Sci-Fi Diner thoughts

[Brer Brett]

So the "Unofficial Guide to Disney World" (great book, fyi) completely slams the sci-fi diner at the studios. It basically reviews the restaurant as a great entertaining "attraction" but says the food is absolutely awful considering the price.

My wife and I are heading back to WDW in late May, and we have our ADR's finalized (I think!), and one day for lunch includes the Sci-Fi diner. I remember going there when I was probably 11 years old, but that was 15 years ago . . . and I enjoy food a lot more now than I did back then.

My wife has never been to the Sci-Fi Diner, so she thinks the atmosphere would be fun - which I agree with.

So what are your thoughts on the food quality? I'm not so concerned with the price of the food, because we're on the Dining Plan - but that leads me to my next issue with going to Sci-Fi for lunch, in that I feel like I'm not taking full advantage of the Dining Plan for at least that meal because I'm using a "table service" at the Sci-Fi for lunch, instead of some nice restaurant for dinner, etc.

Recommendations?

 

[mom_of_3_70737]

We did SciFi in November. We really we NOT impressed. The atmosphere was fun, especially for the kids. The food on the other hand is less than impressive IMO I left there still hungry wishing I would have just ordered from the kids menu The only think that tasted okay was the chocolate milkshake, but then again, that isn't food My MH was less than impressed also. We will not be going back on any upcoming trips. Good luck!

 

[rie'smom]

My daughter loves the burger and shake. I love the shrimp penne. The food is not gourmet and not what you'd have at an upscale restaurant however, it's very good and very,very,very good when compared to most of the food at any of the WDW parks.

 

[Stacy_C]

I love the cheeseburger, onion rings and milkshake (cookies-n-cream). Everyone in our party of 14 enjoyed Sci-Fi.

 

[LilGMom]

Like any restaurant you'll find people that love it and some that hate it. We happen to really like it - atmosphere and food.

We went twice during our Oct. '07 trip and have a lunch ADR set up for our upcoming May trip. When we went we had onion rings which were superb!!! I had a smoked turkey sandwhich that was huge and definately filling, DH had a cheeseburger that he really enjoyed as well. The kids had a hot dog meal and was like what you get anywhere in WDW. The second time that week that we ate there I had the Italien grilled sandwhich that was delish!! Didn't care for the cucumber-melon salad but the rest of my meal was great. Can't remember what DH had, the kids had the pizza kids meal and we again got the onion rings. I'd honestly go there just for the atmosphere, onion rings and a chocolate milkshake.

We really enjoyed it and like I said we've had our ADR for May set for awhile now. Looking forward to it!!

 

[Brer Brett]

thanks for your thoughts, folks!

 

[eliza61]

We enjoyed sci-fi and always try to have lunch there. The food is good, though we stick with lunch fare and of course its over priced. It's in the middle of a theme park at a vacation destination. That's like wanting good prices on beer at a ball stadium.
The restuarant is fun and we always enjoy it.

 

[monte]

I ate dinner there in 2006 and enjoyed my meal and everything about the restaurant. I really don't see anything wrong with the food, service and the prices are high at all Disney restaurants, so I was suprised when I got the bill. I say if you want to eat there go for it...the milkshakes alone are worth the trip. Enjoy.

 

[daannzzz]

I have never understood why this gets slammed so hard. I have eaten there numerous times it it has been fine to real good. I have only been for lunch though and always get a burger or sandwich. Nothing has ever been bad.

 

[tazleiten12]

I think this is a fun place! We go for lunch every trip! We usually get the burger, or Reuben sandwich, onion rings and Oreo shake, and it has been very good.

 

[FFerret]

This was one of the highlights from our first trip in 2003--very memorable. Food not so much, but no biggie. I'm so very stoked right now because I just got off the phone and was able to change our 1:25 ADR (which was the only available time a month ago) to an earlier 11:25 one.

[happy ferret dance]

Can't wait!

 

[mamazaz]

We've been there 3 times on different trips. We've always enjoyed it and the food was good. On a trip in 2006, the chef even accommodated me with a Rice Dream milk shake since I'm lactose intollerant. That's the first time I've had a shake in years!!!

Our servers have always been friendly and very good. And of course, eating in a "car" at the "drive-in" is fun anyways!!

Have a great trip, and I wouldn't cancel out this restaurant because of a bad review.

 

[Todd&Copper]

I really enjoyed the cheeseburger, onion rings and chocolate shake I got there. DH & I went for a late lunch and were not disappointed. We did not do the DDP, so I don't know if it is much of a "value" on the DDP, but it was funa dn a great break from the crowds and heat/rain of early OCtober.

 

[Dale-Not-Chip]

The Sci Fi.

Atmosphere - Better than most Table Service

Service - Spotty

Food - Better than almost all Counter Service

 

[Dawn68PA]

It's a must-do for dinner every trip!

 

[rootbeerkid]

Our family of 6 ate at Sci-Fi in December 2004. I believe that 3 in our party ordered Rueben's with favorable reviews. The bill with tip was a little under $100. It was a little high for just the food but, with the ambiance, the meal provided an enjoyable experience that we are glad to have. We'd do it again.

 

[Biggreen19]

Have eaten lunch and dinner there - we prefer lunch over dinner. The food is OK; the milk-shakes are great. We schedule lunch at the sci-fi on every trip - go and enjoy!

 

[stellablue]

I think it's, at the very least, a place that should be tried at least once.

We went about a month ago. We thought the atmosphere was so fun! Lunch definately seems to be the best bet at this place. DBF was actually very impressed with his cheeseburger-said it was the best he had on property. My chicken sandwich was ok. Nothing spectacular, but certainly not horrible. I did not like the cucumber melon salad at all and will opt for onion rings or french fries next time (DBF's were good). The shakes were terrific.

Our server was pretty good, but the kitchen was VERY slow. Food took a long time to come out.

We are not sure if we will go here again for our next trip (in case we want to try something else), but would certainly not blacklist it for good. We are very glad we tried it!

 

[keishashadow]

think Denny's, with a great kitschy atmosphere

ice cream/dessert always highlight of our meal

It has it's fans, still don't think anybody would go back (repeat visit) solely for the food

imo, it beats the lousy CS options @ MGM

 

[KorieDWnut]

If you have ever eaten at a mediocre chain restaurant, then you have experienced food like the Sci Fi cafe. I didn't think the food was awful or inedible, but it just wasn't anything wonderful or even memorable. I had some kind of turkey sandwhich and it was nearly 14 dollars. It is a really fun place and we are going again this August. I do agree that it is more attraction than anything