Sci-Fi Diner vs. 50's Prime Time Cafe

[june@imsarc.com]

50's is fun, especially with kids and if you have a great waiter, also like a trip back to grandma's house! Sci Fi is awkward, nobody is facing eachother, you're looking at huge screen--not a lot of interaction! 50's PT Cafe for sure!

 

[vinotinto]

I vote for 50's (although I am giving Sci-Fi another try in September). The food at 50's is much better (try the Seafood salad, the pot roast and the brownie sundae) and we had a funny waitress. I went walking around the restaurant looking at all the decorations (so many of them reminded me of my grandma's house) and she asked me, "do I go over to your house and start wandering around?" It was really funny. My DH was in stitches.

 

[TBdisneyMC]

I would go with 50's Prime Time. We've eaten at both places twice, and preferred 50's both times. The food at Sci-fi is okay, but I hate not being able to really see what I'm eating and our servers weren't great either time (may have been bad luck). We really liked the food at 50's and our servers were great, especially on our first visit. We'll be back in August!

About the seating at Sci-fi - I think they do have a few tables that are actual tables with chairs. They have a front that looks like the other cars, but you sit facing each other. I don't think there are many though. They seat six and I think they are towards the back like the picnic tables someone else mentioned. (the majority are the typical cars with rows of seats) But if you decide on Sci-fi, maybe you can request those?

 

[KarlaG4Kids]

We prefer sci fi. 50s was good but we think the food is better at sci fi. It seems a bit less chaotic too...a little easier to just relax a bit. Maybe it is because people are quieter while watching the movies.

 

[Kims09]

Definately 50s Prime Time! We love it there, but the waiter/ress will be the deciding factor as to whether it's a good experience or an awesome experience.
Also, I had the best peanut butter shake of my life at 50s.

 

[jcvalenti]

So, my kids will be 8 and 11 on our next trip. You think they will enjoy 50s better than Sci Fi? Isn't there a PB&J shake they talk about? My DS LIVES on PB&J. Might be fun for him. They could care less about food, so atmosphere would win out for them.

My kids really enjoyed both, but clearly liked 50's PT more. Part of that was the food, but there's a ton to keep kids entertained there - there's old 50s sit coms running on a loop on black and white tvs, every table has a Viewmaster with pictures of the food. The place is bright and lively and for the most part, the waiters and waitresses make it fun.

I do believe they have a PB&J shake at 50's, but I've never had it.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I have never been to 50s PTC, but I do want to try it someday...

Anyhow, I faced the same dilemma when booking our trip in July. As it stands now, we have Sci Fi for lunch. I just know that Sci Fi is a cool atmosphere that our son likes, and we can get a decent milkshake, onion rings and burger. I just don't know that I will want meatloaf or fried chicken in July. I also don't know that after walking around DHS in July all day that I will want some waiter harassing me (on the other hand, if the waiter doesn't harass us, then what was the point ). Going into a cool, dark place in July with a neat atmosphere is what sold me.

I agree with your statement. Now that i think of it, I dunno what i was thinking getting salty greasy chicken while walking miles in disney in the heat!! That could be why i didnt enjoy the 50's fried chicken? Wow it was salty! Yuck.

I personally love the food at Sci Fi, shakes/ribs/burgers are great. RE: the seating arrangement..... I noticed many people have a problem with not being able to chat while eating, seating arrangement makes it awkward to talk. Not to be rude, but isnt that the whole point of a drive in? When i booked this restaurant I very well knew that we'd be sitting in cars. I looked at pics and saw that it was 2 per row in the car (as traditionally cars are like that). Its best to do research before booking a restaurant so your not disappointed. Just a tip!

 

[MomiTo2SwtGuys]

I vote for Sci-Fi. I love the atmosphere. We tried 50's Prime Time one time and weren't really impressed. We usually have onion rings, burgers, beef and bleu salad, and milk shakes. Not all at once of course, but on different occasions.

 

[jking6]

I really enjoyed the 50s Prime time. I didnt care for sci fi. I really dont like eating in the dark confused3).
This is me exactly, I enjoyed the food @ sci-fi after I used my cell phone to shine light on what I was eating. I am not a fan of eating in the dark. I did enjoy the meal at Sci-fi and will probably go again.
BUT with that being said I really enjoyed 50's PT, it was bright cheery and funny atmosphere and the food was great and plentiful. I will be going to 50's in May can not wait...

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Another vote for 50's!! We've always had a great meal there, and the service has always been HILARIOUS.

 

[PrincessDez]

I vote 50's Primetime! We eat there every time we go. Been to SciFi twice and both times did not have good food.

 

[kmedina]

I prefer Sci Fi. Three people can easily fit in one seat in the bigger cars. You will have strangers sitting behind you, but it is not a big deal. My husband, my son and I easily fit in one row with room to spare. My sister and her 2 DDs easily fit in the row directly behind us. The third row is smaller, so it would probably only fit two people.

 

[pilferk]

For dinner? 50's prime time.

For lunch? Sci fi

From my experience, 50's does "dinner-y" foods better.

Sci-fi does "lunch-y" foods better.

If you're craving a burger or a sandwich for dinner...Sci Fi would fit the bill, though.

Word of warning, though: 50's prime time gets CRAZY around dinner time. The wait area/bar is not big enough to handle the overflow of people waiting for tables. And, every trip, this is the place we wait longest for our ADR (usually 15 min or so). Oh..and it shares bathrooms with Hollywood and Vine (which is right next door) so there can (at times..so my wife tells me) be a line for the ladies room.

 

[SCGDisney]

We booked the 50's Cafe for our trip in October (Me, DH, DS1 (8), DS2(5), and my IL's). I'm so excited to go after reading this thread! I wasn't too sure about it, but it sounds like it will be a lot of fun!

 

[John Tag]

50's cafe rocks... WE done enjoy sitting in a car at Sci-Fi with our other half of our party with there back to us. WE can do that on a plane..LOL