Explain to me how the dine in theaters work.

[MammaMoe48]

Do you eat first then watch a movie or eat during the movie? It seems that it would be hard to watch the movie if people are eating during it. They really don't give too many details on the WDW website about it. Also, is there a way to know what movie will be showing before you book an ADR or do you get what you get when you show up? It looks like fun but I want to understand more before I book it. Thanks.

 

[Minnesota!]

The one at home here, you get seated and a waiter comes right away with the menu. You order your drinks, drinks are brought. You order your food, food is brought. Movie starts. If you need anything during the movie, you push a little call button your tray and they come and get you what you need (clear dishes, refills, etc.). It works well - we love it!

 

[VillainFavs]

Which dine in theater are you making ADRs for?

 

[lilclerk]

Do you mean the AMC theater with dining at Disney Springs?

https://www.amctheatres.com/movie-t...h/amc-disney-springs-24-with-dine-in-theatres

 

[VillainFavs]

Do you mean the AMC theater with dining at Disney Springs?

https://www.amctheatres.com/movie-t...h/amc-disney-springs-24-with-dine-in-theatres

That's why I was confused! Of course, you know what movie you're buying tickets for and there's no ADRs involved. I'm trying to think of what movie you're getting ADRs for?????

Do they mean Sci-Fi???

 

[MammaMoe48]

Which dine in theater are you making ADRs for?

I hadn't decided yet, I wanted to know how it works. DHS is in walking distance but there are three of us and I don't know if we'd all fit into one bench in the cars, I don't want one of us sitting alone in the back seat. DS seems to resemble a real theater where we can sit in a row but we'd have to take the bus from BW. We may not do it at all, there's so much to do down there, we can save it for our next trip.

 

[kamik86]

I hadn't decided yet, I wanted to know how it works. DHS is in walking distance but there are three of us and I don't know if we'd all fit into one bench in the cars, I don't want one of us sitting alone in the back seat. DS seems to resemble a real theater where we can sit in a row but we'd have to take the bus from BW. We may not do it at all, there's so much to do down there, we can save it for our next trip.

Ok so you are talking about two really different things.

At DHS which has the cars its not really a movie as much as little cartoons. On a loop. You will probably see the full loop and have it start to repeat unless you eat fast.

AMC dine in theatre you buy tickets to a movie then show up at that time for the movie like any other theatre. Just when you sit down there is a table in front of you, they give you menus and you order food. Works as described above with the little button you can press if you want something else but otherwise they leave you mostly alone so you can watch the movie.

 

[MammaMoe48]

That's why I was confused! Of course, you know what movie you're buying tickets for and there's no ADRs involved. I'm trying to think of what movie you're getting ADRs for?????

Do they mean Sci-Fi???

They are very vague on the WDW website. As for ADRs, on the website it says to check for times. This is my first trip and I've pretty much been told that if you don't make reservations you will almost certainly not get a table at any restaurant. Sorry if my question was stupid.

 

[VillainFavs]

If you're talking about Sci-Fi Drive in, the clips are just on a continuous loop. It's not a full movie, just little clips, trailers, etc. And the waiters come whenever, food is served, you eat, etc., all while the films continually play. There's no picking what you see, no quiet time.

If you're talking about the theater at DS, you buy tickets for a particular movie you want to see at a particular time. No ADRs there.

 

[loves to dive]

I hadn't decided yet, I wanted to know how it works. DHS is in walking distance but there are three of us and I don't know if we'd all fit into one bench in the cars, I don't want one of us sitting alone in the back seat. DS seems to resemble a real theater where we can sit in a row but we'd have to take the bus from BW. We may not do it at all, there's so much to do down there, we can save it for our next trip.

You are talking about two different things. Sci-Fi Dine in at HS is a restaurant that just shows little science fiction clips and cartoons. The booths are sort of shaped like cars and only two fit per seat. There is a front and back seat.

The theater at DS is a real honest to goodness movie theater that shows movies and you can order food while you watch the movie. I'm not sure how it is set up, I've been to two. One had bench like rows with counters. You had to either slide in to your area or if you had to go to the bathroom, slide out under the counter. You pushed a little button when you were ready to order and the wait staff came and took the order. The aisle the waitstaff walked on was lowered so their heads weren't interfering with anyone. You could order any time you wanted until a certain point in the movie. The only we have locally has regular theater seats that are just a tad wider and they have little trays like first class in the air plane that you slide in front of you. The menus are already there at your seat, again you press the button when you are ready to order. The servers try to duck down but when they are carrying food it can be a little distracting.

 

[MammaMoe48]

Ok so you are talking about two really different things.

At DHS which has the cars its not really a movie as much as little cartoons. On a loop. You will probably see the full loop and have it start to repeat unless you eat fast.

