Ordering just milkshakes at Sci-Fi Diner?

[Rosanne]

My younger daughter really wants to go to Sci-Fi Diner for the theming. I made a reservation for 10:40 (all that was left on the day we wanted to go). Since then I've looked over the menu and it doesn't appeal to any of us. Do people ever go there just to get milkshakes?

Since our reservation is at 10:40 maybe it won't be too taboo. (Not that I'm all that excited about a milkshake in the morning either).

If we leave a decent tip (if the service is good), is this acceptable?

 

[happymommy]

You may order as much or as little as you wish, long as it's not "all you can eat" or a buffet!

I hope you enjoy it! It's one place that pretty much every trip we do (my youngest loves it). The food is very good, and inexpensive as well.

That being said, I'm not a milkshake gal. I'd likely order an app and a glass of wine (it is vacation after all!).

Hope you have fun!

 

[Rosanne]

You may order as much or as little as you wish, long as it's not "all you can eat" or a buffet!

I hope you enjoy it! It's one place that pretty much every trip we do (my youngest loves it). The food is very good, and inexpensive as well.

That being said, I'm not a milkshake gal. I'd likely order an app and a glass of wine (it is vacation after all!).

Hope you have fun!

That sounds good. I didn't want to break protocol but we do want to try it. I should pay more attention to the appetizers.

Thanks!!!

 

[rentayenta]

We are doing something similar at BoG but sharing an entree and dessert; they are no rules on how much you should order. Order what looks good and what you are comfortable with.

 

[Runnsally]

Variations on this theme come up a lot on these forums. Certainly allowed, but socially questionable.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

We are doing something similar at BoG but sharing an entree and dessert; they are no rules on how much you should order. Order what looks good and what you are comfortable with.

Hoping this plan is for breakfast or lunch as you can no longer do this for dinner at BOG.

 

[conandrob240]

Yes, you can but IMO, taking up an entire table at such a popular restaurant to order just milkshakes is a bit rude. The server is losing out on a typical dining tip and that’s a dinner seating others can’t have now. If I wanted just a milkshake, I’d go to the window and sit at a picnic table and enjoy the theming like that.

 

[Pumbaa_]

It is not rude to order what you want. Please do not be rude to other posters

 

[LovesTimone]

For us if we just want milkshakes we go to the window, but there are no rules that say you can't just order milkshakes. It'a completely up to you. If you wanted to keep checking on changing for a time more suited for when you want lunch or dinner, ADR's get cancelled and changed all the time. Even the day of keep checking... I have done this many times and scored the restaurant, or a time change that I really wanted...

 

[Nancyg56]

Variations on this theme come up a lot on these forums. Certainly allowed, but socially questionable.

It is NOT socially questionable. Disney set the rules for each of the restaurants on property, and unless that restaurant imposes a minimum order, it is not at all a problem to order as much or as little as you want.

OP- you can order milk shakes if you choose. Disney has very few "minimum" order restaurnats, and Sci Fi is not one of them.

 

[cwis]

To OP: when WDW wants to set a “minimal order” on a restaurant, they set up a “prix-fixe” menu. This is not the case of the Sci-Fi Diner, so, please feel free to order whatever you want!

 

[StageTek]

No way is it rude or socially questionable.

Going there just for milkshakes sound like a really fun thing to do. We've never done it but that is now on my list of something to do.

I think you've got the right attitude, Rosanne; leave a nice tip.

 

[Runnsally]

No way is it rude or socially questionable.

Going there just for milkshakes sound like a really fun thing to do. We've never done it but that is now on my list of something to do.

I think you've got the right attitude, Rosanne; leave a nice tip.

Respectfully, I don’t think it’s that clear cut. If starting today, everyone made Sci-Fi reservations and only ordered milkshakes, then Disney would be forced to change the format of the restaurant. I don’t think it’s fair for folks ordering a normal amount of food for a meal to subsidize those that are not. Rude is probably the wrong word...maybe inconsiderate?

