Sci-Fi Drive In to Frozen Sing Along

[vfalkner]

We have a 12:20 reservation at Sci-Fi and a 1:15-1:30 FP+ for Frozen (1:40 show) - will we have enough time? If we get to Sci-Fi a little earlier might we get seated earlier? How strict are they on the Frozen FP+, if we get there before the show, can we still get in?

We are leaving in 5 days and I can't wait! (but I am still over planning!)

 

[cornichon]

That is cutting it close in my opinion. Any chance you can change your reservation to 11:45?

 

[lovethattink]

Too close, imho.

 

[disneyfantotheend]

Although I would say nothing is impossible, Sci Fi is pretty popular and I have never had luck getting seated early there or even on time for that matter.

 

[vfalkner]

Thanks all. Not what I wanted to hear, but not completely unexpected. I was hoping we could be in and out in an hour or so, but sounds like maybe we won't get seated on time??

Do you think if we try to do it and don't get seated for a while, we would have to pay the cancellation fee at that point? Kids really want to go to Sci-Fi but this is for next week so I don't think we will be able to change res time. Maybe I will look to see if there are other Frozen that fit in our schedule.

 

[HopperFan]

Yes cutting it very close. And yes the procedure is if you do not go in and use your reservation you would pay $10 per person.

If EVERYTHING is perfect and you get seated at 1:20 pm (we usually don't), go in knowing already what you want so when the server comes you place your order immediately, when he comes to check on you ask for you bill asap so you can go ahead and pay, as soon as done eating hustle over to the FP+. I know that Frozen is moving locations and always changing procedures but when we went they asked us if we had FP+ at the line entrance but never checked it until we walked into the theater. You could be walking into the line after they start loading the theater but still have your FP+ honored but you won't be sitting up close. Again, everything hitting perfectly it is possible but if both things are a must I suggest you try to swap your Frozen FP+.

 

[timestwo]

I've never had a problem getting in early for an ADR if I show up early. SciFi is very close to the Frozen theater so it's a quick trip. There is a separate line for FP at Frozen but that said, we got there just at the end of our FP time (one of the last ones in for FP) and we were pretty far back. Wasn't terrible but I'd be sure to get there earlier if you'd like a better seat. We were there last week, btw.

 

[staceyeileen]

isn't there a sing along every hour? just go to the next one.

 

[Alice Sr.]

Do you think if we try to do it and don't get seated for a while, we would have to pay the cancellation fee at that point? Kids really want to go to Sci-Fi but this is for next week so I don't think we will be able to change res time. Maybe I will look to see if there are other Frozen that fit in our schedule.

That's a good question. I think they probably give themselves the same lead time they give us for being late (15 minutes I think). If it were me I would check in at the podium early on let the hostess know what you are attempting. Just so they remember your face when you come back (15 minutes or so before your resv. time), be ready to order your lunch when the wait staff 1st comes by your table and let him/her know also. Ask him/her to bring the check when they bring the food. If that doesn't work and you are late there are more shows hopefully you will be able to catch a later one. Good luck!

 

[kastoney]

We missed our sing along fast pass after our SciFi lunch went long, but it really didn't matter. The sing along wasn't crowded at all so a fast pass really wasn't needed.

 

[jlhill4444]

Sci Fi has always been notoriously slow for us. We love to eat there, but never plan anything within 1.5 hours after to allow plenty of time. It seems that we are always seated after our time and the meal takes forever! I would try to get another fp for a later show.

 

[Asnell]

Yes cutting it very close. And yes the procedure is if you do not go in and use your reservation you would pay $10 per person.

I've wondered about that... Let's say a party shows up on time (or the suggested amount of time in advance of their ADR) and is not seated within a reasonable time of their ADR (to me, that would equal about 15 minutes). If they decide to leave because the meal would run too late, would they honestly be charged the no-show fee? That would be an appalling practice.

 

[HopperFan]

I've wondered about that... Let's say a party shows up on time (or the suggested amount of time in advance of their ADR) and is not seated within a reasonable time of their ADR (to me, that would equal about 15 minutes). If they decide to leave because the meal would run too late, would they honestly be charged the no-show fee? That would be an appalling practice.

My guess would be yes. They require that you cancel by 11:59 pm the night before or be charged. They do not charge you if only part of your party dines which allows for things like a sick kid and parent staying in room. Before it was called Disney Dining Reservation it was called Priority Seating and it still seems to work the same way. You are seated at the next available table for your party size in the order of arrival to your reservation. There are restaurants that I have never been seated sooner than 30 minutes after my time; Ohana, Le Cellier, Coral Reef....because guests tend to linger there. The restaurant can not control the guests already in the restaurant.

The whole reason the cancel fee happened was because guests were deciding that the meal/time didn't work at the last minute, which is scenario you describe OR were holding multiple reservations until they decided, which now has to be the night before. I have learned if I want to dine at a Disney restaurant that I have to buffer plenty of time to arrive, wait and dine without crossing over other plans. If I can't then I do counter service.

 

[Love Tink]

My guess would be yes.

My guess would be absolutely not. If you are there, you are not a no-show.

In the "real world" I've occasionally decided to leave somewhere where appointments are "guaranteed," because I decide I've waited long enough(doctor's appointments, physical therapist, salon). They never charge me. In fact, the non-medical places usually call to apologize and offer to make it right. I can't imagine Disney being any different. Being there and leaving because of an unacceptable delay is not the same as not showing up.

 

[adcadc]

Just my bit of experience and your situation might not ending up being the same but I was actually in an extremely similar situation to you about two months ago and we managed to do it.

Basically we had an ADR for sci-fi at about 1:30 and our frozen show was 2:20-2:30 which gave us under an hour in the restaurant.

There were no availabilities to move our sci-fi reservation back and I really wanted to go there so I just went in expecting us to miss the frozen show.
Somehow we managed to squeeze both in - and that was by no way us rushing or anything!

We got to the restaurant a little early and were handed one of the buzzer things, I don't think we were even called straight away but we was seated and the server arrived quickly. I think after we were finishing eating we had about 10 minutes to get to the frozen show and we did it all in time.

It will be a close call for you but I definitely think you could make it if you really want to.

If I were you I'd go to your sci-fi reservation and then aim to get to the frozen show, but if you don't just go to the next one. Sci-fi is wonderful and really not one to be missed so i'd definitely still go if I were you.

Have a lovely trip

 

[aribelle]

Thanks all. Not what I wanted to hear, but not completely unexpected. I was hoping we could be in and out in an hour or so, but sounds like maybe we won't get seated on time??

Do you think if we try to do it and don't get seated for a while, we would have to pay the cancellation fee at that point? Kids really want to go to Sci-Fi but this is for next week so I don't think we will be able to change res time. Maybe I will look to see if there are other Frozen that fit in our schedule.

I'd change the Frozen Singalong to a later time.....I have been making FP for this coming week and have seen Frozen available every day, multiple times, so that should be easier to change than Sci Fi

Sci Fi's movies run for just about an hour....and most people will finish eating and then sit watching until the clips start again for them. For whatever reason the ADR system doesn't get this, lol.....so they are almost always seating late.

If you don't show at Sci Fi, they will charge you the $10 per person....if you don't show up at Frozen for your FP, no charge you just miss out on your FP.