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

[ddluvsdisney]

I think it depends on the family. My kids are extremely shy and would feel uncomfortable at 50's- the reason we've never eaten there. We all LOVE Sci-Fi and is a must do for every trip. The atmosphere is so cool and the kids like eating in the cars. It really does look and feel like you are at a drive-in. I did hear the burgers at lunch are better than the dinner menu but you can order a burger for dinner as well.

 

[SPOERLX3]

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.

I agree that this is not as interactive, that is another thing that we LOVE about Sci-Fi. It is a great break after the hustle and bustle of the park, it is sooooo nice to go in where it is dusky, cool and quite. Some cars are just 2 rows, some are 3 and a couple of the cars have a table in them (still has the car body but a table with 8 chairs-we sat in one of these in 2005 when we were a party of 7) for larger parties. If you are a family of 4 you may get a car with just a front seat and a back seat (this is what we had in '09) but you may be put in a car with 3 rows (we sat in one of these in '07 when we were a party of 5)...the family of 4 would get the first 2 rows and then you would have "hitch hikers" (a party of 2) in the back seat. Either way, it is a BLAST!!! Please don't get me wrong....I personally LOVE 50's PT but Sci-Fi is definitely our favorite. We are doing the QS dining plan this year and then paying oop for 2 meals at my kids/grandkids request......Sci-Fi for lunch and a breakfast ressie for Tusker House.

 

[vettegirl]

IMO the food at PT 50's is much better than at the Sci Fi

 

[marielynn724]

I haven't been to Sci Fi, but I was at 50s twice and both times didn't like the food that much. Although both are known for milk shakes if your kids are into that. I'd pick Sci Fi, just for the cool atmosphere, it seems fun.

 

[Cherinva]

Definiately 50s Prime Time.

 

[Arielle22]

We have been to both. I live the 50's because we can all talk together. At the Sci-Fi you really only talk to whoever is sitting with you.

I find at the 50's (much like Whispering Canyon) that the server will only play it up as long as you appear to be enjoying yourself.

 

[camandjacksmom]

I almost hate to say it because we go everytime to Sci Fi but this year we chose Prime time. SciFi cost us 100.00 for burgers, fries and shakes for 4 at lunch and it hasnt really been that good the last few times. The movie atmosphere is great but you never get in at your ADR time and the same quality burgers are at the commisary. We have chosen Primetime this time for the interactive wait staff and home cooked style meals that are way more filling.

 

[Babbletrish]

(Basically repeating myself from the other thread on this very subject.)

I'm going to vote Sci-Fi all the way. The theming is terrific, the clips are funny (and what kid doesn't love giant monsters?), and it's a fun little taste of an experience that's rapidly vanishing in real life: being with the family at the drive-in.

50's is way, way too hit-or-miss. The idea is that your server is your mom/dad/whatever, and your dining party are sitcom characters. If you're into this, and your server is a good actress, it might be a fun experience. If you just want to eat (which is -and this is important- usually the feeling most kids enter a restaurant with), and/or your server isn't into it either, you are in for a very long mealtime. Add in the possibility of being yelled at for chancing to have your elbows on the table and, well...?

 

[katieam1]

We would pick 50's Prime Time because we prefer the food there.

 

[lblume91]

Prime Time gets my vote!!

 

[wvulion]

We hated Prime Time because with all the "go wash your hands" stuff and server interaction the food, which was quite good, got cold and we couldn't carry on a conversation without the server popping in. Then, we were encouraged to sort of chastise a cute little girl at the next table to eat her vegetables (which she did), but then once the server left, she began crying. I gave her a pin and told her it was ok, but we kept getting these scared sideways glances like "what will they make me do next?" that made me feel awful. My husband has requested we never eat there again and everyone else concurred. The food is great, but you need to look at your familial barometer and decide from the comments posted what is right for your particular group. We love the atmosphere at Sci-Fi, but the food is actual drive-in fare, the same as they serve at our local drive-in.

 

[tbee407]

I would probably pick Prime Time. But the server can make all the difference. The last time we were there our server was ok but the server next to us was great.

We like Sci Fi also but I tend to agree with the previous posters comments.

 

[stayhomemom77]

I, too have a seven year old daughter and a six year old son!

They ALWAYS pick Sci Fi and are so enthralled with the movie clips we can hardly get them to eat. Whenever we ask them where they want to have lunch in HS they vote unanimously for Sci Fi and get upset when we try and insist we try another place.

We always go for lunch, and the "girls" split an adult burger & fries meal and shake and the boys do the same. We always come away full (sometimes a little overly so ) and happy. I don't know what kind of likes/dislikes your kids have nor how large their appetites but splitting two entrees and two shakes costs us less than $50 so it pleases all members of the family as well as the wallet.

It's also a great break from the heat and sun, so this family votes unanimously for Sci Fi!

 

[aripantaloon]

I would probably pick sci-fi. The theming is a bit more interesting to kids, IMO. The retro theme of Prime Time is great if you "get" it, but not if you are that little.

 

[july2011]

Haven't gone yet, but when I asked my 8 YO son he said Sci-Fi for sure. My kids are picky eaters & more on the "quiet" side and he said it would really upset him if someone was yelling at them or correcting them.

Think it probably depends on your kids' personalities.

 

[lisam427]

i would say 50's primetime. we had lunch there last year and it was delicious. we went to sci fi the past 3 times at hollywood studios. the food and service were soooo much better at 50's primetime!

 

[goofyintoronto]

(Basically repeating myself from the other thread on this very subject.)

I'm going to vote Sci-Fi all the way. The theming is terrific, the clips are funny (and what kid doesn't love giant monsters?), and it's a fun little taste of an experience that's rapidly vanishing in real life: being with the family at the drive-in.

50's is way, way too hit-or-miss. The idea is that your server is your mom/dad/whatever, and your dining party are sitcom characters. If you're into this, and your server is a good actress, it might be a fun experience. If you just want to eat (which is -and this is important- usually the feeling most kids enter a restaurant with), and/or your server isn't into it either, you are in for a very long mealtime. Add in the possibility of being yelled at for chancing to have your elbows on the table and, well...?

As with the previous thread, i agree with you 100% again! At that age, they dont quite get the antics that are involved in 50's. And its very much hit or miss with the servers. I've also noticed that servers dont normally do much with smaller groups, its mostly with larger groups. If you get a server that doesnt play the part, lunch at 50's can be quite boring!! For that age group, definitely go for Sci Fi. its my son's fave place!! He was 9 when we first went, and he LOVED it! he still does (he's 11 now). Dont expect a gourmet meal at Sci Fi, it is a drive in afterall! their ribs are SO YUMMY! So are there burgers & onion rings & shakes! I honestly didnt like the fried chicken at 50's. waaaay too salty. The table next to us complained about the same thing. I wouldnt go back, even thou our server was funny.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Sci Fi is always our family's pick. We do enjoy Prime Time and for sure it has a more varied menu, but for us, Sci Fi wins.

I don't think you can go wrong with either but I do agree with a pp about your kids might be too young to really get the antics. And if you have anyone in your family who might not like that sort of thing, go with Sci Fi for sure.

One of the things I love about Sci Fi is that its so relaxing in there. Its fun but its also nice to get out of the sun and just chill.

 

[TheSchultzFamily]

Deleted

 

[Coconuts]

My kids were 8, 6, and 1 1/2 when we went to Sci-Fi and they just didn't get it. They didn't understand all of the movie clips but thought eating in a car was fun. I didn't like the fact that we couldn't talk to our entire party because they were sitting in the front seat.

We prefer 50's PTC.