AMC dine in theatre you buy tickets to a movie then show up at that time for the movie like any other theatre. Just when you sit down there is a table in front of you, they give you menus and you order food. Works as described above with the little button you can press if you want something else but otherwise they leave you mostly alone so you can watch the movie.

Thank you, as I mentioned (about a billion times) I've never done this so I have no way of knowing how it works. Now that I know, wouldn't it be loud and annoying during the movie with people eating and/or talking?

 

[Lisa F]

Thank you, as I mentioned (about a billion times) I've never done this so I have no way of knowing how it works. Now that I know, wouldn't it be loud and annoying during the movie with people eating and/or talking?

it's not a movie. It's retro little shorts with retro ads thrown in. It's cute and people tend to talk in hushed voices in that restaurant due to the darkness and the movie. We had no problem hearing the movie but it's more for atmosphere than an actual movie that you want to sit down and watch.

 

[kamik86]

Thank you, as I mentioned (about a billion times) I've never done this so I have no way of knowing how it works. Now that I know, wouldn't it be loud and annoying during the movie with people eating and/or talking?

When I went to the AMC there wasn't really anyone talking during the movie... at least not beyond really quick stuff, but the movie was towards the end of its run so it wasn't super busy. We were the only ones in our row for example. If you saw a new release this may be worse as more people would be more likely that someone would loudly reorder in the middle of the movie.

As for eating, I didn't find the food we had during the movie any louder then popcorn/candy/soda. Just yummier.

AT Sci-fi it is a bit louder but as said above its not really one continuous movie that you can't miss parts of. Its more just really corny fun stuff... I like the Tom and Jerry cartoon best.

 

[MammaMoe48]

When I went to the AMC there wasn't really anyone talking during the movie... at least not beyond really quick stuff, but the movie was towards the end of its run so it wasn't super busy. We were the only ones in our row for example. If you saw a new release this may be worse as more people would be more likely that someone would loudly reorder in the middle of the movie.

As for eating, I didn't find the food we had during the movie any louder then popcorn/candy/soda. Just yummier.

AT Sci-fi it is a bit louder but as said above its not really one continuous movie that you can't miss parts of. Its more just really corny fun stuff... I like the Tom and Jerry cartoon best.

Do they play old Mickey Mouse cartoons? My son loved watching those on tv on our cruise.

 

[Kewz1]

Do they play old Mickey Mouse cartoons? My son loved watching those on tv on our cruise.

At Sci-Fi in DHS they show black & white clips of old sci-fi movies plus some of the "commercials" for the snack bar. It's a really a fun place to eat and the burgers & shakes are good.

Kristen

 

[kamik86]

Do they play old Mickey Mouse cartoons? My son loved watching those on tv on our cruise.

I don't remember it has been a while since I was there. I just remember this one about a giant woman and the tom and jerry cartoon.

 

[Hopefully]

Do they play old Mickey Mouse cartoons? My son loved watching those on tv on our cruise.

No At Sci Fi they do NOT run Mickey Mouse cartoons. As others have said, what they show is old Science Fiction (Sci Fi) clips. Very short, one after the other. Sci Fi Dine in Theatre is not a movie theatre, but a restaurant that is themed like an old fashioned drive in theatre of the 1970's and 1980's

AMC Theatre is a true movie theatre that happens to also serve food and drinks to your seat. You see a full length movie while you also order and eat food and beverages.

Two totally different things.
I hope this helps

 

[Micca]

Pretty sure there's no Disney content in the Sci-Fi film clips. It's all light-hearted stuff, the "scary" parts are so over-the-top outdated and hokey that they're funny. I won't say they've never changed the film loop, but it would be something similar for at least several years at a time.

With no plot or dialogue to follow, it''s just a background effect that is supposed to simulate the drive-in movie theaters of years ago. Some of the charm is probably lost on people not old enough to have ever experienced an actual drive-in movie. The shakes, burgers, and rings are good no matter what.

You will definitely want an ADR, as it's a popular venue.

 

[AngiTN]

Pretty sure there's no Disney content in the Sci-Fi film clips. It's all light-hearted stuff, the "scary" parts are so over-the-top outdated and hokey that they're funny. I won't say they've never changed the film loop, but it would be something similar for at least several years at a time.

With no plot or dialogue to follow, it''s just a background effect that is supposed to simulate the drive-in movie theaters of years ago. Some of the charm is probably lost on people not old enough to have ever experienced an actual drive-in movie. The shakes, burgers, and rings are good no matter what.

You will definitely want an ADR, as it's a popular venue.

I love the snack bar promos as much as the movies.
I am old enough to remember going to the drive in and using the speakers on the window. Matter of fact, I saw Song of the South at a Drive In when I was a little girl
But I don't love GOING to SciFi. I am not a fan of eating in the car, too cramped. Or eating in the dark.

 

[Heidi Myers]

Is the Sci-fi Theater age restricted? Seems like a fantastic venue, but would my 6 year old be too scared?