Sci fi diner how to ensure a car instead of picnic table.

[Pumbaa_]

Whether a single or a couple they always call the extra hitch hikers. Nothing derogatory, it is part of the cheesiness of Disney

 

[mom2rtk]

How is that insulting? I'm not meaning to start anything honest, but what else should they do? I guess a table? You can't have a whole car to yourself. And if you get the entire back row it's like having your own table anyways. Is it the term hitchhiker you find offensive? I think that's just a pretty accurate term for what a stranger would be who tagged along for a ride in some families car.

I agree. They're just trying to be cute. Just like when the waitress at 50's Prime Time scolds you for not eating your vegetables.

 

[22Tink]

I’m glad I saw this thread! I had no idea not getting a car was even a possibility. We’ve never been and I thought all the tables were cars. Good to know that I’ll need to ask at check in!

 

[TulipMom]

We were at Sci-Fi Dine In in late October. The host stand was very clear that your ADR guaranteed a car, but that it could be the bench/row style car OR the table style car. There were other non-car tables. They seemed to be very clearly letting everyone know that those with ADRs would be getting a car, but the exact style wasn't up for us to choose. I heard the host repeat this spiel with each check in. That said, I'm sure if you're willing to wait then they might accommodate a specific car style. We ended up in a bench/row style car, which we wanted, and then we realized that with a group of 7 that it made it pretty difficult to chat with each other and also hard to share an appetizer! That said, it was one of our favorite meals of the week!

 

[rinnythepooh]

Will have to mull it over. I've got until 16th December to decide. I just wish the other 3 in my group wanted to come along, then we could all share a car. Oh well

Husband and myself have dined there several times and been put in the backseat of the car. Every time we were called "Hitchhikers". Never gave it a second thought. I think they call all separate parties in the back this. The party in front could not see us and we paid no attention to them. Its like separate tables. I am pretty sure a single diner would have the backseat to themselves and it would be like having your own table. If you haven't been there, I wouldn't miss going at least once.

 

[22Tink]

We were at Sci-Fi Dine In in late October. The host stand was very clear that your ADR guaranteed a car, but that it could be the bench/row style car OR the table style car. There were other non-car tables. They seemed to be very clearly letting everyone know that those with ADRs would be getting a car, but the exact style wasn't up for us to choose. I heard the host repeat this spiel with each check in. That said, I'm sure if you're willing to wait then they might accommodate a specific car style. We ended up in a bench/row style car, which we wanted, and then we realized that with a group of 7 that it made it pretty difficult to chat with each other and also hard to share an appetizer! That said, it was one of our favorite meals of the week!

Thanks for clarifying that!

 

[Order66]

We've eaten at Sci-Fi as a family of 4, in a 3 row car, and had a "hitchhiker" couple seated in the 3rd row more than once. Each row is really it's own table. Honestly never really notice they are there unless you go out of your way to talk to them. Everyone is facing frontwards....so even if you have other people with you, conversation with anyone but the person next to you is kinda hard. It's not like you're looking at strangers across a table and it's somewhat awkward to turn around to talk anyway. As well, because it's like a movie theater (in a way) the conversations tend to be rather low volume, so unless you are trying....you can't really hear what others are saying.

regards

 

[Lisa F]

Mmmm I don't really want to dine with other people. I didn't expect to get a car to myself but I definitely do not want to sit next to a stranger. I think I'll cancel

you won't sit NEXT to a stranger. You'll sit behind them in your own booth. A criticism people have of this restaurant is that if your party is more than 2 it feels like you are not all sitting together... so it's not a problem. I've been a "hitchhiker" in the back seat, it felt like our own table and we had no interaction from the people in front of us or privacy issues. This is probably a great place to eat solo because you have something to do while you eat. It's not great for conversation in there!

 

[Janet McDonald]

We are a family of five and going December 20. The youngest is 13 so no small children. Can we sit 3 and 2 or will we have to do 2, 2, 1?

 

[Pumbaa_]

It is tight seating. 2 works great. Not sure 3 would unless skinny little people

 

[cyclonemama]

We just returned and had a party of 7. 4 adults and 3 children ages 8,6, and 4. When we checked in the hostess asked if we'd rather sit in a car with 3 benches or a table in a car. We chose the 3 benches and put the smallest child between 2 adults on one of the benches. Reflecting back though I wish I would gave requested the table because it is hard to talk between benches and the grandkids kept turning around to talk with parents.

 

[Janet McDonald]

It is tight seating. 2 works great. Not sure 3 would unless skinny little people

Hmm. We have two skinnys, two mediums, and one Dad bod That will be kinda weird having one person sit solo, but I want a car. Also on deluxe dining plan and will want to share aps. May need to ask for one of the tables?

 

[Thing 1]

They are going to fill up the car in whatever way works. Last trip we had three in our party so we were 2 and one in a car and shortly after we were sit, they added a couple to our back seat. PLENTY of empty cars as it was right at open but they were filling each car as they went. I was alone in the middle and had a hard time talking to my guys in front of me. The stranger lady behind me complained LOUDLY the whole time about everything. We really are not huge fans of this place in general and this really was not a great experience. I think that was our last visit there.

