Sci-Fi or 50's Prime Time for lunch

[rentayenta]

Would you choose Sci-Fi or 50's Prime Time for an early lunch and why (what do you order)? We still may nosh/imbibe later at the Brown Derby Lounge but am thinking we may want to have a reservation just in case. We have dinner later that evening at Il Mulino.

We’ve been to 50’s, years ago, and had hands down the best service ever of any Disney restaurant. Like ever. Aside from 21 Royal at Disneyland which was INCREDIBLE.

Loukilli at 50’s was hilarious. Played the part perfectly. Attentive. Called my daughter’s boy friend and told him how to treat her, using her cell phone. The food was good, not great.

We also want to try new places.


Thanks!

 

[eeyoresmom]

I really like 50s Prime Time but about half the time we eat there the servers are not into the role playing so I always factor that into the decision. The last few trips we have eaten at Sci Fi because we have brought first timers and the uniqueness of Sci Fi can't be replicated. We stuck to burgers , sandwiches etc at Sci Fi and they have all been really good. So have the appetizers and desserts. AND if you are paying oop, not much more expensive than quick service. I guess my answer is......the FOOD is comparable. If we're bringing a Disney newbie we pick Sci Fi only because the fun antics at 50's isn't guaranteed. If it's just DH and I we may do either.

 

[gillep]

We prefer Sci-Fi and stick to things like burgers and onion rings. We did not care for our meal at 50s at all.

 

[mddsnygals]

If you can get ADR at Sci-Fi, I'd go for it! I've been trying for weeks for our trip in June. I can find plenty of times for 50's, but none for Sci-Fi. Sci-Fi burgers and shakes are awesome-can't beat the cars and the atmosphere.

 

[Meglen]

Sci Fi, Im just not very into the whole role play thing... plus i dont like veggys and I like my elbows on the table lol

 

[rentayenta]

Thanks all, overwhelmingly for Sci-Fi. What fun antics happen at Sci-Fi? I really know nothing about it.

Seems to be lots of options on our DHS day in August. I'll grab a reservation.

 

[MudBud]

I’m not the OP but I’m deciding between the 2 restaurants too. I was leaning towards 50’s just because i’m looking for something besides burgers. How is the other food at Sci-Fi?

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

Thanks all, overwhelmingly for Sci-Fi. What fun antics happen at Sci-Fi? I really know nothing about it.

SciFi is really about the atmosphere, not really antics the way 50's Primetime is. They have car shaped booths where you sit 2 per booth. Most cars have 3 rows for a total capacity of 6, though I believe there are a few smaller and larger. You could be sharing a car with another party, depending on your party size though they'd be in a different row. If you have an odd number of people, one person will be sitting in a row alone unless you ask to sit at a car table. There are a couple of cars with tables and chairs, but you sit sideways to the movie screen- you have to sit here if you need a high chair as they can't be accommodated in the booth cars. There are also a couple of round non-car tables at the back that are typically used for walk-ups without an ADR.

There's a drive-in style movie screen at the front of the restaurant that plays old Sci Fi movie clips and commercials. The lights are dimmed and you sit in your car and watch the clips and eat. You receipt at the end is stamped with "Parking Violation."

 

[kimieko]

We did 50’s every trip but decided to switch it up to Sci-Fi on our last trip and I’m happy we did. We just split a sandwich and app, but it was good. The food and the Schtick at 50’s have been “meh” for us. We are taking our nephew in 3 weeks and we are doing sci-fi again. He is 8 and will love the atmosphere.

 

[rentayenta]

Thank everyone! I really looked at the menu for Sci-Fi and love good onion rings. Both the beer/cocktail menus look the same.

SciFi is really about the atmosphere, not really antics the way 50's Primetime is. They have car shaped booths where you sit 2 per booth. Most cars have 3 rows for a total capacity of 6, though I believe there are a few smaller and larger. You could be sharing a car with another party, depending on your party size though they'd be in a different row. If you have an odd number of people, one person will be sitting in a row alone unless you ask to sit at a car table. There are a couple of cars with tables and chairs, but you sit sideways to the movie screen- you have to sit here if you need a high chair as they can't be accommodated in the booth cars. There are also a couple of round non-car tables at the back that are typically used for walk-ups without an ADR.

