Prime-Time or Sci-Fi?

[britterbell]

Which restaurant do you think is better? Prime-Time or Sci-Fi? We are on the edge of which to do. Please let me know your opinion! Thanks!

 

[vettegirl]

We have opted to try the 50's PT this time around as the atmosphere was really cool at Sci Fi, but the food was really not that good.

 

[goofygal531]

We love everything about the 50's Prime Time Cafe. It's a fun experience! I also just love their chicken pot pie (only at lunch).

We tried the Sci-Fi for the first time this Nov and we (DH and I) hated the food. Our burgers were salty. DS4 on the other hand loved everything about the place. The waitress gave him a driver's license, he was proud to write his name on. He ate his entire kids meal then ate his dessert. He would love to go back but unfortunately, mom and dad are not in any rush to return.

I know we'll go back eventually, just not any time soon.

 

[disneypolybride2008]

we've eaten at both a couple of times. we've had bad service more times than good service at Sci-Fi, but always had good service at 50's. In March we're going to 50's. Sci-Fi's ribs are not as good as they used to be either and that was the only thing on the menu that really interests me. 50's has the best meatloaf i've ever had, the best peanut butter and jelly milkshake too! I also like the look of the pot roast, but dont think i could give up eating that meatloaf. Their desserts are great at 50's, like the brownie sundae. Our dessert at Sci-Fi sounded good (peanut butter chocolate cake) but had a very unpleasant gritty texture. My vote is for 50's.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

We've had two bad servers at the Prime Time (not into the role), and only one good server. So we don't eat there any more. But we eat at the Sci-Fi on every trip.

 

[JMD]

The food at Prime-Time is much better.

 

[kevw67]

I think it depends on the meal. We love Sci-Fi for lunch and 50's for dinner. Our kids (11 &9) loved both places. The service is better at 50's. I think it is more condusive to playing along with the theme, but the kids enjoyed the movies at Sci-Fi. I dont think you can go wrong with either place. Pick one and enjoy! Both are fun.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Prime Time Cafe because of their theme, great atmosphere, and great food.

 

[RescueRanger]

It depends on what you are into. If you just want to be a spectator, Sci-Fi is probably good. If you want to be involved in the action, Prime time is probably a better option. We have been to both and we liked the food at both places. We have always gotten the burgers and onion rings at Sci-fi, so I can't comment on any of the other dishes. We have had meatloaf, chicken, pot pie, and roast at Prime time and we haven't had a bad meal yet, standard comfort food. Personally, I think your family will probably enjoy either one.

 

[bcrook]

Although Sci-Fi has a fun atmosphere, Prime Time Diner has better food choices and it feels like you are right in the middle of a 50's television show. We really enjoyed the Prime Time Diner (Although a family from France had a real hard time understanding what was going on while we were visiting. The server had to tell them four times to set their own table, and they just weren't getting it.) My daughter never let her elbows rest on the table for entire meal, and she ate all her peas in fear of being scolded by the server.

 

[LilGMom]

We did both on our last trip and for our upcoming trip we are only including Sci-Fi. The food at Sci-Fi isn't out of this world great but it is consistently good and we have never gotten bad service there. 50s PT was an entirely different experience.

We won't be going back. We had gone a few years ago and really enjoyed it. Had raved about it to the IL's and they joined us during one of our family trips. During that trip it seemed that everything had changed. The food wasn't as good, the service wasn't as good and we vowed to not go back. That was probably in 2003. This last December we were going to give it another shot and won't make that mistake again. Our server at 50s was less than attentive, our drinks were empty more than they were full, we asked for bread and we were discouraged from getting it because "they'd have to get it from the kitchen that they share with the Hollywood & Vine" and I goes that was too much to ask, DH's Pot Roast was full of fatty meat as opposed to edible meat and then the wrong desserts were brought out to us.

At Sci-Fi all of our meals were correct, our server was very attentive and very personable, food was good and we'll be going back. And my kids (7 & 3) love sitting in the cars watching the cheesey sci-fi films.