 

[cwis]

Respectfully, I don’t think it’s that clear cut. If starting today, everyone made Sci-Fi reservations and only ordered milkshakes, then Disney would be forced to change the format of the restaurant. I don’t think it’s fair for folks ordering a normal amount of food for a meal to subsidize those that are not. Rude is probably the wrong word...maybe inconsiderate?

Why so?

If you are worried about people only eating a desert, maybe you should start being worried about people not eating the most expensive entrées, or guests ordering menus or even worse, those AP holders that benefit from exclusive menus in select restaurants…

Maybe you should consider it another way: the turn-over is higher for guests ordering only a milkshake, because it is so much easier to prepare for the kitchen, versus a full meal when different apps/entrées/deserts have to be synchronized to be served at the same time.

 

[kastoney]

Getting back to your original question and not continuing this exhilarating debate you unintentionally started.....

As others have said its no issue to just order milkshakes, but if that is all you are looking for you may want to consider just getting them at 50's Prime Time instead. They have a walk-up bar area (the tune in lounge) where you could just get them. IMO there is nothing spectacular about the SciFi milkshakes and 50's has a PB&J milkshake that people rave about. You could also take a break from the park and take the boat to the Boardwalk area for Beaches and Cream or Ample Hills as other options.

 

[Runnsally]

Getting back to your original question and not continuing this exhilarating debate you unintentionally started.....

As others have said its no issue to just order milkshakes, but if that is all you are looking for you may want to consider just getting them at 50's Prime Time instead. They have a walk-up bar area (the tune in lounge) where you could just get them. IMO there is nothing spectacular about the SciFi milkshakes and 50's has a PB&J milkshake that people rave about. You could also take a break from the park and take the boat to the Boardwalk area for Beaches and Cream or Ample Hills as other options.

Good call. Go with this response.

 

[StageTek]

I'm not convinced that the “If everyone...” argument applies.

A big part of going to Sci-Fi is the atmosphere. Not just getting a milkshake. Some great suggestions of other places to get a milkshake (no argument about the PB&J!) , but Roseanne's youngest daughter really wants to see Sci-Fi Dine-In.

 

[Nancyg56]

Respectfully, I don’t think it’s that clear cut. If starting today, everyone made Sci-Fi reservations and only ordered milkshakes, then Disney would be forced to change the format of the restaurant. I don’t think it’s fair for folks ordering a normal amount of food for a meal to subsidize those that are not. Rude is probably the wrong word...maybe inconsiderate?

Again, if Sci F, or any other Disney restaurant was afflicted with people who are taking up space without the revenue that restaurant wanted to generate, all that needs to be done is to implement a cover or minimum charge. No need to make menu changes, or to reformat the entire manner of dining.

Sci Fi is not among those very few restaurants that are enticing guest to order the minimum in order to take advantage os some very real perks. In short, this eatery is not BOG, designed to be treated like an attraction, with the added incentive to book PPO melas to gain a head start on RD crowds.

I alwasy find it odd that some people believe that they know what is in the best interest of a WDW restaurant, and who do not trust that management actually knows what their bottom line is.

 

[Runnsally]

Again, if Sci F, or any other Disney restaurant was afflicted with people who are taking up space without the revenue that restaurant wanted to generate, all that needs to be done is to implement a cover or minimum charge. No need to make menu changes, or to reformat the entire manner of dining.

Sci Fi is not among those very few restaurants that are enticing guest to order the minimum in order to take advantage os some very real perks. In short, this eatery is not BOG, designed to be treated like an attraction, with the added incentive to book PPO melas to gain a head start on RD crowds.

I alwasy find it odd that some people believe that they know what is in the best interest of a WDW restaurant, and who do not trust that management actually knows what their bottom line is.

You’re absolutely right, the alternative way to look at this issue is that it’s disney’s problem and up to them to figure it out.

 

[conandrob240]

This is an opinion piece. As a I said, it is allowed by Disney. But is it the right thing to do? I don’t think it is but, as I stated, that’s my OPINION. You can feel free to have your own.