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

[otterpop]

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'm guessing you don't like the Haunted Mansion either??? Those intruding ghosts have no right to be in your Doom Buggy!

 

[HopperFan]

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!

Because you weren't the hitchhiker, you were driving. The couple behind you were the hitchhikers.

 

[nursejackie]

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!

You have convinced me, I'm going for sure now. I really want to try it, even if it's just once. As we go for 17 nights I am determined to not eat in the same place twice within the same park on each trip, even if the other 3 are happy to.

 

[DisneyHardin]

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. !

The only time we ate here, we had an ADR and were seated at a picnic table at the back. I told the hostess we would prefer a car and was told no that this was the table assigned or our party (there were just 3 of us, so not a big party) and basically we had to take it or not eat there. We sat there and ate but I was so disappointed because the whole reason I booked the restaurant was for the cars.

 

[kamik86]

You have convinced me, I'm going for sure now. I really want to try it, even if it's just once. As we go for 17 nights I am determined to not eat in the same place twice within the same park on each trip, even if the other 3 are happy to.

Glad you decided to go. I honestly feel more like I"m sitting next to a stranger when DH and I get a table for 2 at another place where one side is chairs and the other side is a bench that has several other two tops. The tables are so close together you almost feel like your sitting with the couple next to you.

At sci fi with everyone facing the same way it feels much less like sitting with a stranger more like sitting in a theatre where other people are sitting in the row in front of or behind you.

 

[Lisa F]

Glad you decided to go. I honestly feel more like I"m sitting next to a stranger when DH and I get a table for 2 at another place where one side is chairs and the other side is a bench that has several other two tops. The tables are so close together you almost feel like your sitting with the couple next to you.

At sci fi with everyone facing the same way it feels much less like sitting with a stranger more like sitting in a theatre where other people are sitting in the row in front of or behind you.

It's true! i hate those 2-tops where you're 6" away from another 2-top!

 

[22Tink]

The only time we ate here, we had an ADR and were seated at a picnic table at the back. I told the hostess we would prefer a car and was told no that this was the table assigned or our party (there were just 3 of us, so not a big party) and basically we had to take it or not eat there. We sat there and ate but I was so disappointed because the whole reason I booked the restaurant was for the cars.

Was this recently or awhile ago? Maybe their policy has changed? We have 3 in our party as well. This concerns me as the whole reason we booked this was to get to eat in a car. If I want to eat at a picnic table I’ll go to a QS location.

 

[DisneyHardin]

Was this recently or awhile ago? Maybe their policy has changed? We have 3 in our party as well. This concerns me as the whole reason we booked this was to get to eat in a car. If I want to eat at a picnic table I’ll go to a QS location.

It has been a while ago. Hopefully the policy has changed or at least maybe the hostesses have gotten nicer.

 

[HopperFan]

The only time we ate here, we had an ADR and were seated at a picnic table at the back. I told the hostess we would prefer a car and was told no that this was the table assigned or our party (there were just 3 of us, so not a big party) and basically we had to take it or not eat there. We sat there and ate but I was so disappointed because the whole reason I booked the restaurant was for the cars.

That is not what they present at the podium, they have the photos printed, laminated and right on counter for you to see. I think I would have asked for a manager.

 

[jrmasm]

It implies an intruder or outsider. Someone who doesn’t fit in as part of the rest of the group. THAT is insulting and off-putting.

It's a joke.

 

[Dug720]

It's a joke.

And not all jokes are funny.

 

[HopperFan]

It's a joke.

Yup for fun .... because it fits the situation ...

"Hitchhiking is a means of transportation that is gained by asking people, usually strangers, for a ride in their automobile or other vehicle."

 

[MDH]

And not all jokes are funny.

I think you should try lightening up a little. This is a harmless little fun thematic situation. And before you repeat, YES, I understand most people wouldn't hitchhike AT a drive in movie theatre. If you snuck into someones car there you'd be called burglar or a thief. Obviously they take some creative liberties and stretch things. Unless of course you'd prefer to be called a burglar? Try not to be offended where no offense is intended. I'm sure it must be tiring. Instead, consider that they are trying to add to the experience for you. This is why we have themed restaurants. One day they may create a pirate themed restaurant. I might get called a landlubber for eating there. I wont be offended, I will smile and enjoy the thematic fun. Because if I don't, we'll all just be eating at Applebee's.

 

[arminnie]

And not all jokes are funny.

True because not all people have a sense of humor. Ever try explaining a joke to someone with Autism?

 

[jrmasm]

And not all jokes are funny.

This one is.

 

[Lisa F]

True because not all people have a sense of humor. Ever try explaining a joke to someone with Autism?

my son has autism and has quite a wonderful sense of humor and especially enjoys word play.

He would think it was funny that part of the "theme" is that this car pulls in with a hitchhiker in the back seat. In fact he did when we went there and were the hitchhikers. Sure, he was 8 years old and I had to explain to him what a hitchhiker was because it is not really part of his world but he thought it was funny that we were hitchhikers. Please don't lump all people with autism together as "humorless." When I have to explain a joke to my son it's because the subject is not something he is familiar with, not that he doesn't have a sense of humor.

and it is actually the exact OPPOSITE of an intruder... the driver has explicitly gone out of their way to stop and welcome a stranger into their car. It's friendly, not "off putting" and it's reminiscent of a simpler time when people felt safe doing so... both hitchhiking and picking up hitchhikers... and very much in keeping with the retro theme of the place

 

[Pumbaa_]

Well this sure went sideways

 

[rpb718]

Well this sure went sideways

You could say this thread got carjacked.