 

[Missyrose]

Can you get food to go from 50's? We're going on a Fantasmic day and wanted to take some decent food into the theater while we wait!

 

[BriarRosie]

Can you get food to go from 50's? We're going on a Fantasmic day and wanted to take some decent food into the theater while we wait!

The full service restaurants do not do any meals "to go", unfortunately.

 

[jimmalru80]

We've been to both but we prefer the 50's Prime Time. For us, the food is better and we enjoy the interaction with the servers.

 

[gcage]

We have eaten at Sci-fi many times but we thought we'd try the 50's prime time this year.

First impressions
The theming is very cool, especially for folks who remember the 50's. However, my kids (8-6) were less than impressed.

When they called our name, we had to walk through a busy maze of tables that were randomly placed throughout. Our table (party of 6) was cobbled together from a booth and a table for 2. One of us had to sit in the "dealers" chair (because the seating situation was like a table used for blackjack). Not a big deal but it was a little awkward.

Our waitress
She was not very good. She was into the "Mom" thing, but her version reminded me more of Rossanne Barr than June Cleaver. She seemed very irritated by any questions and requests. She forgot silverware and several ordered items. When she forgot a spoon and we politely asked for one, she seemed irritated and said she brought one for everyone and that someone must have lost it. This was not cute or part of the gag.

The food
The Pot Pie is very good and ample. Unfortunately, I ordered the Meatloaf. It was very dry and on the small side. The flavor was good, but nothing to write home about. The mash potatoes were good, but the green beans were not the type that a "Mom" would make. They were the barely-cooked, fancy restaurant variety which look better than they taste. They were out of place for the theme of this place.

I ordered the Brownie Sundae for dessert. When it arrived, it was an impressive site. Very large! Unfortunately, it looked better than it tasted. The brownie portion was dry and cake-like and the topping was almost all whipped cream with only a small portion of ice cream. Also the "caramel topping" was a few pieces of caramel popcorn.

My wife ordered the bread pudding which was okay, but the waitress left off the request for it to be ala mode.

Bottom line
This place just didn't live up to the billing. I guess some of the other waiters/waitresses might have made the experience better, but we won't be going back.


Sci-fi on the other hand, has always been a good experience. The food is decent and the atmosphere is always a highlight for my kids and family.

 

[k&a&c'smom]

We love the atmosphere and theme at both, but the food is much, much better at '50's PT.

 

[DisneyRookie2007]

Which restaurant do you think is better? Prime-Time or Sci-Fi? We are on the edge of which to do. Please let me know your opinion! Thanks!

We've done both and enjoyed them both.........do both !

 

[SGMCO]

Which restaurant do you think is better? Prime-Time or Sci-Fi? We are on the edge of which to do. Please let me know your opinion! Thanks!

If you like to be bothered the whole time you are trying to eat
go with Prime time but if you would like to be able to relax
and enjoy eating your food go with Sci-fi.
Food was about the same at either.

 

[JerseyJanice]

I expected to open this thread and see every reply telling you to go to PT 50's Cafe. It's a pleasant surprise to see folks taking up for SciFi since it generally gets a bad rap on this board.

I'm so glad we went last trip. It was a wonderful break from a very hot and sunny day in the park. My burger was exceptionally tasty. I had 4 boys with me ranging from 17 to 11 years old, and all of them loved their food. I really forget what they all got, but no one complained about a thing. My hot fudge sundae was also very good.

I've never been to PT 50's, so I can't compare. Being bothered by a waiter or waitress is definitely not something my husband would enjoy, so we haven't tried. Contrived waitstaff play-acting doesn't appeal to us. I wasn't crazy about Whispering Canyon Cafe either. I didn't find their "act" all that special.

 

[lauren5406]

I have been to both and liked both. The atmosphere at Sci-Fi is truly original but the food isn't particularly inspired. 50's was just as much fun but the food was better. If you have children to consider they will prefer Sci-Fi but neither will disappoint.