Sci Fi Dinner

[Frozen2014]

Our ADRs open up next week. At the moment we are pretty set on just booking two table service restaurants (Boma and Chef Mickeys).

However, Sci Fi Dine In Theatre place looks fun. Silly question but can you sit together as a family of 4?

Also, is it worth the time? It's partly financial why we're sticking mostly to Quick Service (as we've splurged on other things), but am also thinking it takes away from park time....plus hard to work around Genie+ as we won't know any times until the actual day (and even then won't know what else we are booking). We only have one day at Hollywood Studios.

Our HS day is 60+3 so not even sure if we could get an ADR.

Looking for feedback. Thanks.

 

[nursejackie]

We have just booked lunch for our upcoming trip in August, but only for 2 of us. Although the seats are in twos and face forward, there are some side-sitting tables that seat 6. I'm not sure how they would seat 4 of you, either 2 and 2 but not facing each other, or the 6 for 4 if it's not reserved at that time. You may not know until you arrive unfortunately. Also, we only have one course and it hasn't taken much time out of our park time in the past in my experience, but we check the menu on the app beforehand and order as soon as we sit down.

 

[Bork]

We don't look at it as wasted time, we look at it as a a break from the heat and crowds. We typically book a late lunch. There should be some availability, but you'll want to be on right at 6 AM EDT to book.

 

[SteveH]

If you can get it and if you like the menu then IMHO it's one of most unique dining experiences on property and as you noted, very fun. You'll probably be placed 2 in a row and 2 behind, with another party of 2 or 3 behind you in the same "car".

 

[yensid's offspring]

I personally like the Sci-Fi dine in. It is a unique experience and you should do it at least once. If your kids are like 8-16 they probably will enjoy it best. Very young will not get it and late teens will prob. find it corny. If you are of a certain age and remember drive-ins, you will like it. The food is not bad either and it is on the lower end price wise for a sit down meal. The cars will accommodate a family of 4 with no issues. I think it is worth the try if you can fit it in budget wise. Convenient location as well and does not take up too much time out of park day. Also you can book your entire trip for AD, once the first day of your trip is 60 days out. We booked 7 days worth of meals once our first day was 60 out.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thanks for the photo of the seats. Interesting set up. Sounds like we'd be two and two (and seems like the better seating option for the experience.

Our kids are 17 and 13.

We don't look at it as wasted time, we look at it as a a break from the heat and crowds. We typically book a late lunch. There should be some availability, but you'll want to be on right at 6 AM EDT to book.

Good to know. My first booking would be Chef Mickey's (even though day 60+7) as we want that breakfast on our departure day. But could then try for Sci Fi (60+3) and then Boma (60+4)

 

[reddog21]

Our ADRs open up next week. At the moment we are pretty set on just booking two table service restaurants (Boma and Chef Mickeys).

However, Sci Fi Dine In Theatre place looks fun. Silly question but can you sit together as a family of 4?

Also, is it worth the time? It's partly financial why we're sticking mostly to Quick Service (as we've splurged on other things), but am also thinking it takes away from park time....plus hard to work around Genie+ as we won't know any times until the actual day (and even then won't know what else we are booking). We only have one day at Hollywood Studios.

Our HS day is 60+3 so not even sure if we could get an ADR.

Looking for feedback. Thanks.

The standard tables are cars so 2 in the front, 2 in the back and 2 in the trunk all facing forward. You would never be seated in different cars if your a family of 4 and you'll always be together(ish) so 2 in the front seat and 2 in the rear seat or 2 in the rear and 2 in the trunk. It is rather loud in there so it's hard to talk to the people in front of you or behind you.

 

[_19disnA]

We at lunch there a few years ago since the place next door (don't recall the name) was closed for refurbishment. We didn't want to walk to another area of the park just to eat and there aren't many other good choices for sit-down dining in that area. As I recall a couple of others choices were mostly walk-up 'fast food' places. We didn't have a reservation for lunch and just added our names to the waiting list. Seating is a bit strange since if you sit in one of those cars, you end up looking at the back of the heads of others in your party which can make conversation a bit awkward. We were able to get one of the regular tables toward the back.

We found it dark, noisy and the interior in general looked like it was time for a refresh. The food for lunch was very average and if you aren't over 50, I doubt you will have any idea what the short movie clips are about. Most were from older TV shows or movies of that era. No idea why this place seems so popular and not someplace we would ever choose to eat again.

 

[reddog21]

We at lunch there a few years ago since the place next door (don't recall the name) was closed for refurbishment. We didn't want to walk to another area of the park just to eat and there aren't many other good choices for sit-down dining in that area. As I recall a couple of others choices were mostly walk-up 'fast food' places. We didn't have a reservation for lunch and just added our names to the waiting list. Seating is a bit strange since if you sit in one of those cars, you end up looking at the back of the heads of others in your party which can make conversation a bit awkward. We were able to get one of the regular tables toward the back.

