Sci Fi or 50's Prime Time?

[coopersmom]

I've seen such bad reviews of both of these restaurants but, at the same time, both look very kid friendly and even my husband (a 50-year-old little boy) is eager to try one. As a somewhat picky gotta-be-worth-the-calories kind of diner I was gonna skip it, but since these were the only two Disney restaurants my husband talked about looking "fun" and then got our son to lobby for too, I think we're doing a lunch at one or the other.

Which one, food-wise, is least offensive and atmosphere most fun (son is preschool age)?

 

[kathie859]

Prime Time over SciFi...mainly for the seating arrangement issue.

Lunch at the PT offers a grilled chicken sandwich with a house salad, Or maybe you could do the shrimp cocktail with a side salad. Dinner does offer a seafood salad that sounds good though I've never eaten or seen it You may want to check out the menus on allears.net to make your decision.

Happy Planning

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would go with 50's Prime Time Cafe because in my opinion they have a better menu, theme, and atmosphere.

 

[dixonsontour]

My almost 4 year old daughter loved eating at sci fi. She sat in the front of the car and pretended to drive. We just had burgers and shakes for lunch and they were good - I actually shared with her as the portion was large and got her a light up drink which worked well in the dark atmosphere.

Out of the 14 TS we did she asked to go back to two places this trip - one of these was sci fi.

Never done 50's but I think maybe an older child would enjoy it more.

 

[PoohsFan1]

We have eaten at 50's Prime Time a couple of times and just tried out Sci-Fi for lunch this past trip. Overall, we enjoy 50's over Sci-Fi. The ambiance and atmosphere was neat in Sci-Fi, but I just wasn't that thrilled with the food. At 50's, however, they have very good food (especially the pot roast and Fried Chicken) and really good desserts. We already decided that we will return to 50's for our May trip, and we are hoping that we get a waiter/waitress in full character since we will be taking a family that has never been to Disney.

 

[PudgetteD]

We've done both and prefer 50's food but like the atmosphere at Sc-Fi better. None of us really get into the participation theme of 50's (which is why we haven't gone to WCC). We like the pot pie and fried chicken at 50's as well as the PBJ milk shakes. . .yummy!

 

[aenelson]

I would have to vote for Sci-Fi, i love the theme of drive in, and the burgers and shakes are awesome. I have never been to 50's, but I have heard bad and good reviews. Personally I do not like crass 50s humor, so I do not go.

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

I am gauging my answer based on my DH who is also a little boy in his 50s. He likes the atmosphere at both and doesn't really care about the food. If he had to choose, I'd go with Sci Fi. The thing about Prime Time is that the show is not dependable. Sometimes the CMs just aren't "on."

For instance, on one trip, we told our server we were vegetarians and wouldn't talk to the chef to ensure that our dietary needs were met. You would have thought we had told them that we were saints on stand-by. No one send an ontoward word to us during the whole meal. We did observe some antics at other tables, but it was more like watching a show, rather than being part of the show. OTOH, when the CMs are on top of their game, it's a riot, and we have experienced that on other trips.

At Sci Fi, the show is always on, so it's more of a can't miss theme.

I'm sure your DH will have a blast either place. Have a great trip!

 

[pixarmom]

I think it depends on what you are looking for. We have two older boys (pre-teens) and a pre-schooler, and we've been to both.

Sci-Fi is fun, but our pre-schooler doesn't recognize any of the movies and, therefore, is only moderately interested. He did like the cars, but he sat in the same row as my husband and me, so it was a little crowded. We like the lunch items at sci-fi, but were not crazy about dinner. Because of the way sci-fi is set up, it feels more like an attraction than a meal. We can't really talk with our kids there because the two older boys are in front of us, and our pre-schooler is really interested in checking out the car. I think if we had a car closer to the screen, he might have been more interested in it! We'll return for lunch next trip, but it wasn't at the top of our list. More like: "we'll be in DHS that day, and we already have ADRs for Brown Derby and 50's, where else should we go?"

50's was great fun, and we think the food is really, really good. Everyone was happy with the food (and that doesn't happen every day!) I had the wedge salad and shared the pot pie with our oldest son, and it was outstanding. The "show" was goofy and fun. I don't generally like Ed Debevics, but I liked this. Maybe it's because everyone is just in such a great mood at Disney! Anyway, the seating there is more traditional than at Sci-Fi, so we could talk at lunch. But they do have TVs on, so the kids would float in and out of the conversation. Our pre-schooler loved the old TVs and enjoyed his kids' meal. We'll definitely be back next trip!

If we had to choose between the two, we would all vote for 50's.

 

[princssdisnygina]

Definitely the Prime Time. Better food for sure. Both are fun. With the kids it may be more fun to sit in the "cars" for dinner but the Prime Time does have the black and white tv's! We LOVE the 50's Prime Time!

 

[Pakey]

I like 50's better but everyone in my family would say Sci Fi.

 

[twocat]

I like PT much better than Sci-Fi because of the fried chicken. It is by far, the best and maybe the only, on property. You can get all white meat if you want. That's what I do. I think I even subbed the mashed potatoes for something else.

Sci-Fi is more of a unique experience but the food is pretty standard sandwiches at lunchtime. I believe I had a cheeseburger and it was fine.

 

[snow_white's_mom]

We have done both and I would absolutely choose prime time. My daughter has gone since she was 1 up till she was 4 1/2, and she loves it everytime. If your husband is all about the atmosphere ask for a table with a tv. The servers will "make" you eat your veggies so maybe hint for him to not eat them to get a little more show. Also, elbows on the table can get the servers going too. My poppop is in his 70s and is rather grumpy and he was smiling when he left.

 

[jdisnut]

Prime Time over SciFi...mainly for the seating arrangement issue.

Thank you for mentioning this issue! I started to think only my family minded the seating arrangement at Sci-Fi. We look forward to sitting around a table and talking during meals! Eating in rows rendered legitimate conversation virtually impossible!

Prime Time for me, no question.

 

[TisBit]

Prime Time for the food...much better. But I will say Sci Fi is a fun place to go and kids love it. recommend just sticking with burgers here....they aren't awesome, but they are good and better then some of the more expensive stuff (at dinner they are not on the menu, but still available).

 

[Mckymousefn]

We have had both and we prefer 50's Prime Time. We were there for Thanksgiving in '08 and the food was really good... especially for it not being homemade.

 

[emmabemmainc]

I think that lately, however, the reviews of both have gotten much better. I like both, but I would pick 50's PTC. We're going for our 4th time this December and I can't wait!

 

[boundfordisney]

my vote for prime time as far as the food . but for kids sci fi would be the chosen one!

 

[madthemouse]

I'm going to sit right on the fence. Having said that, I do enjoy both for different reasons. My childhood was growing up in the 60's. I would watch the "Creature Double Feature" on Saturday afternoons. The same movies that are trailers at the Sci-Fi. On the other hand I would watch all those Tv shows from 50's that the Prime time harkins back too. IMO, I'll give the food at the Prime Time an edge over the Sci-Fi. Although, the burgers and shakes at Sci-Fi, are pretty good. You said, "That your husband is 50". chances are he may have had the same experience. Do both pr flip a coin. How's that for being right in the middle and nor of much help?

Good Luck!

 

[NYUBwayBaby]

I would say Sci-Fi, even though I haven't been there yet. I loathe the 50s Prime Time Dinner. As a picky eater and someone who doesn't like being put on the spot, it was torture. I know some people love it, but I won't be going back.