If you had to choose: Prime Time or Sci-Fi?

[Southern Soprano]

I have 2 kids, ages 7 (girl) and 6 (boy). Which of the 2 restaurants mentioned above do you think they would enjoy more? We've never been to either one, but can only afford to pay OOP for one. Thanks!

 

[Mouse's Shadow]

These are two of my favorite restaurants, basically for the atmosphere. Unfortunately, I haven't tried any other TSs at DHS because I love these so well. If I can only do 1, then I usually choose 50's PT. Simply because I like the menu a little better there and the interaction. I prefer the lunch menu at Sci-Fi over the dinner. When we were there in Oct, I had the Reuben which was good and not a bad price for a dinner option. 50's PT is a fun interactive experience, where as Sci-Fi is more passive, since you just watch the movie trailers. If you just want to sit and eat your dinner and not be bothered, then 50s PT probably isn't for you.

 

[Nadjalu]

PrimeTime 50's would be my choice.

I haven't been here, but I have been to Sci-Fi. The food was ok, wasn't bad, but it wasn't really exciting.
It was cute to first walk into the dining area and sit in the car, but the cute wore off by the time we got our food.

For someone who hasn't been, it is fun to go, but the fun doesn't last. I found that the "trailers" showing were like watching commercials. It sort of ruined the "atmosphere" of the drive-in.
It would be better if they were short little 10-15min movies. I understand the need to keep things short, as showing movies, people would stay and watch them. But the trailers are to short....

I have heard wonderful things about PrimeTime's food, so I would choose that.

 

[JMD]

I think Sci-Fi has a better atmosphere for kids, but the food is much better at Prime Time.

 

[collegeprogram01]

We went to sic-fi this past summer and it was just ok. We will never go back. I never been to prime time but heard mix reviews.

 

[Tosie]

Having done both several times I vote for Prime Time. The food is better and my family loves the interaction with the servers. (Think old fashioned bossy -" keep your elbows off the table" - my dh wouldn't so our server squirted ketchup on the table where his elbows would go - he covered the spots with napkins and put his elbows back - she poured water over his arm - we loved it!!)

Sci Fi is a novelty - sitting in the cars is fun, eating in the dark is kinda fun, watching the old movie trailers is fun. I have heard that there are kids who get a little scared by the dark and the movies but that was not our experience.

You can't go wrong either way.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

We do both with DS7, but if he had to choose he would definitely pick Sci Fi. We only do them for lunch and I find the food comparable in price and taste (both are average at best- you are paying for the atmosphere).

 

[rotlex]

Atmosphere=Sci Fi - great theme, fun, food reminds me of any fast food place.
Food=50's - They have a great variety, and you get LOT of stuff. Also good atmosphere at 50's, and good interaction with the CM's.

 

[Hoopfamily]

For the ages of the kids, Sci-fi. We took my then 6y/o daughter to both and she way liked Sci-fi better. Eating in a car is cool to kids and adults alike. Some say to beware of the old horror movies looping, but they are no big thing. Enjoy.

 

[TisBit]

Your kids will love Sci-Fi and enjoy it much more than Prime Time....but as already said, the food is better at Prime Time. I would not go any further than the burgers at Sci-Fi, we got dinner meals there and it was not good at all. The burgers and shakes were much better, but still not amazing.

 

[jacksonsmom]

My son is 11, and he loves Prime Time.

In fact this trip in June I asked if he wanted to go to Prime Time AND Sci-Fi again. He asked if we could skip Sci-Fi and do Prime Time twice instead!!
I totally agree with him in thinking Prime Time is a lot better, I just thought he liked Sci-Fi, which is why we kept going back!

He tells me Sci-Fi is just OK, but he loves Prime Time! He thinks they have better food and milkshakes....a preteen and his stomach

 

[Kelblum]

You can't go wrong with either one! They are both fun and your children will like them both!

 

[newfiegirl]

My friend and sister went to both and strongly suggest 50s PT over sci fi. I'm doing the PT this summer and not Sci fi and I have 2 kiddies.

 

[Cinderumbrella]

But remember that the OP's children are younger and they might not necessarily "get" the 50's PT "schtick". I also have found that when it is just DS and I, the servers aren't necessarily into full character as they seem to be with larger groups and/or those with older kids (older as in 'tween and up).

I still stand by my earlier post that the food is average at both places, so OP, I would just ask the kids do they want to sit in cars and watch old sci fi movies or go to an old fashioned diner and watch old black and white TV. You may be surprised at what they pick

 

[sherpasmom]

DD (now 8) ADORES 50's Prime and could take or leave Sci Fi even tho I adore it? Kindof depends on the kid and what they're into? Character interaction at 50's is awesome in my experience. It's now on DD's must do list!

 

[jwfla422]

Technically both places have that 50's atmosphere. Sci Fi plays movie clips from the 50s and Prime Time plays shows from the 50s. Both have decor from the 50s.

Prime Time definitely has better food as others had mentioned. And some of the servers can really play along (being your aunt, uncle or cousin) and sometimes they can be a lot of fun or sometimes a little intimidating to the younger crowd.

Both have fun and unique atmospheres, so whichever you choose I'm sure it'll be a fun experience.

I have reviews of both on my website (with photos) if you'd like to check them out: http://www.disneydiningreviews.com/studios-dining.htm

 

[Pakey]

We've been to both many times. I polled my family; I'm the only one who prefers 50s. The rest say Sci Fi. Lunch is better there and prices are reasonable for an OOP meal.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Prime Time hands down. Good food & Fun. The food at Si-Fi for dinner is . Lunch is okay at Si-Fi for burgers.

 

[SPOERLX3]

We took 2 of our grandkids in '09; they were 7 and 8 when we went. I asked them which restraunt out of all the ones that we went to did they like the best......they both said "the one where we ate in the car!!"

We ate at Tusker House (breakfast) 50's, LeCellier, Tepan Edo, Sci Fi, 'Ohana & Whispering Canyon.

Believe it or not, the one place they said they did not like was the one "where the lady made them eat their veggies before they got desert" go figure that would be 50's. My grandson did say he loved the PB&J shake from there but not the food.

Their 3 favorites were Sci-Fi, Tusker House (breakfast) and 'Ohana (dinner)....in that order.

My DH and DD21 agree, Sci Fi burgers and onion rings are a definite for our trip in December with our next set of grandkids.

 

[harpinjean]

I like both. In Sci-Fi you will be sitting two to a row and if there are four of you, there will be one more couple in the back row of the car (there are three rows). Sci-Fi is a very laid back meal without much interaction since you are all facing forward. Prime Time is very interactive - the waiters will give you a "hard" time if you don't eat all your food, we set our own table, they give you a hard time about dessert if you don't clean your plate, etc. Of course it is all in fun, and I think if you didn't play along they would probably tone it down a bit. We think it is funny and give them a hard time right back.