We found it dark, noisy and the interior in general looked like it was time for a refresh. The food for lunch was very average and if you aren't over 50, I doubt you will have any idea what the short movie clips are about. Most were from older TV shows or movies of that era. No idea why this place seems so popular and not someplace we would ever choose to eat again.

The only part that I would agree with is that the food it good but nothing over the top for the price. It is getting to the point where the price of the meal is close to out weighing the atmosphere.

It's supposed to be a drive in so why wouldn't it be dark? My kids(8-14) find the b reel horror clips hysterical it's one of the few restaurants they look forward to every vacation and they have definitely never seen any of those movies. It's the most unique dining experience in Disneyworld.

 

[HopperFan]

As far as we are concerned one of the best themed restaurants at Disney! Love they took the risk in re-creating an old drive in theater into a restaurant. We would eat there every single trip if we could get inside. Your family is likely to be sat in a car in two seats. If one of the 6 seaters, you might have hitchhikers sat with you. Most cars seat 6, a few seat 4. The movies are campy but fun. We found for the price it's a great table service value - we stick with the burgers and sandwiches and never had a bad meal. They have good shakes and depending on menu have some nice desserts.

Note walkups (waitlist now) are usually sat at the picnic tables at the back. We did that once and I didn't enjoy that, would likely not do walkup again. I think the side seating tables are for larger groups or those who cannot transfer or sit comfortably in the cars. I prefer the regular cars for the whole immersion thing. Your kids are old enough too.

EDIT TO ADD: This is one of the quietest places we have eaten at WDW. My DS has sound sensory issues and many Disney restaurants he needs headphones, not here.

 

[dcassetta]

We think the food at Sci-Fi is pretty mediocre, but the milkshakes are good. One way to save a little is to book midafternoon and just order desserts. The film clips are on a loop that lasts about 45 minutes, so if you have a longer meal you will begin to see the same clips again.

 

[Frozen2014]

Thanks for the feedback.

One further clarification....its the restaurant inside with AC? Or is it literally outside like a real drive in? We're going end of August so AC would be a must (which I'm guessing but want to make sure)

 

[dcassetta]

Inside with AC

 

[Frozen2014]

Inside with AC

Thanks for confirming

 

[HopperFan]

Thanks for the feedback.

One further clarification....its the restaurant inside with AC? Or is it literally outside like a real drive in? We're going end of August so AC would be a must (which I'm guessing but want to make sure)

Inside, only way to insure darkness

Here is photo of ceiling and those much enjoyed A/C vents! A must for ME!

 

[bakerworld]

We're always in the trunk, which isn't the greatest view, but we love to eat there and have our reservation for Sunday, July 3, at 1:40pm - LOL. My biggest problem is how dark it is so I can't see the menu.

 

[Frozen2014]

Inside, only way to insure darkness

Good point. The darkness was mentioned a few times so makes sense.

We're always in the trunk, which isn't the greatest view, but we love to eat there and have our reservation for Sunday, July 3, at 1:40pm - LOL. My biggest problem is how dark it is so I can't see the menu.

Lol...guess good to bring a flashlight . Exciting! Enjoy your trip and reservation.

 

[OppR2nist]

For us, it's a must-do. Our children are very energetic and loud, but that place is so well done that it (somehow) ends up being the most quiet meal of the trip, even after repeat visits.

 

[3gr8boys]

We ate at Sci-Fi this past April. We were a group of 5 and were seated in a regular-table car like the one @nursejackie shows in her post. At first I was thinking it would be hard to enjoy the drive in screen, but a slight angle of the chair when desired was all it took. I can't remember specifics, but there may be some kind of lighting at the tables. Even though it was dark, I didn't have any trouble reading the menu. Overall, it was rather quiet. People that were talking seemed to be doing so in a subdued manner. Everyone enjoyed their food. My husband later told me that the salmon pasta entree was his favorite main dish of the trip.

ETA
@WedWayPilot post (coming up on page 3) reminded me that menus were via QR code during the meal mentioned above ...of course I didn’t have trouble reading the menu in the dark That said... agree that there is definitely lighting at table level as I remember reading the menu in the days before QR code menus.

 

[parasail_of_congress]

Last week, we just booked lunch at 60+3 and had no problem getting the time we wanted. In fact, later in the afternoon on the day I booked, we decided to rebook an hour later, and there were still spots available.

Also, Disney Food Blog mentioned in a recent update that they have a few new menu items, so hopefully this is part of a good food upgrade.