but at that place it really depends a ton on your waiter/waitress. If you get a server that is really into their part be prepared to have a total ball, but if you get 1 thats not so much into the part its really just another restaurant that looks cool.

 

[rteetz]

I've done both and I like both but I liked 50's better. The whole experience was just a lot of fun. We had a fantastic waitress who played a perfect role.

 

[disneymom0104]

I've done both and I like both but I liked 50's better. The whole experience was just a lot of fun. We had a fantastic waitress who played a perfect role.

I agree having a great server makes all the difference at 50's. We have had great servers and not great servers and that definitely affects the overall experience, since it is dependent on them in a sense. At Sci Fi we can have a pretty great time regardless on how good the server is (so to speak).

 

[Hopefully]

I love 50's PTC tons. I think it would be better as your children are young. In the Sci Fi cars the seating is bench seating for 2 behind each other. All are facing the screen. You would either need to sit one adult and one child in a row or the 2 little ones in front of you . But you won't be able to help them or talk to them without getting up.

 

[Katniss]

We have been going back and forth on which place we want to do to as well. My mom loves 50's but my kids loved Sci Fi on our last trip (and I really enjoyed it too) so my vote is SCI but I think you can't go wrong with either.

 

[Belle5]

Sci-Fi. If you get a good server at 50's you might have a good experience. If you have a dud, well...

Sci-Fi isn't reliant on having a good server to have a unique and memorable experience! Also, some of my family members do not like silly antics with their meal. Just the reality when dealing with different personalities...

 

[figment_jii]

Another vote for Sci Fi! My family likes both the food and atmosphere at Sci Fi. I didn't care for the 50PT servers pretending to being an over-bearing/bossy parent/relative when I went as a child.

 

[Andy S]

One follow up question - we (okay I) typically run a pretty tight ship on scheduling/touring plans...any comments on which one will take longer? With all the antics and goofiness at 50PTC I thought that might run a little longer. Which reservation do you think is harder to get?

Hoping for a 6:30 ADR with time to hit up Muppets and ToT (with a FP) before Fantasmic at 8:30.

 

[jimmytammy]

50s has been a go too for us for years. I think the theming and the food win out for us personally. Would love to give Sci Fi a go again sometime though

 

[cbg1027]

I was going to say flip a coin, they're both great! But given that you have a 3 year old, I would suggest 50's PTC for this trip. It would be difficult to help a 3 year old eat with the way the cars (tables) are set up at Sci-Fi, unless you want to sit one child and one parent in each row. Whe toddler is old enough to eat on their own the two kids can sit in a row together and feel like they're out without the parents!

 

[LSUfan4444]

The seating arrangements at Sci Fi is not for everyone. Sci Fi works for us, but we are a family of 3 and we fit in one row.

 

[disneymom0104]

I was going to say flip a coin, they're both great! But given that you have a 3 year old, I would suggest 50's PTC for this trip. It would be difficult to help a 3 year old eat with the way the cars (tables) are set up at Sci-Fi, unless you want to sit one child and one parent in each row. Whe toddler is old enough to eat on their own the two kids can sit in a row together and feel like they're out without the parents!

We have never found the seating to be an issue, and have gone with children of all ages. On this last trip my 14 and 12 year olds sat in one row, my husband sat in the middle with 6 year old and I sat in the last row with the 2 year old. No issues at all. We were all able to chat and share bites from meals. My 2 year old didn't need any help eating- he had his plate and was happy to share with us, too.

And again, 50PTC can be great, too. But I wouldn't let the seating worry you.

 

[RipperSB]

I like both equally for food and ambiance but DW prefers the menu items at 50's PT.

 

[Smooth_80]

I will admit the atmosphere for sci-fi was different. My girls liked sitting in the cars eating. Looking back on it now, should have taken a clue from when we were waiting to be seated. A lady came out to complain about the food and rude staff. She was speaking with a Manager about her poor experience.

Our experience was no better. The wait staff was bad and the food was pretty terrible. Such a shame I really wanted to like this place.

 

[SeeDisney]

done them both but for the theming, your kids will love Sci-Fi.

 

[HopperFan]

LOVE them both, two of Disney's most themed restaurants. I would say for the age your kids are they would get a hoot out of Sci Fi Dine In. They probably won't get the theme or shenanigans at 50's Prime.

But if you can't get of course 50's is a great option.

 

[Babs1975]

Definitely Sci Fi for our family. My kids love it there. They are 9 and 13 now but we've been going since they were 3 and they have always loved it. It is one of the restaurants they ask for when I'm asking them where they want to eat on the trip! It's fun to sit in the cars. It's dark. And they have great food! I think it may be harder to get a ressie at Sci Fi, at least in my experience, but if you're early, you'll be fine.