There's a drive-in style movie screen at the front of the restaurant that plays old Sci Fi movie clips and commercials. The lights are dimmed and you sit in your car and watch the clips and eat. You receipt at the end is stamped with "Parking Violation."

Ohhh so we might be sharing a car/booth? Do we face each other? That might be a little awkward though neither of us are shy.

It sounds really fun!

 

[Shanti]

Would you choose Sci-Fi or 50's Prime Time for an early lunch and why (what do you order)? We still may nosh/imbibe later at the Brown Derby Lounge but am thinking we may want to have a reservation just in case. We have dinner later that evening at Il Mulino.

We’ve been to 50’s, years ago, and had hands down the best service ever of any Disney restaurant. Like ever. Aside from 21 Royal at Disneyland which was INCREDIBLE.

Loukilli at 50’s was hilarious. Played the part perfectly. Attentive. Called my daughter’s boy friend and told him how to treat her, using her cell phone. The food was good, not great.

We also want to try new places.


Thanks!

We like Sci Fi. Their rib basket is tasty.

 

[Shanti]

Ohhh so we might be sharing a car/booth? Do we face each other? That might be a little awkward though neither of us are shy.

No, not facing each other. You sit in the car facing forward toward the movie screen, just like you would in a real drive-in. If you share a car with strangers, you'll be in separate rows of the same car, one family in front of the other, not side by side or facing each other. You'll have your own table. It's spacious enough to not feel awkward.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

Ohhh so we might be sharing a car/booth? Do we face each other? That might be a little awkward though neither of us are shy.

It sounds really fun!

The booths don't face each other. Only the tables do, but you wouldn't be seated at a table with others. What I mean by sharing a booth car is that if the number in your party won't fill a whole car, another group may be sat as "hitchhikers" in the last row or if you're a party of 2, you might be the "hitchhikers" in someone else's car. Please see the attached pics. In the booths, all rows face the screen.

 

[goofygal531]

We always dine at the Sci-Fi for lunch because my teen son loves watching Tom & Jerry cartoons on the big screen!

He gets a milk shake, burger and fries and the kid is so happy.

I, on the other hand, loathe the food! I find the burgers too salty. Last trip, I ordered the fiesta salad with grilled chicken - they overcooked the chicken. Otherwise, the salad would have been very good.

We're going back again in August. I plan to order the same salad. I will be telling the server to watch my chicken and to tell the chef to have a lighter hand on the salt shaker with the burger.

Otherwise, the service is great. It's a fun atmosphere. It's just become a family staple.

Personally, I'd love to be at the outside lounge at Hollywood Brown Derby sipping a cocktail devouring those sliders. For now, we dine where the kids want to. I grin and bare it. My son always says, "ma we're making memories".

 

[gharter]

My vote would be Sci-Fi, but my wife and DD love 50's Prime Time.

 

[WedWayPilot]

We have tried both and much prefer SciFi.

 

[agavegirl1]

I enjoyed the atmosphere at 50's but this trip we are doing Sci-Fi. We prefer the menu at 50's but DH saw pictures of Sci-Fi and is excited for this ADR. I have the recipes for the pot roast and meat loaf at 50's and make them at home. Burgers, sandwiches, shakes and onion rings just seem more "Drive In" and I think we will prefer it.

 

[danielocha30]

you have to sit here if you need a high chair as they can't be accommodated in the booth cars.

I went last week and requested to be seated on their their signature cars, party of 7, baby girl was seated in a high chair next to me. I specifically told the I did not wanted the table/car with the sideways chairs.

 

[Tksolomom]

Our family loved 50 Diner and while we loved the atmosphere of the Drive-In, we didn’t love the food. I think though if you stick to burgers and shakes at the drive in you will be ok.

 

[LongLiveRafiki]

I went last week and requested to be seated on their their signature cars, party of 7, baby girl was seated in a high chair next to me. I specifically told the I did not wanted the table/car with the sideways chairs.

Good to know. Perhaps they've changed their policy. In August we were told no highchairs at the booths, but we opted not to use a highchair anyway.