 

[focusondisney]

Except I highly doubt drive-in theaters were putting random people in other people’s cars, ergo a hitchhiker doesn’t even exist for the theme. There ARE, however, two-seater cars so perhaps they should have put those in for couples or solos.

Real drive in theaters aren't putting anyone in cars. You come to the drive in movie in your own car. Drive ins don't send wait staff to your car to take food orders either. Drive ins don't' give any one "parking tickets", but that's what they call it when they give you the bill. They are just going for a car based theme, not labeling you for real.

Disney calls us guests, but do any of us really believe we are actually guests?? Of course not, we all realize we are paying customers, no matter what euphemism Disney uses. You really are taking this too seriously.

As far as "sitting" with strangers, I have been waaaay closer to strangers at Le Cellier. I have practically had people touch our food as they are seated next to is there. And you definitely are privy to your neighbors conversations there. At Sci Fi, you aren't forced to interact with other parties in your car at all.

 

[Janet McDonald]

They are going to fill up the car in whatever way works. Last trip we had three in our party so we were 2 and one in a car and shortly after we were sit, they added a couple to our back seat. PLENTY of empty cars as it was right at open but they were filling each car as they went. I was alone in the middle and had a hard time talking to my guys in front of me. The stranger lady behind me complained LOUDLY the whole time about everything. We really are not huge fans of this place in general and this really was not a great experience. I think that was our last visit there.

Oh yikes. Yeah the complaining would have greatly bothered me too! Maybe sitting at a table would for sure be better.

 

[HopperFan]

Mmmm I don't really want to dine with other people. I didn't expect to get a car to myself but I definitely do not want to sit next to a stranger. I think I'll cancel

NEVER sit next to a stranger. You will get the whole seat and whole tabletop to yourself. There may be other parties in the other bench seats. They fill the cars, rarely do you see a seat empty for long. We have sat and then our other car mates show up 15 minutes or so later.

I’m glad I saw this thread! I had no idea not getting a car was even a possibility. We’ve never been and I thought all the tables were cars. Good to know that I’ll need to ask at check in!

If you have an ADR you will get a car since that is what you expect when you book. At the podium they even have laminated photo of car which says ADR and a photo of the picnic tables which says Walkup on it. Some walkups get lucky and get to be hitchhikers. Now if you group won't even fit in the biggest car, you get the tables that have car front/end like bookends.

We are a family of five and going December 20. The youngest is 13 so no small children. Can we sit 3 and 2 or will we have to do 2, 2, 1?

It is TIGHT. I would think you want a bigger car with three rows, so one alone. The restaurant is not conducive to conversation, the movies are running, plenty to check out looking around .... but you can talk between rows, just not easy.

Real drive in theaters aren't putting anyone in cars. You come to the drive in movie in your own car. Drive ins don't send wait staff to your car to take food orders either. Drive ins don't' give any one "parking tickets", but that's what they call it when they give you the bill. They are just going for a car based theme, not labeling you for real.

Disney calls us guests, but do any of us really believe we are actually guests?? Of course not, we all realize we are paying customers, no matter what euphemism Disney uses. You really are taking this too seriously.

As far as "sitting" with strangers, I have been waaaay closer to strangers at Le Cellier. I have practically had people touch our food as they are seated next to is there. And you definitely are privy to your neighbors conversations there. At Sci Fi, you aren't forced to interact with other parties in your car at all.

It's all theater, just like we call the employees Cast Members. And a HUGE YES for Le Cellier, number one reason I won't go back. At Biergarten I am expecting to sit with strangers but a Signature restaurant ......... NO.

 

[Shanti]

Mmmm I don't really want to dine with other people. I didn't expect to get a car to myself but I definitely do not want to sit next to a stranger. I think I'll cancel

You don't sit next to strangers. You'll sit in a row in front of or behind them within the same "car". You'll have your own space, though- your own table & seating. You won't be chatting with the strangers as you're in different rows. It's kind of like being in a theater- which it really is: a drive-in theater.

The same thing happens if you're a party of two. We've never found it problematic. But if a person needs a traditional table arrangement, I don't recommend dinner at a drive-in.

 

[22Tink]

If you have an ADR you will get a car since that is what you expect when you book. At the podium they even have laminated photo of car which says ADR and a photo of the picnic tables which says Walkup on it. Some walkups get lucky and get to be hitchhikers. Now if you group won't even fit in the biggest car, you get the tables that have car front/end like bookends.

I'm so glad to hear this, thank you! We are a party of three so we should be fine in a regular car.

 

[EEva]

From what I have heard they will put you in the back row of a car and call you a hitchhiker.

Enough to make me NEVER go there. So insulting.

I had dinner at SciFi solo in early September. I was seated in the front row of a car with a couple seated behind me. The term "hitchhiker" was never mentioned. And the server was very nice. Perhaps when it is a slower time of year they don't do that? It was a great experience!

 

[arminnie]

I've probably eaten as a solo there 10+ times over the past 15 or so years. Not one time did I have any contact at all with the others sitting in the "car". You are probably closer to another diner when you are sitting in a booth at a restaurant. To me it's a total non issue.