Is the Sci-Fi usually hard to get?

[BluOrchid2]

I didn't really think so, but now that I am trying to change a lunch reservation there to a dinner one, everything is booked solid. This is for September 15th - yes during free dining. I guess I'm glad I made the lunch reservation that I did a few months ago, just wish I could change it to evening for dinner now.

 

[toystorymom]

You know, I found this interesting too. Two years ago when we went (during free dining) we had no problem getting dinner at Sci Fi. We made the ADR about 2 months out, and that was for a party of 14! I had been reading not-so-favorable reviews of the place but the kids chose it so we decided to give it a try. The food was good and the atmosphere was really fun.

Now we are going this August, NOT free dining and a much smaller group, and the place is booked solid, both lunch and dinner. Have the food and the reviews gotten that much better?

Anyway, I guess it seems to have gotten much more popular. At least you have your lunch ADR as a backup. As everyone says, keep trying. I booked 50s PTC instead. We've never been there, so good excuse to try something new. Have fun!

 

[joenan88]

I tried to get an ADR last November for Sci-Fi and couldn't. For our upcoming trip in August I called at 7:00am 180 prior to departure and got a reservation for lunch..I tried to call back a few days later to change it from 12:00 to 12:30 and NOTHING was available! It is very popular because of it's theme...we are looking foward to it~

 

[BluOrchid2]

Thanks for the reply. We aren't particularly going there for the food - just planning on burgers, fries, and shakes, but DD age 7 has never eaten there and the novelty of eating in the cars while watching the old sci-fi movie clips on the screen is what we're going for. Originally we had planned to spend the whole day at MGM - oops, DHS - but when we realized there really isn't a lot in that park that we're interested in, we now plan to spend the morning at Downtown Disney. I wanted to stay there through lunch because we love the Wolfgang Puck's place there, and then have dinner at the Sci-Fi that evening before Fantasmic. If I don't get to change my lunch ressie to a dinner one, I guess we'll stick with it for lunch and then be stuck with counter service at MGM that evening for dinner. I think the counter service options at MGM are severely lacking.

 

[disnut8]

Have the food and the reviews gotten that much better?

Not necessarily. It's like with everything else. One year, it's the "not to be missed" place and the next, it's "a horrible experience". There was a time when LeCellier was one of the easiest places to get a reservation. Now it's impossible.

Personally, I've ridden all the waves with the Sci-Fi Dine In. Loved it back when it was a great place (according to the reviews), stayed with it when it wasn't good (according to the reviews), and still love it today.

 

[Snow Shoe]

We were there last Sunday for lunch, and it was full. They (Sci-Fi) were turning away people right and left without ADR's. Many of these people apparently hadn't done their homework on planning a Disney vacation.

 

[hollibo83]

We were there last Sunday for lunch, and it was full. They (Sci-Fi) were turning away people right and left without ADR's. Many of these people apparently hadn't done their homework on planning a Disney vacation.

I agree. We were there May 12th and people were constantly being turned away.. same thing happened at Le Cellier. I sort of felt bad for the people but who goes to Disney without making ADR's anymore?

 

[kimberlym4]

Thanks for the reply. We aren't particularly going there for the food - just planning on burgers, fries, and shakes, but DD age 7 has never eaten there and the novelty of eating in the cars while watching the old sci-fi movie clips on the screen is what we're going for. Originally we had planned to spend the whole day at MGM - oops, DHS - but when we realized there really isn't a lot in that park that we're interested in, we now plan to spend the morning at Downtown Disney. I wanted to stay there through lunch because we love the Wolfgang Puck's place there, and then have dinner at the Sci-Fi that evening before Fantasmic. If I don't get to change my lunch ressie to a dinner one, I guess we'll stick with it for lunch and then be stuck with counter service at MGM that evening for dinner. I think the counter service options at MGM are severely lacking.

Are there any "off" times available? If you just want the atmosphere you could go at 3pm for a snack of fries and a shake and still do counter service for dinner later in the day.

 

[Donna]

I think whats happened is the free dining times has introduced ALOT of people to places like this, where they might not have otherwise gone to eat had they had to pay. Hey, lets try it, it's free. Then they find out the food isn't as bad as they read about and the atmosphere is downright fun! We eat there every trip since the day it opened and wouldn't miss it. The burgers are pretty good and we practically know the hour long movie loop off by heart!

 

[suzimar57]

we love the sci-fi, and always get the first lunch seating for the two of us (calling at 180) - it's become busier since free dining began...

 

[LuvMickey36]

WOO HOO!!! I guess we are finally in with the "IN" crowd & didn't even know it!

We are trying Sci Fi out this year for the first time, now that my son is old enough. Even if the food is only so so, it will still be a lot of fun. I called @ the 180 day mark & got the day & time I wanted. I did not realize it was hard to come by.

Just a thought, does anyone think it may be a bit more crowded since it is not a buffet?? For us, we can only do so many buffet's before we want to sit down & order & enjoy a meal.

 

[Goofy22]

We are trying SCI FI for the first time this August! Now I can't wait! This was my DS's idea! He loves old cars etc....

 

[SunShineGurl]

we have adr's the week after free dining ends and I had a really hard time getting a reservation, and this is for a late lunch.

 

[natcat117]

We're eating at Sci-Fi for the first time! My mom called about a week ago for reservations on June 29th and they had an opening at 3:45 pm. It was our first time making an ADR so I guess we were lucky!

 

[SSRJen]

We have done Sci-Fi every trip. We have it booked twice for our next visit. It is really the only place we eat when at DHS. We think the burger is great and only a few dollars more than counter service. The theme and having a cool place to relax for a while really makes it worth the visit. We have never had a bad experience there (knock on wood).

 

[PiperGirlInWondrland]

Every time we've been there, they are constantly turning away people without reservations. We're eating there on our upcoming Sept trip as well as twice in December. We love it for lunch, perfect spot to grab a burger and shake, cool off for a bit and watch the cheesy movies, can't beat the atmosphere! Our kids love it!