Sci-Fi Diner - too scary for 3 and 5yr olds?

[CJK]

We're booked there for dinner, but I read a review somewhere, saying that their 4yr old was scared of the "monster" on the screen and hid under the table for much of the meal. Should I be worried about this?? I went with my nephews a few years ago who were 4 & 6 at the time and I don't remember them even noticing the screen much. I'd really appreciate any personal experience with young children. Thanks!!

 

[Bork]

DS went at 3.5 and really liked it. I don't think he paid much attention to the screen, he was too busy looking at the car, his food, and everything else. But when he did see the screen, I think he thought it was more funny than anything.

DS was scared on most rides that were dark at the time, but no problem at Sci Fi.

 

[williamson_ja]

I think it depends on the kid. Mine was just fine and had no problems when we went when she was 3.

 

[IllumFan]

I agree that it depends on the kid, which means I would probably wait a few years until your children are older. It's tough to know what might upset them. Although the clips are corny to adults, they can be scary to sensitive kids with "monsters" and large insects.

If you go, you could try one of the tables in the back instead of the car. It takes a lot of the fun out of the experience but there's a little more light in the back and depending how you sit, the kids might not notice the movie.

Enjoy!

 

[disfreak2]

I agree completely. My 2 year-old paid little attention to the screen and was loving the car. I was a little worried about the dim lighting since we had already traumitized him with pirates earlier in the week. He enjoyed himself there.

 

[ancestry]

I really don't think that most kids would find any of it scary. Some of the clips were actually cartoons and the sci-fi clips were just cheesy (not scary).

 

[MHSweb79]

My DD is in college now and she still talks about "eating in the cars" when she was 5. My food was inedible (some kind of hot meat sandwich that was too tough to chew although the milkshake almost made it worthwhile) but to her the experience was something she'll always remember.

Reading reviews over the years, I think the food has improved quite a bit. We're still working our way through restaurants we've never been to before so it will be a while until we try this one again.

I'm still not sure why there's always in inverse relationship between quality of food and coolness of gimmick (see: Rainforest Cafe) but it seems to be universal and not just a Disney thing.

 

[kawc1945]

Took DD's last year who were 3 and 6 at the time....they absolutely loved the place! Looking forward to being there next week. They never were scared or even mentioned anything scary. I think they were more excited about the cars and the milkshakes!

 

[CajunMomof3]

On our first trip my DS was 5 and could have been a body double for Chicken Little. He loved Sci-Fi! It is the one of 2 restaurants in the parks that we go to every time (the other is Yak & Yeti). I think that with the special effects this generation is used to, the old stuff isn't all that impressive...

 

[DjdBrit]

I have eaten here 3 times, 1st when my kids were 2, 4 and 7, most recently now they are 4, 7 and 9. Never once have my kids been scared, in fact they LOVE this place. Yes, I know the food isn't the best but it great for what it is... a drive in! The kids LOVE the cars and get a real kick out of the movies, its not pitch black but it is darker than a regular restaurant, so if your kids don't like the dark bring a glow stick or be ready to buy the kids punch with the glowing Tinkerbell or Buzz

I will tell you this is one of the only meals where my kids are quiet and engaged There is no TV in my kitchen so they think its a real treat to watch movies clips and eat, and it is

Forgot to mention my favourite clip is when the hotdog jumps into the bun!



Have fun!

 

[ElizabethB]

Our 9-year-old was scared by the movie clips and didn't like it. They have since toned it down somewhat, so there are more cartoons, commercials and the like interspersed with the sci-fi clips. Still, he's older now and has no desire to return.

 

[DISdreamin']

When we went in January '09 DD was four and did NOT like Sci-Fi. We thought the cool cars would win her over, but the dim lighting and movie clips freaked her out. That said, guess who is asking if she can go eat in the cars again if we go back to Disney?! Little do they know, we have the trip all booked, and our first meal will be Sci-Fi.

 

[hellokittiemama]

Nope! We took the kids when my kids were 6 and 2 and they were fine. The only thing scary at Sci Fi is the food IMO. My son LOVED eating in the car and watching the movies (he was the 6 yr old) and remembers it. I almost booked it again but the food wasn't good. We had each parent sit with a kid in a row and I spent my meal turning around constantly. I wasn't very good at eating in the dark either LOL!

 

[Joshua_me]

if your kids don't like the dark bring a glow stick or be ready to buy the kids punch with the glowing Tinkerbell or Buzz

Great idea !

Or maybe a small keychain flashlight....

 

[dixonsontour]

We went last year and my DD 3 loved it - one of her two asked for go backs to this trip.

Yes it was dimly lit - she loved the tinkerbell drink we got her.

She watched the clips and enjoyed pretending to drive the car.

I can't remember anything scary about the clips but DD loved tough to be a bug the same trip.

If your child is ok in a normal movie theater then i'm sure they will be fine.

 

[lucyem]

I think it will totally depend on your child. We were there in Feb with a 3 yr old, 4 yr old & 7 yr old. The 3 & 4 yr olds were fine. The 7 yr old has asked not to return. When we were there he asked the waiter to change the channel Honestly I was surprised he did not like it. If I had seen it first I would have brought him thinking he would have thought it was funny.

 

[Joshua_me]

7 yr old has asked not to return. When we were there he asked the waiter to change the channel

 

[sray563]

The first time I went to the Sci-Fi Dine In, I was about 7. I have to admit, some of the movies scared me....but looking back, that first trip was where I really fell in love with the restaurant. Now, I always have to eat there. My trip isn't complete with a meal in the cars under the starry sky.