Sci-Fi or 50's Prime Time for lunch

[Haley R]

We’ve only done sci fi but we really liked it. It was just dh and I so we shared a car with another family of 3 and it was fine. We had burgers and milkshakes and they were all really good. We will be trying 50s cafe for the first time in October. If our server isn’t into it I honestly might just ask or try to joke around with them. Maybe some of them are shy?

 

[Mr & Mrs DD]

50's Prime Time is our choice. As far as the antics go, they never seem to involve us in the antics any further than we want to go. I think they get a feel as to far one cares to take it. At least that has been our experience there. The fried chicken dinner is really good.
The Sci-Fi - We really enjoy the Sci-Fi for the atmosphere and I think everyone should go there at least once. We didn't find the food to be that good. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't anything special. We prefer the food at 50's Prime Time. The Sci-Fi is a fun place with great atmosphere.

 

[goofyintoronto]

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.

I agree with this. I too was at 50's and although my server was a sweet and very kind lady, she did not play the part at all. Which was a bummer. Food is good. But i'd try something new in your shoes. I'd go for SciFi. The atmosphere cant be beat. Its very cool and quiet in there too. The food has always been good when we've been....burgers/fries, wings, spinach dip, onion rings were all excellent. And the shakes! OMG the oreo shake is to die for!

 

[rentayenta]

Thank you everyone for the replies! It sort of seems split down the middle.

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.

That sounds much better than what I was envisioning. Thanks!

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.View attachment 313503 View attachment 313504 View attachment 313505

This is awesome, thank you! I was having a hard time picturing it. I love those old movies, The Blob was one of my favorites. LOL.

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".

So cute! We won't have kids this trip so I definitely thinking about my original plan of scrapping a formal lunch and sitting at the Brown Derby Lounge. LOL.

 

[Micca]

We have tried both and much prefer SciFi.

Us too! Had a burger at Sci-Fi last year that was probably the best burger I've ever had on property. If you want something other than burgers/rings/shakes I'd opt for HBD.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Well, does it come down to food, you could say that 50’s prime time is just too much food but by the time I’ve woofed down the Reuben (my all time favorite) at Sci-Fi, I could have just easily eaten pot roast and/or fried chicken at 50’s Prime Time. I think the food is comparable at both. I enjoy reliving the Sci-Fi experience from time to time, and I’ve never found it odd to face away, but if you were an odd number might be strange! My vote Sci-Fi! But The sliders and the cheese & charcuterie board, plus a spicy Bloody Mary at the Brown Derby lounge are hard to resist! Vote change, Brown Derby Lounge!

 

[rentayenta]

Us too! Had a burger at Sci-Fi last year that was probably the best burger I've ever had on property. If you want something other than burgers/rings/shakes I'd opt for HBD.

That was sort of my thinking as we don't have burgers planned any other time. I asked DH to look at the menus. he said: no.

Well, does it come down to food, you could say that 50’s prime time is just too much food but by the time I’ve woofed down the Reuben (my all time favorite) at Sci-Fi, I could have just easily eaten pot roast and/or fried chicken at 50’s Prime Time. I think the food is comparable at both. I enjoy reliving the Sci-Fi experience from time to time, and I’ve never found it odd to face away, but if you were an odd number might be strange! My vote Sci-Fi! But The sliders and the cheese & charcuterie board, plus a spicy Bloody Mary at the Brown Derby lounge are hard to resist! Vote change, Brown Derby Lounge!

Hahaha!!!! I do love a good Reuben.....we're odd but not an odd number, just 2.

The lounge is back in the running. The menu looks great! Too bad we can't use the Tables in Wonderland Card.

 

[KenHutch]

This is a tough one, we have eaten at both several times. I call Sci Fi (one of my favorites) a CS impersonating a TS because the prices seem to be between classic CS and TS. But oh g*d I love the theming (have pictured of drive ins in my man cave). 50's does seem to have better food and when all the staff got into the game it was a lot more fun but the last time we got a waitress who may have been the most boring person I have ever met in my life.

 

[sanapp]

I personally would skip both and just do the Brown Derby Lounge. Cobb Salad sounds much better to me than what either of the other two offer. Personal preference...

 

[BEASLYBOO]

50's does seem to have better food and when all the staff got into the game it was a lot more fun but the last time we got a waitress who may have been the most boring person I have ever met in my life.

Bummer, I heard that they’ve toned it down, I can only guess they had complaints, though I personally love a server with lots of personally, that can dish it out! )Humor and food!

 

[KenHutch]

Bummer, I heard that they’ve toned it down, I can only guess they had complaints, though I personally love a server with lots of personally, that can dish it out! )Humor and food!

What they need to do is what Whispering Canyon does. Flip your coaster Yes mess with me or I am not into the game. When my daughter was 12 we had one of the best servers ever. My daughter was just staring at the poor boy. Well when she didn't finish her green beans he got a for and played the open the hanger doors game with her. I think I tipped the guy 30% or so he had be laughing so hard.

 

[rentayenta]

This is a tough one, we have eaten at both several times. I call Sci Fi (one of my favorites) a CS impersonating a TS because the prices seem to be between classic CS and TS. But oh g*d I love the theming (have pictured of drive ins in my man cave). 50's does seem to have better food and when all the staff got into the game it was a lot more fun but the last time we got a waitress who may have been the most boring person I have ever met in my life.

Bummer you got a dud server. Our 50's server was amazing! He really was fabulous. Took my daughter's cell for texting at the table then called the boy she was texting. Hilarious. Wonder if he still works there?

I personally would skip both and just do the Brown Derby Lounge. Cobb Salad sounds much better to me than what either of the other two offer. Personal preference...

I hear ya! I may make a reservation and then cancel. Its so hard to predict what we will feel like other than mildly hungover.

 

[nkereina]

IMO, these are two of the best themed restaurants in WDW so you can't go wrong with either. We enjoy the food and atmosphere at both places. 50s Prime Time has more entree, heartier type foods. More dinner foods, IMO. I like the fried chicken while DH likes the sampler. Sci Fi has better lunch options, mostly burgers and sandwiches. Shakes at both places are great. For the OP, I would opt for Sci Fi simply because you haven't tried it before and I think both places are worth a try.

 

[rentayenta]

IMO, these are two of the best themed restaurants in WDW so you can't go wrong with either. We enjoy the food and atmosphere at both places. 50s Prime Time has more entree, heartier type foods. More dinner foods, IMO. I like the fried chicken while DH likes the sampler. Sci Fi has better lunch options, mostly burgers and sandwiches. Shakes at both places are great. For the OP, I would opt for Sci Fi simply because you haven't tried it before and I think both places are worth a try.

Sounds like we can't go wrong with either.

 

[CynBeth]

The food at Sci Fi is just ok. We love 50’s!

 

[rentayenta]

The food at Sci Fi is just ok. We love 50’s!

Yeah the Sci-Fi menu isn't all that exciting. The atmosphere looks cool though. At 50's the food was good as far as I remember but what stands out is the service. Maybe I will leave well enough alone. LOL. No one could top our previous server.